Weekend Fun!

We had an awesome visit with Carl, Anita and Baby Ryan! Ryan has gotten so big, its unbelievable. He is speed racing (crawling) all over the house, especially when chasing our cat (Milkshake). He also pulls himself up on everything and can climb our step from the Family Room into the Kitchen! So so cute!






When they arrived, we took a walk on the bike path to the park for the 'Fall Fest', but that turned out to be just a glorified yard sale...heehee! The weather was great so we enjoyed our time outside. While walking home, we stopped at the Linwood Market to pick up deli sandwiches and came back to have lunch (they were soooo good!) The kids (including Ry Guy) took a late nap and the adults relaxed out back on the deck. So peaceful.


Kaitlyn went to Anna's birthday party at Halo's Children's Beauty Salon - where she got her hair, nails and makeup done. She came home looking like a true princess!



While Kaitlyn was at the party, Anita gave me a full body masssage, the first ever in my life! She is a certified massage therapist, although that isnt her career, I think it should be! *wink* It was incredible...the best hour I've experienced in a long time! Then in the evening, we all went to the OC Boardwalk and ate at Mack's pizza (of course!) The girls got water ice and we had Kohr Bros ice cream...wow I think I gained 5 pounds this weekend!




We are also trying to teach Kaitlyn to ride her bike without training wheels. She is the only child in her class that can't do it and I'm hoping that gives her a 'push' to figure it out. Morgan also expressed an interest, so we are teaching them at the same time. Kaitlyn is very nervous with it, but I have faith she WILL 'get it' one of these days!


Today Tim and I took the girls to church, it was an especially touching sermon, which I'm still thinking about. So that was a great way to start the day/week! After church, we came home to pick up Poppop and went to the Hamilton Mall. They had some great sales, I was able to get a great pair of shoes for Kaitlyn and some cute Fall skirts for the triplets. And they each got sturdy, heavy duty backpacks on wheels and soft cozy winter Princess PJs from the Disney Store. Tim and I took the plunge and finally purchased the kitchen table & chairs set that we've been wanting for awhile. They were having a great sale and the price was right! It will fit in the kitchen much better than our huge set that we have now...it should be here in about 2 weeks...we are really excited!

Tomorrow is the 'Big Day' when the triplets start preschool here! They are very excited and plan to wear their new skirts and use their new backpacks that we got today! Please continue to pray that they will allow us to switch them to the morning session, I still have not heard anything about that.

Have a GREAT week! And please, hug someone today!

Haircut

Fingers crossed...I'm hoping to get my hair cut this upcoming week. I compiled some pics of what I'm looking for. Let me know what you think??

TGIF

The girls loved their new classroom and teachers yesterday! Our meeting went very well - it seems like they will have a lot of fun and the classes are very structure-based so I know the girls will thrive! We were only there for an hour and of course they didnt want to leave when it was time, which is a good sign! Take note in the pictures, Morgan had a rough morning, but thankfully was able to pull herself together for our visit!





I got a voicemail today from the Case Manager in charge of their admittance, and she said they decided to place them in the afternoon, which is a real bummer to me. I really didnt want them to miss their naps at home, we have been so blessed that they still take solid 2 hour naps each day. So I am going to see if we can get her to change that and put them in the morning class. They start on Monday, but I'm hoping we can make changes even after they begin...once again, please pray for a positive outcome!


Also, yesterday Tim and Poppop went to Lowes and Home Depot to exchange parts for the garage door that they tried to fix. (note: a professional came to give an estimate and is coming to fix the garage door on Monday!) While out, they also went to Walmart and Tim surprised me with a gift I have been wanting since we moved here - a brand new bike! I was so excited! So they came home and we put it together right away. Then Tim and I took all four girls for an hour-long ride on the bike path, all the way to the Seaview School and back...it was fun, but we were all tired by the end!




Last night, Kaitlyn had to study for a math test that she had today - we didnt get her 'grade' back yet, but I know she did well! Here she is doing her Math homework and studying last night:



Today, after taking Kaitlyn to school, Tim and I took the triplets for their annual check-up at our new pediatrician: Kids First in Somers Point. They were AWESOME there! I am so used to seeing an old-school doctor who must be near 70 years old in PA, this was so refreshing! The practice is affiliated with CHOP, they use computer systems (which means no filling out hundreds of forms for me!) The doctor we saw today was Dr. Thorp and she was fantastic. The girls loved her, she was probably in her mid-late thirties, modern, intelligent, the best bedside manner I have ever seen. She was able to suggest a Pediatric Dentist, an Orthodontist (for Kaitlyn) and a Pediatric Opthamologist. Also, she said that all 3 (especially Madison and Morgan) have allergies, she could tell my looking up their noses. And the doctor suggested the girls get the flu vaccine this year.

