busytown

One of the joys of multiples is seeing their friendship develop. Born together, best friends forever. At least I hope so.

They’re playing together more and more and, when they’re not fighting, really look out for one another. They’re also starting to conspire against me. After Steven, Sammy and Amaya climbed in bed together, they told me they were going to sleep and I needed to leave them alone. Stinkers. 😉

Turns out, turning on the baseball game is all it takes to let grown-ups in.

On Monday, Megan took the kids to Funtastic. It was cold so we told Amaya she needed to wear long sleeves and pants. She complied, with a tank top and shorts on top. My girl.

I love seeing Steven, Sammy and Amaya grow in these play spaces. They’ve never been bold when it comes to physical adventures so it’s great to see them start to explore and climb more. I’m seeing a real evolution take place.

Wednesday was a trip to Tiny Town. Steven woke up and said “I want to go to the place where we had our birthday party,” and everyone else was on board.

Just a few months ago they wouldn’t go near the trampoline.

Megan was on an activity roll for the week and make this obstacle course for the kids. Such a great idea!

From Megan: They scooter in between the 2 blue lines, then walk around the cones only on the blue tape. At the 3 arrows, jump 3 times. Walk sideways down the next blue line. Once on the X, stand on one foot and then only step on the blue dots to get to the end.

It was also a week for artwork! Apple painting!!

Thursday was Jason’s birthday. He had to leave early for work but we made sure he woke up to some birthday decor in the bathroom.

Amaya told me her “eyes looked tired” and wanted to see a picture. I have no idea where she got that from but it was true – she did have dark circles under her eyes on Thursday morning.

Jason’s birthday is also May the 4th and Team Cline celebrates Star Wars in style.

Steven is already making a ton of progress in physical therapy. I think he just needs the focus and the push. On Thursday, Steven JUMPED with both feet off the ground. He was so, so proud.

Jason’s birthday surprise was a visit from him mom.

Everyone loves a visit from Grandma Sunshine.

The kids rounded out the week with more afternoon painting with Rosie. I’m so glad we hung onto their smocks. They’re perfect for painting!

Sleeping kiddos.

Saturday morning Jason wasn’t feeling well so I packed up SSA for a trip to the mall. You’ve got Amaya in just her shirt and Steven in his winter jacket. I was actually ready to sell those coats and had to unpack a bag to grab it for him when he said it was too cold for just a sweatshirt.

See Sammy peeking out in the back with his feet up on the seat? I remember looking at photos of 3 year olds making themselves comfortable as their legs grew. It’s crazy to me that now I have the big kids.

Bubbalicious is so delicious. I showed this photo to some friends (the Bitcherie!) and Ames and Deena both immediately said that he’s totally Jason’s kid here. Which he is. Sammy has always known how to lounge, just like his daddy.

We’re starting to go more places without the wagon. Steven, Sammy and Amaya are great about holding hands in parking lots. We’re working on sticking together in places like the mall. Sammy is a wanderer. He gets lost in his own little world and I have to keep prodding him to keep up with us.

Amaya rode the helicoptor and Steven rode in the fire truck. This time, Sammy just wanted to watch and wave.

Besides wrangling the kids, trips to the bathroom are another big change. It took 20 minutes to get in and out. It’s all manageable but I’m not going to lie. It’s a lot of work.

I’m lucky that there are always nice strangers willing to help. Amaya wanted more duck sauce and I didn’t want to leave the kids alone at the table while they were eating so someone walking by grabbed some for us. When I’m out with the kids by myself, I’m kind of like Scarlett O’Hara. 😉

(Megan – I gave the kids their fortune cookies right away and they told me that you make them eat their food first. You’re definitely right to do it that way!)

When we were walking through Sears, we walked past an endcap of clearance kid watches. As they do, the kids somehow convinced me that they must have them. Dory for Steven. TMNT for Sammy. Monster High for Amaya. Sammy’s watch was broken (oops!) so we made quick trip to CVS to get some Krazy glue so I could fix it. I know I’m biased but he’s so cute. Such a little helper. (He also decided they needed vibrating toothbrushes like Jason and I have. Somehow I stifled the impulse to buy them right there an insisted that he try one at home to be sure he’d use it. Sure enough he did, as did Amaya, so now 24 hrs later SSA have new electric toothbrushes.)

This morning we went to California Pizza Kitchen for a “make your own pizza” event with my Moms of Multiples club. So much fun for SSA! They did great. They followed directions and were really well behaved. Amaya didn’t use the red sauce so they whipped up some alfredo for her. They kids also got a quick tour of the restaurant kitchen. It was a great little family outing!

Amaya didn’t want anyone looking at her, lol.

We had leftover and eggs for dinner. The kids wanted buttered toast and I decided to give them a shot at spreading their own butter on their bread. Success!!

Finally, for the group photos, here’s a look at what was going on tonight when I tried to carry Amaya up to bed. Two boys hanging on my feet. There are ups and downs but there really is something to be said for little human beings who love you enough to hang onto your feed. <3 (And, yes, Amaya is wearing a tank top over her pajama shirt.)

Steven this week!

Mr. Sock Hands

Ming Ming was sick.

Steven has such creative adventures in his crib. He’s always going somewhere or cooking something. Last week, Morminer was sick but so was his monkey, Ah ah. They needed to go to the doctor but he had to take them to two different doctor’s offices because one had pictures of Morminer everywhere.

Recently, he’s been reluctant to get out of his crib in the morning. On Saturday he played in his crib until 9am, more than 90 minutes after Amaya and Sammy were up. In fact, Sammy and Amaya had finished their breakfast before he came down. Usually, though, I can lure him out of his crib by telling him that I’m going to pick out his clothing. He likes to do it so that’s good motivation to get moving.

He wanted Amaya to rub his back. I had to bribe her.

Jason was showing Steven how to work something on his caterpillar. I think it was the button. Steven was so focused on what Jason was showing him.

Little face. I love how he covers his mouth like that when he laughs, like he’s conspiring with us.

Sammy this week!

Real life, my friends.

Amaya took this picture of Sammy!

A cereal pancake taco, inspired by his sister.

This boy does not like to wake up.

Amaya this week!

Amaya made this house that she wants to live in with May May and Baby Taco.

My girl dresses in layers. She’s obsessed with wearing tank tops under or over her shirts along with shorts under or over her pants. She’ll say, “I have so many clothes on!”