It’s reading, reading, reading around these parts whether it’s books we read to the kids or books they’re reading to us. Occasionally they bring home beginner books they made at school so I’m trying to do my part and be sure they get time to read them to me.

This child. She’s getting so old, so fast and, wow, does she love to write in her journal.

On Tuesday morning, Jason and I had Amaya’s Parent/Teacher conference with Mrs. Shuart. She’s doing great! Most important she’s fitting in, making friends and is a good listener. We’re so proud!

We reviewed some of Amaya’s writing skills and discussed goals for literacy and math for the balance of the year. Mrs. Shuart reinforced the importance of reading to and with the kids, and making sure it stays fun for them. She also reminded us that they should be trying to spell words themselves, and we should praise their attempts even when they’re not quite right. Or far from it. 🙂

Here’s an example from this week. (I have a hunch that she had some help with “apple”.)

It’s ice cream, corn, pickle, apple, strawberry, pear, brownie and fruit punch.

Mrs. Shuart doesn’t put much stock in the standardized tests but I’m sharing Amaya’s here anyway. You can see how she’s comparing to average, where she’s expected to end the year, and her percentiles – for both reading and math. These seem reasonable to me based on what I’ve seen from her.

On Tuesday night, this is how Jason found Sammy sleeping lololol. Why not, right?

I’m not sure how it happened, but Jason offered to let Amaya and Steven sleep with him for the night. Sammy was already asleep but I didn’t want Sammy to feel left out when he woke so I suggested I’d take him to sleep with me. After Steven’s small response of, “Wait? Sammy’s going to sleep with you?”, Sammy and Amaya ended up with Jason and Steven climbed in with me. In the morning, Sammy’s biggest concern was whether or not he’d still get a staying-in-bed star. (He did, of course.)

I went to Nashville for a conference after getting the kids on the bus on Monday morning. It was a half day, for conferences, so Grandma Sunshine came to get the kids off the bus. The app doesn’t seem to work on 1/2 days so she waited patiently outside until SSA arrived, with shouts of “Grandma Sunshine!” that could be heard from outside the bus.

Grandma Sunshine and Gabby took the kids back to school in the afternoon to shop at the school book fair. I loved book fairs so much when I was a kid!

A special treat at the conference was an opportunity to see Ms. Shannon and Ms. Lauren from the JCC! It was an early childhood conference (NAEYC) so they were there, as well, and even extended an invite for me to join a happy hour for Jewish early childhood educators. (Which I am not, but I’m definitely in the field.)

I didn’t mention that we had a continued issue with the van on Monday afternoon. Gabby went to take the kids to get frozen yogurt and the van wouldn’t start (again)! This was particularly problematic because I was scheduled to be away through Sunday and my car is the only other one with car seats. We lucked out because Jason was able to get it started and, when I took it to the shop, they fixed it right there in just 5 minutes. (Issue with the battery connection.) But the kids were still owed a yogurt trip so Gabby took them on Friday.

I had plans for a girls weekend in Columbus but our plans were canceled at the last minute but we didn’t want to throw off everyone else’s plans so a) Penni still came after dinner and b) Steven, Sammy and Amaya had a planned sleepover in the living room with Daddy and Grandma Sunshine.

The kids thought it was pretty cool that Penni and I have the same white noise fan app.

Late night story books with Grandma before bed.

With the night setting on my camera you can’t tell how dark it is downstairs, but I managed to snap this picture of my sleeping family before I went to bed. So sweet, and such a treat for Steven, Sammy and Amaya!

I slept in, which was awesome, and came down to kid deep into crafts. Sammy made this bracelet for Grandma!

Before Grandma left, the kids had a chance to do some experiments from their new chemistry set.

As weekends have been going, there were lots and lots of games played. Sometimes the kids really want solo games and other times they’re willing to share their time with each other. This weekend, Steven and Amaya even played a few games just the two of them!

Made a match!

I thought Sammy had a play date today, Sunday, but as I was napping on the couch on Saturday I heard the doorbell ring and just knew that it was Sammy’s friend arriving a day before we expected him. I was out of a dead sleep in a flash.

No big deal. Except that no one was dressed for company! I sent the boy upstairs to change out of their PJs asap and made it work in my sweats.