The girls stats:
Megan ~ Height 3' 4 Weight 35 lbs
Morgan ~ Height 3' 5" Weight 34 lbs
Madison ~ Height 3' 4" Weight 29 lbs

After their appointment, we came home to pick-up Poppop and went to have lunch at Dino's Subs in Margate...people rave about their cheesesteaks and tuna hoagies, so we wanted to try them. They were very crowded, it's a popular place! And the food was very good, we were impressed!

While the girls napped this afternoon, Tim and Poppop put together the bunk beds and got them all set up. So tonight, for the first time, Kaitlyn is in the bottom (full-size) bunk and Megan is on top. Morgan & Madison also have bunk beds now too - Morgan got the top and Madison is on the bottom. They are all so excited! And Morgan and Madison's bedroom looks larger after getting that big bed out of there. I will post pics of them soon!

After the girls were asleep tonight, we ordered Hot Wings from Charlie's Bar in Somers Point and Tim went to pick them up. I have been going through withdraw since we moved here...and they were so good!! Yummy!

Tomorrow, Anita and Carl Heft are coming to visit with Baby Ryan - we are so excited to see them! So of course I will take lots of pics!

Everyone have a great weekend, I'll post again soon!

Update: Preschool

The girls are IN!!
Hip Hip Hurray, Hip Hip Hurray!

I had my meeting at the school this morning at 9am and it lasted just over an hour. After reviewing all of the girls information and asking me lots of questions...they were accepted! I am taking them this Thursday at 11:30 to the school so they can see the classroom and meet their teacher. Then they will officially start on Monday! Can you believe that?!?! Our prayers were answered.

So they will go to school Monday through Thursday from 8:30am-11:00am. They are so excited. And it's perfect because I will drop them off at the same time as Kaitlyn, all at the same place!

Thank you for your prayers and positive thinking!!!!!

Happy Monday!

What a great weekend! My mom and Cecil (aka Mommom & Poppop!) flew into Atlantic City airport on Thursday afternoon (Mommom's birthday) I had not told the girls, so after we picked Kaitlyn up from school, I told them we were going to explore and see what we could find. We turned the corner at the airport and instantly they saw Mommom and Poppop and started screaming! It was awesome to see how excited they were, and of course I was just as excited!
That night we went to a 'Picnic' at Kaitlyn's school - we ate pizza and hoagies, participated in a book swap and played some games. They also had a free raffle and guess who won.... KAITLYN! She was so excited to walk up on stage and get her T-shirt! We got to meet some new people and talk with Kaitlyn's teacher for awhile, it was really a nice night.

The whole gang!

Kaitlyn & Mommom

Mrs. Lhulier, Kaitlyn's 'Awesome' teacher

Kaitlyn and Anna (her new very good friend!)

Mommom went with me to take Kaitlyn to school on Friday and Poppop stayed home with the triplets. Then Mom and I went to KMart to pick up a few things. Poppop raked our side yard, which previously was unusable due to the 8"+ of dead leaves and debris. Now it looks perfect - and he filled more than 10 leaf bags! Tim also came home before lunchtime, but had to sleep most of the afternoon because he had been up all night flying from California.














After picking up Kaitlyn from school, everyone got ready and we went out for a nice dinner at Ventura's in Northfield. We all enjoyed the food and had a really great time.














After dinner, we drove to Longport beach and walked to the water and took some pictures. It was very relaxing and peaceful with a beautiful sunset.


















Then we came home for our new tradition of 'Movie Night' on Friday nights. They watched a new movie that Mommom had bought them at KMart, called Barbie the Island Princess and loved it! And of course, they gobbled up the popcorn.
Tim and I took advantage of the opportunity and we went to Walmart to pick up a few things. I am looking at a new bike I want to get, but of course they didnt have any in stock. While we were out, Brian and Amanda arrived and they were watching movies with the girls also when we came home.
Saturday we slept in a bit, had a big breakfast together, then went for a walk on the bike path. We played at the playground for awhile and found a little toad at the park - which the fascinated the girls...Kaitlyn even held it which was a huge step!


















