Playtime

Throwing in the party towel

Well, after a second cancellation of their birthday party, we've decided to just pass on it for this year....at least for now. We have heard about some families (especially those with multiples) celebrating half birthdays when the date falls during the winter months and/or especially close to Christmas. Last weekend we had snow and ice and this weekend we had Clark up all night and running a slight fever. I'm thinking that he just needed a little extra TLC last night, but who knows. Mommy and Daddy are sleep-deprived after a really long and busy week, so we are praying that he is a good sleeper tonight for us. Daddy is downstairs chasing them around their playroom in an effort to wear their butts out before bedtime. We can only pray that this works! ;) They have full bellies and lots of running, so surely they will all sleep until 11am tomorrow, right?!?!?
We did have one surprise visitor today, H, and the kids were glad to see her and get some playtime (and cuddles too). She helped us get through lunch and I know that the kids enjoyed seeing a new face.
I hate that we won't be celebrating birthday #2 in big style, but hopefully we can do something fun outdoors this summer and make it a party.
Happy Superbowl tomorrow. Don't forget to order pizza! You should check out the deals at Papa Johns!!! wink-wink

Just another day in paradise

Tomorrow is a big day of celebrating for the whole family and it's been a scramble preparing for visitors. Clark even helped out this evening by getting out the Sesame Street vacuum. Kendall was feeling particularly cheesy and Emma was just being herself but enhanced by the tutu. I included a not-so-great shot of Clark and Kendall in an effort to show how much they look alike, though it's hard to tell in the picture here. Kendall had a diaper-snaffu (spelling???) but it was almost bath time, so I put her in the Duck-Duck-Goose t-shirt/dress. (If you haven't heard of it, Duck Duck Goose is a big consignment sale that happens in our area twice a year. You can check them out at http://www.dkdkgoose.com/main.html).
It's time for bed so that we can get a VERY early start tomorrow. I'm hoping the kids decide to sleep until 10am, but that's not likely. Hey, a mommy can dream, right?

Signing Times

Yes, I admit that I plop my kids in front of the TV. In my defense, I do try VERY hard for it to be something educational or something that encourages movement. Today we watched "Signing Times" (which is a great video series, by the way). They love the music and are learning lots of signs and the words as well. I can do the motions to sign a word and Emma can tell me what it is. Kendall can tell me quite a few as well and Clark is not only learning the words and signs, but also some new expressions (like "ummm-mmmm" when he is eating, which makes Mommy smile). I'm even learning the signs along with them and have fun doing it. I'm hoping that we can continue to learn more and it will encourage them to communicate with us. The video mentions how signing can help soften the "terrible twos" because the children can actually tell parents or caregivers what they want/need and they are less frustrated as a result.
So, here are pics of my kiddos completely engrossed in the "Signing Times" video. If I shot video, you would have seen them singing and signing along with the music. Very sweet, so I will have to work on that for another post.

Catching up on the latest....

Mommy and the kiddos went for a little walk around the block when I got home this afternoon and then it was time to fix dinner. In order to provide them with some "fresh scenery", I set them up in the family room (in a Super Yard)so that I could figure out what we would be having for dinner. I heard something crinkling and went to investigate and found Clark and Emma "reading" the newspaper. I thought the one shot of Clark looking at Emma with that "Hey, what do YOU have????" look was cute. Kendall was content to sit in her big-girl chair and watch Sesame Street (after locating the remotes and insisting that the TV come on...OR ELSE).

Screaming Clark

Have to post quickly because Clark is screaming. He doesn't want to be in bed. Mommy wants him to go to sleep because Mommy wants to go to bed. And his screaming is waking up Emma. Ugh. I'm sorry I sound like Mean Mommy, but I'm just tired and cranky and want them to sleep peacefully tonight. He was in a great mood earlier and now he won't sleep. I hate it when that happens.
Good night....CLARK!

New Stuff

I'm hoping to get more pics of some of the new stuff they got for their BD. In last night's pics, I hope you saw the TRIPLET STROLLER (for dolls) that Auntie Karen and Uncle Tom brought over. Clark is completely fascinated by all of the buckles, so he even has reason to enjoy it.
We gave them a GeoTrax set with 3 remote controlled airplanes (purchased from another triplet mom) and Clark got a GeoTrax train set (and tracks) from Karen and Tom also. They seem to love it, but we are going to have to find a place to set it all up (hopefully in Clark's room).
Uncle Stevie showed up tonight with their gift (hence the pics) and he and Daddy worked to get it set up as a surprise for them in the morning. It's a "Foam-Sweet-Home" (or something to that effect)....a big, cool playhouse with flower boxes, a chimney and a little patio/walkway. I can't wait until they see it tomorrow. Hopefully it will be exciting because we have a VERY sick babysitter who can't be here. Mommy is just hoping to keep them entertained after being stuck inside for days. Since they are still a little under the weather, we've been sheltering them somewhat and not going out too much with all of the snow and cold weather.
Sorry that I didn't get pics of them today, but will do better tomorrow.