The Pumpkin Patch

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WHEN I GROW UP

The other day, just for fun, I asked the boys, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I was sure they wouldn't know what this meant. Joshua said, "I want to be a doctor." I was so proud. I told him that's very nice, and he would be a good doctor like the ones who fixed his heart. He was so happy and all smiles. Then I looked at Jacob. "What do you want to be when you grow up, Jacob?" He answered, "A clown."

"What the Heck"

This is what Jacob exclaimed leaving pre-school today. In shock, I asked him what he said and he repeated it. I stopped right there on the sidewalk and told him those were bad words and not to use them again. I was not disciplining him, just correcting him, but he gave me the shy look and turned away like he does when I'm disciplining him. Hours later, at home, he said it again. Both were used in the correct context, so I know he knows what it means. Again I corrected him, and asked him to use nice words like, "excuse me". About half an hour later, he used it AGAIN and he had a time out. When I retrieved him from time out, I reminded him he was not to use bad words and he said, "excuse me." Not thinking, I said, "I said not to use bad words." Then realized he was telling me the words I told him to use. So I gave him a big hug, and told him yes and he was happy. Anybody have any suggestions to replace these "bad" words that have somehow become part of my son's vocabulary?

Little Mommy



Malena has just grown so much in the past few months. Both physically and cognitively. The other day I was washing dishes while the kids were playing in various parts of the house. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Malena throwing away something in the trash (a big cognitive accomplishment in itself for her). When I went to see what it was, it was a diaper. It was clean, but it was all bundled up like I do when I clean their dirty diapers. Then I followed her back to the ottomon (our changing table since they were born) to find her with her doll all layed out on a blanket. then she grabbed some wipes and began "cleaning" the doll, then grabbed a diaper and tried to put it on by pulling the legs up. No, she didn't accomplish the entire task, but this entire step by step task is an incredibly big milestone for her. Just a few months ago, she didn't seem to even understand what a diaper was for.

Tonight, she took her little bear upstairs with her for bed. Before bed is time for brushing teeth. she set her little bed next to the sink and began to put the brush up to his mouth. Just soooo sweet. This from the little girl who would throw her head back and throw her arms around at me just trying to attempt to put the toothbrush in her mouth a few months ago. She loves her little babies, and oh, do I love mine!

NEW LINKS

Just wanted to mention the new September pictures are in the Picture links, and I've also added a kind of portfolio section. One link to my portraits, another to my cards. Hope you enjoy it all!

Thirst Quencher?

Well the boys have "discovered" a new drink. Usually, I give them a choice of apple juice or milk. Joshua usually says milk and Jacob usually opts for apple juice. Well, one day Joshua said he wanted milk. Not to miss out on what Joshua was having, Jacob said, "Milk and apple juice." Not understanding, I asked, "Which one?" "Milk and apple juice." I poured him the juice, thinking he didn't know what he was talking about, and sure enough he yelled as I was closing the cup, "No Mommy, milk with apple juice. Put milk in!" Thinking he would be as grossed out by it as I was when he drank it, I gave it to him, thinking I was going to have to spill it all out and start over. Nope, he got the biggest smile on his face, gulped it down and said, "thank you, Mommy." Yuck. Apparently, I'm not the only one confused by this, as our wonderful babysitter ("cousin Rachael") called me from home on date night to make sure they knew what they were talking about. They told her Mommy makes it for them and she just couldn't believe it, so she told them she had to call Mommy for the recipe. :) I guess I shouldn't be surprised with Alex as their father. He has the weirdest taste buds I've ever seen!

Fullerton Arboretum 7 years later!
A walk down memory lane...

Today was our 7 year wedding anniversary, so, after school, we took them to the Fullerton Arboretum where we were married. Everything was just like the day we got married, hot, but beautiful, oh yeah, except with triplets! LOL! Here are some pics from our special day. Both of them...

Here we are seven years ago. If we had known then what we know now......

