Yay!

Last weekend was wonderful!

As many of you know, my parents have both experienced health problems over this past year. Because of this, they haven't been able to travel and visit our new house in Holland...

Until last Saturday!!!

We were thrilled to finally be able to show them our new home and the town that we've fallen in love with.

We sat on our back deck enjoying the lake breeze, window shopped downtown, ate lunch at a lovely restaurant on the water while watching the boats go by, and played at the beach with the boys while the sun slowly set.

I didn't take any moment of our time together for granted, not one second. 

This is Colin doing his happy dance while waiting for mom-mom and pop-pop to arrive.

And here is Colin starting them on the tour.

He was so excited!

16 months!

Carter, Finley, Everett

The babies turned 16 months yesterday and so while they were playing in the sprinkler I tried to pull them aside to take a few pictures. 

They obliged for a few seconds! Then Carter and Finn were off, but for some reason Everett stayed and was happy to ham it up for the camera.

Such a goofball. 

I like this picture of Chris and his mini-me....our resident blue eyed men!

Later, Finn ended up coming back over and sitting for a picture.  

I like this one of him because it's SO FINN. He often shyly curls his mouth inward and gets this look.... that just kills me every time. 

And then he was off.

Boys, the biggest changes that we've noticed with all of you lately is in the area of communication. You are all pointing and chattering non-stop. Everett, you especially love pointing to everything and hearing us tell you what they are, specially trees. Carter, you call every kind of animal a dog. It's so cute. When we are at the beach, you point to the seagulls and say, "Dog! Dog!" Yet you do know that not every animal is a dog because when I asked you to point to the monkey on the bench, you went right over and pointed to the correct animal! Finn, you continue to say "All done" when you finish a meal (the only one who is polite about letting us know!) You also say, "Bye bye" and I swear sing lines from the song "Old MacDonald", which your big brother is often singing. You all love waving to trucks, cars and anyone else who passes by. 

Seeing you each blossom into little communicators is exciting. Keep growing into your unique little selves! 

You are each so special. 

Escape!

Sorry for the dark picture but you see what's going on...

This is Everett's newest trick. He lays on his belly and slide backwards underneath the baby gates. 

Oh Everett, always keeping me on my toes....

Olive's day at the Amusement Park

Our last day with the cousin's, we decided to take the kids to Dutch Village. In a nutshell it's a small theme park for kids. They have a merry-go-round, a petting zoo, a swing ride, a large wooden shoe for kids to climb in and slide down, people dancing in clogs, all the while highlighting the Dutch heritage that Holland has.

Chris couldn't go because he had to work so it was my brother in law, sister in law, their two boys and my four. However we drove separately (can't all take one car when there are six kids in car seats!).

Getting out of the house was the same old mad rush of getting all four dressed and into their car seats and going through the mental list: "Did I remember diapers? Do I have the stroller? Do I have their hats, sunscreen, drinks, a snack in case they get cranky, my coffee so I don't get cranky?," and on and on. I was in the car ready to back out three times before putting the car in park again and running in for something forgotten.

But then we were off and I must say I was feeling pretty good about myself. We were out of the house, everyone was happy, we left with a good amount of time before the trips would need their nap, I was pretty sure I'd remembered everything...... I gave myself a mental pat on the back and re-affirmed to myself, "See you CAN do this."

We pull into the entrance to the park, I roll down my window and smile at the lady, dressed in her Netherlands attire. When I talk to her, no one in the car is screaming in the background and this also feels like a win. The day is going great.

Me: "Hi! I need one adult ticket and one child ticket. The other three are under two."

Lady dressed in Netherlands attire: "Okay, wonderful. That will be ____ dollars."

Then Lady adds: "Oh and she's so cute. She can go too, just be sure she stays on a leash"

WHAT THE??? What is she talking about.....

OH MY GOD!!!!

There on the passenger seat sits Olive, our dog, plain as day. Only I hadn't noticed her until this very moment. She must have snuck into the car while I was running in and out of the house loading kids.

AND I NEVER EVEN NOTICED HER.

Now what do I do? She wasn't wearing a collar. I didn't have her leash in the car. There was no time to go home, no where close to buy a collar and leash. I was racking my brain..... and mentally taking back that pat on the back. Who takes their kids to a theme park and doesn't even realize that their dog is riding next to them the whole way?! But going home wasn't an option. Just like on this day, I'm determined that once we've made the huge effort to get out of the house, we are not returning without doing something! Today was no different. I wasn't about to make the drive home just because Olive was with us. Although given the heat index, leaving her in the car, even with the windows cracked wasn't a safe option.

Then I opened the trunk and found our solution.

These leashes that I'd bought for the triplets following a scary moment at the zoo earlier in the summer. I've always thought that those kid leashes were pretty ridiculous. That is until one day at the zoo when the trips wanted to get out of their choo choo wagon to peer into an aquarium full of fish and in the process of helping them do that, they took off running on opposite directions.

