LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

Well the kids birthday ended up also being their last day of school. I can't believe it, but I actually made it through without crying. Although I did get a little choked up at the goodbye song at closing circle. Malena did have a bit of senioritis and decided to throw herself on the ground and throw a fit halfway through the day, so maybe dealing with that helped me keep my emotions under control.

At the end of the day, right before closing circle, the boys were brought from the sibling room, and all three were sung happy birthday. Towards the end of the song, Malena decided she had heard enough singing (in her honor) and walked around her teacher to get the gift behind her. Then she pushed it to the front, where she decided to open it. I guess she had seen the end to this song and wanted to rush things up a bit. All three received their "graduation" backpacks and were all soooo happy. Each had a tag that said "I am a proud graduate of ICEC."

Thank you ICEC family. You have helped to bring my babies sooooo far in the past year and a half and have benefited not only them, but me as well. We will never have such a wonderful group of people who believe in my kids and me as much as you have! We are going to miss all of you!

BIG BIRTHDAY BASH!

Well, today was the big birthday bash. As usual, I was hoping it wouldn't rain, but this year, we weren't as lucky. It started raining, pretty hard about an hour or two into it. Good thing was, the kids were able to play on the slide/bouncer we had rented, and when the rain stopped for a little bit, they played on it again after we wiped it down. They loved it.

The rain also caused some problems with the pinata, so we ended up doing it under our patio. Well, this caused a dent or two in our posts, by some misdirected pinata hitters, but all was well, and there was plenty of excitement and candy and toys for everyone!

We also did some crafts (I usually don't do games due to the size of the party), that I think everyone really liked. Joshua's favorite color is green, so he decided he would steal all the green stickers and stick them all over his shirt and not let Lindsey (who was helping him, thank you Lindsey) take them off and put them on his pinata bag. Oh well, it's his party and he'll cry if he wants to.

When it was time for cake, Malena had this one down! Everytime Daddy lit the candles, she'd blow them out instantly. Seriously. She blew her candle out about four or five times. And every time, Daddy would light it again. I think she wanted to skip the singing and get right to the eating :), right Baby Girl? Well, she finally had it with Daddy lighting it over and over, and she reached over and extinguished the candle with her fingers! Ahhhh. Everyone screamed, but she seemed very pleased with herself. Rascal.

As usual, gift opening was fun, but chaotic. The kids finally were into it this year, and knew the wrapped boxes were for them. They were soooo excited, and it was soooo much fun watching them. THANK YOU EVERYONE!

Recovery usually takes a week, well really a year. Just in time for next year!

THREE

A few words from Mommy as I look back on three years of life with triplets.



When we were told we were having triplets, in June of '03, the first word out of my mouth was, "No." Not an oh no, but a disbelieving, the doctor has to be out of his mind, "No." Leaving the doctor's office, I was literally unable to sign some papers, as my hands were shaking so badly. They continued to shake for an hour, then everything turned into a "dream mode". Leaving the doctor's office, Alex and I started discussing how this was going to be possible. Our whole lives had already changed, instantly. Our discussion was full of smiles and giggles, as if we were pretending what would happen if we were really to have three babies. Haha. Then we arrived at the car, a small Honda Civic, and I stopped and said, "We need a new car!" Suddenly, it was all so real, and we couldn't be happier.

They say most life changes happen gradually. And, although we still needed to go through pregnancy, delivery, NICU stays, etc. our lives changed the instant we knew there were three.

I am in awe that God has given me such blessings and has trusted me with such precious gifts. I love you all more than you'll ever know. Happy Birthday my beautiful babies!

Malena

You have always been and will always be my PRINCESS! My little Munchkin! I cannot believe how much you have accomplished and how much you have just wowed me in the last year. You've come a long way, Baby! Just a little over a year ago you began walking, and now you're almost running. You're so smart, and so beautiful. I don't know what I'd do without seeing those big brown eyes look up at me every day. Every new word you begin to speak is like angels singing in my ears. I know you're going to continue to amaze, astonish, and inspire me, and, though I'm sad to see my little baby girl grow so soon, I can't wait to see the big girl you are becoming. You make me proud. I love you Malena my Love.

Joshua

This year has been so difficult for you. I still think of that day in March when they took you from my arms for surgery. That moment was the scariest moment of my life. It the hardest thing I've done as a mother to let you go. But when you came out, you showed everyone how strong and brave you truly are, and in turn, you have taught me to be strong and brave as well. You touch everyone's heart who meets you. You're a little flirt, and you're a little troublemaker, but even through that, no one can resist your sweet little face. And when I put you to bed at night or just any time during the day, when you come to me and hug me, and say, "I lub you, Mommy," I hold back the tears of joy, and hold onto you a little longer, because I don't ever want to let you go again. Though you've had some difficulties this year, Joshua, you have made me proud. You're sweet, kind, and intelligent. I think you're actually too smart for your own good, sometimes. :) I see my little "sweetpea" is growing so fast, and becoming such a little boy. I know you will thrive in pre-school next year, and I can't wait to see your continued accomplishments. I love you my little "tiny but mighty."

Jacob

You were the one who always kicked me in my tummy when I was pregnant to let me know you were there. And though you were the last one born, you were the first one in my arms, and the first one home. You were the one who "broke us in" on your first night home, when you cried every three hours and exhausted me and Daddy. In fact, we've said that one night with just you was harder than the first night with all three home! You are such my silly little chatter box. I love the long conversations we have and dream of having them our whole lives. You are the kindest and most considerate little boy I have ever known and are always thinking of others. This year has been your year to flourish and just, generally show off! Whether it being knowing you ABC's, 123's, or colors, you generally have a thirst for knowledge that I can only admire. Even if I've heard you sing ABC's for the (literally) 20th time in a row, I smile with every ending of, "next time won't you let me sing with you." :) And with all this I see you growing and becoming more independent. So bittersweet. I love to see you happy, making new friends on your own, but breaks my heart that I may not always be there to see everything. But, boy, do I know you'll be telling me ALL about it. :) You may be the leader the three, but you are also my little baby, who still comes running to me when you are hurt. And for a while longer, I will also take comfort when I kiss the booboo and give a big hug to make it better. For a while longer, I'll hold onto my little baby. I know the next year will bring you more success, as you are like a shooting star, lighting up the sky. I feel just lucky to witness it. But I'll quickly make a wish that your next year should be as wonderful as this one has been for you. Happy Birthday, handsome. I love you, my little "peanut".


3 years ago, three angels came into our lives

TAMALE TIME!

When my sisters and I were little, my Grandma Rose would make the BEST tamales every Christmas. She would make hundreds of them. Well, my sister Julie, being the sentimental and motherly type that she is, and I decided that it's about time to keep the tradition alive in the Garcia family. Last year, we had our cousin Lisa, who seems to be the only one with the secret recipe, to come show us how it's done. This year, we were on our own! I think we did pretty good (Julie does most of the work, hehe). Together with the batch we did together, and Julie (always having to out-do me) did by herself, we made over 15 dozen tamales! Yum.




Here is Julie and Emily making the masa.








I'm glad I didn't get my hands in there. Haha. JK







And here are Joshua and Malena getting in on the act. Jacob tried, but couldn't stand getting his hands that messy and decided he would watch with Mommy.

Hanukkah
Today was the kids introduction to dreydl game (well, we tried last year, but they were too little). They loved it! Then when it was time to eat the gelt, boy they really loved it. Then Daddy gave an introduction to the menorah and explained the eight days. After that, we were told every night by the boys that we had to light the candles. They sure kept us on our toes. :)