Until I get a round TUIT

Eventually, I'll make a bit more time to explain what we've been up to, but not right now. Enjoy some pictures from this week just to give you a little taste. . .

Photo Challenge: SIGNS OF SPRING

Here is my next entry for Brenda's Photo Challenge. The theme this time was Signs of Spring and we took just the outing to provide some. When I was looking for things to do with the kids, I came upon a listing for this garden in East Texas. We took the trip out today even though we knew there was a chance we wouldn't get to go in; the garden is closed when the roads are wet, and today was rainy. I am thrilled that we got to see part of it though, and I can't wait to go back again in the next few weeks. It was beautiful -- it looked like God spilled a huge can of yellow paint over this little part of the world as there were so many daffodils. As for the rain, it did spoil the four-mile drive through the gardens, but I think it added a bit more spring-flavor to the pictures.

As we let the kids get out of the car to look around, Ben showed us the "stars" he kept seeing -- turns out there were miniscule purple and blue flowers sprinkled on the grass we were walking on. Against the dark grass, they did look like stars.

Speaking of Ben, last night he surprised me to tears. You'd think this kid would quit surprising this Mama, but wonders never cease. When the kids need to be (ahem. . .) prompted to action, we sternly count "one. . . two. . . three." All the kids know that when we get to three, there are consequences. Last night at dinner, Ben was climbing across the table, and was asked to sit. When he didn't, we reminded him then started counting. As Allen said, "One!" Ben scurried back to his sitting position, then Maddie proudly piped up, ". . . Choo! Tree!" (that's her 2 and 3). So we started working on numbers. I'd say "One" and wait for someone to fill in the next one. Ben spoke first, "Two, Three, . . . Four, Fi!" We had no idea he could do it -- never heard him peep any number other than his age. Today he said "Two! Three! Four! Fi! Thix! Eight!" Still brings tears to my eyes, but I can't explain why.

What's Dat?

Yesterday was Jon's day. Since the kids fight over who gets to hold the lunchbox on school days, I petitioned my mom for some of her free ones that were stashed in her pantry. Jon, Maddie, and Ben gleefully carried lunch-bags as we walked into the church yesterday. I dropped off Will, Ben, and Maddie, and since Jon still had a lunch-bag, he was still happy . . . until I buckled him in his seatbelt. Oh, the meltdown, the tears, the sobs! But they quickly faded when we walked into a sweet little bakery and picked up a cinnamon twist to share. (That stop wasn't planned, but I had forgotten the museum didn't open until 10 and we had a few minutes to spare.) Next we went to a wildlife museum -- I grew up in a museum (that's where my dad worked) and this one didn't really fit MY idea of a museum, but it was just perfect for a little kid -- and it was free.

Jon and I spent about an hour and a half looking at the "stuffed" animals -- three lions, no tigers, lots of bears, oh my! Each exhibit we approached, I heard, "What's dat?" and I would tell him. Then he'd rush to the next diorama. Guess what was the most interesting to Jon. . . the lights. . . the rocks. After a few of the first animals, he'd rush to the next and say, "Mama! Look rock!" with such amazement then, he'd ask "What's dat?" After many, many, many enthusiastic wows from me over the rocks, he started showing me all the lights. The animals still captured his attention, but not nearly as much as the rocks and lights that were part of their displays. In the photo above, Jon is looking at the display lights on the back side of the case, not the animal.

We stopped at the playground for a short playtime -- fortunately it was a sunny day; unfortunately, it hadn't warmed up enough to be comfortable yet. The next stop in our adventurous day was Daddy's office. This time we weren't picking Allen up for lunch, but we had brought a picnic. Still too chilly for sitting in the grass, we huddled together in the van to eat, and Jon still thought that was pretty special. We went inside for a short bit and Jon loved acting like Daddy -- sitting in a big chair at a big desk, frowning thoughtfully as his little fingers danced over the computer keyboard making the little tappity-taps. Then he'd check to see if we noticed he was being like Daddy, and when he saw we noticed, he just giggled and started the act again.

