There's a Lego in My Coffee

Something happens to my sweet children around 4-5 pm. They become crazed wild men who cannot be tamed. Picture: high decibels, racing around the house, wrestling and tackling each other, which then often turns into real fighting, and just generally getting into trouble. This is often when I try and put on a t.v. show so that maybe I can put away some toys or prep dinner, but sometimes even a show doesn't work.

Today around that golden hour, Owen decided to open a bag of chips and dump them all over the kitchen floor. Then, he decided to pour out a very large container of small beads (beads are much harder to clean up than chips.) Picture me in slow motion pleading, "nooooooooooo" while lunging across the kitchen toward the beads, which were already going everywhere. EVERYWHERE. There was no stopping the damage.

And FYI, Owen thought the whole spectacle was pretty hilarious.

So I did the only thing I could do, I made a pot of coffee, poured myself a cup and then sent as many children as possible outside so that I could catch my breath again.

Then, and I kid you not, I found a Lego in my coffee. A LEGO, people. IN my coffee.



However, soon after the lego in my coffee incident, suddenly, and without warning, all of the children were happily occupied. It was, dare I say.... quiet and serene.

So here I am, venting blogging, sitting on the back deck, enjoying the warm breeze, and this is my view:



Colin, Finn and Everett are quietly beading.

Owen is for the moment, happily playing by the sandbox.

And Carter, is asleep on the couch.



AHHHHHH...... 

Deep Breath......... 

Re-calibrate.... 

Feel the breeze and the beautiful warm air....... 

Remember that Chris will be home shortly.....

Breathe..... 

Breathe..... 

Breathe.....

No doubt things will get crazytown again, but not in this moment. Not right now.

I hope that you too, find little moments to catch your breath, amongst all the busy, and enjoy your weekend!

Thank God for beads! They can make a huge mess (if a certain toddler spills them), but they also keep kids happy and occupied!

Chris travels and we survive

This past week, Chris had an opportunity to participate in a training in Toronto, so he was gone from Sunday until Friday. 

The week actually went much smoother than the last time he was away for work. That week resulted in a very sappy blog post about love, written out of sleep deprivation! We are so lucky that Chris doesn't have to travel frequently!

The boys and I did end up at the doctor's once following a scary hive attack that seemed to come out of nowhere. It happened while we were already out driving around (planning our Friday night adventures you know?). So it was easy to just take a detour to the doctor's office. (Also exciting on a Friday night). 

Everybody heads to the scale! One for all, all for one!

Colin made sure to tell everyone he encountered, that it was PAJAMA day at his school, lest anyone thought he was just gallivanting around in his PJ's at 5 pm

Waiting for strep test results, in a small room, with five bored boys, is SO FUN. 

Also, something miraculous has come out of this week! Pre Chris's trip, we were still driving Owen around at night to help him fall asleep. If there was a blizzard, we'd need to go to plan B which was to rock him endlessly. But this week, with Chris gone, I had to go with plan C! Plan C being, "go to bed, in your bed, when it's time for bed." Shockingly, he seemed ready for it! Almost as if he'd been waiting for us to get some courage and put him to bed like a big boy already! 

Tonight, I am shocked and delighted to share that at 6:58 pm I told Owen that he had "two more minutes" until bedtime and then at 7 pm, I took him upstairs, rocked him for a few minutes, then PUT HIM IN HIS BED AND HE LAID DOWN AND HE WENT TO SLEEP.  There were no tears. He simply watched me walk out and then went to bed. Imagine that! 

I can't even tell you how huge this is. This is right up there with the moment I realized the triplets could actually buckle themselves into their car seats independently. (Where as before I'd be going car seat to car seat strapping everyone in, all the while hanging over the seats in the most in unflattering and uncomfortable positions).

Here is his, the little man who goes to bed like a big boy now! He also started insisting on wearing underwear this week, because that's what all of his big boy brother's do. We compromised with big boy undies over a diaper. 

The other highlight of the week, for me, was that I was able to sneak away to have dinner with a few other triplet moms. Talking with other moms who have the shared experience of raising triplets (and in some cases triplets +), is like sitting in the most comfortable couch, having the best glass of wine ever and exhaling deeply. They get it, and that is so comforting and so rejuvenating. 

Hope everyone else had a great weekend! 

Snowmageddon 2015

We are smack in the middle of a massive snowstorm. School is cancelled for the third day in a row tomorrow. It's 1 degree out and with the wind chill, it's much colder than that.