Ten minutes after that scary incident, I found myself in the zoo gift shop purchasing three leashes.

They work, FYI.

The trips love them,

But people stare,

And judge.

However, these leashes saved the day yesterday! I put the monkey backpack/ leash on Olive. It fit almost perfectly, and off we all went.

Olive also spent time in the stroller.

At one point, both Carter and Olive were on leashes meant for kids.... !!!

THE LOOKS I GOT! Wow.

I held my head high.

The kids and even us adults had SUCH a great time and that's all that mattered!

We left hot, tired, a bit cranky but with great memories and lots of reasons to look back and remember this trip to Dutch Village.

My sister-in-law, who has a great ability to see the best in any situation, suggested that I write a children's book entitled, "Olive's Day at the Amusement Park".

We had a good laugh.

The boys and I entering the park. Couldn't manage without our Valco and Ergo carrier!! 

I thought this was hilarious and just calling out to us for a picture.

Cousins in the house!

Gabe and Adrian are in town from Toronto and the boys are having so much fun together!!

 

Even though they don't live close by, they just seem to pick up wherever they left off!

As if no time has passed.

Although as their parents, we do notice the marks of time. With each passing visit, they grow up and come into their own just a little bit more.

So far, the hit toy of this visit seems to be the train, which we mostly get out while the babies are napping, otherwise it's chaos!

Today I found myself feeling SO thankful, simply for summer nights watching cousins play together. 

Pictures from our week with Mom-mom and Pop-pop

Like I said, it was a really wonderful week. My boys had a lot of wonderful adventures even though, with the exception of a play date at my friend's house we never ventured further than the neighbors yard.

One night after the babies went to bed, my parents and I sat on the front porch just as the sun was beginning its descent. We ate pasta with spinach and peas and watched Colin run through the sprinklers. Well actually, according to Colin, the game was to try and avoid getting wet as you run through. 

He wooed us all in to give it a try ourselves.

It was the best.

................

The babies got great cuddle time with my mom, who is recovering from back surgery.

These days they are usually on the move and don't want to slow down for anything!

But they did for her.

She can't lift or play with them down on the floor but just look at how content his face says he is in her arms.

Previous to our visit all Colin and Pop-pop could talk about on the phone was how they were going to wash Pop-pop's car. Colin could not wait and the experience didn't disappoint. 

Not sure what the dialog between them was here but I love the enthusiasm. 

We also took the boys swimming in the neighbors pool. I remember last year how cautious Colin was in this same pool... but this year it was like he had no fear! He's all about doing things "All by myself!" these days and swimming proved to be no different. 

Although he still wanted mama close by :)

 Me and my boys.

 And our entourage.

Two of the neighbor girls helped me with the boys. They were sooooo wonderful to my boys! Can you imagine taking triplets and a 3 year old swimming by yourself? Wasn't going to happen for me!

Driving home I asked Colin what his favorite part of the week was and he said that it was driving through the car wash with Pop-pop and seeing the big brushes. Then he said, 

"Maybe next time you can come with us Mommy"

I'll look forward to that.

My parents house, July 4th and Chris coming home!

It's been a while since I've posted anything!

Here's the thing, Chris has been away on a business trip in London since last Sunday and I have been BUSY chasing after these boys and spending time at my parents house. I'm so grateful to have family to help pass the time because we miss Chris!

We had a wonderful week with my parents. The boys love spending time with both my in-laws and my parents and we are so blessed to live only about two hours from each (unfortunately in opposite directions but still... both are only two hours from our new house!)

Arriving at mom-mom and pop-pop's last sunday. I asked the triplets to smile for the camera.

I loved seeing how happy my boys were to explore mom-mom and pop-pops house, their yard and our old toys from when I was a kid, plus some new ones that my parents have collected. They seem to like the old toys just as much! By the way, when did Big Wheel bikes go out of style? Those things were awesome. Colin loves the big wheel bike at my parents (ok, just saw they still sell a few on amazon but when I was a kid I remember EVERYONE having a big wheel bike. If you didn't, you were begging your parents for one). Mine was pink with flower stickers.

I was kidding Chris that I missed him most around 10:30 p.m. He knew exactly why. That's when he usually changes the triplets and gives them just enough of a bottle to ensure that they sleep through the night and sleep in a little. He always offers to be the one do this, says it's no big deal. But it is.

To me it is.

Tonight I'm back in Holland and the boys are asleep. I've got a glass of wine, homemade pizza is just out of the oven, Chris's favorite beer is in the fridge and a new box of popcorn (his favorite late night treat) is waiting on the counter. All I need is Chris home. Shouldn't be long now.

And guess who isn't getting up with the boys tomorrow morning?!? I would.... but I want to let the boys and Chris get some alone time to reconnect, since they haven't seen each other and all. It's probably best that I stay in bed where I'm out of the way. I'm also thinking that when I get up, I should probably just sneak out to a coffee shop for a few hours where I can continue to be out of the way of all the father/ sons bonding that will be going on. Don't you think??

