People often ask me how I get all three girls to still nap. The other day, we were hanging out, having our Rio dance party (I could sing EVERY song from the movie Rio backwards and forwards because of these girls), and I realized why they still take almost three hour naps every day. The NEVER. STOP. MOVING.
The video is long and pointless, just them singing, dancing, flying, Paige taking a trip to Rio, you know, the usual stuff. This was right before nap time, hence the three hour nap.
Since the day Paige was born, she has LOVED books. That love is just getting stronger and stronger. The other day in dance class, the girls had to pick a place they'd want to fly away to using their fairy wings. Most of the girls chose places such as a princess castle, Disney World, fairy island, etc. Paige picked the library. My adorable little book worm!
I found these BOB Books through her reading program at school. I'm amazed at how much they've encouraged her to read and practice her words!
Tonight before bedtime, we recorded her reading abilities. I'm so proud of my little girl!!
The girls love running up and down the hill in our front yard. They all yell "Ready. Set. Go!" and head towards who ever is waiting for them at the bottom. Only they could have this much energy in the middle of the heat wave. Our grass is looking good, huh??? :)
Payton and her sprinkler. She sat like this for almost 25 minutes, trying to figure out how it worked.
The girls love to color, so I purchased this roll of butcher paper on Amazon. We cut off a big piece and let them draw all over it. They have a blast!
Payton rocking Paige's goggles during lunch...
...should I tell her they are on backwards? Nah.
Paige is so proud of her bike riding, that when we were getting something out of the garage, she jumped on her bike and asked me to take her picture. Who could refuse?!?
I can always tell when Paige is not getting enough "mommy-time". She tends to get really pushy with the girls and starts acting out more. So, last Friday, I decided to give her a bit of one on one time at the movies. She's a huge Ice Age fan, so we went to see the new one.
If this face isn't excited, I don't know what is!!!!
Payton makes the most innocent looking faces...however, she's my little silent trouble maker.
The girls coloring the tree with chalk. It's fun for them, so why stop it?
Paige's depiction of me. Clearly, I need to do more Zumba! :)
When did my little girl get so big. Her name is pretty much legible now!
First, I can't believe it's the end of July. Second, I can't believe that Paige's classes are over for the summer! The girls are probably a little disappointed since they won't be able to run around the Eola Center for a few hours. I'm sure they'll be fine, however, dance starts back up in August, and Paige has decided she wants to do ballet AND tap. Oh boy!
The best part of the last day of class is that it's visitor's day at class. We were able to go in and watch Paige dance. It's amazing what a few months can do. She started dance back in September, and seeing how much more she's into it now is crazy. I'm sure it helps that now she is the oldest kid in class (and the tallest!), as everyone else looks to be where she was in September.
The girls reading a book, waiting for class to start.
Practicing her stretches!
As you can see, her direction following has gotten MUCH better!
She seems so much more into it this time around, and even her form is getting better (for being as tall and lanky as she is!)
Hamming it up for the camera!
After finishing up with the skipping and silly dance, she was actually pretty sad to have to say goodbye to Miss Annie.
I can't tell you enough how happy I am with the photos of the girls this time around. It's amazing what taking them outside does!
When did Reagan turn into a little girl??
Love.
Paige spinning around and around...and around...
My "first girl" as Paige calls herself.
Payton wasn't too willing to smile, but this turned out adorable!
My smiley girl.
Sisters! By this point, Paige's feet hurt from her shoes, so she was done posing. That's what happens when you don't give yourself time to break in shoes!
A few weeks ago, we had Rose Alene Photography take a few photos of the girls. We did it in the house, and the pictures just didn't do it for me. We rescheduled for today to do them outside at the Morton Arboretum. I have a feeling they turned out much better this time, as the girls were more cooperative being outside than in.
The girls all ready for to take pictures. Paige was a little bit more of a handful than usual, and wouldn't pull out that natural beautiful smile she has, but all in all, did well!
The girls posing for a photo (I had to capture it with my phone because I thought they looked so cute!)
This is just a quick video of bath time fun. The girls are so determined to be independent, and want to do everything on their own...including washing their own hair. I think it's adorable, but I am their mother!!
Reagan has come so far. I keep thinking back to when they told me not to expect her walking before her second birthday. The fear they instilled in me about the things she wasn't going to be able to do, ate at me day after day. Each and every time she reached a milestone, I waited for something bad to follow, because that's what I was being told.
It took the full two years of her life, and where she is now, to finally start accepting that she's going to be fine. She may have a few more hurdles than kids her age, but she is determined NOT to let anything stop her, so why should I?
I'm a fixer, and I tend to like to fix problems before they even happen. I'm determined now to stop waiting for something to fix, and fix something IF and WHEN it happens. This little girl definitely has her moments. She's high spirited, high tempered and willing to try anything (like that won't be a handful when she's a teenager)!!
Paige received this horse from Santa, but Reagan and Payton are huge fans. Reagan can get on and off by herself, which at first used to scare me to death, but her confidence (and Mark's encouragement) gets her on and off the horse each and every time!