I get really sick of winter, especially by March. However, there's something about a snow storm that I've always loved. We've been cooped up together for three full days now, not able to go anywhere and it's actually been really nice. Yesterday and today, Colin and Chris were the only ones to get dressed all day. The rest of us stayed in our pj's. I see no reason to get dressed if we're just going to play and snuggle on the couch.

I realized something today too. Something huge and hopeful, about this whole, parenting triplets plus two thing. It might be getting easier.  

I know that we're still in the early stages of parenting triplets (plus two... hate leaving them out) and that new challenges (and joys!) will come with each stage. But in many practical ways, life with our boys seems to be entering a new, dare I say, easier, phase. Each new season brings a little more independence, which makes every day life more manageable.

At one point today, I noticed that Colin and Carter were upstairs playing school, Everett was painting at the kitchen table while talking to me about this and that. Meanwhile, I was feeding Owen a snack and Finn was getting his own snack from the fridge. OMG!!! It seems like just yesterday we still had four or five kids in diapers, needing, what felt like, everything from us.

Don't get me wrong, there are still days I want to run out the front door pulling my hair out! But not today. Today I sunk into the joy of watching the boys grow a smidgen more independent and enjoyed it.

I feel I should also mark this week as the week we've officially entered what I'm dubbing "the potty mouth phase." Do girls go through this phase too?? See, as a boy mom, I don't know these things. All I know is that I've heard "poopy butt" and similar catch phrases about 10,000 times so far this week.

I try hard not to laugh.

The Good Stuff

It was a rush to get out of the house.

Earlier in the day, the boys and I had driven by the airport (as in one runway, small plane, Holland airport) on our way to The Nature Center. And we noticed a sign that said, "Paragliding, July 11 and 12". Also, there were a bunch of RVs set up on the runway.

So we stopped to see what was up!

"We're all gathering to go paragliding tonight around 6:30."

So tonight after dinner, Chris and I loaded the kids on our bikes and headed over to the airport.

I'm so glad we did!

In fact, I'm shocked at how few spectators there were. There couldn't have been more than 15 of us, non-paragliders watching, but none the less, our boys LOVED watching the action.

Chris is having more fun than his face shows.... :)

I mean, have you seen this sport up close?

It involves machines like this, which by the way, this man made himself, flown by no more than a lawn mower type motor. Some had wheels but some people simply put on a backpack motor, which looked like a giant fan, ran down the runway and took off! It seemed insane! And our boys clapped wildly, certain they'd try it as soon as they got old enough.

We stayed for a long time, watching the paragliders all buzz through the air and then the boys started tackling each other and poking blades of grass into each other's ears.

It was time go home.

After bath and pj's, Chris snuck downstairs to knead pizza dough for our "after the kids are in bed pizza indulgence" (I always get more dough if he kneads it!). I stayed upstairs with the boys, with the intent of calming them down for bed.

The older boys share a room and have their beds all lined up against one wall. It looks like this:

Well, someone got the idea that their bed was one of the "paragliders" and took off. Then Everett wanted to know if I wanted to fly with him. How could I resist??

Before I knew it, we were all flying through the sky, me riding with Everett and Owen riding with Colin. All of us laughing and calling out to each other "Don't fall out!" and "Don't go too fast" (of course we did both over and over).

I looked over at Finn, who earlier in the day had a classic overtired and head turning tantrum at Target where he ended up just laying on the floor screaming and crying while the rest of us waited until he was able to continue our shopping. It was so sad and frustrating.

And now. Now there he was checking the propeller on the back of his toddler bed, laughing and flying through the air. We all were.

"Remember this, because THIS, this is the good stuff", I thought to myself. And so I write,

Dear Boys,

I had such a fun day with each of you today. It was a beautiful day first of all and made me SO THANKFUL for spring. It doesn't seem that long ago our driveway was lined by mountainous piles of snow and I'm determined not to take one day of this nice weather for granted!

Today after Colin's preschool, we went to the Nature Center for a picnic and a walk along the trails. We spotted frogs and turtles and heard many birds. You guys soaked it all up. You're always asking questions like, "What do frogs eat?" "What do turtles eat?" "What bird made that sound?" It's funny because I find myself having to google so many of the answers! But that's part of our process I suppose. Together, we figure it out. Also, your nanny Jordyn is thankfully a huge nature lover! She is such a good match for you boys in so many ways!

Spotting Turtles

After the nature center, we stopped by Kollen Park, which is a playground nestled along Lake Macatawa. We hadn't been there since last summer and it felt SO good to be back. There were a few ducks and one speed boat spotted on the lake.

