Our Trip to Lowes!

Grandma Sandy was kind enough to call me last night and tell me that Lowes was having a free Kid Construction Project this morning. She offered to stay home with Allie, so I packed up the three amigos and off we went. My mom had taken them to one of these a few months ago. Basically they provide you with a cute Lowes apron and give you a kit to make a wooden craft of some sort. The projects use real wood, nails, and a hammer, so at age 2 1/2 it is more of a show and tell project.

The kids looked like this as we left the house...



They were SO cute I could hardly stand it. Here we went, hand in hand, across the parking lot and marching into the home improvement store! They had the sunglasses, the aprons, and their hammers in their pockets ready to go! We had a great time making little garages and even got a little wooden race car to go inside. A few friends of ours were there too, so that made it even more fun. And what kid doesn't love to go and look at all of the Christmas decorations? They pushed every button on every tacky automated piece of Christmas decor that the store had...FUN!

We had a great dinner at Grandma's house and the kids spent time with their cousins. Oh, and before I go, I have to share these pictures of Eli. This is his best friend "Nuffy" (Snuffleupagus from Seasame Street). He has both "little nuffy" (a small plastic one) and "big nuffy" (a larger stuffed Snuffy that mommy found online last year for Christmas). He brought both Nuffies to snack time today and I cracked up watching him feed Nuffy some raisins!

Changes and Stages

Toddlerhood is such a wild ride! I remember when the triplets were infants and just as I got used to one stage, they would change, and our routine and schedule would need to change too. Now that they are toddlers, they are changing a little bit more slowly, but it seems the changes are really BIG ones.

The dreaded potty training project is still hanging over my head. I keep telling myself, "I'll do it after the holidays" like it is some sort of New Year's Resolution or something!

All of a sudden the kids don't NEED to be in a wagon or stroller. They can walk next to me, hold hands in a parking lot, and they do all of this quite well. I guess it makes things easier, but a small part of my heart breaks to think that they don't that safety and security anymore.

The kids are still in cribs (thank GOD!!) I guess they are unusual in that they have never climbed out. I planned on keeping them in their until at least Kindergarten (ha!) but Brady had to go and break a wrung on his crib the other day. He was falling down on purpose and being super silly, and I heard a wrung crack and fall onto the floor. It isn't fixable and now the pressure is on to get toddler beds for them. Wait a minute!!??! They will be able to get out of bed whenever they want, do whatever they want in their room? I want my control back!!! I'm seriously sweating this transition too...

So, they are growing, changing, exploring, testing. All things they are supposed to do, but all things that keep me on my toes every day. Thank goodness for Allie. She gladly wears diapers, rides in her stroller, and sleeps soundly in her crib!

Heard Around Our House

With 2 1/2 year old triplets running around all day, you can imagine that there are some pretty interesting things coming out of their mouths. We are continually cracking up on the hilarious explanations they provide for the world around them.

This morning I heard the triplets talking about some sort of bug in Allie's room. I went to investigate and saw a ladybug on the wall and three very inquisitive children standing over it. I told them to leave it alone and they answered by saying, "No mommy, MACK (smack) IT!" I guess they picked up this whole "smacking" concept during the summer months when we smacked the occasional fly or bee in the house. I told them to just leave the ladybug alone and I went about my business. All of a sudden I hear them hollering and running toward the kitchen yelling, "Let's go! Mack it!" They grabbed their plastic play utensils from their kitchen set and ran full speed towards Allie's room like an army rushing to battle. I followed them and came into the room to see them trying to whack the life out of that poor bug. I was a little shocked by the violence of it all, so I told them to come sit down so I could tell them a story. The conversation went something like this:

Me: "Mommy wants to tell you something special about everything in our world. All of the animals, and plants, the sun, and even that bug was made by God."

Them: "Wow. Made by God!"

Me: "Yes, even YOU were made by God. Everything that is alive in our world was made by God. So that little ladybug was made by God too. And it makes God sad if we kill the ladybugs that He made."

Brady: "Yeah. Mommy...Cara macked the ladybug!"

Cara" (in a very slow, deliberate voice) "No Mommy, BRADY macked GOD's ladybug!"

Me: laughed hysterically


I love those little innocent minds. They are so clueless and wonderful all at the same time and talking with them is SO much fun!

Happy Days

I like days like today. We did something fun, we hung out with people we love, and the kids all acted quite well! Today we went to lunch with our friend "Gramma" Lynn. She is leaving for Florida on Saturday and will be away for the next 5 months. She is definitely in the kids' inner circle, they truly adore her. My mom, the kids, and I met her at Denny's for a lovely lunch. The kids were amazingly well-behaved and it was quite an enjoyable time. I was a proud momma as 3 different people came up and complimented me on how great the kids acted in the restaurant. After lunch we came home and roamed around outside for a few minutes. The kids are at such a great age for easy entertainment. Just a walk around the yard (and through the landscaping) is a great time for them. Having toddlers reminds me everyday of the simple joys in life.


Okay so after that great shot, the kids were looking down at the dirt. Mom and I said, "Okay guys, look up!" We wanted them to look at the camera, and the very literal minds of toddlers led to this pose...



Handsome boy...




Sisters...


I asked the kids to sit next to each other on the hill so I could take a picture. They did for a milisecond, then started sliding down the hill on their bums.

A Date with My Daughter

Cara and I went on a rare mother-daughter outing today. I needed to get some party thank you cards made and wanted to look through the Christmas things that were just put out at Target. Ahhhh Target. That place is just amazing. How did I ever survive without that store?

Cara was simply adorable as we browsed the toy aisles. A confession here...my kids have each only been in a store probably 5 times a piece, maybe less. She had no recollection of a toy aisle and to her, it was heaven on earth. She was so sweet about it though...she got onto her knees in the cart and just said things like, "Oh Mommy, look at that!" and "That is so wonderful!" She didn't want to leave the toy department, but luckily the Christmas tree displays were just down the way. We went to lunch at Applebees and just had a wonderful time. I love enjoying my kids one at time.

Tonight I had another great MOPS meeting! And after I got to go out with a few amazing friends. Now it's 11pm and I feel old and tired, but it was worth it:)

We are THAT Family

Exciting news everyone! Saturday our story was featured on the We Are THAT Family blog. I have been following blogger Kristen for a while as she tells stories about raising her family that seems to have its share of bumps in the road. She started an honorary THAT family society which you can join if you feel that you too have a family that just seems to be drawn to a few more mishaps than the average Joes. I was shocked to see that we were chosen to be a part of this elite group:) Wait a minute, why am I surprised? Of course the Williams family fit the bill perfectly! Click over here to read my interview with Kristen of We are THAT Family.

Party Time!

We had a great day! No need for more words, the pictures say it all:)

    

 

A wonderful girl, a wonderful party!