Happy Sunday! Last week started with the transition of Mommy & Daddy taking Steven, Sammy and Amaya to school. It was only on Tuesday and Wednesday because there was no school on Rosh Hashanah but it was a start. The real test is tomorrow when we have to start getting the kids up at 6:30am to be out of the house at 7:30am. Fingers crossed!
Steven: I can’t wait to show my teacher my blue nail polish!
On Monday I came home to a full royal court waiting for me. We’re definitely in a big dress-up phase right now.
We also got our new winter coats which led to everyone trying on their winter boots.
At the entrance to the classroom, all of the kids find their name in a basket and put it on the board. They’re the Honeybees. Perfect for The Bobes.
The kids and I went for a walk after work on Wednesday. It was so nice out and I love that we can do this with relative ease. (Relative is the key word there.)
Everyone practicing the “bear walk” that Steven learned at PT.
Thursday was a day home for Mommy because it was Rosh Hashsanah. It reminded me of the days in early/mid 2016 when I wasn’t working and was home with the kids all the day. Time to get stuff done and time to play.
We made a trip to Meijer to get apples for apples & honey and some Rosh Hashanah crafts. Everyone wore their snow boots in the 88 degree weather.
Brothers, deep in conversation.
Pretty much the best way to spent time post-nap.
As a Rosh Hashanah activity we made art with apples. Yes, Amaya is wearing a shower cap. I grabbed it at the hotel in Dallas to use when I dye her hair and she was very excited about it.
We wrapped up the day with a meal from Chef Steven.
Last Thursday night I few to Dallas for a triplet mom getaway, while Jason, Megan and Rosie held down the fort.
On Saturday, Rosie took SSA to a place called Bounce It Up, full of a variety of bounce houses. According to Rosie, Amaya was all over it, Sammy tried a few and Steven got up the courage to venture in toward the end of their visit. I didn’t even know about this place! We’ll definitely have to get back this winter.
While Rosie and the kids were out, Jason worked and worked and worked to put together the boys’ new beds!! They’re awesome. (They don’t say “U.S.A”, by the way. They say, “Don’t Stand On The Bed.”)
Today I flew home early, early Denver time. Rosie, Steven and Sammy went to Java Jungle while Jason and Amaya went to the grocery store. “I got you pickles. Eat pickles.”
Wrapping up this quick blog with a few photos from my #freefromthreeinthemilehighcity getaway. Always so good for my soul! <3
Hello! Happy Monday! Amaya and I were in TEXAS yesterday so here I am with another Monday blog update.
SSA are still loving school. I hope they’re as into activities in the drop off room as they are in their own room at 9am start time. They just dive right in. A current favorite activity is journaling. I actually learned at work that journaling like this is very helpful for emergent writing and literacy so it’s awesome to see it in action with my own kids.
Everyone’s a team at Steven’s PT appointments!
Amaya drew this picture of me at school on Monday. Even beyond the fabulous hair, I’m amazed to see eyes, a mouth, legs and arms. She even pointed out that she forgot to add a nose. I love it!
On Tuesday I just wasn’t feeling breakfast at home so, when Anna arrived, we loaded up the kids and went to Starbucks for breakfast. I love spontaneous mid-week adventures. Everyone was so excited to go to Starbucks and eat muffins for breakfast. (Notice Steven’s smile? I don’t know what happened but the deranged toddler smile is back!)
Tuesday our elbow pads and knee pads arrived so it was time to try some driveway adventuring! So much fun!! I can’t believe these are my timid kids. They loved flying down the driveway, especially Amaya and Sammy.
On Wednesday, Meredith took Steven outside for PT. What a fun idea! Just one or two sessions left and he’s done for the year. I know everyone will be happy to get back to regularly scheduled naps on Mondays and Wednesdays.
On Thursday I had visitors for lunch! We decided it was easier for me to grab take-out than for us to all meet at a restaurant. The bonus is that it creates memories of SSA in my office which is pretty awesome.
Sammy loves salad!
Checking out their artwork on my wall.
We had a late night Thursday with a stop at the JCC’s back to school picnic. That’s the boys in shadow with me and Amaya up ahead.
Friday!!
Journaling and fancy hair for Amaya. (Hey Daddy! Take some photos every now and then at drop off once we transition, okay?)
Friday night Nana came to town!
Saturday was a busy, busy day. After a little bit of play time at home, we headed to Toledo to meet up with 8 other 2014 triplet families at the Toledo Zoo.
This is just 7 of the 9 families, looking like an ad for the Radio Flyer Triple Play wagon.
First time seeing elephants!
Also the first time seeing a hippo!
