Beach Babies

At the end of April (2 weeks earlier than usual) we took our annual beach trip to Panama City Beach, Florida.  When the trio was 4 month old they just lay like lumps.  A year later when they were 1 1/4 they did not care for the sand very much.  A year after that at 2 1/4 they liked it but I could tell they were just along for the ride.  But this year was very different.  The kids are 3 1/4 and they just had the best time.  We swam every day and built sandcastles on the beach every day too.  Two years ago we got a tip to bring a little pool down to the beach to fill with water since the kids are too young for the ocean.  That was the highlight of the trip!

At night we ventured out to the local restaurants for delicious fresh seafood.  And the weather was so warm and beautiful there.  I swear sometimes I think I could just pack up and move to the beach.  No one wanted to leave on departure day but I promised the kids we could spend lots of weekends this summer at the neighborhood pool and that seemed to pacify them.  The kids were so good all the way home in the van.  We only had small meltdowns at dinner and that was near the end of the journey.  So proud of my babies!

The inflatable pool was a hit!

Building a sand castle with Mimi

Swimming with Daddy & Papa

Sarah and Lucas being so brave and swimming solo

By day 3 even Jake was swimming solo

Two boys who DO NOT want to leave the pool

The busy days caused lots of solid naps!

Family Pictures

Back when we lived in Newnan we scheduled an appointment with a photographer who was also a member of my Moms of Multiples group.  Through a series of scheduling conflicts we went over a year and a half without ever getting the session done.  But we finally got around to it and they turned out great.  They were "real" portraits instead of posed studio ones.  The photographer is www.brennabphotography.com

Easter Fun

The kids had a ball at Easter a few weeks ago.  We had a brunch with the whole family over at Mimi and Papa's house.  Thankfully the rain held off long enough to hunt Easter eggs.  By the time we were heading out though the rain came in full fury.  Here are some pics from the hunt:

And a collage I put together of each of the kids' first four Easters.

Brusha, Brusha, Brusha

At the kids' dentist appointments a few months ago the dentist said we could start using regular toothpaste instead of the "baby" non-fluoride paste we'd been using.  It took a little time to get used to the switch because we had to teach the trio to swish and spit out the paste.  But they are getting the hang of it.  Of course their aim is a little wild so our sink looks like it's been sprayed with milky water.  Oh well, that's life!

Moms of Multiples Spring Party

A few weeks ago our Gwinnett group had a party at a local park.  Everyone brought a dish to share and plastic eggs for the kids to have an egg hunt.  There was even an Easter bunny there posing for pictures with the kids.  Although the bunny was pretty scary.  Not sure where he came from!  There was a limit on the number of eggs each child should collect and there were many responsible parents enforcing the rules but some were not.  There was this one little girl loading up her basket as fast as she could and no parents in sight.  I hate irresponsible people!  But despite this issue the kids had a ball.  And I even saw an old high school friend there with her family.  A great day!

Kurt gives Jake a boost to watch the trains

The scariest bunny ever!

Jake counting his eggs

The Graduate

Most of this blog is devoted to the childrens' accomplishments but every now and then it's only fair we get to sneak some in. One of the reasons I've been behind in blogging is because I was studying the 8th (and final) course to earn my CPCU designation. It's the equivalent of a masrer's degree in the insurance world. It was very grueling & took me close to 10 years off and on to complete it. But now I'm done & I will be graduating soon! Here are some pics taken at work during a celebration.

What happened to February???

Last month I did something I've never done in the 3 1/2 years I've been blogging...

I just let a whole month go by without posting! I missed the month of February completely. And if not for my business trip I might have missed the month of March too!

During this time we have done so much but there just hasn't been a lot of time for the computer. I was feverishly studying for my last CPCU exam- which I passed! Then Kurt and I put several weeks of work into prepping for the Moms of Multiples consignment sale which turned out great! But now that I'm away from home & the kids I can devote a few moments to the blog.

Kurt has been interviewing for jobs & even had one on Valentine's Day. But that didn't stop him from bringing the kids up to see me & surprising me with a gorgeous bouquet of roses. We had lunch at Red Lobster which was quite a treat. I love seeing the trio during the work day! We did manage to snag a few pics. Stay tuned for more posts as I attempt to catch everyone up. 

Princess of.....Everything!

Ever since Sarah was born we have sung this silly song with lyrics that include "Sarah Beara...princess of everything".  At some point she started to sing along and finish the sentence before we could.  It's always been a funny joke in our house.  For her birthday this year a friend gave her a tiara and wand.  She has worn that tiara every day since she got it.  I'm starting to believe she's the real deal!

All Smiles For The Dentist

Kurt is not your average Dad.  He laughs in the face of a challenge.  He is SUPER Dad.  The kids had a dentist appointment (their first) and he volunteered to take the three of them by himself.  Some fathers don't even want to be left alone to care for their children for an hour let alone load them up and haul them all to the dentist.  But he did it.  And thankfully the kids were well-behaved and enjoyed their first visit.  All 3 had x-rays taken, their teeth cleaned and polished, and a fluoride treatment.  At the end they were rewarded with goodie-bags of toothbrushes, stickers, toys and they even got a balloon.  The doctor said all three looked fantastic.  The only concern is to keep an eye on Sarah's thumb-sucking.  We may need to start intervening if she is not giving it up naturally.  She's already starting to get an overbite.

Jakers being very brave

Sarah holding her prized goodie-bag

Lucas says "aaaahhhhh"

The Easiest Party Ever!

A few months back we went to a three year old's birthday party at an indoor play-center and the kids just had a ball.  I wasn't really even thinking about their birthday at that time but they had so much fun I thought I'd look into it.  After checking a few different places, I realized this would be way out of our budget.  But I only checked on Saturdays and Sundays.  When I found out Friday nights were about half the price, I knew we could do it.  We had the party at Monkey Joe's and it went great!  The staff there was so amazing.  They took care of everything for us and made the whole thing really simple.  As the mom, I usually end up running around everywhere getting things done.  But this time I actually got to sit back and enjoy.  It was wonderful! And the kids had the time of their lives!

A very special welcome to the party

Luke instantly finds the slides

Jake racing cars with Auntie Janna

My fearless child

Princess Sarah on her throne

I love how excited Jake is to blow out the candles