We love Santa!!!

The Kids' Program

The Entrance


The Breakdown


The Performers

Confessions of an imperfect mother

I have to confess that today I was unaware of my triplets preschool Christmas program. I finally remembered to bring their "show and tell" in and the teacher says we are not doing "show and tell" today because of the program. I said "oh, okay" and smiled. I thought for a second and asked "What program?". The look on her face told me I probably should have known. She gave me the details and went into the classroom. Dave looked at me and said "How did we miss that one?"
Fortunately my irreplaceable friend Kim took Owen out on a play date and took him to school for lunch. I got over there, watched and recorded the program (video posting will be added soon). Dave had a meeting but was able to get there to help pack the kids up. The last several songs of the program were not recorded because the two boys jumped in my lap. They had enough performing for the day. It was a cute performance and I have to say that although my kids were dressed more casually than on an average day, they still shined amongst the sweater vests and pretty dresses:)

So the day goes by and I decide after the kids go bed to head out for some holiday shopping with my good friend Tiffany. There were good things that happened but I'll start with the imperfect things:)

I first had to go to the gas station. The handle of the pump had a little gas on it. I didn't like the smell so I took a baby wipe out to wipe my hands. I figured I would use it to handle the pump the next time and then toss it. Without thinking I grabbed the handle and pulled it out trying to keep from touching the handle. So instead, I grabbed the lever and blew the gas out all over the car, my shoes, my coat and especially my hands. The irony, right? I did go and wash my hands but I was quite fragrant the rest of the night.
Then shopping with my friend, who is about 2 years or so younger than me, we bump into her friend. Her friend asks if I am her mother. I was a little shocked, rather than insulted. Really, do I look like I am in my 50's? someone please let me know. She seemed to notice right away that she was mistaken but it was already out there. Now I cannot shop with Tiffany since she makes me look older than I am:)

On the flip side...earlier today I got to cuddle a lot with Brandon and Evan since they didn't nap well. Ariana usually demands most of my time. crazy little girl that she is:) So it was relaxing. The boys hung out, colored and didn't even fight once. Note that 5 minutes after Ariana woke up the peace left the building. For all of you who got all boys and always wanted that little girl, just remember that she most likely would have been extremely high maintenance, temperamental and moody:)

Anyway with being an old, gas covered mother who failed to know her kids had a Christmas program, I had a great day:)

Snow season

I was very excited for the snow this year. Even getting the kids ready to go outside is rather quick and they are quite patient. The only problem is the whining that starts outside. Owen is fabulous and loves it but we are still waiting for the other 3 to get used to the cold and the snow. I am hoping soon the kids will enjoy it and just play.
We decorated the tree this year with the kids. They did a fabulous job. Decorated the bottom of the tree. a few days after they thought the balls would make a nice game and they took turns throwing them across the kitchen floor. After about the second time picking up a million ornaments I decided to put them away. I could have taken the time to tell them over and over and over again not to throw them. Unfortunately there is already an existing list of things I repeatedly tell them so if I can avoid adding another I always seize the opportunity. Now I catch them trying to get to the breakable ornaments on the top of the tree. They are always looking to explore something new:)
They are cute though. Currently the Thorpe family singers have been practicing Jingle Bells inspired from their music teacher Miss Kristin. They also continue to perfect singing their ABC's and Old McDonald had a farm. When they all sing together and they are not fighting to have a solo they sound pretty good. Any vocal skills they may have I can assure you they got from Dave:)

Home at Last

It is always nice to go back to Iowa but it is nice being back home again. Six days makes a long week out of our routine. Despite all of us being tired and just getting through the day today we still managed a fun trip out tonight. All the kids were whining so we got them all in the car. We played Christmas music and drove around looking at Christmas lights. It was perfect. The kids were not quiet but not whining either. They were just yelling about the lights but it was all in good fun. Then we continued listening to music in the car since it was one of Dave's favorites. The kids all got out of their car seats while we sat in the garage. They just danced around the car. It was fun. They had a good time and everyone was much happier. I would like to thank everyone who got their lights up right away:)

Here is the kid's class picture. The other triplets are the two blond boys on the left and the little girl being held by the teacher. It is amazing between my friend and I we have two thirds of the class.
Hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and had an easy adjustment back to everyday life.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
I am thankful for so much.
Honestly I am thankful for having triplets. Without them Dave and I may have stopped at 2 kids and never known the amazing love of our big family.
I am also thankful for having a husband who can handle a big family, and specifically, my need to be social along with that.
I am thankful for being a stay at home Mom. The benefit of staying home with my kids is great but I have really felt that I have grown so much in this role. I have had more time to help out in my community, to make sure my kids are exposed to things as I see fit, and above all I have learned how to multitask. I also learned to be a better mother.
I am thankful for Dave's company, Logic Library. It is filled with such great people with great families. We are lucky that he decided to make the move from IBM. It was one of our best decisions by far.
I am thankful for all our friends and family. I could list names but I am sure we would surpass the room allowed on each post.
I am really thankful that my kids are so darn happy; all with a great sense of humor.
I am thankful for how healthy we have all been considering all 4 kids being in school.
I am thankful for our wonderful parents helping out with our kids so often.
I am thankful that Dave and I are finally getting in shape after having the babies.
I am thankful for all I have learned from my kids about being a mother.
I am thankful for all the things I have learned from my kids' teachers about what my kids are capable of.
I am thankful my kids have finally stopped taking their diapers off in their cribs at nap time.
I am thankful for everything. I feel extremely blessed.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

(written by marisa)

Let's Dish

I just got a job at Let's Dish. The job won't add to my HR skills but you get your meals, good meals, at a discount so we are hoping to cut down the grocery bill. At the same time I am having fun, my first two days were enjoyable. The more you watch people assemble the meals the more you want to join in the fun. Unfortunately I have to wait for my shift to be over to make my own meals:)
For the rest of this month and December I can get anyone I know or their friends a 10 percent discount on the food at Let's Dish here in Rochester. Just email me if you are interested and I can email you the information.
The babies, who will be referred to as the babies until they tell me otherwise, just got their school pictures taken. I think they came out pretty well. Ariana refused last time we took professional pictures. So before we had Owen's 4 year old photo, Brandon and Evan's 2 year old picture and a baby picture of Ariana on the wall. Now they are all the same age again:)
We were really happy they came out well. I will add the class photo when I get chance. Owen doesn't have his pictures until the spring.
I have added a link to the Let's Dish web page if you haven't heard of the company before.
I also added a picture of all the kids in their Vikings gear on the way to school. The other set of triplets in their class were wearing Packers gear on the same day, two days prior to the two teams playing:)

(written by Marisa)

Halloween

Introducing.....the Super Heroes!!!!


Superman (aka Owen)


Wonder Woman (aka Ariana)


Batman (aka Brandon)


The Flash (aka Evan)


...their trusty sidekick SpiderDog (aka Tyke)


...and their fearless leaders, Mr. Fantastic & The Invisible Woman (aka David & Marisa)

jibjab

Evan & Ariana


Brandon & Ariana


Owen & Ariana