The final stop was the grocery store to get Mama's much needed coffee -- I hate running out, and only one store in town carries what I like. As we wandered through the store, Jon was thrilled that he was carrying the coffee. When I told him what it was, he pretended to slurp it and kept saying "copfee, ahhhh!" Hmm. Yeah. He's my son. He thought that was pretty silly, too. We gathered the other kiddos and headed home for chaotic playtime until Daddy got home. Will made this card for him at school today, and it brought such a smile to Allen's face.

It was a fun day. I know I've mentioned how much I enjoy the one-kid days. It isn't that the other days aren't enjoyable, they usually are. It is just such a different experience getting to know one child, getting to enjoy one child, and getting to make just one child so very happy. I've thought about the joy the "Daddy I Love You" card brought to us here, and I realized that parents just don't hear (or read) "I love you" enough. So, for my parents -- Mom, Dad, Shelley, Randy, I LOVE YOU!

Tell Me About It

We tell it like it is

I've struggled for a few days with whether or not to post this story. I was afraid I would embarrass my kids if they ever read this, but Allen and I told it enough in the last few days that I decided to get it written so we can look back, remember, and laugh. Just know that in our home, we call it like it is. We don't use silly names for body parts just because they are young children.

At bedtime each night, the toddlers are stripped and sent to sit on the potties before getting into pajamas. It looks something like this. Last Wednesday, this is what happened as the three were sitting. . .

Ben started fiddling with his penis, as boys tend to do, then looked up and told me "Benis!" I smiled, pronounced it correctly, and said "You're right!"

Maddie looked over at Ben, pointed, and said, "Menis!" I corrected her pronunciation and said, "You're right!"

She looked over at Jon's, pointed, and said, "Penis!" "That's right, Maddie."

A few seconds later, she started looking down at herself, but didn't see one.

Allen started getting Jon into PJs as Maddie stood up and leaned over looking for a penis on herself.

She leaned more, . . . then more, . . . then more . . . still looking.

Right about then, Will stood in the door, and very proudly shared his vast knowledge, "Maddie, you don't have a penis. You have a amus."

I stifled the giggles and hid my smile as the conversation continued.

I told Will that it was pronounced "anus - with an N," just as Allen explained that everyone has an anus.

Will continued, "But if everyone has an anus, and only boys have a penis, what do girls have?"

Allen and I answered simultaneously, "A vagina."

Will, shaking his head in disbelief, "Vagina? . . . . that sounds Mexicany."

That punchline happened at the exact moment I was catching Maddie from doing a somersault across the bathroom as she was still trying to find a penis. I had to shut the bathroom door so the kids would not notice that I was laughing so hard I was crying.

Hearts and Flowers

Our Valentine's Day definitely turned into a weekend full of hearts and flowers. Before you rush off thinking Allen and I are hopelessly romantic, I'll let you in on a secret. We are head-over-heels in love. But even with a pile of Valentine wishes for my sweet love and our children, we completely and totally forgot Saturday was Valentine's Day. I guess everyone will open cards this evening.

Thursday, we headed for Austin. It was a tolerable trip since we stopped in Waco for dinner with my parents. We got to Austin around 8 pm and got the kids ready for bed. It was the first time the triplets have slept in a hotel, and the first time Allen and I have shared a room with them. Since they were out of sorts with a messed up schedule and in a new place, they cried. Someone called the front desk and they came to make sure we were all okay. The fact that we couldn't just let them cry it out added a different level of stress to the situation, but we got through it.