While the girls napped, Mom went with Brian and Amanda back to Longport beach again. Then Brian and Amanda left to head back to WCU and we planned our evening. Everyone decided to go to the Ocean City boardwalk and eat dinner at Mack n Manco's Pizza - yummy! I finally found a dragonfly necklace (and earring set) and Tim bought it for me...and best of all - it's purple! ;)
Early Sunday morning, Tim and Poppop took Mom to the airport - her flight took off at 9:00am. Tim and I took the girls to church, then came home for lunch. We grabbed Poppop, got our swimsuits on and went back to Longport Beach for some fun in the sun. The girls were digging in the sand, splashed in the ocean (except Madison who is deathly afraid of the water) and we collected seashells. Tim also went surfing for a bit before heading back home to get cleaned up.
I made Hawaiian chicken for dinner and we all ate together. Unfortunately, the garage door broke and Tim spent the entire afternoon and evening trying to fix it and running back and forth to Lowe's and Home Depot. Poppop tried to help his as best as he could, but they were unable to fix it so we have to call in the professionals...ugh.
Other than the garage door - it was a wonderful, perfect weekend! We miss Mommom so much already and she's only been gone for 1 day, I sure do wish they lived closer. But I am also very very thankful to have Poppop with us - what a help that has been already!
Oh and quick update - I have a meeting with the school officials and education director tomorrow morning at 9am regarding the triplets getting into the preschool at Seaview - please please please say your prayers, I will update tomorrow.
Enjoy your Monday night and hope you're off to a great start to a great week!

Good news!!

NO...I'm NOT pregnant!! ;) heehee

This has been a rough week so far, the girls have been such a handful. And I was so upset that I had to miss Kaitlyn's Back to School night on Tuesday because I wasnt allowed to bring the kids and I had no one to watch them. I was really disappointed. Then the next day, her teacher sent home a folder of information, which included a note Kaitlyn had written to me that said:
Dear Mommy,
Welcome to my classroom. I hope you like my desk.
Love, Kaitlyn
Oh man, that was a bummer to miss that.

But now, I have some good news to share!

1. My mom just called to surprise me that her and Cecil (Dad) are coming up to visit us.... TOMORROW!! September 20 is mom's birthday, so they are coming up to stay the weekend. Then Cec (Dad) is staying for a whole month to help me out! They are incredible to us, God has truly blessed us with an amazing family!
2. Kaitlyn's school offers a free preschool program that meets 5 days per week from 8:30am till 11:30am. I have applied to get the triplets into this program, and I am supposed to hear something within one week. Please say your prayers for us! I need it as much as they do!
3. Kaitlyn loves school and has met a few friends so far. In fact, just today, she was invited to her first (NJ) birthday party! She is so excited...
4. Morgan continues to practice writing her name and is doing really well. Now Megan has now started to express an interest, she is a quick-learner, but such a perfectionist! And Madison is doing great learning to use the computer, she can just click away!
5. Sulley (our dog) has been acting much better and for the past 3 nights, he has slept in my bedroom, right next to my bed. This may not seem like much, but for me, it is huge! He was so crazy and with everything else going on, it was hard to deal with. So, yet another thing to be thankful for.

I continue to be amazed at how there really IS a light at the end of every tunnel!

Unca's visit

We had a nice visit with Unca (Brian) this past weekend, he came down on Friday night and stayed until Sunday afternoon. Tim is still gone (mostly in California), so it was just Brian and I and the girls. Friday night we ordered Primo Pizza, Saturday we relaxed at home during the day, then went to the OC boardwalk, ordered cheesesteaks for dinner and walked on the bike path at night. Sunday morning, we all went to church (http://www.shorefellowship.com/), stopped at Atlantic Bookstore, had lunch at home, then Brian left around 1pm. It was so great to see him and get to spend some time together! I love family!!

