Vacation and Ramblings...

We recently returned from our annual vacation and had a blast, but I'm not going to share the details since they are about the same as the previous years...  so I plan to blog about recent going ons and share vacation photos along the way.

The triplets have now been in school about a month now and we are going through some growing pains.

I wake up at 5:00 to shower and clean-up for the day...  I'm lovely at 5:45 and emerge from the bathroom...

Meanwhile, Jerry carries the kids downstairs to the sofa at 5:45 where they sleep and/or watch tv while I make their lunches and breakfast.  At 6:15 I force them to wake up and eat... then it's getting them ready until 7:15.  The girls hair seriously takes me between 20 and 30 minutes... we may need to give them a trim.

At 7:15 they load up into my Mom's car.  She takes them to school then attends daily Mass which gives me another hour + to finish getting Cody ready for preschool and do chores...

So... getting up early is a big UGH...  To Be Continued....

The Alternate Uniform:

A Note From Jadon

Let Them Be Little...

Everyone will tell you, "treasure each moment... they grow up too fast" and until you have a few years under your belt you just can't appreciate how fast it really goes.

Today, the triplets started Kindergarten.  Today, my life as I have known it for the last 6 years is changed.  I have had these little bodies with me almost everyday all day (except the 11 hours a week they were in pre-school) and now... they are gone 7 1/2 hours Monday through Friday.  We get home now about 3:30, change clothes and before long it's bedtime.

Up until now, the kids have gone to bed between 8:30 and 9:00... now we are planning to start 7:30 and may need to adjust it back to 7:00....

For the next 2 weeks, Cody is going to live the life of a single child until his pre-school starts, then he will be gone MWF mornings, but he will still get a lot more alone time with Mom.

Wow, this is just such a milestone that seemed a million years away when they were born.  I am sad and I am happy...  torn up with mixed feelings.  But more than anything... I am so PROUD!!!

They loved their 1st day (I was so anxious to pick them up).  Addison has made new friends, Jadon said he was too shy and Kaylee didn't share much other than she liked it... but they all agree they are ready to return tomorrow.

One of my favorite songs!!!!

Artist: Billy Dean Listen Here!!
Song: Let Them Be Little
Album: Let Them Be Little

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand.
You felt so good in it; no bigger than a minute.
How it amazes me you're changin' with every blink.
Faster than a flower blooms, they grow up all too soon. 

So let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give 'em hope, give them praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little. 

I never felt so much in one little tender touch.
I live for those kisses, your prayers an' your wishes.
An' now you're teachin' me how only a child can see.
Tonight, while we're on our knees, all I ask is: 

Please, let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give them praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little. 

The so innocent, precious soul:
You turn around, an' it's time to let them go. 

So let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give 'em praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let them sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little. 

Let them be little.


Here is photo of me on my 1st day of Kindergarten....

Permanent Changes

Sunday is coming to an end for another week. We went to Church this morning and I'm happy to report Cody is doing very well. Up until last week, he went to the nursery since Mass with 3 little one's had been a challenge for so long. But at this point the triplets are very well behaved and know the drill, however I had a lot of concerns adding Cody to the mix. The nursery cut off age is 4 years old, so it was finally time for Cody to grow up. This was his 2nd week attending Mass with us and he has been soooo good. I hope it's just not the novelty and this behavior continues!!!

After Church, we went to lunch with my parents (our weekly routine) and Jadon began crying that he had something in his teeth and it was hurting him. I looked around, but never saw anything and forgot about it until this evening when he began crying again when eating. Jerry grabbed a flashlight and we saw a new tooth coming in in the back of his mouth on the bottom. His 1st permanent tooth (the 6 year molar).... I seriously have been teary knowing they are growing up. My Dad said I better start taking photos before I have a bunch of toothless smiles (so true).

On another note, I purchased the kids school uniforms this week (ouch)... but thought it was funny. When the kids started pre-K 4, I stopped dressing the girls alike... one year later and they have to dress the same again. However, they don't seem to mind and they look adorable.

Ok - Jadon and the Books of the Bible... I'm so proud of this little guy.  He is sporting an injury on his mouth.  He and Addison ran into each other in the pool and bloodied his mouth.

