12.20.12: Preschool graduation

Stella, Fiona and Daphne (sitting with their teachers Mrs. Nazzaro and Mrs. Shannon) 'graduated' today from part time preschool and will be going to full time preschool after the winter break.  We expected this transition to happen next fall, but an opportunity arose and we decided to take it.  We explained to the girls that they are graduating from part time preschool and 'get' to start at a new school.  They know their new school well as we have visited monthly since last spring. Their new school is play-based and allows them endless opportunities to play inside and outside.  It is exactly the kind of school I'd love as a kid complete with a garden, chicken coop and tree house. 

 

This means big changes in our household as I prepare to re-enter the workforce and Brant takes on drop-off/pick-up duty. He is excited to have some company during his commute but I have warned him that he will no longer be listening to talk radio - the girls barely tolerate radio commercials. 

Today was also the girls christmas performance which was ridiculously adorable with ~five songs sung by 35 kids.  We videotaped the whole thing (of course) and brought the girls some flowers to celebrate this very exciting day.  So proud of my little ladies.

12.11.12: New tradition

My sister and I rememeber fondly many trips to the ice cream shop with my grandpa growing up.  Since today is the girls' three and a half year birthday I decided we needed to start a tradition of our own, so we adventured to the ice cream shop.  Stella wanted pink ice cream (strawberry), Daphne green (mint chocolate chip) and Fiona left with no blue option picked my favorite color - brown (chocolate peanut butter).  They felt very grown up and each told me how much they loved 'their' flavor. It will be interesting to see if we ever depart from our color obsession.

12.10.12: Santa attempt - take three

Well we tried once at the mall rather unsucessfully (see below) with Stella curled in a ball and Daphne refusing to make eye contact but bought the picture because we weren't sure we'd ever do better.  

 

Next we tried just visiting Santa and talking to him, no picture. Stella wouldn't even get close to him, Daphne would barely talk to him yet Fiona was chatting with Santa no problem. 

 

Finally, at the zoo we visited Santa and we had two volunteers to sit on Santa's lap!  The girls had realized from our prior year pictures that Fiona had never sat on his lap so she was more than ready and Stella wanted to join in the fun this time.  However, Daphne was definitely not excited about the whole thing and refused to let go of me.  I consider the last picture (see above) a huge success as everyone is looking at the camera.  Perhaps next year we'll be able to get a picture with just the kids????

 

12.9.12: Rockets, Cupcakes and Princesses

This weekend we had two birthday parties and the weekend before we had one. It has been crazy but the girls seem to have so much fun playing with their friends and of course, eating the desserts! 

First was Peter's rocket themed party complete with a rocket blaster that actually worked on the girls very own decorated rockets.  They were shocked when their rockets flew up into the air and I do believe their daddy was very proud as well. In the picture, Daphne is anxiously awaiting Peter to blow out his candle so she can have the cupcakes she spied within minutes of arriving. 

 

Next came a cupcake party where the girls got to mix, decorate and then eat their very own cupcakes. Don't get me started on effect of sugar with triplet three year olds.  It was interesting to watch the girls in action.  Fiona wanted to dip each piece of candy in the frosting but not eat the cupcake, Stella wanted to just eat the top/pink of the cupcake partially decorated while eating the remaining candy separately and Daphne wanted to make sure that every drop of candy was in place on the top of her cupcake before she began eating.the.entire.thing!

 

Finally we ended with a princess party. We arrived wearing our tutus and left with a new tiara and wand. In the picture on the far right is Stella, then two down in the purple tutu is Daphne and Fiona is next to her in a black tutu.  There was a dance lesson and tumbling time and the girls were very excited about both.  The girls haven't shown an interest in princess stories in the past but after this party I went home and immediately ordered some princess books.  The girls didn't even know who Cinderella was....bad mama.

12.5.12: Taking care of daddy

Brant woke up this morning with a painful migraine.  While he was curled up on the floor, Fiona (pictured) brought him her blankets and pillow.  Daphne brought him a washcloth for his head and Stella brought her pillow, bear and blanket to snuggle up next to him.  I'm always amazed at how thoughtful and caring my daughters are.

As a side note, Fiona has a small scratch on her foot preventing her from wearing a sock on her right foot all together.  She also wanted to match both of her sisters' pajamas so she is wearing the same top as Daphne and bottom as Stella.  Oh yes, we are full into dressing ourselves these days.

11.30.12: Trains!

Daphne, Stella and Fiona have really gotten into their train set lately.  Today we set up every possible toy we could think of to put inside the track.  There was a zoo, tea party, dinosaur land, farm, several tunnels and more!

11.29.12: Dressing up

My little superheros!  Fiona, Stella and Daphne are really geting into dress up.  They basically find any dress up clothes they can and create their own characters.  It's ridiculous!

Daphne as a 'Super Daph' a panda/tutu/superhero. 

Stella as 'Super Robin' a giraffe/tutu/superhero. 

Fiona as 'Super Monkey' a tutu wearing monkey.  Sometimes batman shows up as well, but not today.

11.25.12: Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for and try to remind ourselves and the girls of this everyday.  For thanksgiving this year we had some friends over for our casual vegetarian dinner and football tradition.  It went really well especially considering we had 13 people (including 6 kids). 
During the long weekend home with daddy, Fiona, Daphne and Stella took full advantage of riding the 'Daddy Elephant'.  I wonder how much longer they'll all fit on Brant's back?

11.11.12: Soccer play date

Daphne/purple, Fiona/blue, Stella/pink, and Peter had a park play date.  Nicole was super thoughtful and brought four soccer balls.  The girls had so much fun chasing after the balls in the giant grassy field.  Soccer games are definitely in our future. 

11.10.12: Fort

Using the couch, chair, curtains, pillows, and blankets Stella, Daphne and Fiona made their very own fort.  They were sure to bring their camping supplies (magnifying glass, binoculars, kleenex, and flashlight) to their adventure.  After this picture was taken I was 'encouraged' to leave their fort to let them play.