Finn, Carter, Everett, Colin (Owen was being held)

This evening, after dinner, you guys helped Daddy spread mulch while Owen and I watched you and I tried to keep him from eating any bark or grass. Watching you all hard at work, I felt such gratitude for each one of you. Not only because you are such worker bees who I'm sure will keep my lawn looking lovely for years and years to come. :-) But just because you are so darn cute! You do everything just like you see Chris doing it. You each watch him intently, such as how he holds the shovel and moves the dirt....  Then you try and do it just the same. Watching that process unfold again and again makes me smile so much.

This too shall pass....

Well, I thought I was impervious to this wicked cold but it turns out I wasn't. This mama went down for the count almost the minute everyone else was well. Funny how that happens huh?

I started to feel really awful, just about the time the massive snow storm blew in, which meant that our nanny couldn't get to our house yesterday and also that the boys were stuck inside, bouncing off the walls, bored and fighting. Oh how slowly the minutes seemed to go by.

Actually, Owen is still congested, which means that he's still not sleeping well. Last night at 2 a.m I found myself pacing the bedroom trying to soothe him, not understanding what the catalyst of his complete misery was. Upset stomach? Congestion? Needing to burp? He wouldn't even nurse. He just cried and cried. The only thing that really helped was singing "Skinamarinky dinky dink" on repeat. Over and over and over again. Being sick myself, my joints ached as I gently bounced him and my throat hurt as I sang to him. Every part of my being was willing him to fall asleep so that I could crawl back in bed myself.

Eventually he did fall asleep. He literally just suddenly, in a split second, fell dead asleep. And not a few seconds later, so did I!

This too shall pass, this too shall pass, this too shall pass......

On a lighter note, here's a picture of the older boys that I took on New Year's Eve. Most of them are running fevers in this picture. Maybe it was the fevers that made them think sitting in a highchair eating rice chex was something worth fighting over? In this pic, it's Colin's turn. Silly boys!

Fire truck Parade!!!!!

Oh. My. Goodness!!!! (as Finn would say)

On Friday night we attended a Fire truck parade in our town. It was such a fun night for our family! The boys are WAY in to fire trucks, firemen and basically all rescue vehicles. So this was right up their alley!

The parade was led by two police officers on motorcycles, flashing lights and all. The boys went CRAZY! After that, it was one super cool fire truck after another. 

The best analogy I can give to encapsulate their excitement is this: Remember my friend Oprah's audience? and how CRAZY with excitement they could get? If you've forgotten, just go 20 seconds into this clip:

Okay, so maybe the boys reaction wasn't THAT intense but close :-)

After the parade, the trucks parked by the civic center and the firefighters welcomed families to explore the trucks and ambulances. 

They also had rescue demonstrations and fire hoses for the kids to practice. All the activities focused on fire safety education. I think it's fabulous that the town does this for families!

As I've said in other posts, it's hard to find family activities for us to do that aren't expensive or unmanageable with five under five. This event was perfect for our family!

We didn't get home until almost nine and the boys went to bed easily. After they were asleep Chris and I stayed up talking about how great the night was and re-living different moments experienced by each child. 

I'm sure that the boys will also be talking about the night of the fire truck parade for a long time!

Waiting for the parade to start

Still waiting.... Everett thinks he sees something :-)

Walking through an ambulance

Colin, practicing getting out of a smoke filled house

Back to work, kind of

Another week has flown by and I suddenly realize it's Thursday and I haven't blogged anything all week! It's okay, I know.... but I really enjoy documenting our days. And writing somehow centers me at the end of a busy day. The only problem is that this week has felt more like one continuous busy day instead of separate days!

Anyway, the biggest news of our week is that I started work yesterday! I'm only going to be working one day a week which may sound like no big deal, but it felt like a big deal to me. It's been almost three years since I've worked as an OT in any capacity and truthfully, it's been since before I had kids that I seriously worked (as in more than just a few hours on a Saturday morning). 

Although I missed the boys, especially Owen who I haven't yet been apart from for more than a short errand or quick workout, it was great to be back doing something that I used to love. But it was weird... kind of like stepping back into my "pre-kids life". 

I drove to work alone, in a completely quiet car, while occasionally sipping my coffee and listening to NPR. So strange! While at work, I set up my computer without worry that someone would yank out the cord or try and press the keys, reviewed charts, chatted with other therapists, ate my lunch with other adults, none of which were stealing bites of my food, throwing food, or yelling, "MORE ___ MOMMY!!!" 