Here was today, same spot. Notice we're not in picture? That's because I feel just like that tree to the right. 7 years ago, I felt full of color and alive, and blooming. Today I felt just like that tree, old and bare.... LOL. JK, it seems like just yesterday, yet I feel like I've aged SEVENTY years. And just so my DH knows, I'll still be here in seventy years. :) May our next seventy be as wild and crazy and beautiful as the last seven!

"There's Three of Me"

Apparently, this is what Jacob told his teacher yesterday. How funny, I didn't think he really noticed, but apparently he does, because the teacher also said that he told her there are three of him, and that he is last. "Malena is first, and Joshy is second." Yes, this is their birth order. I've never told him that, but I guess he's picking up on more and more as he's getting older.

Triplets Triplets Everywhere

Here's our second triplet party for the year. This group is from an online group of triplets the same age! Yes, all 2 year olds! AHHHH! Everyone had such a great time, and we are so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends.

RUB A DUB DUB, THREE KIDS IN A TUB

BACKYARD FUN

POTTY DISASTER!

I hate potty training triplets. Well, actually just the boys, but Malena gets in the way. Since we are beginning the fall schedule for school next Monday, I thought I'd potty train the boys this week, so we'd be all set for school. Initially, they refused. So I brought out the pottys again and put on their big boy underwear and had them sit on the pottys. I could not believe how great it went. Once Jacob went pee in the potty and got so much praise, he wanted to do more. So he went poopoo. Then Josh saw how much applause Jake was getting, so he went pee, too. Then they would both dump it into the toilet and flush. This was their favorite part. I literally couldn't get them off their potty's for an hour, with something flushable every time! It was amazing. Not one accident. So Daddy went off to work, with Mommy and kids happy in their potty training beginning. This is where the disaster part comes in. Soon the boys tired of the potty and refused to sit in it. But they didn't tire of the toilet. So I herded them out of the bathroom and caught Malena putting full books and magazines in the toilet! I got them all out, cleaned up the water (which was all over them and the floor, clean thank goodness!) and closed the door. As it was naptime, everyone got pull ups and it was off to bed. Believe it or not, we didn't use that bathroom the rest of the day. Then DH and I called it a night at about 11pm and DH went to turn off his office equipment. Then I heard him shout, "Why is my office floor soaking wet!" I ran over and as I was about to enter his office, I stepped into a huge puddle in the carpet just outside the bathroom! NOOOOOOO! I knew what was going on before I even opened the bathroom door. But when I did, all I saw was two inches of water covering all the bathroom. The next two hours were spent soaking up the water in the bathroom, hallway, office, and adjoining guest room. Uggghhhhh. Apparently, something is clogging the toilet wayyyy down deep. A plumber has been called, and we will see what it is. I don't think it's a book or magazine, as I got those out, and they wouldn't fit down the pipe anyway. I will let you know what it is. I can only imagine. In the meantime.... I GIVE UP POTTY TRAINING!!!

Triple Trouble at the Dentist

Here's a look at the boys' first dentist visit. Malena had hers, too, but was with Daddy at the time and Mommy had the camera. No cavities! Yeah! The wait was long with the kids just not wanting to sit still and wanting to get into everything. Mommy let the boys listen to her iPod, and that settled them down for a little until the dentist came in. Once they were in the chair being examined, they did great!






Here's Jake getting examined. The dentist told us this was the first time she's ever had two in the chair at a time.














Josh was next and did equally as well. Daddy said Malena did great as well. Good, because I was really worried she was going to bite the dentist, as she is on a biting spree these days. Just ask Jake who has her mark on his shoulder bone. :(

Multiple Multiples

We decided we didn't have enough kids, so we offered to have a triplet party to end the summer right. Hosted by our good friend, Catherine, everyone had a WONDERFUL time! Eleven 2 year olds, three 7 month olds, one 10 month old, one 7 year old, and one 5 year old. What a blast!

