Animal House

I knew it was going to happen at some point but I didn't know it would be this soon. As the only woman in this family of six, I expected to be surrounded by ridiculous levels of testosterone and messes. But I thought it would be bearable until puberty, or at least end of elementary school. But with all the poop jokes, farts, burps, and laughing that follows, I feel like I am living in a frat house. These guys are somehow hardwired to think it is hilarious to insert the word poop into any sentence or context. Someone can be in the middle of a melt down but if another one farts, it is all smiles. They adore being naked and even if they don't have to pee, they will squeeze some out if it means they can pee on a bush or some other arbitrary target in the outdoors. I wouldn't be surprised if one day while I am cooking dinner they run through screaming "TOGA! TOGA!" It is funny, and I know there could be worse things, but I am just surprised by how early and strong this instinctual need is to gross me or each other out.

They are tough too. The poor guys have war scars already, mostly from either hurting each other but also from playing too hard. Theodore keeps injuring his handsome little face; I might need to get him a catcher's mask to wear if there is another incident soon.

They are also getting some serious spring/summer fever. I was getting them pumped about our beach trip (which is not until July) and now they are asking every day, "Are we going to the beach today?" Poor guys, three more months is going to be an eternity for them- and ME!

I loved seeing everyone's pics posted on FB from Easter but sadly it was such a whirlwind that we didn't get a family picture. But the boys had fun hunting for Easter eggs and negotiating bites of candy throughout the day. 

Winston taking a break on the egg trail

Alexander cleaning up

Cool Theo

Happy Benjamin

Gardening with GMA

I (can) do it!

I realize it has been a long time since I've posted a blog update but it has been transition city over here. Since my last post in August, the triplets started going to school with their big brother (which was exhausting for about a week and then they never looked back!), we started potty training, and last week Alexander turned 4. Nate settled into a relatively new job and I left the Chamber to work with my mom in October.

Life is never boring here and I wouldn't have it any other way. All of the boys are talking more and more, learning new words, and asking a lot of questions. It can get overwhelming but I think Nate and I balance their needs with ours pretty well. We joined the Y and start exercising regularly, which has provided some stress relief. The boys are taking swim lessons and absolutely LOVE it but it is surprising how 30 minutes of swimming wears them out.



Potty training is probably more of a commitment from Nate and I than it is for the boys. When you have 4 little ones racing around, it is hard to interrupt them on a timely basis to take them to the potty. Winston is very interested in potty training and is very close to wearing undies all day long. Benjamin is interested but still resists. Theodore could care less. This is one example of how different they are. Winston is very controlling, independent, and marches to his own drum. It is painful to watch how independent and obsessive he is sometimes when he gets so frustrated and won't let us help. Benjamin is very sweet, sensitive, and jovial. He can be stubborn but when given time to think about it, he lets you help him. He has great vocabulary and is the clearest speaker. Theodore is laid back, quiet, and care-free.There are pros and cons to all of these characteristics- the challenge is bringing out the best in them and taming the worst. 

Alexander is my little helper, often times encouraging and even disciplining his brothers. He sometimes is in his own world but I know he picks up on things when he doesn't seem to be listening because he asks me questions about it later. He had an amazing birthday with a visit from Spider-man and lots of great friends (I noticed him going to play with certain kids that he had yet to play with, which was really cool to watch). When I asked him what his favorite part of the day was he said, "birthday cake!" His grandma was in charge of the cake, as usual, and she didn't let him down. It was delicious.

On a typical night, the boys will bust through the doors of our house, looking for their favorite toys and a pre-dinner snack. After dinner, we play and eventually someone leads the evening ritual of putting on their superhero costume. Just like all of the superheroes we read about in books, they all have their own super powers and weaknesses. We love them all the same.

this is what happens when you put the almost 4-yr old in charge of the coal