I just have a couple of clients so far, but it was nice, really nice to work with families again. I could almost feel parts of my brain that I haven't used in a while, lighting up again. I felt challenged in a way that I haven't for a while. 

Then I'd think about what the kids might be doing at home and miss them. Since I've been a stay at home mom the past 4.5 years, I'm not used to being away from them for a whole day. I knew they were in excellent hands though!

In other news, Colin was so cute tonight while I was making dinner. Owen was on the floor watching me but getting somewhat impatient. Then all on his own Colin went over and entertained him for 20 minutes while I finished getting dinner ready. 

I was so grateful!

Yup, still in their pjs at 5 pm! Some days are like that around here. We're totally cool with it :)

Cloth Diapering Triplets

One of the things we frequently get asked about is our choice to cloth diaper the boys, hence this post! I hope it's helpful to anyone out there considering cloth diapering in general or cloth diapering multiples. Don't be afraid! :) 

Finn says "Yea for cloth diapers!"

When our oldest son Colin was a baby we primarily, though not exclusively, used cloth diapers and found the whole cloth diapering experience to be pretty easy to manage. We had about ten cloth diapers and also used disposable occasionally, like for overnights or when traveling.

Before the triplets were born, we thought about using cloth diapers with them, but we considered this only briefly. Even though we were a fan of cloth diapering and knew it would be a huge financial savings, we worried that we just couldn't manage it with the triplets. Again, it's not like it's sooo much extra work. It's really not. But with three babies on the way, we didn't know what to expect and so we just decided not to even try.

During their first year I'd think about cloth diapering again and again but we didn't act on it. Not for a while at least. 

It bothered me when I thought about how many diapers we were contributing to landfills. With triplets, we were going through a lot of diapers!! Perhaps it wouldn't have bothered me as much had I not spent almost two years living in a small village in Madagascar. That experience shifted my consciousness in so many ways including about what happens to our garbage and I can't shake it... in a good way. In my village of Manondona, our trash was our responsibility. Forever. If you threw out garbage, you looked at it in your backyard. So everyone there is very discerning about what's purchased, creative about how to re-purpose items and only throw away things that can break down in a backyard pit. I've thought of my old garbage pit many times as I'd change one of my son's diapers and then casually throw it in the trash as if it wasn't my problem anymore. Like I say, it bothered me.

Also, I still had all of Colin's cloth diapers just sitting there in a drawer. I'd thought of selling them (yup, there's a pretty good re-sale market for cloth diapers out there!) but could never bring myself to get rid of them. I think there was a reason I kept them around. Maybe deep inside I knew that one day we'd use them again. :-)

That day finally came when the boys were just over a year old.

At first we started just dabbling in cloth diapers again to see if it felt too overwhelming with three babies in diapers at once. It didn't. So then we tried a whole day where we didn't use one disposable diaper until bedtime. You know what? It didn't feel like a big deal or that much extra work.

So we switched! We completely switched to cloth diapers except for bedtime. We tried cloth diapering through the night too, but that didn't work well for us. At the time, the boys were sleeping 12 hours straight through the night IF they had a nighttime disposable diaper on. With cloth, they kept waking up  needing a change.... and sometimes a change of clothes. Ultimately, the desire for 12 hours of straight sleep won out for us!

I was also pleasantly surprised to see that cloth diapers had improved just since my son was born in 2009. We LOVE Fuzzi Bunz one size diapers which are made for children 8-35 lbs. They seem to adjust really nicely to fit different stages of growth and then you don't have to buy more as the child ages.

We still often use disposable diapers when going places, for convenience. Also, if life gets suddenly hectic, such as when they're all sick or when we welcomed another baby :-), we'll use disposable for a short period. We don't stress about it. We take a very relaxed approach to cloth diapering!

Everett and Carter around 16 months, when we lived in Chicago

Here's what you'll need to buy if you decide to cloth diaper:

• Diapers- we've used a variety but my personal favorite is the Fuzzi Bunz one size. In terms of how many to buy, it really depends on how often you're willing to do laundry. For awhile we got by with only 15 diapers for the triplets. Then last winter, one of Chris's co-workers generously sent us a huge box of cloth diapers that her boys no longer needed. Oh. My. Goodness! It was like Christmas morning!!! How incredibly generous, right?!! Now we don't need to do a load of diapers each day. She also included some prefold diapers which I'd never used before. I'm completely sold on prefolds now and use them with both Owen and the trips! I find that they don't leak at all! Our favorite covers for the prefolds are Thirsties. 

