Frozen Hot Chocolate on a Hot Day.

I always forget that we are just around the corner from DC. I’m not a city/crowds/late night kinda girl (call me boring if you want,but I probably get more done by 9 am than many do all day), so we don’t venture downtown all that much anymore, but it’s fun to hop on the Metro, or drive through all those crazy streets now and then. When planning a double date with some friends, they mentioned that there is now a Serendipity in Georgetown! I was all over that. Who doesn’t want to try the famous Frozen Hot Chocolate?! So last night, after about four reschedulings, we finally made a plan to meet up.

We made the quick drive (okay, with lights, it’s not as quick as I would like, but still) to Georgetown. That place is just crawling with young hipsters. It’s amazing that even on a Monday night, there were so many people enjoying all that M Street has to offer. I love people watching downtown. It’s such a different life than I’ll ever know. People carrying their few bags of groceries for several blocks to their city apartment, meeting up with friends every single night for drinks, most wearing significantly less than I would--you know, things like that. I used to work on M street, so being there brought back some fond memories of my time spent there. I like being the suburban type, but love living so near to a big city that I can soak in a little of the lifestyle now and then.

Serendipity was charming. Very quirky, as is the style with most things these days. The menus were bigger than the tiny tables, and full of amazing looking dishes. We all loved our choice of entree, and couldn’t resist getting more than one dessert, as full as were were with rich food. I opted for the Peanut Butter Frozen Hot Chocolate, and KC for the Jackpot Sundae. We stuffed ourselves, and still didn’t make it to the bottom of our bowls. I was very pleased, and glad I was finally able to check this place off my list.

We felt the need to walk after our large meals, so we explored a little of our surroundings. Urban Outfitters was across the street, which I was thrilled about, and then we walked along the waterfront. The Kennedy Center looked so beautiful reflecting on the Potomac. An evening well spent with some great friends.

It's nearly 10:00 pm

Take note of what it says it feels like because of the humidity. Seriously? At this hour? Can't wait to see what it feels like tomorrow during the day. That just isn't working for me. I had to buy a bunch of new toys today to get us through this. Fall can't come soon enough.

Pudding Painting

It’s always a bit of a challenge finding things to keep these kids happy all day. I’m not the best at coming up with ideas myself, but luckily there is an insane amount of blogs to refer to when I’m at a loss. I remembered a great idea my cousin Sharla put on her blog (along with dozens of other great ideas for keeping tots happy at home-check her out!) to use pudding as finger paint. I just made vanilla instant pudding, added a little food coloring, and Voila! Happy, happy kids. 

We started out with simple designs, and my kids didn’t hesitate to find out how it tasted.

A

B

Penny on the other hand, wasn’t as enthusiastic about this messy idea.

Pretty soon there were colors flying everywhere, and artists were born. We added whipped cream for texture, and used licorice as “paint brushes”. Talk about baby heaven.

Penny eventually came around, but was still her dainty little self.

It’s going to be fun to research for more playtime ideas. Hopefully they’re not all as messy as this one.

The Fourth

We enjoyed a low key Independence day this year. I did a lot of thinking about this great country and how very thankful I am to be living here. We unfortunately didn’t attend any events where we saluted the colors, but I did keep my patriotism in my heart throughout the day. And my little flag-wearing babies served as a constant reminder as well.

A

B

So like I said, pretty low key. Just went to the store, and played at the tennis courts during the day.

Then tried to cool down after playing outside in the crazy heat.

And popsicles helped with that.

B

A

Not pictured are the amazing , thick steaks we grilled for dinner, and the homemade strawberry banana ice cream we had for dessert, and the great friends that joined us. It was warm, delicious, entertaining, and most importantly FREE summer day.

This ever happen to you?

