Back to school

Lauren is now the big middle schooler.  The first week of school I didn't have to wake her up, today is the fourth week of school and we are back to the alarm clock.  She gets to sleep in until 7:30 since she doesn't have to be to school until almost 9 a.m. but doesn't get out until after 4 so it makes for a long day for her and a short evening for me.

The boys started their Mommys Day Out program two weeks ago and they are going twice a week instead of once a week. I haven't been able to enjoy my days out because I've been catching up with all my errands (car repair, hair appts, etc) that I've neglected during the summer.  This week nothing is planned except grocery shopping.

All three boys with their backpacks - took forever for this picture to happen.

Travis

Ian

Logan

The boys teacher is wonderful. She is helping with potty training and even mentioned that Ian can come to class with underwear on Tuesday. Really? I'll pack a few extra pair of pants just.in.case!

3 Big boy beds

I always said that I would keep the boys in their cribs until they started crawling out.  Well that day happened in the middle of July.  Ian is the one that would scale his crib and snuggle with us in our bed; you really didn't think it was Logan or Travis did you?  I've had three toddler beds in the upstairs "storage" room for the past 6 months dreading waiting for the day to transition the boys to toddler beds.

The boys loved their beds....loved them so much that sleep was not what they had in mind.  That was Sunday night....Mike left for an almost week long trip to Ottawa on Tuesday morning.  Let's say that we probably should have left them in their cribs just a week or two longer.  It was a rough two weeks...without Mike helping with bedtime.  The boys didn't want to nap in their beds so Mike suggested that I put their nap mats in the living room during nap time and make the room dark - and it worked.  Mom was able to get a couple of hours back during the day to spend with Lauren or to prepare dinner.  Bedtime was still rough and at times it still is.

The boys were in their new beds for about a month before I sold the last crib and dresser. So once the dresser was sold....we high tailed it to Ikea to pick up a new somewhat matching dresser for large amount of clothes that these boys have.  I have pics of Mike putting it together and having lots and lots of help but I can't find them right now. 














These two pictures show what the room looks like today....still.  I have ideas and am following through in decorating their room.  It entails a couple movie posters, vinyl names for the wall, subway art, and some canvas prints.  Hopefully it will all come together very soon.  When it happens..there will be a blog post about it.

Playdates - summer recap

We attended a couple playdates this summer and I only took my camera to one...the one where we had the most kids ;-)

My friend Crystal and I hung out with our 8 kids a lot this summer. We went to two splash parks and had some fun at her house.

This playdate was a little special for all of us. We had two sets of triplets, one set of twins, and a mamma without multiples but had a large family.

Lauren is enjoying some one on one time with Max.

































Look at that playroom - I tend to stay in there myself...It looks like a bunch of fun.

















Four mammas and a bunch of kids (15 to be exact)


















Look at me getting caught up. Only a few more posts and I'll be back on track and discussing back to school! But for now I'm busy getting the kids clothes and toys ready for a consignment sale and I have to drop off tomorrow evening....and I haven't printed out the tags or anything...so I'll be quiet on blogger here for a couple of days!

then came 4th of July - summer recap part 2

After Aunt Brenda left, we celebrated July 4th with a parade here in town. Mike brought the shade umbrella and we were the talk of the sidewalk. We were the only ones with shade and it was already hot at 9:30 a.m.


















Mr. Ian


















Travis, Ian, Logan


















Mom trying to get all the sticky stuff of fingers. I forgot that they throw candy at the parade....since it's a million degrees out they throw hard candy like suckers. I hate being sticky!


















See I delivered another post! Let's see if I can do another one soon!

Where did the summer go? (part 1)

I'll admit I have a lot of material for blog posts and I've procrastinated in uploading photos, blog posts, etc. Where do I begin??

Aunt Brenda was here a few days after the boys birthday and she helped us get the boys outside to use their scooters.


















































Ian had Aunt Brenda drawing for him....she apparently takes direction very well.

















A picture of Mike and I (I know...rare huh)!


















Apparently I have to put veggies in a huge tray for someone (Logan) to eat it! Whatever it takes!


















OK I did it. My first blog post in over a month...it should get easier from here! Yeah I've heard that before!

Part 2 coming soon!!

3rd birthday recap

The boys third birthday party was kept short and sweet and stress free (is that even possible?) The boys got some great toys and we made some great memories!


Papa Ted making the kids laugh

















The birthday cake

















Lauren and Ms. Robin

















Papa Ted, Aunt Brenda, Nana and Travis

















Our nanny and friend, Emily with Lauren

















Getting ready to blow out the candles
(notice the individual cakes)

















The chaos that comes with opening gifts

















hanging out with the new pool

















What a great birthday the boys had!! I think the next birthday will be held at a venue vs our house! (grin)

Aunt Brenda's summer 2011 visit

Aunt Brenda was in town for the boys birthday and we kept her busy ;-) One day we took the boys to Pump It Up during their preschool free play - it was just long enough to tire out the adults.

Although it was H O T (triple digits) we attempted to go to the zoo. With the boys napping right at 12:00 it's hard to go on some outing and make it worthwhile. We headed out and arrived at the zoo around 9:45 and stayed only a couple of hours before it was so hot that we couldn't stand it any longer!


































































The following day we went to the Rodeo. Since it was two days before the boys birthday I had asked to have their birthdays announced at the arena. I got confirmation that they received my request, but we weren't able to stay for the entire rodeo to hear the announcement ;-( The rodeo started at 7:30 and the boys bed time is around 8 p.m. and "we" had finally had enough of trying to wrangle the boys to watch the festivities at around 8:45. But dang those boys were cute in their boots and jeans. When we walked in, the arena was giving out free cowboy hats..Mr. Logan wore his almost the entire time!





Lauren and Travis















Ian













Logan (he wore the hat that way all night)





















































My new favorite pic of Brenda














That, my friends and neighbors, is a thirsty cowboy!



























Next blog entry....The boys 3rd birthday party....stay tuned!