10.13.12: Riding ponies

We went on a surprise trip to a farm and the girls were so excited even though they had no idea what was in store for them. We went last year but this year was magical.  The girls were old enough to understand and really enjoy all the farm had to offer.  Immediately they (daphne/pink, fiona/yellow, stella/brown) rushed toward the bounce house - always a hit. 

Next they all got to ride ponies for the first time.  This was the biggest highlight of our adventure.

After some time in a hay maze, visiting animals and nature we took a hayride out to a pumpkin patch.  In true Robertson spirit, they picked out the biggest pumpkins they could find and we attempted to carry them back to the car.  Brant and I will be sharing a pumpkin this year as the girls' pumpkins were so large we each could only carry two.  We even found ourselves wrangling children with our legs back to the car as our arms were overflowing with pumpkins.  All in all an amazing day and the girls have already requested we go back tomorrow.

10.12.12: Balance

Today we were in pursuit of an amazing park I read about online.  After some aimless driving around we did find it.  You'd think the most amazing part would be the five different play structures but instead it was the discovery of these turtles.  The girls (daphne/green, stella/pink, fiona/blue) were very excited to find a turtle in their favorite color.  I was just thankful the girls picked common colors.

10.9.12: H-A-D-E-P-N

The girls have begun to really embrace reading letters lately.  They all know how to spell their name and their sisters' names.  Daphne has taken a huge interest in writing her own name.  Above is the first time she wrote her name all by herself where you can actually tell what each letter is (HADEPN).  She did write the letters in the correct order but randomly wrote them on the piece of paper. On another hilarious note, when arriving at (lutheran) preschool Stella said, "look mama, a lower case t like in my name is on the building".  I couldn't help but giggle and agree, it did look like a lower case t. 

Fiona, Daphne and Stella have finally begun talking/playing with other kids.  Up until recently, they have been a little gang that didn't interact with other kids focusing more on parallel play and playing with their sisters.  While I understand this (put me in a room with my best friends and strangers and I, too, would interact with those I know best) we were hoping preschool would help them socially.  Already this has become apparent.  I learned that at preschool they happily play separately and treat their sisters just like the other kids except they call their sisters by their names instead of  'friend, boy or girl' as all other children are currently named.  In fact twice, they have even recognized other kids from preschool while around town and gone up to say hi to the 'friend, boy, girl'.  We are still working on calling kids by their real names. 

9.29.12: Dance daddy dance

Today we took the girls to a local Oktoberfest celebration.   Upon our arrival we discovered a family friendly environment of bounce/climb houses, live music, and some new (fried) food.  The girls were very excited about the music and so I convinced them to take Brant up to the dance floor.  Fiona wasn't so sure about all that so she stayed with me and we danced in the corner.  Daphne (gray) and Stella (pink) had a great time spinning their daddy in circles. 

9.22.12: Mustaches

Above Daphne, Stella and Fiona are displaying their new favorite party trick...milk mustaches.  For some reason we have continued to use the closed toddler cups for milk even though the girls are more than capable of drinking from an open cup for orange juice and water.  Perhaps it is the laziness in me trying to avoid one more thing to clean up off the floor when some inevitably spills.  Somehow I have grown accustomed to the endless crumbs under the table but when mixed with milk, that might be too much to avoid.  Regardless, we started opening the girls cups when they were 2/3 done with their milk and so was born their new party trick. 

9.14.12: Splash pad

We had heard rumors, but never tried it until today...the splash pad.  Apparently a very popular activity amongst the locals in the crazy heat, but today was oddly quite windy.  It took some coercing but eventually everyone (fiona/pink, stella/green, daphne/pink) spent some time playing in the water.  Daphne enjoyed it the most, not even bothered by the chilly temperatures.

9.12.12: Botanic gardens

We adventured to the botanic gardens for the first time with some expert friends who taught us all about the desert.  Of course, what was the girls favorite part...drinking from the water fountain on their own (stella, daphne, fiona)

9.10.12: Outnumbered

Daphne/me, Kelly, Cooper/Stella, Nene/Fiona

 

On our final day together, we had to get some group photos.  It is still amazing to me how our small little family of my mom, sister and I has more than doubled our living blood relatives in three years.  Cooper was such a trooper the entire trip, even in this picture when he is smashed in between everyone he didn't fuss.  Of course, you can see what he is thinking in his eyes...he just realized that he is very outnumbered by women.

Yes Cooper, I couldn't agree more  :)

9.9.12: Sharing Nene

 

Knowing that Nene was coming down to visit, the girls and I have been talking a lot about how Nene is Cooper's grandma also.  Until three months ago, the girls have had Nene all to themselves and now it was time to share.  I was really impressed, it went over very smoothly.

 

After welcoming Nene to our family weekend, we all adventured to miniature golf for the first time.  The girls (daphne/orange, stella/purple, fiona/red) grasped the concept quickly, but the rules...not so much.  Regardless, they had a fun time once they took over the adult golf clubs.  Brant and I had a 'what were we thinking' moment when we started the game, we actually thought we'd all be able to play...duh.

 

 

 

After nap it started to rain.  The girls (fiona/blue, daphne/purple, stella/pink) rushed to put on their coats inside because it was storming.  Of course, they didn't realize it was still in the 90s outside.  Thankfully we still had 'Holding Cooper' as our favorite activity of the day.

9.8.12: So many helpers

 

While running errands, the girls all wanted to help push Cooper in his stroller.  When the girls took over the stroller Kelly and I gave each other looks of concern.  I suppose if the car seat can keep him safe in a car, what harm can a few walls and doors do?

Some very happy helpers holding Cooper (daphne, cooper, stella, fiona).