It’s interesting to see the kids with their friends. Sammy was excited to have Ben over but didn’t actually look to play with him all that much. Steven filled the void, which was helpful, but I think it’s going to be important for Sammy to have play dates without his siblings around – more so than it is for the other two. Being in the same class, Steven will know anyone Sammy wants to play with and Steven is so naturally outgoing that he sort of naturally dominates. Add to that Sammy’s introversion and Sammy’s play dates could end up a play date for Steven and Sammy’s friend.

Ben brought Bey Blades which were a huge hit.

While the boys finished their play date, Amaya and Jason spent time looking through her pre-k art book. It was so sweet.

We already had a babysitter set up so Jason and I took the opportunity to go out for dinner and see a movie. Highly recommend Knives Out!

We had a pre-thanksgiving lazy Sunday that started with cuddles from my Bubbalicious. (Who is so delicious.)

This is Steven’s version of a student and a snake at school. “Just because a person in my drawing has glasses doesn’t mean it’s me.”

We all legoed for a while. Well, Steven, Amaya and I.

Turned into perfect timing for Timehop! Amaya doesn’t think her year ago version was very good but I still remember loving her diving boards.

“Why does the tv say, ‘Love is in?'”

Steven thought the kids music was distracting him from his legos because he kept stopping to dance so he asked me to put on different music. Grown up music. Amaya saw this picture of Pink and said, “Wow, she’s a cool mom.” lol She sure is, Amaya.

At breakfast time, Sammy was frustrated with a decision I made and he hit me. Jason worked with him on ways to apologize and they agreed on writing it down. Sammy brought him this red paper and asked if Jason would cut it into a heart after he wrote his apology.

I really thought I was going to melt. What a sweet boy.

In case anyone is wondering, I do give a lot of thought to what I choose to write about here. I want to respect my kids privacy as I write about them each week. The best I can figure as a filter is to think about whether or not it’s a story I’d be comfortable with if it was shared about me at their age. With something like this, if I’m lucky enough that Sammy reads it as an adult, I hope he’d take away my view of his sweet, sweet heart.

With outdoor recess twice a day, SSA are hearty in the cold weather. Relatively speaking, it was gorgeous out today and they spent a solid hour playing together outside.

The kids and I made a quick trip to Kroger to pick up supplies for dinner and had a great time cooking chicken teriyaki tacos together. They sliced almost all of the vegetables for the meal and chopped up pineapple. I truly believe they enjoyed the meal even more because of how hard they worked to help prep it.

Delicious!!

That’s it for this week. A very Happy Thanksgiving to all. Have a great week!

This is one of those weeks where it’s hard to believe that Monday was just a week ago. So much has happened between then and now!

Amaya earned a staying-in-bed prize on Monday morning and picked this fuzzy Elsa journal which she started writing in immediately with a pictorial log of the family’s allergies.

Much earlier than I expected, we have our first snow. Sadness for me, but the kids were excited. Sunday night, in anticipation, Jason ran out to get snow boots. Thank goodness!

The kids were so cute in their snow gear. My friend Heather got these monogram hats for the kids three years ago. I can’t believe Amaya can still wear hers.

What I expected to be a sprinkling of snow absolutely nailed us. Gabby texted me at 3:30pm to say that she was stuck in snow traffic and worried she’d miss the bus so I grabbed everything and ran out the door of my office fast. My normal 12 minute commute home took me almost half an hour but, fortunately, the buses were running late, too. [Side note: I just learned that the plural of “bus” is not “busses”.] And it’s a good thing I went home because an hour later poor Gabby was still stuck in one lane of traffic.

There was so much snow to trudge through in our winter wonderland.

Obviously I had to let the kids go out to play. Sammy and Amaya wanted to traverse the back yard and Steven had his eyes set on clearing off the deck.

Here’s a small sampling of Amaya’s allergy log.

Mommy: Codeine

Grandma Sunshine: Medical Tape

Nana: Cats

Nana (again): People coughing on her. Which isn’t quite an allergy but definitely something for her to avoid.

Daddy: Dog poop. Again, not an allergy but there’s definitely an aversion lol.