Steven was Mr. Map. He was very interested in finding the path to the giraffes.
Showing Holly & Jennifer the path to the giraffes. 🙂
The Toledo Zoo has a touch tank! We’ll definitely have to venture back to this zoo again next year.
We wrapped up our day at the zoo with lunch at the playground.
Amaya and Hadley. <3 (This gorgeous photo and the one above were taken by Hadley’s mom, Heather.)
After a quick Saturday nap, Amaya and I headed off to DTW to fly to Texas to celebrate Grace’s End of Treatment! YAY!!!!
We’ve been talking about Texas for what seems like forever and Amaya and I were both so excited.
This girl swaggered onto the airplane like a boss.
It was a late flight and we landed around 11pm ET. From there we had to rent a car and drive 45 minutes to our hotel. (Plus a car seat install!) Amaya was a champ. Amazingly she stayed awake all the way up until our drive to the hotel. She was very surprised by the rental car bus. “Where are the seat belts?”
Finally, finally tucked in bed!
This kid. I’m seriously going to burst into tears writing about our weekend together. It was so special. I travel to NY for one on one time but this was totally different. It was just US. Amaya was amazing. She had her 3 year old moments but, really, I couldn’t have asked for more from her.
We woke up way too early on Sunday morning after such a late night and headed down for breakfast by 7am.
By 8am we were on our way to see Carrie and family at their house for a bit. It’s always so wild to see my kids with some of these other triplets that I’ve “known” since before they were born.
Back at home, Daddy and Nana had a great time with Sammy and Steven.
(I have no idea who this neighbor is, lol.)
Ironing leaves between sheets of wax paper.
Amaya and I left Carrie’s house by 9:30am because one activity Amaya had been talking about for weeks was swimming in the pool at the hotel. We were literally sitting there when the hotel employee came to unlock the gate at 10am.
I think it was everything she hoped. 🙂 After swimming I got what I’d been hoping for – time for a nice long nap for us both.
And then it was time to head out to Grace’s End of Treatment party! What an amazing, amazing milestone to get to share. There were more than a few tears shed watching a video put together by Grace’s dad, Chris, and especially when she took that final dose of chemo.
Throughout the weekend, Amaya mastered her elevator button pushing skills.
The party had bowling, snacks and lots of friends to visit with. Amaya insisted on just watching the blowing but was thrilled to eat some cake. She also ate about 3/4 cup of scallions – half of those plain and half dipped in queso. Oddest thing ever to watch! (Well, she also dips kiwis in ketchup and grapes in peanut butter so maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. But we’ll need more recipes for Amaya that include scallions!)
The hit of the party (from a child’s perspective) was the visit from Elsa and Tinkerbelle. Amaya has always been scared of characters in costume but she saw Elsa and her face lit up like I’ve never seen. She hovered around Elsa and Tinkerbelle for the entire rest of the party and even got up the nerve to get a glittery butterfly on her hand. Before bed one of the last things she said was, “Elsa loves me.”
HEART BURSTING
Amaya was so careful with the butterfly because she didn’t want it come off before she had a chance to show it to The Brothers.
Me: Amaya, I love you forever.
Amaya: Elsa loves me forever, too.
There were 4 other 2014 triplet families who were able to make the drive to the party. <3
Before we wrapped, Amaya and I hit up a fun photo booth. She was so cute with her poses.
And that was it for the party adventure! Amaya made an executive decision to head back to the hotel to rest before dinner and then another executive decision that we should get takeout. You got it, little mama!
Hanging out at the bar waiting for our order. Wine for mommy and a shirley temple for Amaya. She thought the fizz was too spicy so we traded down to water but she loved those maraschino cherries! (Jason saw this picture and immediately noticed the rocks on the bar, collected on the walk to the restaurant. He sure knows his sweetie girl.)
“Can I eat on that high chair? It will be so awesome.”
And next thing I new it was Monday and time to head home! We had the BEST time. I’m so grateful we were able to make this trip and share such a special day with the Byrds.
Dropping off our rental car. “Take me out of my seat! Don’t return me!”
Amaya was a rock star on the flight. We actually had to move her seat to the window. I guess the rule is that a car seat can only be in a middle or aisle seat if all three people in the row are family. The woman at the window switched without issue and we could tell that the flight attendants were glad it all happened so easily. We’re no-drama mamas!
And I’m back at home to all my men! Everyone wants a piece of Mommy which works out perfectly because I want a piece of them, too.
