Swimming Lessons

This week our kids started a two week session of swimming lessons. It's a "Mommy and Me" swimming class and each little person needs a big person to help them in the class. For this reason I've had Jason and some of my Young Women from church helping me. The boys are absolutely loving the lessons. They like to kick their legs, float on their backs and are O.K. with having their head under water for a brief moment. Nathan especially likes it and said to me recently, "Mommy, I'm a good swimmer." Lauren, however, is another story...

The first night the teacher asked if we could all dunk under water. I used my funnest, happiest voice to convince Lauren that it would be O.K. and then put her head under water. Well, she FREAKED!!! She started cyring and hanging on super tight to my neck and saying she wanted to get out. I promised her that I wouldn't do it again, but my promises were in vain. Jason tried working with her. He reassured her and told her that he'd hang on tight to her. She endured the 1/2 hour class and was relieved to finally be out of the pool. Then, as she was walking on the concrete around the pool, she tripped and fell and skinned her knee and ankle. The tears started all over again. Needless to say, I think I've ruined Lauren in regards to swimming. The next night she stayed in the pool for about 3 minutes and spent the rest of the class sitting in a chair a safe distance from the pool. We'll hope that tonight is better for her...

Shalissa, Landon and Sydney

Jason and Lauren-The smile on her face was very brief.

Nathan and Sydney

A big THANK YOU to all of the girls who have helped us with this. They have been wonderful and our kids love having them come to swim with us. We couldn't give our kids this opportunity without their help.

A Very Fun Weekend

Last weekend our family took a trip to Boise for Jason's cousin's wedding. It was a fun event and we enjoyed visiting with Uncle Pete and the Weir family. As always, there were lots of laughs and funny things that happened. The Weir family is a fun and funny bunch and we always enjoy getting together with them. Congratulations Mary and Rocky!!!

Uncle Pete, Mary and Rocky

The kids thought the wedding was O.K., but they loved staying at the hotel and eating at restaurants. They especially loved our trip to the Boise zoo and even tolerated a little bit of shopping at the Outlet Mall.

Landon, Nathan, Lauren and some of their penguin friends.

The zoo was fantastic with great monkey and penguin exhibits. The kids really liked watching the penguins swim. The way the exhibit is set up you can stand inside and see their little feet kicking under water. Our little ones were fascinated and are still talking about seeing the penguins. It was a very fun weekend for our family.

Sooooo Tired

This week the kids have all had a little bit of a cold. It hasn't slowed them down much but they've been a little tired and had runny noses.

Yesterday I was busy doing chores and could hear Nathan saying, "I want you Mommy." When I asked him what he needed he said, "Put me on the couch." I told him that I was busy and that he was a big boy and could get on the couch by himself. A few minutes later when I walked past the couch, this is what I saw.

I couldn't believe he had actually fallen asleep like this! I guess he really did need my help getting on the couch. He was just too sleepy to make it all the way by himself. Poor little guy!

To the mountains!!!

This week we enjoyed 4 days of camping for Jason's annual family reunion. We all had a wonderful time and I can't remember the last time I was able to relax for that many days in a row. With no washing machine, no house to clean, no lawn to mow, and the shared meals, it truly was a break for me. The kids played long and hard each day and stayed up late at night. I think they're still trying to recover.

We started each morning with a yummy breakfast together. We ate pancakes, eggs, sausage and bacon. (I'll probably have to call my cardiologist to have my cholesterol meds increased.) Then we enjoyed mountain golf, 4 wheeler rides, art projects, playing in the dirt, eating more yummy food, playing in the dirt, fly fishing (with little success), eating more yummy food, playing in more dirt, fighting with the kids to get them to sleep, and a nighttime campfire with marshmallows, conversation, laughs and mosquitos. Here are a few photos...

Here is Jason panning for gold. Lauren thinks she sees something, but unfortunately riches were not found and Jason will be returning to work at the hospital on Monday.

Jason and Landon on the 4 Wheeler. Landon loves motorcycles and 4 wheelers and couldn't wait to ride.

Landon shucking corn with the "big boys." Landon followed them everywhere and was sure he was as big as they were. They were very tolerant and included him every time they could.

Would you believe that Jason put her on kicking and screaming? He said she calmed down as soon as he took off and she returned with a beautiful handful of wildflowers for mommy. (Later Jason informed me that picking wildflowers is illegal. Oops!)

Lauren playing a round of mountain golf. This has become an annual tradition enjoyed by all. It was started by Grandpa Gordon who couldn't give up his almost-daily golf game during family reunion week.

Nathan eating one of the yummy meals that we had. Why does camping always mean eating? Anyway, as you can see, he thoroughly enjoyed his chocolate chip cookie.

