We’re back from NY but what an amazing week we had. It went by so FAST! Our April trip was harder than this one. The kids were younger, moodier and less likely to follow directions, I think. This time I felt like we could have stayed another week. But we’re definitely also happy to be back to our normal routine.

On Tuesday, we spent the morning at Savta’s house. Everyone got to use an old fashioned push mower! It’s one my grandmother still uses, btw. They loved getting to mow the grass.

Aunt Sara didn’t think playing at a glass table with glass trinkets was a good idea. Smart lady.

Savta, holding court at lunchtime.

In the afternoon we went to Aunt Sara’s house. Steven didn’t  nap and he fell and scraped his knee so he wasn’t up for much fun.

Amaya and Sammy, on the other hand, looooooved the slip and slide. Amaya cracks me up with the goggles.

At dinner we loved that Amaya and Sammy love drumsticks. Go figure!

Wednesday was another beach day. After time on the playground, Sammy and Amaya wanted to go down to the ocean. (Such a long walk for little legs.) Steven wanted to go to the RV park. (The beach has an area set up for RVs & Campers.)

Charlie and Nana joined Steven.

Savta, Chase, Sara and I joined Amaya and Sammy.

They were both nervous about going in the ocean. Eventually Amaya tried as long as I was holding two hands. Sammy never quite got comfortable but he still loved being down there.

I’m really impressed with Amaya in the pool. She kept directing me to hold her the way her swim teacher does. It turns out she’s even able stand in the most shallow part of the big pool! She and I went in the big pool together every day we were at the beach.

Auntie & Dod Shuki came back to join us again. (Or were these photos from Monday, eclipse day? I’m not sure!)

More fun in the pool!

I had to leave earlier on Wednesday to go home for a work call but Steven, Sammy and Amaya took care of everything while I was gone.

Big helper Sammy, pulling a cooler.

These cousins love each other so much.

Bath time at Nana’s! Until now, we’ve tried to mostly do baths at Sara & Dave’s house because of the sliding glass door at Nana and Papa’s house but we’ve crossed that hurdle  (probably did a while back, actually), and baths work great here! Just one at a time. Longer process for me but SSA love it.

Brothers sharing a pillow. ♥

Thursday morning was a fairly lazy morning at Nana & Papa’s house. That left time for everyone to stay in PJ’s for a while which I think we needed.

Chase, reading story books to Amaya and Steven.

Aunt Dale & Uncle Arnie generously hosted the Goldsteins on Thursday afternoon & evening. SSA were shy to being with but were giving hugs all around by the time we left!

With Uncle Arnie

With Spencer, Cooper and the newest Goldstein, Jordan.

This girl loves babies!

Visiting a “castle” with Chase, Charlie and Sailor.

Golf cart rides! Only the boys were interested but they each went twice.

When Steven wasn’t a lion, roaring to scare everyone, he was Door Mouse manning the door to the deck.

Someone was VERY excited for dessert. (Steven, as usual, just ate fruit. In fact, he’s asked for a “fruit cupcake” for his 4th birthday.

Amaya, in a post-cookie coma.

Friday morning the kids requested time to play at home before we headed back to the beach.

On the way, Sammy tried to nap and Amaya sang him a lullabye. 🙂

On Wednesday night I had dinner with my triplet mom friend, Ashley. She also happens to have a cabana at Nickerson. on Friday, she and her nanny and kids joined us for the morning! Her BBG triplets are 5 months younger than SSA and she also has 7mo old twin girls.

We celebrated Nana’s birthday a few days early with cake and family photos. It’s not so easy these days!

Nana and Steven discovered a sand hole. He was initially nervous to get in and out but eventually found his groove.

Everyone joined in eventually! Steven was trying to get Sammy to sit down in the sand. “Come on, Sammy! I’ll show you how!”

Burying Amaya.

This boy. ♥ ♥ ♥

More pictures of toddlers sleeping. I love how Steven always holds Morminer while he sleeps.

Saturday was our last day in NY! Boo!!

We started off with a quick trip to see Chase play soccer (he’s a beast). It was gorgeous out and Charlie did an excellent job entertaining her little cousins.

Sammy knows how to relax.

To keep things mellow, we stuck close to home on Saturday afternoon & evening. We went through clothing from Charlie which everyone immediately had to wear, especially the dress up clothes.

Little fashionista.

Auntie came to visit, too, and got in her steps pushing Sammy. Steven was busy directing traffic.

Amaya and Charlie, checking out bugs.

I was trying to get packed and I came outside to check on the kids. Amaya asked me to push her in the car. I told her I couldn’t right then but she said, “But I waited patiently.” So off we went together! 🙂

After dinner, Amaya and Steven were playing some game together. I’m not sure what it was but Steven really wanted Amaya to play it with him and it was so cute watching them work it out together. I’m seeing so much more collaborative play lately!

And then it was time for goodbyes. Sad, sad, sad. 🙁

One last night at Nana and Papa’s house and Sammy made his way to Steven’s mattress.

We were up bright and early for our trip back to MI. Amaya was ready!

Bye bye!!

These kids of mine are expert travelers. I was so proud of them today. They helped get everything through security and were, overall, exceptional listeners on our trip. Look at them managing the bags at the TSA checkpoint!

As a side note, Steven fell in love with this “princess” dress and wanted to wear it today. I said yes without hesitation because there was no reasonable reason to say no and I’m so glad I did. I was initially very nervous about external reactions but he was happy & confident and no one in the airport batted an eye. No one! In fact, a mom of a young girl told me how great she thought it was that I let him wear what he wanted.

They’re three years old. It’s totally age appropriate and denying him felt wrong. Though, truthfully, if either of the boys grew up and still wanted to wear dresses that would be just fine, too. You hear that kids? You all just be you. That’s all you ever need to be.

Moving on…

Hugs in the bathroom!

We met our pilots and everyone got airplane wings.

Boarding the plane like champs.

I had been SO nervous about someone having to sit across the aisle from me on the plane. It turns out the worry was for nothing. I put Sammy in his seat and he just rolled with it. I was so proud of him!

Before we knew it, we were back in MI! We did it!

SSA got right back into their routine. Here, they’re playing together with presents that arrived from Grandpa Homey and Grandma Betsy. It doesn’t necessarily last long but watching the kids play together is amazing.

Riding the momentum from beds in NY, Jason and I decided to scrap the plans for Beds at Four and make the transition to beds today. Ack! I feel like I’ve been thinking about this for years. I have been thinking about this for years. It’s amazing that we made it to 3 years 7 months. They’re definitely ready but it’s such a big step for all of us. We really, really don’t have babies anymore!

Amaya and Steven discussing princesses.

The boys’ room. Next up, bed frames and, I hope, window treatments.

And that’s it!  It was an amazing trip to NY. I can’t believe it’s over and I can’t wait for next time.