On Tuesday, Steven, Sammy and Amaya returned to school! This year the’re in the 4’s class (whaaaaat!?!?) with Miss Eugenia. Miss Bree is their assistant teacher until she has a baby in November. (One of the kids asked me how teachers have babies and how teachers go to the doctor. 🙂 )
The big change this year is school 5 mornings/week. There were tears the first day when I helped with drop-off but, every day since, the kids ran into the room to get started playing.
Steven wants to be a police officer when he grows up!
Sammy wants to be a ghost when he grows up!
Amaya wants to be an ear infection doctor when she grows up!
I can’t believe the difference a year makes. They were babies last year!
Here’s their room. It’s a 1:8 ratio and, right now, there are 13 kids in the class.
Last week and this week Anna is taking the kids to school for 9am drop-off but, starting 9/25, Jason and I will be taking them for drop-off shortly after 8am. They’ll get to play in an all-purpose room until their class starts at 9am. We’ll have to get moving earlier once that transition happens so this has been a good few weeks getting used to the 5 day/week routine before we have to adjust to the earlier, faster morning routine.
On Tuesday Steven got his new orthotics. He said that he wears them so he can run FAST! The transition back to this kind of braces was a non-event, fortunately. Hopefully he likes the support like his PT suggested he might.
The first day of school wrapped up with a make-your-own pizza night!
In the mornings, the classroom is set up with different stations to help immediately engage the kids. Mission accomplished!
Steven says this is a fish.
For the next few weeks, Mondays and Wednesdays will be busy. Steven is rounding out this cycle of physical therapy and it’s scheduled for 1:45pm on M/W. Megan is going to bring lunch to pick up SSA at school and then try to nap them briefly in the car between lunch and PT. It’s only 5 more PT sessions so they’ll all make it work.
This week, Tuesday was even busier because Megan and the kids went shoe shopping after PT! Steven’s orthotics didn’t fit with the shoes he had so we had to get to the store as soon as possible.
Steven loves the camouflage on the bottom of his sneakers.
I remember when I did things like decide what shoes they’d wear, lol. I love their choices, tough!
I’m getting better at doing hair! I’ve always relied on Megan but I won’t be able to do that anymore. See that even part? 🙂
Hands on hips. ♥ Still a work in progress.
Randomly, Steven had a fever on Tuesday night (gone by Wednesday morning) so he had to stay home from school on Wednesday. Jason and Steven got in some special Daddy/Bobes time while Anna took Sammy and Amaya to school.
Amaya and Sammy were right at it!
At home, Steven completed an arduous 3 year pregnancy and gave birth to a bouncing baby bear. He gave Anna very elaborate instructions on how to remove the bear from his belly. I love this so much!
On Thursday morning, Amaya didn’t want to pee before school because she said it hurt. By naptime she still hadn’t gone despite drinking a LOT so off we all went to the doctor.
Poor girl was so uncomfortable and so scared to go. We were there for well over an hour and only the really threat of catheterization got her to finally go, after lots and lots of tears. It was awful.
BIG, BIG SMILES once her ordeal was over. All of the nurses and medical assistants got high fives. (No UTI by the way. Not sure what the issue was but she was totally fine after she peed that one time.)
After the appointment Megan took the kids out for frozen yogurt.
By Friday morning everyone knew the routine – wash hands and then PLAY.
The busy, busy week ended with lunch at Olgas with May May.
Worn out from the week!
Here’s a sample of first week school drawings. Jason and I can absolutely see Steven and Sammy reflected in these statements about their art. (Sammy loves to look at “paths” on google maps.)
Saturday morning we met up with 5 other triplet families at Kensington Farm Center. For the first time, Steven, Sammy and Amaya all pet an animal.
Amaya said the sheep felt like cotton candy.
After the farm we went out for lunch with Ashley!
The rest of the weekend was spent at home, a good part of that outside. I feel like we’ve really turned a corner and the kids can play so nicely in front of the house. Sammy had the idea of riding their scooters down the driveway! We ordered elbow and knee pads for everyone because they pick up some real speed! The cones have been great markers for everyone whether it’s how far they can wander/ride their bikes or a reminder not to go into the street. (Megan – they elbow/knee pads will be here Tuesday. Hang out at the bottom of the driveway in case they have any trouble stopping. Everyone is so excited to get outside and try again.)
In sequins, as you do.
And that’s it for the week! Have a great one! Next week’s blog will probably be delayed because Amaya and I will be in Texas to celebrate Grace’s end of Leukemia treatment. ♥ ♥ ♥
This was the last break week before school starts again tomorrow! We missed the Meet the Teachers ice cream social when we were in NY so, on Friday, I popped over to the JCC to meet Miss Eugenia and Miss Bree, their teachers for the year. Miss Bree is expecting a baby in November so she’s only with us for a short time but I think Miss Eugenia will be a wonderful teacher for Steven, Sammy and Amaya this year. She’s warm and kind with a lot of experience with this age group.
