2.25.13: Carpooling

Well it's official.  I am back in the workforce for the first time since having kids.  This is going to be a big adjustment for everyone with some new challenges and many new opportunities.  For example, our entire family of five gets to carpool to work/school each day.  The girls school is about five minutes from the University where Brant and I work.  So now we get to have dance parties and singing during our commute, not a bad way to start/end the day.

2.21.13: SNOW!

It is very rare to have snow here, in the mountains sure...but at our house, very rare.  So it was a big deal that it had been snowing off and on throughout the day but not much was sticking. However, by the time we got home from preschool we had a good coating in our front yard.  The girls rushed to play until they realized that the snow was cold.  Daphne/hearts and Stella/pink seem to embrace it the most while Fiona was just trying to figure out why being cold/wet was so exciting to me.  We played outside for about three minutes and then went inside and watch the snow fall.

The next morning we discovered the snow was still there. All the more reason to make our very first snowman.  Stella/pink hearts, Fiona/stripes, Daphne/pink watched me make a snowman.  They weren't so sure about getting their hands cold from the snow but had a good time making footprints.

The technique of snowman making I learned growing up (rolling the snow in the grass to make a ball) does not apply to desert living as you just end up incorporating countless rocks.  Regardless, we figured it out and made our very first little snowman.  The girls knew he needed a carrot nose and asked about buttons for his belly.  In lieu of buttons, we just used pebbles from the yard.  By the time we got back for lunch, the snowman had melted but we found his carrot nose, reminding us that he'll be back again some day.

By coincidence, we got these three big diseased trees in our front yard removed on Monday and it snowed on Wednesday...good thing or we would have had a harder time making our snowman.

2.16.13: Rodeo

After reading every library book in our house this morning, Nene and I took the girls (stella/blue, daphne/green pants, fiona/stripes) to their very first rodeo, coincidentally - ours too.  I won free tickets so it seemed like the perfect time to try out this local tradition.

 

Upon arrival we were a little early for the main show so we had to try out some 'fair food', the girls seemed more than happy to oblige.

 

 

 

 Proof, it was an actual rodeo.


(me, stella, daphne, fiona, nene)

2.14.13: Friendship tea

 Daphne/Daddy swinging at school

 Fiona supervising the quad-bouncing chairs

Stella climbing through the playhouse window

 

In preparation for my reentry into the workforce, the girls began the afternoon program at preschool this week....and they couldn't be more excited.  I'm inclined to say they are too excited, it is almost hard on me. However, keeping in mind they are going to be spending a majority of their weekdays at school - I'm thrilled that they are so happy there. 

On Valentine's Day the girls' school had a Friendship tea.  Brant, Nene, and I were all able to attend and enjoyed the red-themed food while sitting at mini-picnic tables.  It was great to have a 1:1 ratio at a family event.  The girls enjoyed showing Nene everything that they played with while at school while Brant and I were able to chat with some of the other parents and teachers. 

1.31.13: Making three swings

Fiona, Stella and Daphne are adjusting really well to their new preschool.  They have even learned how to all swing at the same time regardless of the fact that there are two swings and one set of rings.  Loving their creativity!

1.26.13: Stitches = separate rooms

Naps have been a challenge lately, especially when one girl isn't tired - then usually  no one gets to sleep since they all share a room and get each other riled up.  It is not uncommon to hear, "wake up, why are you sleeping, talk/sing/play with me" etc, during nap. We've tried quiet time, books, animals pretty much anything to get them to let each other rest when needed, but we are not always successful as we have one very resilient instigator.

Well, today during 'nap' Stella managed to bash her head into a door hinge requiring a frantic trip to urgent care and two stitches.  Once she learned that Daddy would be taking her to urgent care, she got really excited, turned on the charm and didn't cry one bit while getting her stitches. This girl is tough!

While Brant and Stella were at urgent care, Fiona, Daphne and I rearranged some furniture resulting in the girls now having their own rooms.   We weren't planning to separate everyone so young, but after today there was no other option.  For now, their rooms are rather bland but we will decorate soon allowing each of their rooms to reflect their personal taste.  So far everyone seems to embrace having their own rooms and bedtime has been MUCH calmer.  Can it be that simple?  Only time will tell.

1.16.13: Boys vs. Girls

I love the threes, such curiosity and discovery.  At preschool they have open bathrooms as toddlers don't know or need modesty.  This became even more apparent today after school when my child said to me, "Mama, today I saw someone pee from their finger".  My totally unprepared response, "well sweetie, remember we talked about how boys and girls go potty differently" trying not to hysterically laugh.  After I quit giggling, I called Brant to let him know he'd be taking this conversation on boys vs. girls.  Lord knows I'll have enough female questions/issues to deal with come puberty, this topic is all his  :)

1.9.13: Face painting

I arrived at preschool to pickup my kids but ended up taking home three little animals instead...a dog (Fiona), dinosaur (Stella), and a cat (Daphne).  They were very excited about being animals, acting them out the remainder of the day and got a little bummed when they learned it was bath night. Mental note: face painting = guaranteed bath night.

1.7.13: New school

Today was the first day of full time (everyday) preschool.  The girls (daphne/blue, fiona/stripes, stella/pink) are very familiar with their new school since we have visited there at least once a month since last spring.  They knew their teachers, their room, and definitely the outside play area. If the school wasn't amazing, exactly like the place I'd want to be if I was a kid, it would have been much harder.  A play-based school complete with garden, chicken coop, tree house and giant dirt pile - is there anything better?

We had visited just before winter break where we played inside with their classmates and learned the morning routine, but didn't tackle the biggest challenge...napping at school.  Napping at home is a challenge so I had warned the teachers this would be the main hurdle. 

Unfortunately, Brant was on a trip scheduled months ago (before we knew about 'graduation'), so I was going it alone. We had talked a lot about how the day would go, what they wanted for lunch, what to bring and when I'd pick them up.  This made the transition much easier for them, although I'm not sure if it was any easier for me.  Equipped with the necessities for taking triplets to preschool (3 lunches, 3 water bottles, 3 nap mats, 3 pillows, 3 snacks, 3 stuffed animals, 3 sun hats, 3 blankets, and 3 sets of extra clothes), I loaded the over sized Ikea bag into the trunk. 

Upon arrival the girls rushed into their class excited as can be.  We learned where to put the snacks, water bottles, lunches, shoes, coats, etc.  The girls said hi to their teachers and began to play immediately.  I was standing there in shock. They were at school, such big girls, and wondering why I was still there.  I tried to make myself available to read, play or do puzzles but eventually it was clear they weren't going to freak out and it was my time to go.  I have been telling the girls for months that I wish I could go to their preschool but I was too old, so they reminded me of this and I was on my way.  The expressions on their faces in this picture say it all, 'mama, we are fine, why are you still here and taking pictures?'

It is these times, when I see the girls play, protect and show such compassion for each other that makes the challenges of having triplets all worthwhile.  I'm not saying it has been easy, but I would absolutely do it all over again knowing what an amazing family I have - wouldn't change a thing.

For the record, no crying by anyone (including me).

1.1.13: New ride

Up until now, my car was the family car and only one with car seats.  However with full time preschool beginning in just a couple days we needed both cars equipped for triplets as Brant will be doing drop-off and I'll do pick up.  Needless to say, the girls (daphne/purple, stella/pink, fiona/blue) were ecstatic to finally get to ride in daddy's car.