The Kwiat's Vegas Vacation

We have had quite the summer, and we've decided to go out with a BANG... in VEGAS! Definitely not the average Vegas vacation with 3 two year olds along. Four days of non-stop fun.


here we are on our first night with our Knight from the Excalibur's TOURNAMENT OF KINGS. The boys really loved it, and surpisingly, so did Malena. I thought she would wonder off, as usual, but she really loved it and through up her arms saying "Hazaaah!" with everyone else. She even got a wink or two from our Knight in shining, ummm, clothes.


The next day was Circus Circus's ADVENTURE DOME. It was very loud inside the dome with all those screaming people and rides, but all the better. Nobody could hear misbehaving little triplets. I do have to say, though they were unbelievably well behaved. Maybe it was due to all the fun they were having. Here are the boys on their very first plane ride. (Malena was not tall enough). They loved it so much, they went on it at the end of the day again.


And here are Joshua and Malena on their very first roller coaster. Actually, this was Joshua's second go round and Malena's first. Joshua LOVED it. He was actually smiling all the way through it with his hands in the air. Malena, on the other hand, thought it was a bit bumpy, but she went all the way through it without crying... until Mommy got her afterwards. Video of these rides will be added to my video collection on the right as soon as I have time. It is hilarious!


The next day was the Leids Museum. Here is Malena in the climbing play gym. I was worried she wasn't going to come out, she loved it so much.



And Daddy with the boys in the Science area.



That night was the kids first full size bowling (with bumpers). They had a blast! The next day when they woke up and I told them it was time to go home, they refused and said "More games, more games". Nope, Mommy and Daddy need to get home for some R and R from our "vacation"! :)

PANCAKES ANYONE?

The kids have been too busy to eat lately, so I cooked up some multi-grain, flaxseed pancakes with sugar free syrup. No go. So, I brought out the tiny little cookie cutters I've had for years with animals, flowers, and different shapes like hearts, and let them cut them out. BIG HIT!!! Now, every morning, they want to "make" pancakes. And they don't just cut out the shapes, they eat them, too!

Malena takes a bite of her perfectly shaped boat. Yummm.

Jacob is having soo much fun, but not quite pulling it out. Enough to gobble it up, though.




Joshua's horse came out perfect! and delicious!

Picasso, Jr.

Jacob's at it again. All three love to read and to draw, but Jacob just seems to be in his element, especially with drawing. Here are some of his recent works






Before this drawing, he announced he was going to "draw animals." The next thing I heard was, "I drew a bird, Mommy."







Here he is drawing his "fish in the ocean".











and the works of Malena and Joshua:









If Jake is the artist, Malena is the reader. Oh how she LOVES books. She will follow you around the house with a book to read to her. On our way to the doctor, she had a book in her hand, and I took it from her so I could hold her hand. Boy did she scream at me. But a better story is the other day, when I caught her sitting on the couch with her "baby" next to her. She was pointing to the pictures in the book, then took her "baby's" hand and had the "baby" point also. It was sooo cute. I wish I had my video/picture camera! My little bookworm.

SUMMER FUN, FUN, FUN!

Oh boy, where do I begin. It's been a while since I've updated because we've just been having soo much fun. And working, too. The good news is that Malena's verbalizing so much (babbling and immitating, too!) that her school has decided she's ready to make the move from OT to ST. Yeah! She's said "purple", "mama", "dog", and "apple" through immitation. With some hard work, she'll be saying words on her own, very soon.

We had a mini vacation to San Diego a few weeks ago. We went to Sea World to visit with "Shampoo the whale", and also to LegoLand. The kids had such a blast! And so did Mommy and Daddy, except the 10 minutes that Malena got lost. She is quiet and fast. She literally disappeared within one second. Really, one second and she was gone. After searching for her everywhere (at the big water park), I happened to notice her only five feet away from us in SOMEONE ELSE'S STROLLER, which was turned away from us! It was scary, but from that point on, she was on a harness!