Steven: Amoxicillin

Our wacky kids still don’t sleep in their beds. It’s the floor or beanbags for all 3. (Aunt Sara & Uncle Dave – those 1st birthday presents are getting good use!) Steven has also taken to sleeping under my childhood blankie which is so, so special – even as I remind him that it’s still mine.

Amaya sleeping with her daddy. She looks pretty angelic here.

Tuesday was a snow day with no school so I worked from home until Gabby got out of class. To pass time before they binged Descendants 1 and 2, the kids took turns circling gift ideas in the Amazon gift catalog. This is the first time they’ve gotten to do that and it was fun to see what they’re each interested in.

Steven was very proud of this extremely large number he wrote and wanted to know if “it’s cinfinity or past cinfinity.”

We still have work to do on the concept of infinity. 🙂

I have this copy of Leo the Late Bloomer from my childhood and it’s a favorite book to read to SSA. Steven decided to draw his own version of the story.

We were stuck with snow all week long. Can you see those bags the kids are carrying? They’re supposed to bring snow pants back and forth to school every day. What the heck!?! I sent notes to the kids’ teachers letting them know we have extras at home so Amaya’s teacher kept her’s there but the boys are still going back and forth with them each day plus backpacks and, on days when they need snow boots, a change of shoes. It’s a lot for them to carry and a lot to remember to take off the bus each day. They’re getting the hang of it though!

On Friday night I took Steven and Sammy to a mother/son dance in Northville. It was much smaller than the one we went to in Novi last spring and, like much in Northville, it had the feel of a very small town event. Parks and Recs-esque. It was a good time, though, with enough to keep everyone occupied. We had pizza, face (arm) painting, dancing, balloons and minute-to-win-it games.

I had to provide directions of what to draw and Sammy had to draw the picture on the plate on his head without looking. I think this was my favorite activity. Sammy was super into the games while Steven was happy to run around and play with balloons for most of the night.

Steven, at the end of the night, talking to the community center employee he befriended.

On Saturday morning, as we got ready for a family weekend at Great Wolf Lodge, Amaya convined me to let her wear make up. Lipstick, blush, eye shadow and mascara. “I look like I’m ten.” She was so happy.

We made the drive to Sandusky and, when the kids saw the water park for the first time, Steven said, “Wow. It’s even better than I thought it would be.”

Hitting the water park!

For the most part, the kids were pretty timid. Steven didn’t really stray past the little cubs area. Sammy and Amaya both tried the bigger pool and Sammy tried out one small slide. I think he’d have loved the bigger water slide but he was nervous and couldn’t pull the trigger. (And, of course, ended up sobbing at bed time that he didn’t go on he big one.”)

Only Sammy was willing to give the fort a try. In fact, when it was down to the two of us at the water park, he hunkered down while I tried out two of the water slides connected to the fort. (I love, love, love water slides. I can’t wait until they’re older and willing to give them a shot.)

Snack break! “Is my tongue red?” (Side note: While he was eating his ice pop we were talking about New York and I asked if he knew which room was my bedroom when I was a kid. “The one that Poppy Steven made?” It’s so meaningful to me that the kids can call up references to Poppy Steven like that. <3)

Despite his fear of the water slides, Sammy is remains my adventure buddy. We stayed at the water park nearly an hour after everyone else left. We rode the lazy river and I got my shot at some slides.

Dinner for the wolf cubs.

Sammy loves ordering Shirley Temples.

A meet-and-greet with Oliver for Steven and Amaya followed by a knighting ceremony.

We finished up in the arcade where we spent $60 for about 45 minutes of game play and $5 worth of prizes. Worth it!

The water park didn’t open until 10am (WHAT???) so Steven, Sammy and Amaya entertained themselves by jumping and jumping and jumping on the beds.

Great Wolf Lodge has this money grab where they sell expensive wands that kids can use to go on quests. The wands can activate different elements throughout the hotel. Sammy really wanted to go on a quest so, while Amaya and Steven shopped in the gift shop with Jason, Sammy and I went on our quest.

We wrapped up the morning with another stop at the water park.

Amaya loves to swim. We really need to get her proficient. (All 3, actually, even if just for safety.)

Sammy and I stayed longer again, this time in the lazy river and then the family hot tub. It was such nice together time with my Bubbalicious.