This bounce house was one of the greatest gifts we ever received! The girls love bouncing around in it, and it's great for Reagan's PT. They spend many a nights in here, exhausting themselves before bedtime. Just more proof that I need to know she's gonna be fine!
On Sunday, the Moffetts, the Sullivans and the Maurers with the addition of Clare and Darren, met at the Oswego Aquatic Park to have some fun! I was beyond nervous, this being the first time the girls were in a public pool, but everyone did surprisingly well!
Paige loved having Teagan, Amelia and Marissa to hang out with, which allowed Mark and I to focus on the girls. Thankfully, Michelle, Andria and Clare were also willing to keep an eye on the girls!
Reagan couldn't get enough of the water. She was fearless! Payton, on the other hand, was very skeptical of the water. Luckily, by the end of the day, she was going down the slide...OK, only once, but she did it nonetheless!
Paige decided to hit the big slide. Mark wasn't allowed to go down with her, but she did it anyway...although I think it'll be awhile before she ever does THAT again. I was shocked she even tried it, but sometimes this girls surprises the heck out of me!
We stayed for lunch at the concession stand, and then went back into the pool after lunch. We lasted until about 1:30, and then packed up to get the girls home. I cannot stress enough how much fun they have. I'm not sure if I'm comfortable yet for just the two of us to take the three girls, but we'll definitely be heading there again soon! Thanks, Michelle, for organizing it!!
Last Wednesday, we were looking for something to do to keep cool. We decided to head to Yorktown to get Mark a birthday present, and see if the girls wanted to take a ride on the train. Paige was on the train once before and was not a big fan. I was pretty sure with the help of her sisters, she'd be fine!
Waiting in line for the train.
Three went on happy, two came off happy. Payton wasn't a big fan at all! Reagan couldn't wait to go back on, so her and Paige took a second ride while Payton waved from the gate.
Enjoying a royal lunch at BK after the train!
This girl can drink more milk than anyone you know. She'll run around and steal Reagan's sippy cup if it's not in her hands!
Reagan loving her cheeseburger!
Paige was irritated I was cutting into her onion ring time with pictures! :)
It finally happened, Mark and I had our first weekend away since before I was pregnant with the girls! It was MUCH needed. Three kids tends to take a toll on the time invested into the marriage itself, so it's good to be able to reconnect, even if it is just sitting in silence while listening to the water and watching the boats go by.
Let's go back. Mark and I had a wedding at The Abbey Resort on Lake Geneva the weekend after July 4th. It was a two night minimum at the resort, which sounded absolutely fine by us. We asked my parents to babysit, and left Friday night, as soon as they got to our house...I believe we had our bags in the car HOURS before we were ready to go. :)
We arrived there around 7:30 pm, checked in and decided to grab some dinner.
Our port side room. It was perfect!
On our balcony...can the view get any better??
We went down to the steak house to enjoy dinner, and this awesome musician who played the piano and trumpet (I think..I'm a little rusty on my horns) at the same time. He was fantastic!
After dinner, we walked the lake a bit and then turned in pretty early, in hopes to sleep in sans kids. Unfortunately, we are both early birds, so at 6 am, Mark was heading out for a run, and I was sitting on the balcony reading in peace and quiet.
Mark joining me after his run.
We decided to have breakfast and the view was spectacular!
What says "vacation" better than a mimosa!!
We walked around the resort, sending pictures to Paige (she made us promise to send her pictures of the wedding).
The boat we promised to buy with her college fund.
The house she will be buying for us when we put her to work at age 12. ;)
After our walk, we got ready for the wedding and headed to the church. The wedding was beautiful, and they looked fantastic! We were able to grab lunch with my co-worker/friend Vanessa and her husband before the reception started.
The happy couple!!!
We danced all night, well, I did anyway. :) We woke up on Sunday, had brunch and headed home. Not too bad for our first vacation with no kids in three years!! I can't wait until we can do it again, although it was great walking into the house and seeing their smiling faces!
On Tuesday, my dad and I had planned a trip to the Shedd Aquarium. We were pretty happy to find out that Mark had the day off also, so we'd have an adult for each child (which is more than necessary these days, since each girl runs in a different direction!).
All three girls were beyond excited to see fish. I think they chanted "fish" for half the ride down there!
Payton checking out the turtles and fish. Mark showing off his muscles. Just a day in the life of... :)
More fish.
Try getting three girls to smile while sitting in a canoe. Not the easiest thing!
The cute little monkey hanging out!
No joke, these fish all started staring at me. CREEPY!
The turtle Paige wanted to take home...she now wants a turtle. Not. A. Chance.
We stopped for lunch at the cute and delicious, but ridiculously expensive restaurant in the Shedd. The girls were so beyond good, I was shocked! They spent the majority of the time feeding themselves applesauce, which was fine with me!
All in all, it was an exciting, and exhausting trip. Mark and Paige went to go see the Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs 4-D show they offered, and she had a blast!!