Landon and his buddy Jerratt. Jerratt is Jason's cousin Tami's son. Thanks to Jerratt and his brother Justin for taking such an interest in our kids. They kept them entertained for hours and are such awesome kids!

Lauren coloring a picture using Jerratt's paper and pencils. He had her all set up at a table just her size.

This hole in the ground provided hours of fun for all of the kids. Here Lauren and Nathan are playing with Shannon. This picture doesn't accurately depict the immense amount of dirt in their hair and ears, but you get the idea. Thank heavens kids are washable!

This picture perfectly portrays the way we were all feeling by the end of the week...tired. This is Nathan sleeping next to Grandma-Great. I thought it was the cutest picture.

As you can see we had a wonderful time. Thanks to all who came and those who helped put all of this together. And thanks, especially, to Jason's grandma for creating such a wonderful group of family. We are truly blessed and will look forward to more fun and more dirt at next year's excursion.

Happy 4th of July!!!

Lauren, Landon and Nathan

We had a wonderful 4th full of fun, fun, fun!! We started with the parade in the morning. The kids LOVED the candy the most. They also really liked all of the horses and the motorcycles. Lauren HATED the fire trucks. Every time she saw one coming she grabbed onto my neck and nearly strangled me. She did not like the sirens at all. The parade was quite long but the kids sat there the entire time and were totally into it. It was great.

Jason, Lauren and Landon

Melanie and Nathan

Later in the afternoon we took our boat out on the river. We had such a fun time riding around, tubing, splashing our feet in the water and swimming.

Nathan and Jason

Landon

Lauren

But the highlight of the entire day was watching the fireworks on our boat. We were able to get right under them and they were extraordinary. Landon provided non-stop commentary through the whole show ("I like orange/purple/blue/green best.", "That was my favorite.", "That one was sparkly.", etc.) and Lauren and Nathan were in quiet awe. (I think they were getting tired by then.) We are so blessed to live in this wonderful free country. Our family is grateful for all of those who have fought and who continue to fight for our freedom. We hope your day was as nice as ours. We were tired by the end but loved every minute of being together.

Happy Birthday Lucas!

This past weekend we took the kids to Pocatello for their cousin Lucas' 4th birthday party. It was a really fun day with lots of sun, swimming, food and ice cream cake. Yummy!!! The kids had so much fun and were exhausted once we finally got them away from the water and into the van. Thanks to Jody and Lucas for such a fun party!!!

Landon and Nathan

Lauren

Nathan

Riding Bikes

Playing on the Slip and Slide

It's O.K., kids wash.

Before I share today's post there are 2 things that you need to know. #1 I am a bit of a clean freak. I love a clean house, a clean car, clean kids and a very organized life. This is an absolute curse for a mother of triplets, especially 3-year-olds, but I'm doing my best to cope. #2 About 2 weeks ago I told Jason that one of our sprinkler lines was leaking and that it needed to be fixed as it was creating a muddy area in one of our flower beds in the back yard. Can you see where this is going?

This afternoon I sent my three little darlings to the back yard to play while I cleaned our bathrooms. Our back yard is very safe, fully fenced, and virtually kid proof. It's great!!

Well, here is what I learned about how boys and girls are different...

Girls will tell you when they are up to no good. For example, while cleaning my bath tub I heard Lauren saying, "Moooommyy!" She was using that tone of voice that every mother knows means someone is doing something they shouldn't. We hear this tone often at our house.

Boys will giggle and laugh while doing something naughty. They know to enjoy it while it lasts because when Mom realizes what's happening she'll put a stop to the fun.

Boys love mud! The more, the better. It's not enough to just dig with a toy or a stick in the mud while staying safe and clean on the grass. They have to be right in the middle of it to thoroughly enjoy it. (I give you exhibit #1)

Landon and Nathan

Girls ARE content to stay on the edge because they don't like to get dirty. When their hand does acccidentally get in the mud, they wipe it off on their shirt and then want to change the shirt immediately. (I give you exhibit #2)

Landon and Lauren

Upon discovering today's adventure I was blessed to hear the words, "It's O.K., kids (and clothes) wash." Having this happen was probably good therapy for this clean freak. Without saying a word I went back to the house to get my camera. I took photos and laughed about it and then went back to cleaning. The kids continued to enjoy the mud for a bit longer and then it was time for a bath.

Exhibit #3 is a beautiful photo of the freshly cleaned bath tub after the first dirty child was taken care of.

One final note. . . Not only did Landon love the mud, he loved the "polka dots" all over his arms and legs. So the next time your child is splattered in mud from head to toe, try to appreciate the pretty polka dots and remember, "It's O.K., kids wash." :)