WOW... Even I didn't know...

I recently posted on how much Jadon has learned and how I'm afraid he won't be challenged in Kindergarten. Even I didn't know he could do this....

Never Quite Old Enough...

TO THE YOUNGEST CHILD
Never quite old enough
Tall enough
Strong enough
Allowed to wander far enough,
Or stay up long enough;
Taking, breaking big brother's things,
Aching to be like him.
Wishing time had wings,
Hating being little,
Excepting maybe
When mother holds her arms out
And says, "Where's my baby?"

Today, Cody turned 4 years old....  FOUR... where has the time gone???  How can he be four and still be so little?  He is the baby of the family and being the baby isn't always easy.  He is in a class all his own, he is too young for swim team and Karate and all too often his older siblings don't want to play with him.  Seems like he is never quite old enough.  But, today he tucked one more year under his belt. I have 3 five year olds and a 4 year old today... but come October the triplets turn 6.  No matter how hard he may try... Cody will always be youngest... never quite old enough... but always Mommy's baby.  Happy Birthday sweet sweet boy!

Quick Recap: Dinner at a local mexican restaurant with my parents and GG. They put whipped cream on his nose and cheeks and sang Happy Birthday. (Yay for hubby's Iphone camera)  He loved it, but didn't know what to make of it, so he had a very perplexed serious look on his face.  On the way home he said, "That westaurant is cwazy, they made me yook so siyyee (silly)."
Pool Party on Saturday with neighborhood friends... this year theme was Star Wars.

Tonight (his actual birthday day) Jerry took off work early and we took the kids to Bouncin' Bears then to dinner at Texas Roadhouse where he was put in a saddle, swinging a bandana as they sang Happy Birthday and shouted "Yee Ha".

I also have to remind myself that around this time 4 years ago, Cody was in the level 3 NICU preparing to undergo a double volume blood exchange.  Think I'll spend a few more minutes in prayer before bed this evening making sure I give thanks for this little miracle.

Finally, Really? A post???

Awh,

The things kids say.... as I've mentioned in the past, my Mom comes over every week morning to help me out.  The other day, we were all over at the studio and the kids were coloring on cardboard pieces of a cardboard box.

Jadon was making a card for his MaMaw.  He asked me, "How do you spell MaMaw"  I told him.  "How do you spell 'coming'.... followed by "How do you spell 'thing."?  Moments, later he showed me  the card he made for my Mom.

It said, "MaMaw, coming over is a love thing."

My heart just melted!!!  He is the sweetest thing on the planet I swear.  He doesn't have a mean or aggressive bone in his body and oooozzesss kindness.

The poor guy did get a shot of penicillin in his bottom yesterday.  We have had a breakout of strep throat in our house that we just can't seem to shake, so we've gone from oral treatment to hiney treatment.... not fun.

Oh, a few more things I wanted to say about Jadon: 

I think he may be bored in Kindergarten... here are some things he knows:

Pretty much all the states by sight

Some State Capitals (Sacramento, Austin, Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, Tallahassee, Topeka, Denver)

He knows all the planets (the biggest, the hottest, the coldest, the one on it's side axis, the smallest, the dimmest)

He know his money (how many pennies in a nickel, dime, quarter, and dollar)

He can do addition and subtraction beyond one digit (127 + 352 = 279 and 155 - 132 = 23)

He pretty much is a full blown reader (fantastic, environment etc) but still struggles with (light, fight kind of words)

He knows a ton of presidents by sight and tons of facts about them.

He can tell you every state that shares a border with Canada...

Hmmmm, I've only scratched the surface!!  

Well, my best intentions of posting every Sunday fell apart.  I am seriously busy from sun up to sun down with children and the new business.  I know I've taken on too much right now, but hope when the kids start school in August I'll find that work/life balance with a little "me" time thrown into the mix.

Tomorrow we celebrate Cody's birthday and I plan to take some pictures of the kids.  I really want to do a full blown 4 year old photo session with Cody...  I hope...