• Hose for the toilet- like this one. 

• Dirty diaper bin- like this one. This doesn't happen to be the one we have, but same idea.

• Wet bag- like this one, if you plan on using them outside the house.

• Special soap to wash them- We use Ava Anderson laundry pods (which yes, I now sell :). You can find them here). They are fantastic! And non-toxic! :-) As a side note, the Ava Diaper cream is also cloth diaper safe! Until finding Ava Anderson, I could not find a diaper cream that both worked well and didn't affect the diapers. 

• A nice item to have, especially if you have multiples or multiple kids in diapers, is a large, hanging wet/ dry bag. I use the one in the picture below, which I bought at a cloth diapering store but have also seen online. When we go out, I keep all the dry diapers in the front and it's also big enough to store other small items like a change of baby clothes or sunscreen. 

From left to right: Prefolds, cloth wipes with soap solution, Thirsties prefold covers, triplets' diapers,  Owen's diapers, extra blankets, extra inserts.  

We keep the diapers set up in our main playroom on bookshelves. Nope, for sure not the trendiest decor, but for us it works! At this point in our lives our house is set up for function above all else!

The soap solution that we use with the cloth wipes (which you wash right along with the diapers) is really easy to make! We use:

• About 2 tablespoons oil (olive, almond, grapeseed....)
• A few drops of Ava Anderson dish soap or a small squeeze of Ava Anderson Baby Wash. I like using the baby wash because it has calendula, which has healing properties, in it. You can use any liquid soap appropriate for babies... please make sure it's non-toxic though! :)
• About 1.5 cups of warm water
• A few drops of essential oil if you have it on hand

The key is that you at least want a combo of oil, soap and water. I usually don't measure. We have a squeeze bottle and I fill it up approximating the amounts. Works fine. The Ava Anderson dish soap is concentrated which is why you only need a few drops. 

Overall, here are the pros and cons to cloth diapering, in our humble opinion:

Pros:

• They're cute! They come in so many colors and prints which to us means that they become an instant outfit! A diaper and an outfit in one? Score! :) No, I don't take them to the grocery store in a cloth diaper or anything like that, but when we're just playing around the house, they love running around in their diapers (this was especially true when they were younger). They're now at the age where they like to choose their colors/ prints. Cracks me up!

• They save money! Once you buy them, you can pretty much be DONE buying diapers. Huge money saver, especially considering how many diapers you go through per day with multiples! There is also a huge market to re-sell cloth diapers online so you are likely to get at least some of your money back when you're out of the diaper phase. Also, you can find used cloth diapers online, many of which have been well cared for and in turn, are in great shape. 

• They are less irritating to baby's skin because they're free of the chemicals found in disposables.

Cons:

• Extra laundry. No getting around this one, cloth diapering means more laundry. 

• Initial upfront cost. To get started you have to shell out some money. You'll need the diapers, the hose that attaches to the toilet for those extra fun diaper changes, and special laundry soap. 

• Occasionally having to rinse out a really messy diaper (Chris made me write this one. It's not a big deal to me but it is to him! haha)

Hmmmm, those are all the pros and cons I can think of at the moment. Does anyone else who uses cloth diapers have anything to add? Have you used cloth diapers with multiples? Any tips that worked well for you? What's your favorite brand of diapers? Everyone has one or two!! Mine currently are Fuzzibunz and prefolds with Thirsties covers. LOVE.

I hope this helps someone else considering using cloth diapers! Don't be intimidated, even with multiples! 

Finn, Everett, and Carter, watching the world go by!

Owen, 2 months

The key to not losing my mind, is somewhere at the farmer's market

Let me set the stage.

We are just leaving the farmer's market. I've fed Owen just enough to tie him over until we can get home and I can nurse him more comfortably. We get the boys out of the stroller, load them up, buckle them in and unload all of our fruits and veggies. Jordyn lifts the 10 ton stroller into the back of the van.

It's noon so the boys are hungry for lunch. It's been somewhat of a trying morning so I too am looking forward to lunch.... because lunch is followed by nap-time and nap-time is when I re-fuel.

"Umm, where are the car keys?"

We look everywhere in the car. The keys are nowhere.

We unload the massive stroller and search it completely.

No keys.

Where could they be?! And seriously, what kind of mother am I that I can't keep track of car keys. I see no other mother in this parking lot unable to leave because she's lost her keys. No question that I'm not the most organized mom on the block... not even close. Never will be. But I should be able to take my kids to the farmer's market without loosing the car keys! Right?!

