KJ: Private Investigator

The triplets celebrated their fourth birthday a couple of weeks ago and got a lot of great presents. Among them are a few sets of girly Legos (with pink blocks and flowers and such), and actual, honest to goodness digital cameras.

The cameras are made by vtech and are pretty sturdy. So far I've been pleased with them. They actually take decent pictures when you hold them steady. The problem is that the kids don't often hold them steady, so most of the pictures they take are unrecognizable blurry works of art. However, every once in a while there's a good, clear, well composed picture in there.

Yesterday we busted out the Legos and were building lots of cool trucks, tractors, gas stations, helicopters, and even little pink houses with flowers. At some point KJ decided to get me back for all of the pictures I've taken of him in the princess and fairy dresses and take a few of me playing with the pink Legos. And wouldn't you know it, they actually turned out okay. I mean, they're a little blurry, but you can definitely make out that the person playing with the pink Legos is me.

The little bugger might have a future in surveillance.

Need a laugh? Watch this video of the Triplets

The triplets were having so much fun playing Ants In The Pants last night that I just had to capture some video.

Triplets' Fourth Birthday Party: Video

A couple of weeks ago I got myself a Nikon D7000 to use around the house for pictures and video of the kids. While I do love the quality of the video, I have to admit, taking video with it is a challenge for me, especially focusing (as you'll see in the video). It has several focusing modes that are supposed to track subjects or focus on a certain area. I'm still trying to figure out which one to use in which situations. I also realize that I need a better external microphone, as the one I bought picks up the sound of the lens focusing (the motor sound you'll hear at times).

So, here it is, my first attempt at a DSLR video. I apologize for my unsteady hands, focusing, and audio issues. Those who are prone to motion sickness might want to take some Dramamine before watching. ;)

The Pre-School Drop-Off Saga Continues

This pre-school thing is turning out to be a great source of stories. This morning as I was walking the kids into their classroom Elisha started to cry a little and repeated "I'll miss you" several times. I kept reassuring her and telling her that I would be back to pick her up and that she was going to do lots of fun things at school. At this point Juli looked up at me dry-eyed and said "I'm not going to miss you daddy".

Way to make a dad feel good kiddo.

Little Brother Saves The Day

As many of you have read, the triplets started pre-school last week, and every time I dropped them off, the girls would cry and tell me how much they would miss me. It was pretty heart-breaking.

This morning was their first day back after the weekend since they only go three days a week. As I was getting the kids out of the van, KJ turned to his sisters and sternly (with a pointed finger for emphasis) told them "No crying in school today, Girls." I was having a hard time containing my laughter. At that point, Juli tried to sneak past him to get to me, and he pointed his finger at her and sternly said "No crying, Juli, okay?" and would not let her pass until she agreed not to cry. Once she agreed, he let her past and turned to Elisha and made her agree not to cry.

It was truly the sweetest, funniest thing I have seen him do in his four years. I was cracking up by the time I had them all out of the van and headed into the school. The other parents probably think I'm a mental case now.

The best part about it all, is that it worked. Juli, who was the worst last week, didn't cry at all today. Elisha only whimpered a little and said "I'll miss you" as I left their classroom. Leave it to little brother to show the girls how it's done!

The Triplets Turned Four

Yesterday we had a party for the Triplets' Fourth Birthday! It's so hard to believe they're already four years old and in pre-school. The kids got a lot of great new toys to annoy mommy and daddy play with. I'm especially excited about all of the non-Duplo Legos they got. Although right now they are getting a bit frustrated with them because they don't stick together as well. We'll just have to practice building with them... a lot.

Many thanks to all who came out to celebrate with us and for all of your generous gifts. And a special thank you to my photography partner-in-crime, Tom, for taking all of the photos and letting me enjoy the party.

Here are the photos:

Triplets & Worms

The other day I was out working in the Garden with the kids. They were absolutely fascinated with everything they were finding in the dirt, but wouldn't touch any of it. Honestly, I wasn't paying much attention to them because of the massive amount of weeds I was pulling (we didn't tend to the garden or flower beds much this year).

When Gretch got home, she found a pretty big worm and was showing it to the kids. They were pretty interested in it, and KJ even held it in his hand for a minute. Listen closely in the video, he giggles like a schoolgirl while it's in his hand.

Sock Puppets

With the triplets' birthday coming up, we've been looking at lots of toys, electronics and other gifts. It's always fun to see what's new and exciting, especially for a couple of techies like Gretchen and myself.

Even with all of the high-tech options out there, sometimes it's the simplest things that get the biggest and best reactions. Such was the case with these cute little sock-puppets that my Aunt and Uncle got from American Greetings. They came in little cards that told the story behind each puppet. They are really cute and the kids have loved playing with them.

Juli's puppet's name is Footloose the Dancing Sock and she dances to the beat of the spin cycle at the laundry room sock hop. Elisha's is Princess Slipperfoot, who got lost on her way home from the ball, but Prince Fuzzyboot rescued her and they lived happily ever after. Finally, KJ got Arrrgyle the Pirate Sock, who spends his days avoiding the footlocker and searching for booties to line his treasure chest.