Three Little Fishes

This year we decided to sign the kids up for swim team. We see the Cuda signs all over the neighborhood. We have friends who have participated in swim team for years and highly encouraged us to jump in.... so we did.

We tried to sign up Cody, but unfortunately he was about 6 weeks too young although he swims just as well as the triplets. So, he had to sit it out. That was the 1st problem. I had to take the triplets to swim practice every day and had Cody to keep entertained. Fortunately, my mom came to my rescue and took him in the afternoons while the kids swam (thank you Mom... always my hero).

Next problem... the kids swim all over our pool all the time!!! They are little fish... but they don't swim freestyle and backstroke. When the coaches tried to teach these strokes it's like they broke the kids... they looked like they had never been in water before. I am happy to report they overcame and could in fact swim the length of the pool, but they lacked in grace and speed.

Next issue, you have to volunteer at each meet or pay $200. I signed up to be a tent parent and help the kids get where they are suppose to be.... well, you end up spending all your time in the tent and you don't get to see much. Now when I say you spend all your time... this is what I mean....

Check-in for meets is generally 7:00am (which means we get up at 5:00am), the kids warm up for about 2 minutes, then we sit in the HOT tent until about 9:30 when the kids swim freestyle. Woo Hoo, 2 minutes of screaming, cheering and rooting for those gorgeous babies. I am the proudest Mom in the world when they reach the end (even if they are in the last heat with no chance of placing). Then, it's back to the tent until 11:30 when they swim backstroke. Let me just add, 4/6 year olds swimming back stroke is hilarious. Finally, HOT and worn out trying to keep the kids entertained we head home.

It's a BRUTAL activity. Right now, we are not planning to sign them up next year, but maybe like giving birth we will forget and do it again. I think the kids enjoyed it and I am happy to report that they got ribbons each week for personal best records.

More Fun Than A Fairy Tale

Back in April we took the kids to see Disney on Ice, actually their Mamaw and Pawpaw treated us all to the event including GG (great grandma). This was our 3rd time to see the ice spectacular and it never is a disappointment. The 1st time we went it never crossed our mind to wear princess dresses, but this time I was actually on my game and made sure we showed up fit for a fairy tale. The girls sported their hand made pink dresses (of course not made by me, but their Mamaw) and the boys wore their home made prince capes and crowns (thanks again to my Mom). Adorable!!!!

Heading off to the event... oh the excitement!!!

Hello World

Wow, I haven't posted in so long, I hardly recognize Blogger... I know I have a lot of catching up to do and now that the seniors have graduated and work is slowing down, I hope to have time to do just that. 

For my own benefit, I'm making a list here of things to cover:
Easter
The Fire Department Thank You Party
The Girls Dance Recital
The Swim Team and Swim Meets
The Whirlwind of Illness to hit our Home
Last Day of School
Jadon's Current Learning Curriculum (wow)

Back in March the Bluebonnets came out in force (and yellow bonnets, orange bonnets, and red bonnets... all the other color flowers according to the kids) and every year I try to get picture of the kids in the flowers. Try being the key word... I got some beautiful images for clients, but when it comes to my kids I tend to try and take short cuts to make it easier and it's not easier and the images aren't very good. But, here they are... I have managed to capture them another year in the flowers. Jadon complains it's too bright although it wasn't bright and squints through all the pictures while the others are just cranky because they want to play at a nearby park. I should post all the outtakes.

Well, more tomorrow... we are off to swim... but I am going to CATCH UP THE BLOG!!!!!!

The Single Got Blue

When we brought out the kids Easter baskets there were three rainbow baskets (purchased before Cody was born) and one blue basket. Each child took their basket and Addison exclaimed, "The triplets got rainbow baskets and the single got blue."  The kids are very much aware of their unique status as triplets.

Since the last post, the kids were tested for Kindergarten... yes, tested...  Really? yes....  I thought Kindergarten was grade one, the starting point...  they aren't suppose to know anything yet....  I don't know... crazy.  Even crazier??  I was nervous about the test.  Of course they did ok...  I mean Jadon is a full blown reader and the girls aren't too far behind.  I still can't believe they go to kindergarten in just a few months.

