Little Individuals

It’s plain to see that all three of my kiddos have very different personalities. Some traits overlap, of course, but for the most part, they are all known for very different things. Bennett is the snuggly one, Ruby is the hyper one, and Alex is the entertainer. At least, that is how they come across most of the time. The way they play on their own, the way they react when other babies are involved, and how they are in public, are all instances that their individual behaviors really come out.

But one thing that really highlights their differences is when they eat. Probably because they are all side by side, and that they are doing most of their eating by themselves now, rather than being fed by me (though I do still help out a lot to avoid food on the walls everyday). It just cracks me up to see how each of them has their own way of eating. For instance, when I give them a whole strawberry (I found out they just throw the pieces on the floor if I cut it up), Alex likes to squish and play with his (not sure why he looks so grumpy here, he was having a great time),Bennett likes to enjoy his more slowly, taking small bites,and Ruby likes to jam it on her finger, and eat it like a popsicle.

This probably isn’t the circumstance every time I give them a strawberry, but it does happen more often than not. It’s just fascinating to me.

Another instance that displayed their uniqueness, was when I gave them each their own bowl of Spaghettios (I know, it sounds scary, but they were having a very independent spell and decided that they WOULD NOT let me feed them for a few days a while back, and so I had to take some risks). Ruby tried the cleaner, more sophisticated way at first, with a spoon, and then resorted to the drinking method,

Bennett dove right in. He prefers the shoveling approach.

And Alex, though messy at first, decided he likes to eat his O’s one at a time. He’d slip one around his finger, and eat it proudly.

I get such joy out of seeing how unique they are becoming. I hope they continue to want to be themselves, despite that they will always be clumped together.

He Sent His Son.

Easter Sunday was beautiful, as usual. In fact, I was trying to think of an Easter that wasn’t sunny and gorgeous with blossoms and chirping birds. It must be that the Lord wants us all to really be reminded of His son and the beautiful world we get to live in because of Him. I’m grateful every day for the love and forgiveness my Savior has for me. So very grateful.

The day started with Easter baskets for everyone. We didn’t exactly hide them, but I think the kids were still surprised. Holidays as just so fun as a mom. I was so excited to watch them enjoy what the Easter Bunny had left for them.

Then, of course we had to take a million pictures of them all clean and shiny in their church attire. We didn’t get one family picture, but the kids are the best part anyway. It’s nearly impossible to get them all in a picture together these days. And when they are together, there’s no way everyone will be looking/happy, but I like that it’s true to life.

B, R, A

We enjoyed Stake Conference as a family (we were late due to naps, and tried to catch tidbits of the meeting on a tv while in the nursery, but hey, we made it). Later that afternoon we had some friends over to enjoy an Easter meal together. Everyone contributed, and it was most delicious. I have to say, it was so nice to only have to make a few things, rather than the whole meal. I made the ham, egg salad filled cheese puffs (instead of deviled eggs because it just sounded more fun), and a frangipane fruit tart. The deserts were especially colorful (the other was a fantastic rainbow cake for a sweet one-year-olds birthday), which was very fitting for Easter. As busy and chaotic as it can be to prepare for and eat a dinner while you have toddlers running everywhere trying to undo/destroy all your preparations, it turned out to be a perfect evening with some great friends.

I love Easter. I love Spring. I love when the candy goes on clearance (I haven’t yet eaten ONE Cadbury egg!). Maybe next year we’ll be brave enough to actually dye some eggs and have an Easter egg hunt. Maybe.

All in a day’s play.

I try to occasionally think of new things to keep the kids entertained besides our regular toys, shows, and routine. Don’t we all? I probably need the change as much as they do, if not more. While KC’s mom was here we were discussing new, low stress ways (cause things like the park can be very stressful to a mom in charge of three one-year-olds) to have fun with the kids. She mentioned a sand and water table. I knew immediately that it would be a bit with the kids. But Then I remembered my sister Cami getting some long storage containers and filling them with sand and water, fulfilling the exact purpose. And then there is more room for everyone to play, not to mention being significantly cheaper. So I gathered a few things here and there, and set it up in our screened-in patio. I opened the gate to the kitchen, which made my babies pretty excited to enter that forbidden territory, and led them outside. They were ecstatic. First they just surveyed the room, and touched everything they could reach. Then they eyed the sand. In no time, Ruby was eating the stuff by the handful, and wouldn’t stop. Gross. Since they seemed more interesting in the water anyway, we closed that up for the time being, and let them splash away. They were in playtime heaven. . 

We learned the next time we went out to just take off their clothes first.

And even though they didn’t like the idea of going inside, we took them all to have a nice bubble bath after, which just extended the playtime in their minds.

I can’t wait to use the patio all summer. Think of all the sunscreen I don’t have to apply, and all the mosquitoes I don’t have to swat away. We’ll probably just bring their pool in there too. And many thanks to whoever decided to install a ceiling fan in there.

Another idea I had the other day was going to an outdoor mall I love. I remembered they have a play area for kids that I’ve always just walked by as I shopped, never thinking twice about it. But I realized it might be just right for us now. In general, I don’t like the idea of play places. All they look like to me is a petri dish of germs. And my kids haven’t been old enough for them anyway. But with this one being outdoors, and more of a fenced in roaming area than lots of tunnels and balls, I thought we’d give it a shot. After some shopping (successful shopping, that is) we let them loose. Ruby was so funny. I put her down to get another one out of the stroller, and she walked a few steps and then just stood there looking nervous. Sometimes she gave me sideways glances, and sometimes looked at the nice man next to her who thought it was hilarious. I have never seen this shy side of my girl. Within a couple minutes she was ready to take full advantage of this freedom, and started running around with a huge smile on her face. The boys immediately took off. Soon they were doing laps around the place.  They all loved looking out the fence, and climbing on the chairs. They made a lot of friends, and Bennett and Penny had some fun in the cool train. I’m so glad this idea donned on me. I think we’ll be going back very soon (which means I’ll be going back to the mall very soon, which could be a very good, or very bad thing.)

I wonder what other age-appropriate, triplet-friendly activities are out there for my little ones to enjoy.