Monday morning, everyone got cozy waiting for Steven’s appointment. 🙂 He gets his new orthotics tomorrow afternoon. So fast! We moved to a new company and their service is much, much better than where we’d been prior. Far less aggravation for this mom!
Everyone took time to paint “rock” frogs that Ashley got for the kids.
The transition to beds has gone really, really well. They’re definitely ready and it helps that we have three rule followers. No one gets out of bed at night and, in the morning, when their “Ok To Wake” clocks turn green, instead of getting up they all just yell for me to tell me that the light is green, lol. We’ll work on that. Ideally, they’ll get out of bed and start getting ready for school in the morning.
Well, they mostly stay in bed. One morning I approached the boys’ room and heard Sammy saying, “Steven! You belong in your own bed!” I was able to snap this picture before Steven scrambled away.
Steven loves reading books to everyone. His delivery is so cute. “Show me where you see someone playing in the water.” Just like mommy, he asks questions during the narrative.
Friday was a trip to Tiny Town!
The excitement for the week was our family trip to Holland, MI! We went two years ago with the kids and I was really excited for the 5 of us to get away together again.
Steven and Amaya – when they weren’t fighting.
Our room! The hotel was great and our room was modern but, when I booked it, I expected we’d have three kids in travel cribs. No joy! That left us with one king size bed and a tile floor. Ooops! Fortunately I thought to pack two sleeping bags and some mats.
I’m seriously shocked that we made it through the weekend without stitches. That bathtub ledge is a toddler accident waiting to happen, especially when they’re running across the room to dive into a pile of sleeping bags.
Amaya and I were sleeping bag buddies for the weekend. <3
Everyone was up eeeeeearly on Saturday morning. Our hotel was right off the main street in downtown Holland so we were able to walk to breakfast. But, first, a little photo shoot with my fashionista.
Sammy needs longer pants! (It was cold, btw! Under 50 degrees when we left the hotel. What!?!?)
We walked over the farmers’ market after breakfast.
Try keeping 6 little hands off everything…
Jason went back to the hotel to grab our strollers and we hung out by some plants and flowers. Steven declared himself “Flower Guard” and made a point to tell all of the shoppers about his important position. It was hysterical.
That gentleman got an earful.
The Clines!!
(Side note – Amaya is only looking up because I promised her a treat if she cooperated.)
Her treat! Believe it or not, these were the kids’ first lollipops.
At naptime we tried to make it work with Amaya and Steven in the sleeping bags but those two couldn’t manage to settle down.
Next we tried all 5 of us in the bed! It made for great cuddling but, again, Steven and Amaya were all over each other.
Third time’s the charm. Amaya and I made it back to the sleeping bags and the boys settled in.
I love this photo. Fast asleep, wrapped up in each other, lit by the afternoon sunlight.
Our afternoon was spent at Holland State Park. The difference between Lake Michigan and the ocean is striking. Aside from the calmer water, it’s so clear in comparison.
We rounded out the day with dinner in the hotel restaurant. SSA got a kick out of the fake candle.
Sunday morning we went out for breakfast again and then hit up a local book store. Everyone got to pick out new books!
Our final stop of the weekend trip was this playground in a park right on the water. SSA are getting more and more adventurous.
Amaya looks like she’s having so much fun here but, according to Jason, she was actually screaming in terror.
Last second Steven decided the slide might be a little high.
And home we went! When we finally slip these car seats forward I’m really going to miss seeing Sammy’s feet up on the back of his seat. He really can get comfortable wherever he is.
The rest of the weekend was super lazy. Saturday afternoon Steven, Amaya and I went to Michael’s and came home with a craft project.
Painting small storage boxes! Heart for Amaya, rectangle for Sammy and circle for Steven.
Today was fabulously lazy all around. The boys did get back to school haircuts and Amaya got another round of blue.
While Sammy was getting his hair cut and Amaya’s dye was setting, Steven and Amaya played “baby tiger”. They took turns covering one another with the blanket and went through an elaborate bedtime routine. Then the mommy or daddy tiger would come back in and say it’s wake up time and they’d switch places. Watching them made me think of playing a game called Jack & Rudy with a long, long time childhood friend. It’s so neat that they have each other as playmates.
Last up for the week – daddy grilling in the rain!
Sammy stood at the door yelling, “BE CAREFUL NOT TO GET HURT DADDYYYYYYY!”
Amaya looked at Steven, lifted her leg and said, “These are tights.” lol She had her priorities!