We made it home around 3:30pm, I think, which was just enough time to decompress & relax a bit before bedtime. We rounded out our day with the chemistry set that came as part of Grandma Sunshine’s STEM subscription. The kids were so engaged.

That’s it for this week. And what a week!

Have a great one.

On Sunday evening Amaya made this for her teacher, Mrs. Shuart, and gave it to her on Monday morning. I’m so happy that the kids are having such a positive experience in kindergarten and love their teachers.

Sweatpants have made all the difference for Amaya in terms of cold weather mornings. She loves leggings but they’re just not warm enough for her at this time of year. Like mother, like daughter. We hate the cold.

From Steven: “Mommy, how do you spell ‘mummy’?” You can tell he’s gotten into reading the early reader pattern books like, “I see a ____”.

The kids didn’t have school on Tuesday so Jason took the day off to stay home with them. The boys worked on a school project where they cut out paper turkeys and then disguised them as something else. Sammy decided to disguise his as a tree and Steven chose a puppy (named Spot).

Sammy’s Tree Turkey.

Steven’s Puppy Turkey

In the afternoon, Gabby took SSA to her house where they met her mom and got to look through Gabby’s old dance scrapbooks. Two of them, I’m told!

Amaya made this picture for Gabby to put in her “dance book”. <3

Wednesday was Wacky Wednesday at school. It’s hard to see it here but Sammy is wearing 5 shirts and 3 pair of pants. Steven is wearing two shirts, two pair of pants and so many socks that we couldn’t get his orthotics on. He also has 7 or 8 firefighter hats. Amaya went for some hair dye to mark the day.

When it was time to take a picture they got in this order and Sammy realized they weren’t in their usual line up but Steven suggested sitting in the wrong order would be “extra wacky”.

I’m kind of obsessed with how poised Amaya is here.

Wednesday morning the kids had dentist appointments. I think I missed the last two but expected everything to go smoothly, especially since there were no x-rays planned. WRONG. So very wrong

Amaya cried the minute the hygienist came out. Steven started crying shortly after. Thank goodness for Sammy who calmly and easily walked off with his hygienist without any concerns. We brought Amaya and Steven over to see how simple the cleaning was but they weren’t having it. In the end, it took long (LONG) conversations with two different dentists, and a seat on my lap to start off, to get it done. Afterward, they both admitted that it wasn’t actually painful or scary so hopefully they remember that for next time.

As always, Dr. Maxwell reminded us that Steven and Amaya have crowded mouths – Steven especially – and we should prepare for some orthodonture work once their top four teeth come in. She said that the boys’ teeth aren’t showing any sign of movement but she wouldn’t be surprised if Amaya loses her center bottom teeth in the coming months. I’m sure going to miss their baby teeth when that day comes.

Snow. 🙁

In my desperation at the dentist, I offered presents for getting their teeth cleaned. Both Steven and Amaya picked Lego sets. Steven got a Mars shuttle and Amaya got Emma’s Art Stand.

For months, Sammy has been saying that he wants a car that drives on the wall. He saw one in a commercial a while back. It was on his list for Hanukkah but he used the trip to the dentist as a chance to get it earlier. It’s pretty darn cool.

Friday was Spirit Wear Day. The boys wore their Gator Gear and Amaya wore a cool t-shirt her class made. It’s a forever keepsake.

Friday night was our first annual Gator Gala at Thornton Creek. It’s the PTA’s biggest fundraiser and big deal around the school. They have food and treats, tons of games to play, face painting, a bounce house, a live animal show and tons of other things to do. Gabby came with us and stayed until Jason arrived a little before 7pm.

Starting out with slushies

Face painting and henna tattoos

Hot Shot Hockey in Steven & Sammy’s classroom, where I had a volunteer shift.

Steven, Sammy and I went to a really cool animal show. We saw a chinchilla, owl, wallaby and I helped hold a 10 ft boa constrictor. I volunteered at Sammy’s request and then realized what I got myself into. The boys were enthralled through the entire show.

Photo booth!!

I snagged some pictures in Steven and Sammy’s room while I was volunteering in there. It was cool to be able to see the room layout and the touches of personalization (which seem much more extensive in Kindergarten rooms than older grade rooms).

Sammy wasn’t kidding about busy Fridays!