Friday, we took the kids to play outside at the Arboretum. It was a gorgeous, nearly 80-degree day, and it was great for us to get the fresh air. We wandered with them, let them climb statues, and watch the ducks and geese, the we grabbed some chicken sandwiches headed for the wedding rehearsal. The wedding venue was at Villa Antonia, a beautiful location overlooking Lake Travis. With a few new toys on hand, I kept the kids from being disruptive until we got through th rehearsal. When the kids practiced walking down the aisle, I told them to act like ducks and follow Allen and me. Normally this means they walk in a line behind me, sometimes quacking quietly. That is just our "word" for follow Mama. I expected a few little "quacks," but I didn't expect Ben to bend over with his butt out, and his arms folded into wings, as he rushed past Allen in me waddling his little duck-butt and flapping his duck-wings. (No, he didn't do that at the real ceremony, just the rehearsal.) We got the kids back to the hotel and luckily they snoozed a bit in the car. We visited with family that had arrived until it was time to head out for dinner. Dinner was an awesome affair at a delicious barbeque restaurant. It was laid back and as cozy as can be for as many people as were there. Since there was an enclosed patio and the weather was still beautiful, the kids enjoyed running around outside. One of my favorite moments was after dinner and dessert were over, but everyone was still enjoying each others' company. Jon, not realizing anyone was watching, had climbed up on the bench and just stared into the big pans of cobbler. As he licked his lips, I took out the camera, but didn't let on that I was watching him. I could almost read his mind as he reached for the big serving spoon, but then he abruptly stopped. I had expected him to try to eat from the spoon and I was ready to jump, but he surprised me when he first reached for a plate. The evening was quite enjoyable especially since we had so much help with the kids. Uncle Gary, Aunt Carmen, Aunt Michele, and Grandma Ann each helped out so much, and Allen and I were allowed to just enjoy ourselves. Since Randy and Shelley (aka: Nana & Papa) were the hosts for the dinner, I tried to keep the kids "out of their way," but as always, they were happy to help and happy to hold, and they, too, were a big help to us. Ben was exhausted, and stopped to lay on a picnic bench. Then he jumped up and went to tell everyone, "bye." Then he rushed out the door of the party room -- luckily someone caught him. When Ben was carried to me, I asked where he was going and he told me: "Bye-bye, Mama. Sleepy." We left soon after that and the kids went to bed very easily. Saturday was another busy day, and Valentine's Day (even though I forgot that part). After breakfast at the hotel with all the family, Allen and I and the kids took a detour from the wedding festivities and went to meet my Aunt Anne, Uncle Jim, and cousins Kathryn and Jamie. It was the first time they had met the triplets, and since we were so close, I am so glad we got to visit with them. The kids got to feed chickens, go for a walk, and just play. Maddie slept most of the time, but we all had a great visit. Next we met family for lunch and then took the kids to nap at the hotel while the rest of us got pretty. Before we knew it, it was time to get to the wedding for some pre-wedding family photos.
The wedding was beautiful, the bride was even prettier. I know a bride is supposed to look her very best for her wedding, but Jenn was unbelievably gorgeous that day with her inner beauty and happiness radiating through her pretty face. As I did my best to keep the kiddos quiet, I couldn't help my heart from swelling with love for my husband as I heard the wedding words and remembered our own vows. I was also overwhelmed with joy that Jason found someone to make him so very happy. After the ceremony, there was a dinner and dancing, and we got to see a side of Will we don't see too often. At the rehearsal, Will became quite friendly with Jenn's niece. By then end of that evening, she was introducing him to her family as her "boyfriend, cart-Will." He told us she was his girlfriend, too, but that part doesn't surprise us anymore. In fact, we acted like it wasn't a big deal, but the other kids oohed and aahed and the two young ones realized that got them attention so they kept up the act. What we didn't know was that Will would dance ALL . . . NIGHT. . . LONG! When he got the nerve to get on the dance floor, he quickly got the little girl dancing. He impressed many with his dance steps and the spins he helped her do. When she grew tired of dancing, and the dance floor got crowded with "big people", Will found a small balcony and did his own dancing up there. At one point, we looked over and saw FOUR photographers with their lenses focused on the little blond boy dancing on the balcony. Maddie fell asleep soon after she finished dinner, but Jon and Ben kept going for awhile. Allen and I each held one of the little boys while we danced together to "Unforgettable." Had the song been a minute longer, they both would've been asleep, but as it was, only Ben was out. Another time, Allen and I was cha-cha-ing and almost had Jon asleep, but to no avail. He and Will lasted all night long and even helped throw rose petals as Jason and Jenn left the party. We put the kids in pajamas before buckling them in for the ride back. As we assumed, they all slept in the car. The hardest thing about each of us carrying two sleeping chidren through the hotel was the three-inch heels on which I was trying to steady myself. We all slept hard that night.