California, School and A/C

Well, just a quick post to say 'We're still alive!' Tim left for California on Wednesday and will be out there for at least a week... Kaitlyn had off school today and when I asked her if she was excited, her reply was, 'Well half and half, I kind of miss school' = a very good sign!! I went to look at a few preschools for the trips on Monday, no luck financially. But, I did learn that Kaitlyn's school offers free preschool 5 days a week for kids with 'limited' special needs. Sooo... I called and left a message, hoping to hear positive news! On Tuesday, Tim and I (and the triplets) took the Expedition to Pep Boys to have them check out the *still* broken A/C (which we already wasted $200 to fix in July and still doesnt work) LOOOONG story, short - after 2 hours of waiting, they said it needs a new compressor. Guess what that cost........ $1,000! Yep, you read that correctly. Sooo, all I can say at this point is, thank goodness winter is coming. Well for that reason only of course...I already miss Summer and it's not even gone yet! Well off to bed, ready for another day.

American Idol - GO Blake!

What an awesome time we had!

My great college friend, Colleen came down Saturday afternoon and we left my house around 4:30pm for our 'girls night out'! We parked at Caesar's Casino and ate at a fancy restaurant called Evo Restaurant & Lounge. That food was fantastic, so yummy!

Around 6:00pm we walked next door to the Boardwalk Hall and waited in line to enter. Security was very brief and we were inside! There were some stands around where you could get your picture taken and win prizes, so we took some time and had fun. Then we went to find our seats. The view wasnt too bad, and with Colleen's close-up zoom lens, we were able to get some decent pics!

The show started at 7:00pm and lasted just over 3 hours, with one 20 minute intermission. It was jam-packed with fun. I was soooo excited to see Blake, I may sound biased, but he was the BEST! Also, Chris R., Phil & Jordin stole the show. Lakisha got a standing ovation for her performance of a Whitney Houston song, she can really belt them out! Sanjaya was just plain creepy, but we did get a few laughs from watching him...heehee! Also, they let you send a text message and they showed it on the big screen for everyone to see - of course we had to send one to Blake! So I'll include a pic of that too!

After the show, Colleen & I asked a few guards if they knew where the Idols would exit/sign autographs...which led us out onto the main street in Atlantic City (Scaryyy) to the front of the building. We waited for 2 hours until after midnight, when FINALLY we saw their tour buses coming...everyone was screaming, I felt like a teeny-bopper, but it was FUN! Unfortunately the buses just kept on going - Chris R came up to the window and apologized that they wouldnt let them stop. Chris Sligh didnt even want to look up, he was on his laptop on the bus and was so rude - I have now lost any respect that I may have had for him. There was a boy's bus and a girl's bus - the boys drove by first. Jordin waved as she went by and Melinda stood at the window to smile and wave the whole time. It was fun and definitely an experience I won't soon forget. We started talking to some of the other people who were waiting with us and they said a few of the idols (Blake & Chris R. included) were on the Atlantic City beach and boardwalk earlier in the day. They were showing us pictures on their cameras they got taken with them as well as autographed shirts, etc. That must have been awesome!!

After our long, uneventful wait, we went into the casinos for a bit - Colleen had set aside some money to have some fun...she enjoyed playing the Wheel of Fortune slot machines! We got home around 2:15am - I can definitely tell I'm getting older...lol! I could hardly walk by the time we got home, but ohhhh we had SO MUCH FUN!! Ok now time to enjoy some pictures ;)

First day of School!

What a bittersweet, but exciting day!
Look at that *nervous* smile...

Kaitlyn started First Grade at Seaview Elementary School today.

She was mostly excited, but a bit nervous - understandably so! She kept telling me the past few days, 'But mommy, I'm going to miss you!' Talk about breaking my heart... My first baby is growing up. It truly amazes me how fast time flies and before you know it, in the blink of an eye, they're grown. I know it's a good thing, I am so thankful for my girls.

Watching Kaitlyn at school today made me even more proud. I could see the lip trembling, the fear in her eyes. But she stood tall, held herself together and stayed strong. As she walked away from me, I must admit, a few tears came to my eyes. But at the same time, my heart grew stronger knowing that she will be ok. In fact, she will do great! My beautiful, smart, special little girl, my firstborn baby.

~ Taken before school ~ ~ Tinkerbell backpack from Mommom & Poppop in Florida ~

~ Wearing 'Friend' bracelet from PA Best Friend Jennifer ~
Kaitlyn wanted a part of Jennifer with her on her first day of school

~ Posing with the Proud Mommy ~

~ Riding in our 'Bus'...lol ~

~ This was the crowd outside the school when we drove up!! ~

~ Teacher Mrs. Lhulier ~ Blond hair, blue sweater

So that wraps it up for today. Tomorrow is another day...way to go Kaitlyn!!