Do you ever finally decide to tackle the several loads of laundry that you’ve been staring at for a couple days, and another two or so loads of dirty laundry are created as the morning goes on? Well, that’s what’s been happening around here today, along with many other monstrous messes and to-do lists. How can one possibly keep up?! (I think some serious movie watching is in order while I fold the mountain of laundry tonight.) Chatting with my parents after the cruise about the craziness that three one year olds can be, my mom told me that there is one thing that would make my life much easier: Someone to come clean the bathroom, kitchen, and floors once a week. Sounds like a plan to me! Then I might have time to do the other million things my life demands. It only takes but a few hours for everything that I’ve used all my extra energy to clean and organize to be undone, and possibly look worse than it did before. Really, there is never a dull moment in this little home of ours. But I LOVE my kids and my life, messes and all.

Anyway, that is probably the reason that blogging has been the last things on my plate lately. It’s just not like me to go so long between posts. We’ve been busy getting back into our groove I guess. The kids have provided us with good mixture of chaos and hilariousness lately (thank goodness it isn’t all chaos, cause those times drive me to the brink of insanity). I’ve been wracking my brain trying to think of things for my crew to do during this hot summer, and there just really aren’t a lot of places I can take them alone, or even for KC and me to take them together. The novelty of riding in the stroller or a cart is definitely wearing off. Yikes! But we do manage to stay entertained/sane somehow despite this tricky stage we are in. I’ll show you:

We hit some great sales while shopping with Mom and Dad before they left.

Dad was kind enough to be on baby-duty in the play place while we shopped.

My parents also gave us the idea to take the kiddos to the tennis courts down the street to play. Why hadn’t I thought of that?! They are contained, and safe, and they love it! It does get hot, so we try to go in the morning when a bit of it is shaded, and the temperature hasn’t peaked yet. We just brings squirt bottles and spray them down now and then. They love that too.

Ruby, just being her cute little self.

Bennett loves the camera, and the camera loves his bed-head.

Alex likes to push the boundaries. Instead of climbing into his seat, he thought Ruby’s tray was a much better idea.

Their favorite new eating game is “dip-it”. I can get them to eat things they normally might not care for if they can dip it into something. Ketchup is a favorite, but we have also had broccoli with ranch dressing, and French toast sticks with syrup. Of course, they eat a lot of the dip alone, but that’s part of the fun.

Who wouldn’t be happy with smoothies, and blue chairs to play on? These kids are pretty easy to please (most of the time--don’t even talk to me about the boys after their nap. Can we say CRANKY?!)

And Lili is always a great playmate, eh Alex?

See, we try our best to stay busy. Things are pretty much ho-hum over here. Well, as ho-hum as they can be with triplets+cousin Penny yanking on your clothes, making messes, and running around like crazies all days long.

Breath of Fresh Air

So, our cruise may have ended last Friday, but I have apparently had a hard time getting out of cruise/vacation mentality. I keep eating whatever I want whenever I want it, I have been partying with family all weekend, I keep spending money like it grows on trees, and I cannot seem to shake the feeling that I am swaying back and forth. So, all those things must come to and end at some point, and aside from constant vertigo (seriously, how long does this sea-legs feeling have to last?), I don’t want them to. But saying goodbye to my mom and dad yesterday really put me back into real-life mode, so I finally decided to sit down and get a little vacation documentation underway. I’ll just give you the highlights. I was pretty conservative with my camera, which I am very proud of myself for. I guess when the kids aren’t around, there just aren’t as many photo-ops. Anyway, here are some tidbits for you.

