It’s possible this is the first time in 28 months I skipped a week of the blog. Is that crazy? It seems impossible to me that I’ve actually kept this up for so long but here we are!

Through our early intervention school we had a chance to go to the Real Life Farm. There’s a barn with animals to pet, a hay ride and horse rides. It seems that they only bring people in in groups so it was a cool opportunity to check it out.

Steven was all about the animals, especially the cats, kittens and rabbit. No fear at all. If I recall correctly, he even pet a cow. He drew the line at feeding the goat oats, though, which Sammy stepped up for. Amaya wasn’t having any of it. At all. It was crowded. There were animals walking around on leashes. It was hot. She spent most of the time glued to Megan’s side.

Steven, attempting to bottle feed a goat.

Steven, sort of holding a kitten.

The boys wanted to hug the kittens. Tight. We still have a lot to learn about the fragility of baby animals.

Sammy, sort of holding a kitten.

Amaya, doing her best to remain calm.

Between the barn and the hayride we had some time to run around where I think Amaya was so happy to be free of the animals she couldn’t help but give out big hugs.

Hay ride! It was a hot day. The hay ride went through some shady areas but I think it was too long for toddlers. Maybe too long for adults, too.

Horse rides!! We were going to skip the horse rides and just eat lunch at a picnic table but Steven really wanted to ride a horse. In fact, he said, “Bobo ride big brown horse.” There were ponies available but Steven wasn’t having any of that.

Sammy, much to my surprise, was also excited to ride a big horse! I think it’s time to stop assuming what will or won’t scare my kids.

Amaya wanted to ride a horse and kept saying so but she just couldn’t get the nerve to go through with it. We did celebrate the great job Amaya did watching horses and maybe next time she’ll be ready to ride.

We had a pb&j picnic lunch after horseback riding, supplemented by most of the crackers Megan brought to eat herself. Thanks for sharing, May May!

It was time for a follow-up appointment for Steven’s orthotics. You can see in this picture how nervous he was. When I asked if he was nervous he said, “yeah”, in the sweetest, smallest little voice. He was a champ, though, and our orthotist, Robert, is awesome with kids. The verdict is that he’s made great progress on his left side but still has a lot of pronation on his right side so he’ll be in the orthotics for at least another 6 months.

The next day, Steven had a quick pediatrician appointment after school because he’d been randomly spitting up. (It’s stopped.) He was a champ. Even when he was visibly nervous he soldiered on. For some reason, standing on a scale has been a big fear of his. I did it first, this time, and then he was able to do it, too. Later he told me he got on the scale “just like mommy.” Melted my heart a bit.

After the appointment I decided we should walk down the street to get lunch together. The last 3 times we’d been out one on one was for a doctor appointment and I didn’t want him to start associating our alone time with medical appointments. It was so great! I wasn’t really prepared but we made napkin bibs for both of us and shared chicken bites and mozzarella sticks. Steven, being Steven, narrated the entire experience. “Two fans going round and round. Two very big TVs on. Lady. Lady came back. Lady came back with milk for Bobo. Lady go over to mans.” This one on one time just fills me up to bursting.

Thursday afternoon I was off to Portland, OR for Bitcherie Weekend 9.0 and the kids were ready to see me off. I was unusually emotional leaving them, maybe because of how much time we’ve spent together lately.

Here I am, having fun with some of the best people I know!

In the meantime, the kids had a great time at home with Daddy, Grandma Sunshine, Megan and Stephanie.

I think Steven and Sammy look so similar in this picture. I don’t usually see a resemblance but I think they definitely look like brothers here.

Amaya, as she does.

Playtime with Stephanie on Saturday morning.

Amaya, putting shorts over shorts. Again, as she does. She’s either in a state of overdressing or undressing. 🙂

Morning photo sent from Grandma Sunshine!

On Tuesday afternoon, when I returned, Megan and I took the kids to a local shoe store to get some summer sandals. Amaya and Sammy will wear theirs as their primary shoes and Steven will wear his when he’s playing in water and can’t wear his orthotics.

Steven, ready to be measured.

Sammy is so excited about his cool new Keens!

Too cool for school.

Hot Stuff Amaya had a choice between turquoise Keens and another pair of pink sandals. Pink! Pink! Pink! No question in her mind that she wanted the pink ones.

The whole gang.

On Wednesday we took everyone to the splash pad! We were able to go twice late last summer after Steven finally started walking. They were some of the littlest there, by far, and also new walkers so it was fun but a little overwhelming. On Wednesday we were the first ones there so everyone got to acclimate before the crowds came. Steven and Sammy dove right in. Amaya needed a little coaching from Megan. They did great, though, and probably had a good 20 minutes to play before it was packed.

We’re nearing the end of EI school. Only 2 weeks left! This week’s focus in the “ball room” was on fitness so they had all sorts of little kid exercise equipment. It was so cute.

Steven pushing Amaya on the elliptical.

As always, gathered around the sensory bin.

These bags were a great end of the year project. Everyone got to choose their own colors.

After class ended we had some playtime on the playground. It was a big day for us! Sammy tried out the big kid swing. “Flying high in the sky like a bird!” Both Steven and Amaya went down a huge twisty slide. Amaya was nervous but she wanted to do it and pushed herself. Twice!

Twisty slide!

Thursday afternoon there was a garage sale down the block and I wanted to check out the clothing. It was lunchtime so we packed up sandwiches and clementines and made a wagon picnic for lunch. SSA did so well. They sat and ate and calmly asked me for more food when they needed it but I was easily able to shop the clothing.

After the great lunch with Steven, I decided to do the same thing with Sammy and Amaya. Thursday night was Sammy’s turn for a one on one dinner with Mommy. First we stopped at the tailor to pick up a pair of pants for Jason. He was very proud of himself for helping.

The Sammy Smile.

We sat outside and enjoyed some mac & cheese together. It was a prefect evening out with my Sam Man.

Thursday afternoon, the Megan took Steven, Sammy and Amaya for a play date at Ben & Sam’s house. Everyone suited up for water fun.

Poor Amaya didn’t initially understand that, if the slide lands in the water, so does she.

Saturday was gorgeous so early in the morning the whole family headed outside. The key is to get outside by 8:30am so we can enjoy the sun without worrying about sunblock.

Summer means watermelon!

Summer also means haircuts. This was round 2 of the Daddy-do. It went much better than the first time with far fewer tears. Steven was fidgety but calm. Sammy was extremely anxious but didn’t cry. He did have to finish his haircut on my lap. Amaya doesn’t know that she only got a pretend haircut. She was all in, though. So was Jason.

Post-haircut cuddles.

Today my friend Julia came over for a play date with her boys who will be 2 next month. Total chaos and lots of fun! I’m so lucky to have made so many local triplet mom friends. None of us are are phased by the tornado that comes with 3 two year olds.

SSA are starting to play with each other so much more. Here, Steven was playing a game with Sammy and Whammy Puppy where Sammy would pop up and Steven would hold Whammy Puppy up to Sammy’s face. They fight like the best of siblings but it’s awesome to see them actually starting to play with one another.

It’s finally warm enough to actually put water in the water table. I love it but it’s also created a situation where the kids want water every time we go outside. Who wouldn’t?

Happy kids in their car seats!

Steven this week!

The deranged toddler smile, lol.

This kid loves his tutu.

Sammy this week!

Amaya this week!

My little non-climber is becoming a climber. Be careful what you wish for!

Amaya takes good care of baby Jenna. Here she is putting lotion on Jenna’s “‘gina” and giving her a good wipe down.

It’s good to end a diaper change with a bottle.

Have a great week!