Yesterday, we went to celebrate Emily's 5th birthday (Happy Birthday big girl!) at the circus. Boy was that fun. The kids did really well throughout the 2 hour show. They were fixed on the elephants, and loved the motorcycles going "round and round" in the big metal cage.

Many pictures to come in the July pic's (in the right column of the blog), but here's a couple til then.-Maryann

Playdates Playdates Playdates

The month's only half way through and we've had so many fun playdates, the kids will soon be spoiled with all the fun.

Here we are with our friends Olivia and Benjamin:



Here we are with our friends Sam and Emma:




And of course with our beautiful cousins Emily and Erin:





Thank you all so much for keeping us company! We had sooooo much fun, as you can see. Hope to do it all again. We did have another playdate with our handsome cousins Aryel and Elon, but silly Mommy forgot the batteries for the camera, so hopefully Zeyde will send some pictures her way and she will post them soon.

Potty Success!

Jacob went Poopoo on the potty! It was small (sorry tmi), but it's a start.

There I was, lying on the couch trying to get some rest, when all of a sudden I smell this peepee smell. Then I hear Jacob say, "Mommy, I took off my diaper." Yep, he had taken off his diaper and then put it right in my face. What a way to treat your mother! LOL So I decided if he's going to take off his diaper, I was going to make him go to the potty. He resisted, and I literally dragged him there (which I know you're not supposed to do), and told him he could flush the toilet if he went. Once he got ON the potty, he was fine. Then he started pushing (yes, he knows what the potty is for). "It not working, Mommy. Poopoo stuck." Then I encouraged him to keep trying. I heard some toots, then he said, "It not working" again. Joshua came in and decided he wanted in on it too. So there they were, both on the potty. Jacob decided "it not working" and stood up. Low and behold, there was poopoo in the potty! I cheered, "You went poopoo in the potty!" He looked down so surprised, then had the biggest smile on his face. So he got to flush the toilet and wash his hands, a big reward for him. Hopefully, we'll soon be out of diapers for good!

Here they are at previous "unsuccessful" attempts.

Too Cool 4 Pre-school

The kids have been going to school since last September. It is a parent participated school, so I have always been there with them. Jacob moved to the "sibling room" in October. After some adjustment (crying hysterically) he loves it. Well, today was the day that all three started drop off pre-school. Boy was I worried... for the teachers! As I dropped them off, they played with the sand and water table that was set up. They were already having so much fun, they didn't even notice when I said goodbye and left! I instantly felt bored and anxcious, like there was something I forgot. I also found that you can spend a lot of money in 3 hours if you're bored. It seems they had an "amazing" first day and there were no tears shed. They even hugged all their teachers and friends when it was time to go. Wow, 3 free hours every Friday. I think I'm in heaven!

I've also taken advice from everyone and separated the boys for their naps. It's worked out very well, and are now sleeping again! Woohooo! Life is good.

Fourth of July was lots of fun. There was swimming at Grandma and Papa's, a bbq, then off to Titi Julie's house for fireworks and smores! Yum. Everyone had fun and didn't want to wake up for school the next day.

Happy Birthday Gamma. I love you. I miss you.

What a day! Yesterday began with me waking up and opening the door to two little naked boys who pooped all over their beds and themselves and were having a good ol' poopy party. Yuck! Then I tried to potty train, and when Joshua had an accident, all three wanted to "help" clean up and got wipies and got down on their hands and knees in it "cleaning up". Yuck, again! And Jacob refuses to get on the potty, though he did pee on the potty, but, unfortunately, his aim was off and missed it completely. Needless to say, I'm putting off potty training for another month or two. Hopefully, by then, the sleeping situation will have calmed down.

Did I mention the boys broke my blinds in their room? Now their room is filled with light. So I put on some tinting film, which they proceeded to peel right off. Other than boarding up the window, I'm not really sure what I to put up.

They're really giving me a run for my money this week!