Sunday we slept a bit longer than the other days, but then had breakfast with the family again. When we headed home, we stopped in Waco for lunch, and Allen's parents and grandmother followed us there. It was so nice enjoying a few moments with both families. We finally made it home, and decided to just sit and relax.

Just a shout out of thanks to everyone that helped with the kids. I can't thank you enough, and it was wonderful to see you! Who did we see? Nana and Papa, Grammie and Ruffy (the kids great-grandparents), Grandma Ann (great-grandma to the kids), lots of great-aunts and -uncles, in more ways than one: Chuck, Gary, Carmen, Michele, Robert, Barbara, Carrie, and Jim; a great-great aunt and cousin: Babe and Janet; and lots of family friends. I hope others got some good pictures, because I never seemed to have my camera out at the right moments.

Another Beautiful Day

Yesterday: donut with sprinkles, zoo, Mexican food, Walgreens, detour to collect pinecones, temperature approaching 70, sunshine all day

Will's loves to stop and watch Phineas, the rhino. The first time we saw him, he was only three days old, and it was Will's and my first day without others with us. Will said, "Mama, my baby rhinocerous sure is getting big!" We had a lot of fun on such a beautiful day. I pointed out some "unique animals" to Will in a way he didn't understand . . . "Ah! Will look! Over there. See those?" He looked and looked but didn't see the animals in the cage. "Look, Will. It's an orange conicus! Wow!" He still didn't get it. "How 'bout those? Do you see those? The brown picnic tablicus?" Finally he understood I was being silly and he just laughed and laughed, then found another one for me "Look, Mama! Isn't that a nice lighticus!" We had fun being silly like that the rest of the day. It also meant I had to read the scientific names of all the animals after that. His favorite to remember: Bison bison bison. Usually we are at the zoo with the family or even friends, but this time it was just the two of us. Rather than rushing from animal to animal or having to chase after kids, we stopped and read most of the info boards. The thing that he kept asking about was what endanged animals were. At the gift shop, we found a book that has kept his attention, but also mad him sad (the snakeskin boots, leopard jackets, deforestation.) Nothing made his as sad as when I read the lion-board. "Mama, what is prey? What is a kill" I explained to him that lions eat other animals. As we stood in front of the zoo lions, we could see zebras and kudu just beyond them. The exhibit has moats between the animals, but you can't see them, so it looks like a savannah with elephants, giraffes, warthogs, zebras, kudus, ostriches, and lions seeming to be in the same area. Will burst into sobs with huge tears when I told him sometimes lions eat zebras. I finally calmed him down by telling him we would go find a zoo-keeper who could tell him what these zoo-lions ate. He didn't believe me when I said those lions didn't eat zebras. Luckily, as we turned the corner, a zookeeper was coming out of the same area. Will asked if he could go talk to that stranger, and I said yes. So he asked her what the lions ate and she was so kind and patient, explaining until he no longer had questions. Those lions eat deer and cow bones, and ground meat. Will and I later joked about the lions eating hamburgers and liking them really rare. Another bunch of questions came when we were looking at the snakes and spiders -- explaining which were poisonous or not. I read the info about the brown recluse spider and it explained that this was not one we wanted to be bitten by, and it liked dark places. Knowing Will and his fears, I tried to find the happy medium between telling him the truth, but not bringing on nightmares. When we were leaving that part of the zoo, he started putting his hands in his jacket pockets, and just froze. "What's the matter, Will?" "Mama, I think my pockets are dark..."

After we picked up the little kids from Mothers day out, we headed home. The kids played while I did a few things, then I helped Will with his Valentine's for his party. Last night, we also headed to WalMart to pick up some diapers. The little ones prefer to walk around, but I didn't have the patience for that. I finally got Maddie to quit crying by setting a box in the cart and telling her it was her Princess Throne. (One day this week, I asked Maddie what her name was and she said "Princess!") She LOVED sitting on the throne, and then Ben had the idea to have a footstool, too. That's what you see here.