Room jobs! It looks like this week Steven will be the greeter and Sammy will be tech expert.

For a while now the kids have been asking when they’d get to jump in fall leaves. I saw our neighbor, Mr. Dave, blowing leaves in his yard and he offered to consolidate them between our yards. Jason got out his blower and added to the pile for some fun leaf jumping.

I recorded The Little Mermaid live and it was a perfect lazy Saturday afternoon activity. I’m still so happy with our new sofa!

Sally is getting more and more comfortable with the kids. She’s around the house more often and SSA are getting more and more opportunities to pet her, especially Steven and Sammy who want to.

I took the kids to CVS to get some wine and art supplies (as you do) and ended up with a van that wouldn’t start. Daddy to the rescue! The kids enjoyed going through all of the scenarios we’d deal with if Jason couldn’t get there. Sleep in the car. Call a tow truck. Call the police. Walk home. Freeze to death. (Not my suggestion!)

Steven, Sammy and Amaya still earns stars for staying in bed until their green light goes on in the morning. Last night Sammy worried about having bad dreams and was willing to give up a star to sleep with Jason. It’s truly impossible to say no to this child when he wants to sleep with you.

Amaya had a play date today with her friend Maia. At first she was insistent that The Brothers couldn’t be nearby but I think she quickly realized that was futile. Everyone was amped up and it was more chaotic than the typical Sunday afternoon at home but it’s fun to see the kids play with friends.

Sammy took some videos of the group that he’s sharing with Jason here.

The Cline men building roller coasters

I let the kids play with some of my bigger Lego sets every now and then. I mean, what’s the point of building them to always sit on a shelf, right? I think the Dark Tower is going to be a new favorite.

Just a few more little anecdotes.

Amaya sat down with pen and paper and asked how to spell words. As Steven ran circles around our kitchen island he’d yell out “i-ts”, “s-o”, “a-t”! So I call this a collaborative effort with some lifting from me on “riding”, “her” and “scooter”.

Thanks to Steven, these are officially known as Muffin Bottoms. <3

This weekend the kids and I worked on Thankful Wreaths. We cut out the leaves and they all decided what they’re thankful for. I love them.

Amaya: CC, Abby B, My Teacher, My Cousins, Holidays, My Parents, Construction Workers, Family

Sammy: My Family, My Toys, Savta, My Friends

Steven: Daddy, EMTs, Police, Construction Workers, Fire Fighters, Mommy

And, finally, here’s 0:30 of Steven, Sammy and Amaya burning off energy before bed. I think this went on for 20 minutes.

I really can’t believe how Steven, Sammy and Amaya are taking off with their beginning reading. They’re all at different stages and all progressing on their own timeline. We practice site words and they spent their lunch today trying to spell words for me. Listening to them sound out the letters is one of my current favorite pastimes.

Sammy sounded out “October” as “Oktobr” which I thought was fantastic. Steven is absolutely flying through basic sight words. I’ve moved on to some harder words for him. And here’s a sample of a recent worksheet that came home with Amaya.

Here’s Amaya spelling. They love spelling! I’m having so much fun with this knowledge explosion, and their interest. They spent their entire lunch asking me to have them spell words.

Not a broken foot, just a new “Amaya pose.” 🙂

Steven, Sammy and Amaya love tracking their bus with me. As it gets colder, I’m happier and happier to have the app and we’re getting better and better with our timing.

Steven chose to wear some clips in his hair and we had our usual conversation:”What will you say if someone says clips are just for girls?” “I’ll say boys can wear clips if they want to.”

On Tuesday I headed off to DC for a trip scheduled to last through Thursday night which meant missing trick or treating at my office, the kids’ Halloween parade and party at school and actual trick or treating. When I arrived in DC I made a last minute call and ended up changing my flight to make it back in time to trick or treat with the kids.

My travels gave me a chance to have dinner with Aunt Ouize and Uncle Todd. Yay!

Halloween treats for the kids from Gabby. Thank you, Gabby!

Gabby took SSA to trick or treat at my office. It sounds like they had a blast. The kids were nervous about being able to go while I was out of town so my boss, Sean, made them a video inviting them to come trick or treat. 🙂

Not only did Steven get to take a picture in front of a tornado backdrop but one of my colleagues was dressed as tornado!

