This was a gap week be tween the end of camp/our trip to NY and the start of school on Tuesday. I think it was valuable downtime but we also found ourselves in a position to cobble together childcare for a week. We had Monday and Tuesday covered with Penni until Gabby arrived in the afternoon. Friday was an all-day day for Gabby. Wednesday and Thursday were up in the air for the early part of the day. I had the idea to post on the Michigan Triplet Families facebook page to see if anyone knew someone who could help. I have the flexibility to work from home so it was fine if we had someone new come by for those days because I could be in the house with the sitter. It worked! A mom of 4 year old triplets said her sister was free and could help us out. Whoo hoo!!

Monday was a lazy, silly day at home.

On Tuesday, Penni took the kids for new sneakers, out for lunch and then off to get dance shoes. Steven still has the biggest feet!

All was going well until Sammy threw up all over the waiting area of the dance store. Thank goodness Penni was calm and collected through the ordeal. Sammy is not a calm puker. (“Why is this happening!?!? Why is my body doing this!?!?!” He’s also the guy who, last year, wailed “Darn it! Darn it! Darn it!” through a puking episode.) Our Bubba.

It was and odd one and done situation but it did mean I needed to cancel a work party scheduled for our house that night. Sadness.

Amaya with beach hair.

Bedtime snack. Amaya was not having it with the photos.

The dinner party was for my team, half of whom were visiting from out of town last week. Since we canceled the party and I was working from home on Wednesday morning, our sitter (Tricia), the kids and I headed into my office to meet everyone for lunch.

On the way we bumped into Sean, Amaya’s “favorite person” that I work with.

During lunch, Amaya started surveying everyone. “Raise your hand if you’re a lady with earrings.” “Raise your hand if you’re a man.” “Raise your hand if you have a cat.” My colleagues were very generous with their participation. 🙂

A benefit of working from home is cuddles with Sal.

Wednesday evening was Kindergarten open house / Meet the Teacher night. After what feels like a looooooooooooooooong build up, it’s almost here!

On they way to open house we had this exchange –

Me: Boys, do you think people will think you’re twins since you’re in a class together, without Amaya?

Steven: If they do, I’ll say, “Actually we’re triplets.”

Amaya: And they’ll say, “OH MY GOD! That’s amazing!”

 It’s so interesting to see her awareness of people’s reactions.

So when we met the boys’ teacher she did, in fact, ask if they were twins and Steven did, in fact, say “Actually, we’re triplets.” She did not, however, exclaim her amazement. 🙂

(It was interesting to me that Amaya’s teacher knew she’s a triplet with her brothers in another class but the boys’ teacher didn’t seem to have that info.)

One of the great pieces of news for this fall is that Amaya has a friend from pre-k in her kindergarten class! Emma J has Mrs. Shuart also! They were so excited to see each other and held hands the whole night. As they were walking into school Emma said, “Amaya, this is crazy!” lol

Amaya found her seat!

Meeting their teacher. It was pretty chaotic with 22 kids and their parents all checking out the classroom at the same time. Still, their teachers were able to be attentive with all of the kids who came by to say hi.

Steven and Sammy checking out their room. Steven was as chatty as I’ve ever seen him when he met his teacher, Miss M. Sammy said hi and was out of there pretty quickly to check out the rest of the room with Jason. (And while all of this was happening, Amaya was off at the playground with Emma J and her parents.)

Playtime and popsicles after the classroom tour. I was glad to hear that kindergartners get outside for recess twice/day (all the way to 0 degrees).

Tuesday is the big day!

The kids had a quiet morning at home with Tricia on Thursday.

Lemon eater!

Thursday afternoon, Gabby finished up the dance shoe shopping with Steven, Sammy and Amaya. It’s tap and jazz again for Sammy and Amaya and jazz for Steven.

On Thursday night, the boys and their daddy had a sleepover. Amaya got to sleep with me!

I told Amaya it was “bright clothes” day at work. She was determined to dress me. “Daddy, is this bright!?!” How could I say no to this ensemble, especially when it coordinated so well with what Amaya was wearing?

Gabby brought a fun Friday craft for the kids.

They made a short trip to the cider mill and then hit up a playground. I’m counting on many, many more weeks of outdoor weather. I’m not remotely ready to say goodbye to summer.

“We made these to catch butterflies. See? We put in everything that butterflies like.”

The kids were bummed we didn’t have a party at our house on Tuesday night because it meant they couldn’t stay up late. On Friday night we made up for it with a movie night. Sally got in on the fun, too, and for the first time EVER all 3 kids were able to pet her for an extended period.

Saturday was State Fair day! One of Jason’s friends from a local bar got us 4 ultimate pass tickets which was awesome. It was definitely a year for limitless rides!

Ferris Wheel! Amaya was insistent she sit without a grown up.

Steven’s first ferris wheel ride. “Hi Daddy & Sammy!”

Amaya and Sammy tried out this climbing activity which ends with a ride down the covered slide. Sammy loved it and went through multiple times. Amaya panicked at the top of the slide and ended up getting a ride down with a fair employee.

Amaya and Daddy, off exploring

We went on a ton of rides. Many were firmly in the “kiddy” category but others were fun for me, too. Amaya and Steven both went on a second ferris wheel with me. Sammy went on a few rides where he just made the height cut off. That boy loves his thrills!

Steven really pushed himself out of his comfort zone at the fair, but also did a good job pulling back when he knew it was going to be too much for him.

Amaya took a 2nd turn on the ferris wheel with a “friendly stranger”.

Great view!!

Last year Steven wanted nothing to do with this ride.

I think he was telling me about a tire he could see. I think.

Mommy and Sammy on a FAST ride. It made me nostalgic for our Disney trip.

Amaya’s #1 priority was face painting and this place didn’t disappoint.

Wonder Woman!

Hulk!

The Flash!

My loves. <3

Building and racing lego cars. I love seeing how they differ in their choices and approach.

I got to ride the Dumbo type ride with both Amaya and Steven. Another ride that Steven wouldn’t try the year prior!

Steven, Sammy and Amaya desperately wanted to play a game and win a prize so we found an “everyone wins” fishing game for them. Of course the picked the loudest prize there.

Serenading fair-goers.

We wrapped up the day with dinner at Shiro. Man, these kids can put back sushi.

The kids weren’t the only ones tuckered out. <3

Today was a wonderfully lazy day for most of the Clines.

Right out the gate, Amaya wanted to paint shells.

Despite the rain, the boys managed to get some bubble time.

Jason had to go to work and Amaya insisted she wanted to go with him. She can have a pretty solid attention span and Jason was game so I packed up some art supplies and off they went! Going to my dad’s store is such a special childhood memory. It fills me up to know Amaya had this experience today.

Steven, telling Amaya that he and Sammy were going to get to watch a movie while Amaya was with Jason. (My bribe to keep them happily home.)

This girl.

We have one more day home and then we’re off to Kindergarten. These kids are SO ready but it’s still incredible to me that we’re reached this point. Tuesday’s the day! (A special thank you to Aunt Bonnie who recently sent a ton of “bribing” candy which will come in handy on Day 1 when I corral the kids on our stoop for a First Day of School picture.) Have a great week!