Of course, no one is smiling in the pictures because I made them stop playing to take pictures. I'll have to try to capture some video of the kids playing with them, it's adorable.

Triplets At Pre-School: Day 2

The triplets were dragging this morning when I tried to wake them up. KJ and Juli just stayed in their beds as I was turning on lights and opening windows. After I got their clothes out I told them that they had to get ready because we needed to get to school.

Right then I knew we were going to have a problem. As soon as Juli heard me say school she started to whine "but I'll miss you". That continued through getting dressed, and breakfast, and hair brushing, and teeth brushing (yes, she was whining while I was brushing her teeth).

Then as we were heading outside to get in the van the tears started. She continued to cry the entire ride to school, thankfully it's a short trip. During all of this KJ and Elisha were just fine. I walked them into the school, got them into their classroom and started to say goodbye. Then Elisha started crying. KJ was already almost too busy to notice I was saying goodbye.

With both girls sobbing, I walked out of the room. Thankfully mine weren't the only ones crying, so I couldn't really hear Juli or Elisha crying as I walked out of the school. I'll say it again, those teachers are saints. Hopefully they settled down as quickly as they did yesterday. And hopefully Juli gets over this bit of separation anxiety soon.

Update - First Day of Pre-School

The triplets did just fine on their first day of pre-school yesterday. There was a little crying, but the teachers reported that it didn't last long, and they were there usual adorable selves the rest of the day. Hopefully today is just as good... with less crying.

Triplets' First Day of Pre-School

Today is the Triplets' first day of pre-school. Despite having to get up earlier than they are used to, they did pretty well, right up until we left their classroom. I think Juli was the first to start crying, then Elisha joined in. It was sort of a chain reaction between a lot of the kids in the room. All I have to say is the teachers are saints for dealing with all of those crying kids. I hope ours settled down.

I don't think KJ joined in on the sob-fest. He went right for one of the doll houses and started playing. He didn't seem to mind that we weren't there anymore. I'll have to post an update after we pick them up and let you know how they did after we left.

PT Update: I Think We Are Done!

This might be my last post about potty training! We have had no major accidents for a few days now. KJ and Juli are still in pull-ups overnight, just as a precaution really. It's been a long process, but I think we've finally done it!

We did it just in the nick of time, too, the kids start pre-school next week! Can you believe it? We took them to meet their teacher on Tuesday. Even though we explained over and over that we were just going for a couple of minutes to meet their teacher and get a quick tour, they were all pretty upset when we left. They were very excited to be there and wanted to stay.

Yesterday they all got post-cards from their teacher welcoming them to the class. They were very excited to get them. They're pretty excited to get any kind of mail.

I also let them play with the iPad yesterday. Well, I was going to let Juli play with the iPad since her iPod needed charged, but it turned into all three playing with the iPad.

And since I had the camera out, I decided to take some pics of them playing with their Legos. I can't wait until we get regular Legos and can start building more complex things.

Potty Training Update

What a difference a couple of days makes!

A few days ago I sent KJ to get a new diaper for himself and he told me excitedly that there were only two diapers left. After thinking about it a bit I told him that he really didn't have to use up all of the diapers. If he wanted to start wearing underwear he could. He was hesitant at first, but then later told Gretch that he wanted to wear underwear the next day.

The next morning when he woke up, he took his diaper off and put on big kid underwear. He hasn't worn a diaper since. There were two small accidents the first day, but he's been fine ever since. It's still early, but I think it's safe to say that KJ is potty trained.

After thinking about it and talking with Gretch about it, I think he thought he had to use up all of the diapers before he could start wearing underwear. Poor little guy probably could have been potty trained over a month ago.

Triplets: General Update

These kids are growing up really fast. In less than two weeks they'll be starting pre-school, and shortly after that they'll be turning four. Where has the time gone?

Recently Juli has been very talkative. She really doesn't stop. From the time she wakes up to the time she goes to sleep there is constant chatter. She doesn't even stop when she's eating. We've had a hard time getting her to not talk with her mouth full. She talks about everything and anything. It's very cute, especially when she's talking to KJ or Elisha. I love listening to the conversations they have with each other right now.

Elisha is becoming a ring-leader. She gets everyone to play together and most of the time its what she wants to play. Her imagination is unbelievable right now. She comes up with all of these little games for them to play together and they all have rules. The only problem is that if KJ or Juli don't follow her rules she starts to break down and then the fights start. She also finds ways to get KJ and Juli to do things they shouldn't and then stands buy and watches as they get in trouble. 

KJ is really into building things to destroy them, and destroying things his sisters build. He's a typical brother. He also loves to help. He'll do just about anything you ask him to do as long as he thinks he's helping someone. He's really interested in the stars, the moon, and rockets, and he's really good at games and puzzles. And he remembers everything. I can't say anything around him unless I'm positive I want him to hear it. If he hears something he shouldn't, he'll make you regret saying it. Gretch and I have to be very careful what we say this year regarding Christmas presents and where they come from, or he'll figure the whole thing out.