Right now, I've been busy at the preschool.  I stuffed 50 candy eggs, boiled and colored about 25/30 eggs for a carry the egg on the spoon game (remember, I was in charge of games this year) and I know I did more but my mind is a blur....  The kids had a great time at their parties (see pics).

We have also signed the kids up for swim team this summer which involves daily swim practice and meets every Saturday and I can literally hear it sucking money from out wallets...  from the actual cost to participate to having to purchase...  team swim suits ($54/each), a yard sign ($20), flippers ($20/each), goggles, swim caps... and even the towel and trophy ($15/each)....  They had their 1st practice yesterday.... it was hilarious... you'd never know they could swim because the instructors wouldn't let them go and insisted they do a correct free style and back stroke.  Hopefully, they will pick up these new strokes quickly, but they looked so funny trying to master these new and awkward methods of swimming.

Ok, it's actually about time to get ready for swim practice... then karate....  more on Easter soon.

Our Loss is Heaven's Gain

Our loss is Heaven's gain, we cry but the Angels sing...

Yesterday, we lost a dear friend whose charm, smile and warmth touched everyone. She and her husband had a once in a lifetime love, so I ask that you say a much needed prayer for him.

We loved her very much and she will be greatly missed.

Well, Howdy

It's rodeo time in Houston!!  We actually missed the rodeo last year due to poor planning on our part so the last time we went the triplets were 3 and Cody was 1.  Wow, hard to believe this time around Cody is 3.... and we didn't have a quad stroller.  This year was much easier and much more pleasant.  The 1st time around the whining was exhausting, but this time they all seemed to roll with the punches a lot better.

Also, when we went 2 years ago we just did the carnival and didn't actually stay for the rodeo and concert, but this year we held out for the rodeo.  Jerry got us some cheap $10 tickets because we weren't sure if they'd hang that long, but next year we know to splurge (more on this later), because they enjoyed the rodeo.  We still didn't make the concert.  It was 8:30 and we still had to shuttle back to the car and drive home an hour....  with everyone getting tired we bailed out after the rodeo.

Just want to wrap this up with a WHOLLY COW.... activities with the kids are EXPENSIVE!!!!  I always knew I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, so when Jerry and I got married we immediately started living on one salary and putting my salary in savings (I was Director of Fuels Accounting for an Energy Company).  We were able to save from April 2005 until about October 2006 (I worked from home while pregnant and on bed rest) and I'm sooo thankful we chose to start saving before the kids were born.  We never lived on two incomes and we've made it a point to save each month.... but every time we decide to do something with the kids I nearly choke literally on the cost of EVERTHING!!!  I do have my fingers crossed that the new business will bring in some extra cash and I'm over joyed with how it's going thus far.  Right now, I'm booked through the month of April so I am just thrilled.... especially since Jerry want to do a ski trip and Disney World in the coming years.....

Photos taken on husbands phone:

Hasta La Vista Valentine's

Oh Goodness,  my Sunday post haven't been going to well...  I promise to do better....

So happenings...  I now have a gold belt karate man.  Yes, Jadon took his 1st karate test and has graduated from white belt to gold belt.  He is soooo proud (probably not as proud as me and Jerry).  Stupid me though...  it never dawned on me to take the video camera and it actually would have been a good thing to tape.  Next belt for sure!!!

I'm glad to see Valentine's day gone.  Not that I'm anti-romance, but the Valentine crafts can be exhausting.  I didn't post last Sunday because I was making 48 valentine goodie bags for the kids classmates.  The teacher asked that each child spell the name of their friend and their name as practice.  So we sat at the table, each with pen & valentine in hand.... "ok, this one is for Franklin...  F-R..."  needless to say.  This took a long time.

I'm also in charge of holiday games for both Cody's class and the triplets class at school, so I made a bean bag toss game with valentines, bells and other foo foo....  So glad Valentine's day is over!!!

I was excited to see that a Valentine photo of Kaylee took 2nd place at I Heart Faces this week.  Woo Hoo!!

Jerry has been traveling more lately, which has been a bummer but I'm thinking he may be home for a while now.... I hope!!!!

Oh, and it's TOTALLY time to drag Jadon in front of the camera!!!!!