*** Also, I can't wait to post a few pictures from our week at mom-mom and pop-pop's, but I have to download them off my camera first. Too tired tonight... :)

Here's one though from our July 4th at my in-law's lake cabin. 

Everett, Carter, Finley... Colin said he was "too busy" to sit for this picture

What I'll remember most about that day is.... well two things... one, that I got stung by a wasp within two minutes of arriving. (and then proceeded to tear off my shirt and FREAK OUT. I didn't care who was watching. But second and much sweeter is Colin standing/ jumping up and down on the dock wearing his life vest saying, "I'm SO excited!!" to go on their boat. He just could not contain how excited he was! And then when he got to "drive" grandpa's boat.... well let's just say he's still talking about it. (okay that ended up being three things I'll remember most about july 4th).

Happy weekend!

Everett's first haircut

Everett was last up in the chair for his haircut. I saved him for last for two reasons.

1. He squirms the most so I thought I better get a little practice in before I use scissors near his head.

2. He has such beautiful long(ish) curls in the back that I wasn't even sure I could go through with giving him a haircut. Although I worried I'd let that get out of control and we'd find ourselves in a Celine Dion situation. Remember that?? She didn't cut her first borns hair until he was almost 8.... his hair was long alright....

Anyway, once I saw the other boys sporting their cute little cuts I thought why not, let's cut Everett's hair too.

At this point, cookies were gone.

Popsicles: gone

One random lollipop: gone. Used by Carter during his haircut (or so I thought there was only one lollipop... you'll see what I mean at the end of this post)

Luckily Chris found frozen cubes of watermelon and Everett was all over it. He was just good as gold.

I'm most proud of his haircut. Even the back turned out (sorta) straight!

Then it was bath time for everyone and a quick picture of the trips with their new dos all gathered in Carter's bed.

Carter, Finley, Everett

Awe....

wait a minute....

what's that in Everett's mouth???

Someone please tell me how Everett managed to sneak a LOLLIPOP into the crib?? Didn't even notice that until I'd snapped a bunch of pics already. They had just come from their bath! Where did he find a lollipop?!... that little turkey... boy does he keep me on my toes :)

So that's it for the haircuts... although I owe Colin one now. Ever since the trips got their hair cut, Colin has been wanting one now. But his hair is also long and curly and with the humidity it really curls up. And he looks just adorable with all that curly hair!.... so I keep putting it off :)

Since writing these posts I've heard from a bunch of moms who also cut their kiddos hair. I'm amazed as to how many of you are out there. Friends that I had no clue cut their kids or husbands hair- and they are good! My advice, if you are considering cutting your little's hair is to go for it! Buy a pair of scissors made for cutting hair at Walgreen's or somewhere similar, and buy cookies, Popsicles, lollipops (just keep track of them!), frozen watermelon or whatever interests the kiddos to help keep their heads still. I felt with our 15 month olds, that I had about 5 minutes of cooperation before they'd start getting antsy!

Here are the websites that I found most helpful when I was researching where to start on this adventure.

So the first comes from a blog we follow daily for home renovation inspiration and come to find out they are DIY for haircuts too! I saw this post the same week my Dad said, "Hey, do you want my hair cutting kit??" hmmmm.... a sign?? haha :)

Here is one about the importance of getting the angles right.

And one more youtube video that I found helpful.

If you're a DIY haircutting momma, where do you go to get tips on how to cut hair?? When I looked at Carter's bangs the next day it reinforced that clearly I have a lot of room to grow! A little crooked....

What helps your kiddies stay still while getting their haircut? Do they try and confiscate the treat into their bed? :)

Happy weekend!

Carter's first haircut: "Mommy, something tells me you don't know what you're doing" "

Carter was second in the chair and possibly the hardest (although he wasn't really hard). He just had his head on a swivel the whole time trying to see what I was doing.... which makes it harder to cut hair! And Carter's hair was also getting pretty long, especially in the front, so I wanted to make sure I got it short enough so that he could see, but I didn't want it to look all wonky obviously.

Pressure was on!!

"Are you SURE about this??"

"Dad..... SERIOUSLY. I don't think she knows what she's doing!"

Once the popsicles came out, Carter relaxed a tad, but you can still see it in his face.... he's not so sure about my capacity to give him a solid haircut.

Bring out the lollipops!

Concentration

This was my "oops" moment, when I knew I'd taken too much off of the side. I tried to play it cool but Carter knew.

"What have you done woman?!"

In the end, he was happy. Maybe because it's over? haha.

Actually, none of the boys cried which in and of itself felt like a small victory because Colin did at his first haircut. I remember him being scared. I guess that can be one of the advantages to doing it yourself at home. That and we spent zero dollars!

***Everett's first haircut pics tomorrow. Everett had longish curly locks in the back, which were soooo hard for me to cut off :( 

I have them in a baggie now.