Pictures and things

I sometimes gather my thoughts and come up with what I think will be a brilliant blog post. Then I sit down to write and after writing all day professionally, I come up short with my personal writing. It isn't that I don't have lots to tell, it's just that my brain is out of words. In the last month or so the kiddo's have been up to so much.

A certain boy turned 3. 

The girls received their first holy communion.


Track has been going very well. Abby is kicking RS's butt and taking names. She ran a 400 meter race and came in 4th out of 12! Grace has had Personal Records in all of her 3 favorite events (1500, 800 and 400) and is headed to the Championship meet and maybe even the Junior Olympics.

Life for Brian and I has been hectic. Brian is taking over the role of the commissioner of track for next season. It is a surprisingly time consuming role. It's so great to be able to give back in such a big way but as he takes over he is gone a lot more for meetings and things. I am working like crazy, both writing and teaching. Plus the responsibilities of home and gardening and being Mom to three crazy kids. I know I am going to miss this all some day but I just hope I am rested enough to remember it. :D 

Outtakes

Me: Kids go lay in the grass together and I'll take your picture.

All three in unison: Oh, come on Mom.

Me: Do it

Them: Fine

All three jump on the ground to get it over with. In comes Wisdom the Dog to try and see if he can liven things up.

At least I (sort of) got my shot in the end. 

Overscheduled

When I had the girls I vowed not to turn into an overscheduler. We live in the suburbs of Philadelphia and it seems like East Coasters feel the need to keep busy at every waking moment. I am an Easterner by birth but sometimes it seems like a little too much. So, as the girls have gotten older, we have put them in classes and activities and sports. It was gradual but some days I take a step back, look at our calendar and question if I turned into what I had wanted to avoid. The over scheduling Mom who needs to fill their every moment.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of sports and activities. I love that we can provide these things for our children. A very good friend of mine reminded me how important and valuable these things are to a child. She herself was not given the privilege and I know that was a disappointment for her. I just have to ask myself how much is too much?

Our original rule was one activity per "season". But then we added religious formation classes, a Lacrosse training program for Grace, Lego club after school, Brownies, basketball starting soon, classes at the library and on and on. I feel like I have to watch carefully and keep a finger on the pulse at all times. With school and homework and sports and activities kids don't have enough unscheduled play time. Time to think and create. Time to use their little imaginations. Isn't it my responsibility that they get to feed their minds in every way. I originally thought they would tell me when enough is enough but they don't. Their little brains want more and more every day. They crave business.

It's all part of the tight rope we walk as parents. We want to give them everything they need but also have to know when enough is enough. I am sure that I fail the tight rope test at least ten times a day. However, I am thankful it doesn't mean I have leave the circus. (And trust me, I am living in one big circus!)

An Oldy, but a goody

My Mom and Dad are in the long-avoided task of going through their attic. Inside those angled walls are years and years and years of memories (and dust). While they have the calamity of deciding what stays and goes I am reaping the benefit. I received an old box of letters and memories. Inside was an old birthday card with money STILL INSIDE! I also found my old "letters" from high school softball (the patches that go on a letterman jacket), my middle school glasses (epic!), some old baseball and football cards and my membership to the art museum (I loves it there in high school and college).

Aside from all the wonderful memories that can up with the dust, my kids are also benefiting. Some of the old toys that were hand made for my siblings and I as youngsters (by my Dad and Pop-Pop) are being reborn. In a world where kids have ipads and cell phones I was astonished that an old dusty hand built and painted castle/fortress would bring all three of them to the floor. The same castle I played with alongside my brother has been given new life.

It amazes me that my kids are as interested in learning from my history and memories as their own. It's all part of their story.

**Reminder - Go get those old albums out. It will keep them busy for HOURS!

Touch-A-Truck

I'm not sure if this is a regional thing or not but here in NJ there are several opportunities to go to Touch-A-Truck shows. Kids can sit in, touch, climb on and get close to a bunch of different kinds of cars, trucks and vehicles. We have been once before and the girls loved it but we thought Jack would have a blast.

I think Daddy might have enjoyed it as much as the littles. 

Grace of, course has not met a wall she didn't feel compelled to climb. 

So far so good

We are just a few weeks back into the school routine and it already feels like it has been months. The girls are loving their new teacher and the school did decide to keep them together again this year. They did largely because both girls are in inclusion. Abby is now getting twice a week OT and PT. She is doing really well. Her math, reading and writing are all out of this world. Grace is finished with speech but is still overseen by OT.

Mr. Jack is learning his shapes and letters. He has mastered colors and numbers already. I would love to take credit for those but he really just picked them up on his own. The kid is smart as a whip. Sometimes too much for his own good. He is in his own version of the terrible two's, which includes a lot of "no's" and plenty of tantrums. I guess by child #3 the tantrums don't get to you as much. Or maybe the fact that he isn't two two-year-olds... either way. :D



It's hard to believe that summer has come and gone. As someone who lives from Spring and Summer this time of year can be a bit of a struggle. I am however, quite happy in my work and being able to work from home. I love contributing and being able to put them on the bus every day. It's a more difficult juggling act than I can really explain adequately. But I refuse to take it for granted.

End of Summer

This summer felt particularly short. It was slightly shorter than normal due to an early start date and a long year last year due to all of our NJ snow days. But it felt even shorter than that. We spent the last few weeks and days trying to get as much out of summer as we possibly could.

The Pool

The aquarium

Sidewalk Paint

Running through the sprinkler

The Park

And plenty of fun at home... 

Now, it seems, we have to close the book on another wonderful summer. Just nine more months until the next one!

The Boy Turns Two

How is it possible that my sweet little baby is already a rambunctious two year old? It seems like a month ago he was chilling in his swing in the middle of my kitchen.

We decided to keep his birthday simple. I made the mistake with the older two of over thinking birthdays. 

He got a few presents in the morning. Then Honey and I took him to feed the fish at the garden center. 

After nap he and I played out front. He insisted on cleaning off the front porch. 

The girls and I decorated two cakes for his party. 

My attempt at a Mickey cake:

Abby and Grace's attempt at a Mickey cake:

Jack and Wizzum sidestepped the party hats and went right for fancy headbands. 

 

In the end he had a lovely day. It was quiet and laid back. He got to have lots of fun without getting overwhelmed. Only problem is, now I have a two year old boy to contend with. 

 

Belated Easter Pictures

We took a few minutes to snap some quick Easter Pictures. With three kids it is a bigger challenge then I ever imagined to get them all smiling at the same time. 

This Easter we planted jelly beans to see if they *really* grow lollipops. 

Turns out it's true!

The Easter bunny was kind enough to leave both baskets and a yard full of Easter Eggs. 

As you can tell, Jack was not exactly into the whole egg hunting thing. 

As it turns out both the Easter Bunny AND the Tooth Fairy visited us that evening. 

A 20 Month Comparison

Grace at 20 months:

 

 Abby at 20 Months:

 

Jack at 20 Months:

In some pictures I see so much of Grace in Jack and in others it's all Abby. I love that they all look alike in some ways but so different in others. 

A twin flashback:

Abs was SO tiny!