"Boys, do any of you know where Mommy's keys are??"

"Farmer's market?" Two of the triplets say. Colin and Everett say nothing.

"What does that mean, farmer's market? Where in the farmer's market? Did you see the keys??? Tell mommy." But I know it's useless to try and ask these questions of a two year old! I'm getting nowhere talking through this with them so I venture back into the market.

I return to every vendor we bought from (which today, were a lot!). No one has seen the keys.

I run over to the grassy area, where I nursed Owen and the boys ate apples on a picnic blanket. Surely the keys are in the grass somewhere. I'll pick them up and we'll be on our way.

But they're not there. They're literally nowhere to be found.

Finally, I'm directed to go into the Civic Center, which is next to the market and where lost and found items are often turned in. I race in (hurrying because I'm just sure the hungry boys are a mess waiting all this time in the car). Once at the office I ask if anyone has turned in keys.

"Sorry Ma'am, no keys here. Do you want to leave your name and phone number in case someone turns them in?"

I am on the verge of tears at this point. I speed walk back to the car and see Jordyn standing outside the van rocking and bouncing Owen who is now fussy. The van is rocking with boys ready to go home.

"They're nowhere Jordyn" I say feeling completely defeated.

"This is SO weird! How could they just disappear?!"

The boys are all staring at me wide eyed. Perhaps they are wondering if this is the moment Mommy loses her marbles.

"Guys, you don't have Mommy's keys do you? Of course you don't... they wouldn't even fit in your pockets....." 

and then I see the bulge in Finley's right pocket.

"FINLEY JOSEPH DO YOU HAVE MOMMY'S KEYS IN YOUR POCKET?!?"

I don't even wait for the answer.... in a second I am lunging across the car seats and my hand is already reaching in his shallow- but- apparently- big- enough- to- hold- my- van- keys, pocket.

The keys!

The keys were in Finley's pocket THE WHOLE TIME.

I have no clue how he got them or how he squeezed them into his pocket. Nor do I think he was purposely not telling me that he had them either. He's two.

Oh Finn...... :-)

Finn loves to pretend to be asleep....

but he's not.... he thinks it's the funniest thing in the world....which to us, it kinda is.
(and that's my arm holding a pacifier in Owen's mouth on our trip two weekends ago)

Happy 3rd Birthday Macy!

So on Friday, we packed up the boys and drove 7.5 hours south to Effingham, IL (Well, it took us 7.5. If you didn't have to stop twice, it might only take you 6). For the majority of the trip I played flight attendant, sitting turned around in my seat and passing out a constant stream of snacks, dealing with passenger complaints, playing movies and holding a pacifier in Owen's mouth (he has trouble holding it in himself). All the while saying, "Yes we are almost there."

At one point Chris and I passed a giant billboard in the middle of Indiana that read:

Hell is Real.

We got a good laugh out of that. First, because when we passed it, our minivan was full of overtired, sick of riding in a car, noisy children and one hungry baby. Second, because who puts up billboards like that?? 

But every minute of that car ride was SO worth it!

Because we got to celebrate this sweet girl's 3rd birthday,

Something to know about Macy is that she likes to wear dresses, specifically princess dresses. It's not uncommon for her to have several dress changes throughout her day. Lucky for her she has plenty of dresses to change into. :)

Her birthday was no different. She chose a pink chiffon number and rocked it with a Happy Birthday crown and princess wand.

The boys were SO excited to get to celebrate her birthday with her. 

At one point I joked that Macy was the princess and Colin could be the prince. To which he said, "I'm not a prince Mommy! I'm a builder!"

So we decided that he could build a castle for princess Macy. That seemed like a good deal.

My brother Gavin met Owen for the first time this weekend too! 

Such a natural :)

Presents time!

 Gavin took this picture of our brother Kyle watching Macy open a gift of ballet slippers. I love this photo. Kyle is such a wonderful father to his two daughters and I love watching him with them.

Macy's favorite gift though was this new ride:

Can you tell that Macy's favorite color is pink?

One of my favorite moments was watching the boys "helping" Macy ride her new bike down the sidewalk. 

Here's the only picture we have of all the cousins, Reese and Owen included. 

Finn and I holding our babies :-)

He picked out the baby he's carrying as his birthday present for Macy but he also enjoyed taking care of the baby while there. Such a little nurturer he is :)

Happy Birthday Mimi! We love you!!!

Remember Macy's first and second birthdays?