My Favorite moments:

• Fresh air, and endless ocean to gaze upon 24-7.
• Awesome fries, and ice cream cones. I ate way too much of both, and I have no regrets.
• Great food, including a breakfast and lunch buffet every day, and gourmet dinners every night, an appetizer or two, an entrée or two, and always two or more desserts. I could never decide so I just ordered multiple plates of food every day. I have no shame. KC usually shared with my anyway.
• Jet skiing on Cocoa Cay, the cruise line’s private island. My first time, and I’m converted.
• Parasailing in Nassau, Bahamas. Seriously, I was so rejuvenated after our excursions. Just what I needed.
• Hangin’ with the awesome in-laws (minus Camille, who we missed dearly)! Playing games, chatting at meals, swimming in the ocean, or just lounging in the lounge.
• Getting our pictures taken at all the cheesy photo-ops so we could look at them in the gallery later and laugh. Then taking pictures of the pictures. Don’t worry, we bought one so it was all honest and fair.
• Feeling the warm strong wind on the upper deck (though my tangled hair didn’t like it that much), and gazing at the stars at night.
• Working out to the sun rising every morning. The BEST way to start the day.
• Spending some time alone with KC, which is a rarity these days. I forgot how much fun we can have together without the triplets needing our constant attention. Love that guy.

Some Accomplishments:

• I got a nap EVERYday! Something I’m not so fortunate to have at home.
• Not a speck of a sunburn! I was diligent about applying sunscreen and it paid off! I have spend a lot of vacations in pain from being sunburned, and I was not going to let it happen again. Thank you Target brand spray sunscreen!
• I was able to let myself enjoy my time away, instead of worrying. I may have called several times the first day before we set sail, but then I just sat back, and relaxed (for the most part).
• I didn’t over or under pack. I used almost everything, and felt like I had options as well. Quite an accomplishment, right ladies?!
• I just went ahead and joined in on Karaoke night. It was embarrassing, I didn’t sing my best, but I’m pretty sure everyone was a little tipsy, so we all had a good time.

The trickier Parts:

• Even though I said I was able to relax while away from the kids, I still missed them like crazy. I let myself watch a video on my camera on day 3, and couldn’t stop thinking about them. I think I watched it a dozen times.
• I forgot to bring a book, magazine, or even a crossword puzzle. There was a lot of time where we were just sitting, and enjoying the view, which was nice, but I‘m not used to being so still. I’ll remember to bring some reading material or something on my next luxurious lazy vacation.
• I could NOT sleep in past 5:30 AM most days. One day it was 6:15 because I stayed up until 1 AM the night before. I seriously have a problem. Thank goodness the gym opened at 6, and I got a nap every day.
• The day we traveled home seemed like an eternity. We stood shoulder to shoulder in lines with strangers all day long getting off the boat, in the shuttle, at the airport, at baggage claims, the Metro, etc. I was one happy girl to finally be home on Friday afternoon.

So, there you have it. I came back a few pounds heavier, and a very refreshed. We were so grateful for this vacation. KC’s parents put the whole thing together, and we can’t thank them enough for the great time we had. And I was right when I said that vacations are also great because you get to come home to your kids, because I don’t think I was ever so excited to come home from a vacation. I held each of those older and wiser looking children so tight the second I walked in the front door. I think they thought I was some crazy lady  trying to kill them or something. They were happy, healthy, and a darling as ever. My parents deserve a vacation now! It felt so amazing to be so footloose and fancy free for a few days. I forgot how simple traveling without kids was! Thanks again to both sets of parents for showing us how wonderful a vacation can be for the mind body and soul. And even though I missed the kids terribly, I’m more than willing to miss then again anytime! I’m sure the kids would love another week of playing with any willing grandparents while we hide away for a while (I got a good dose or real life today, and I’m definitely missing those white sandy beaches.) Hooray for a great vacation!

Here are more pictures for those interested. There are a few at the end from the rest of the weekend, cause the kids just make the slideshows more fun.

It’s gonna hurt.

We are about to embark on a luxurious cruise with KC’s family. I get thrilled just thinking about how free and easy my life will be while we’re away. I have had vacation fever for a while, and it couldn’t come at a better time. Did I ever really need a vacation before I had kids?!