Making the rounds…

On Monday Amaya had her first kindergarten play date with Abby B, a friend she talks about all the time. I was so glad that Abby was also interested in having a play date with Amaya. I left work early to join Amaya. When we got there she ran up to the door and then took off with Abby. It was great to see how comfortable she was. In fact, Amaya had so much fun that she had an epic meltdown when it was time to leave.

At their Halloween party, Abby’s mom kindly took some photos of Amaya for me. I am so appreciative! We also got some pictures from her teacher. (Still no photos from the boys’ teacher, though.)

Abby B and Amaya. (Amaya is very impressed that Abby is already 6.)

Home in time to surprise the kids!! Sammy decided to be a ghost for trick or treating and poor Amaya realized her costume was not ideal for a cold, wet night. We made it to about 8 houses before the kids decided they had enough but, fortunately, those 8 houses pretty much filled their pumpkins.

Post trick or treating candy by the fire has become a fast favorite tradition.

Watching for trick or treaters. There were very few.

Shortly after 2am, Steven woke up Jason saying he didn’t feel well. Apparently that’s code for, “I’m going to throw up.” 🙁 And moments later Amaya was awake and sick, too. 🙁 We thought it might be candy but that idea was dispelled when Steven continued to get sick through the night. Sadness.

Sad boy in the morning.

I was really worried about how I’d convince Sammy to go to school without his brother and sister but he was so good about it. When Amaya told him he’d be the “only one” at school he said, “Well I’ll have my friends.” God, I was so happy to hear that. And incredibly proud when he got on the bus on this own without even a look back.

I worked from home while Steven and Amaya watched tv, threw up and napped. And napped. And napped. By early afternoon they both had fevers and Jason & I had to make a call about plans to go to Great Wolf Lodge this weekend and made the easy decision to push our trip out.

Sammy had a great day at school! He came in from the bus with a ton of energy and lots of excitement about his day. I asked him a question about a snack that was still in his backpack and he said, “We didn’t have time for an afternoon snack. We have so much to do on Fridays! There’s library and French class and reading buddies and American buddies and Thornton Creek buddies and assembly!” I know lots of kids go off to school on their own from the start but that’s not the experience for Steven, Sammy and Amaya so it fills my heart to see Sammy go off on his own so easily.

By Saturday morning, fevers were gone and Steven and Amaya were back to their usual selves. Thank goodness for all of us. And, miraculously, so far no one else has come down with whatever bug they had.

Spider-making Man

Sushi for breakfast is definitely a sign of a strong stomach.

The kids were so excited to help Jason with his laundry. Amaya was working on her Konmarie folding.

Sammy wanted me to take him to Benihana for lunch but Jason was able to convince him that we should all try Mongolian BBQ where he could still see the chefs cook his food. Jason snapped this picture of Sammy jamming to the music.

This was a weekend of games! I played Scrabble Jr. with each of them individually, Sight Word Swat with everyone individually, three games of Monopoly Jr. and one of Carcassone with all three and a game of Memory with Steven where he legitimately beat me.

In my game with Sammy, Amaya showed up with this “Go Mommy” sign. Can you even???? <3

Steven has taken to sleeping with my blankie. (It’s the Sesame Street sheet.) I’ve had it since it was a toddler and it’s so special to see my kids sleep with it but I’m pretty clear with everyone that it’s still mine.

We had an awesomely lazy Sunday. Sometimes it’s so nice to be home and do nothing at all. The whole weekend really felt like that. We were busy around the house but on our own terms.

I thought Steven was interested in what Jason was doing, but it turns out he was just waiting for Jason’s tablet battery to die so Jason could do something with him. 🙂

Three games of Monopoly so everyone could have a turn as banker.

Cuddles with Daddy

I’ll end with this – Today Sammy told me what he wished for when we were at the wishing well in Disneyland. At the time he said he couldn’t tell me or it wouldn’t come true. It turns out he wished that we could have a rainbow outside our house every day. How sweet is that child? Steven heard and said, “Couldn’t you have wished for 2 copies of Mommy and 2 copies of Daddy so we could each have our own mommy and daddy. But we’d still be triplets!” Another sweet child. <3 As is their sister (when she wants to be). 🙂