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.

12.25.12: Santa delivers

Stella, Fiona and Daphne loving their new animals from Santa.

Santa delivered exactly what the girls wanted.  Stella wanted a pink teddy/black bear, Fiona a blue teddy bear and Daphne a yellow dress with oranges on it...oh yes, there is a story to this request.  Santa also brought Daphne a tiger and several new toys/games for the girls to share. Santa even brought the adults a few things in their stockings.

Daphne modelling her yellow dress with oranges on it.  This past spring just Daphne and I went shopping and she got to pick out any dress she wanted and buy it herself.  She picked out a yellow dress with oranges on it (from walmart).  Then Daphne grew and grew and grew and the dress was too short.  She seemed distressed by this so I cut off the top of the dress and made it into a skirt.  While she tolerated this, it was clear she wasn't satisfied. Meanwhile all of our state was searched for the previous dress (or any dress similar) to no avail. 

 

Then about a month ago, when asking what she wanted for Christmas, the following request was made: a yellow dress with oranges on it.  Yikes, how do you find that in the winter???  I tried every tactic I knew to change her request but was rather unsuccessful.  I explained the difficulty of finding a dress in that fabric and told her that Santa suggested we take her to the fabric store to see what was available.  Sure enough, Brant and Daphne found some orange/lemon print fabric and she was very excited.  We decided that we would mail the fabric to Santa to see if he would make her the dress.  Sure enough he did!  It isn't perfect, but it completed the check box and made one little girl very happy.  Next year let's hope for something more within Santa's skill set.

 

This year the girls' enthusiasm for Christmas was contagious and invigorating, I already look forward to next year's celebrations.

12.24.12: Prep for santa

This year the girls really understood Christmas, it was magical.  Complete with advent calendar, sitting on Santa's lap, making lists, cookies, wrapping presents etc - the girls embraced the holidays.  They each made and decorated a cookie for Santa in their favorite colors (of course) and made sure to leave him some milk.  They also left a toy that they have outgrown for Santa to bring to other kids who might be in need.  Stella chose to leave the stacking cups, Daphne squishy blocks and Fiona the toy camera.  With family in town bedtime was tough, they kept getting up because they were 'too excited'. 

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.