But the decision to go wasn’t easy. My parents have generously agreed to watch the triplets while we are gone for 4 1/2 days (it might not seem that long to you, but it seems like an eternity to me). We’ve only taken a few overnight trips away from the kids, and they were asleep most of the time we were away. Going on this much-needed vacation took a lot of praying, convincing, and serious thought on my part. I didn’t know if I could put all the responsibility of three individual toddlers on anyone but myself or KC without having guilt hanging over my head. I know all the ins and out of these kids. I’m used to the work, and know what to do in most tricky situations, and it can get tricky. Not to mention, I’m seriously attached. I wouldn’t want to miss out on their cuteness.

But then I realized that taking time away from them just might be possible now that their getting older (with a lot of planning, lists, menus, manuals, stroller assembling/disassembling tutorials, and willing grandparents, of course). And good for me too. When I finally came to terms with that fact that I can actually leave my babies in the care of someone else and go on an actual vacation, I started to get really, really excited! I’m going to miss their faces every five minutes (I already feel ill thinking about how much I’ll miss them), but I’m sure I’ll have a little fun while were enjoying the sand, fresh ocean air, and endless eating of food that I didn’t have to prepare! Much thanks to KC’s parents from planning this vacation that finally got us to start a new phase of our lives, and to my parents for rolling up their sleeves and doing the dirty and exhausting, yet very fun work of wrangling one year old triplets. And, the best part of getting away as a parent is, as great as it will feel to get away from the mountains of diapers, early mornings, and stepping in oatmeal everyday, it will also be GREAT to come home to babies that know you, love you, and hopefully missed you too.

So my swimsuits and sunhats are packed and my mind is already on the beach. We did have the mandatory last minute fever/ear infection yesterday, but we were in and out of the clinic and antibiotics have already been started. There have been times in the last 24 house when I’ve wanted to cancel the whole thing, but I remember that my parents are more than capable, and my kids are really great kids most of the time (though you wouldn’t know it from seeing the disaster that was today). I’m going to try to not think of every possible thing that could go wrong, so that I can finally just sit back and relax. I’ll give you a few pictures to hold you over while we’re gone. So, until I come back to reality, enjoy these sweet faces for me!

Ruby loves eating with a fork. And is wearing two different shoes, of course.

Bennett often asks me to help him put on a hat. Hey, at least this one isn’t hot pink.

Alex and Ruby taking turns having the front seat while on the webcam with Nana Jan.

Bennett and Penny playing with their potties. (Don’t worry, I’m not crazy enough to even THINK about potty training one year old triplets. We’re just playing with the little seats.)

Goofing around before church.AB

And then falling asleep at church. Precious Bennett. We planned on heading home after the first hour of nursery, but he didn’t even last that long.

He did something similar at home one morning. He stayed here for a good five minutes, and probably would’ve fallen asleep, but we felt bad and made him more comfortable on the couch. That will teach him to wake up at 5 am!

Ruby is a champion nebulizer-er! Now, when she sees me getting it ready, she hops on the couch, and gets all situated. Sometimes she’ll even hold it herself.

Alex’s new favorite thing to do is fasten clips together. He worked on one of the leashes one day until he figured it out. Then he discovered the jackpot--the highchairs. Now every time I am buckling them in, I have to unclip them all first. On this occasion, he hopped into the chair himself (he and Ruby have been doing this for a while), and buckled himself in. Quite helpful, as long as he doesn’t learn to unbuckle any time soon.

Ruby an Penny decided to give each other a hug one day, without any prodding from any parents.

Alex is my champion tooth-brusher. He LOVES it! The others took some time, but now have found the joy in clean teeth as well.

He thought brushing the old fashioned way was boring, so he tried holding it with his foot. He didn’t go a bad job either.

Sometimes all it takes it a couple blue chairs to entertain these kids. They are usually put away so the kids don’t use them to get into higher shelves, but were pulled out for book group. I think they played on those for an hour straight.

This is just a snippet of what my parents will go through this next week. Be good babies! Please! I can’t wait to give you all a million sun-kissed, rejuvenated, well-fed, rested, KISSES the second I get home. Bon Voyage!