Have a SWEET Halloween!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Picture of the Week - October 31
I wanted to try and start a tradition of capturing and posting a "picture of the week" on this blog. I want this picture to simply be a moment or emotion that I want to remember from the week. Something that made me or someone in my family feel something significant, a facial expression I don't want to forget, or an image I want to remember forever. The images don't necessarily have to be monumental, they just have to elicit emotions and memories that I don't want to forget.
Have a SWEET Halloween!
Have a SWEET Halloween!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Farmers' Market
Last weekend we headed to one of our favorite places - The Piedmont Triad Farmers' Market. It's located between Winston and Greensboro, so it's pretty close to us. The market is a great place to take our brood because it provides lots of things to look at (and touch, unfortunately) and lots of space to run around. I think all kids like going to farmers' markets and it can serve as a great learning tool as well. Here are a few shots of last weekend's adventures.
We had to sample some homemade benne wafers before we left. I think the kids are hooked!
You could spend the entire day here with all the food and entertainment. But we just had to settle for a full morning and we were on our way back home. Don't worry, I know we'll be back very soon!
We had to sample some homemade benne wafers before we left. I think the kids are hooked!
You could spend the entire day here with all the food and entertainment. But we just had to settle for a full morning and we were on our way back home. Don't worry, I know we'll be back very soon!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Victory
"Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity."
Horace Mann
Yes folks, I have tasted the wine of sweet victory. I am no longer ashamed to die because I have now won MY victory for all humanity ... the potty training of triplets. Yes, you heard it here first ... all three are officially potty trained and diaper free. Do you hear that cha-ching in the background?? It's my wallet doing it's own victory dance for the money we'll now be saving in diapers.
I would formally like to thank the Elmo's Potty Time video, Potty Patty, Potty Scotty, Baby Bjorn Potties, Gerber training pants, gummy bears, M&M's, princess stickers, Clorox wipes, and the "Potty Training in One Day" book for all they have contributed to my campaign.
It was a harrowing road, but we faced it head on and won. Victory is mine to savor ... and savor it I will.
Horace Mann
Yes folks, I have tasted the wine of sweet victory. I am no longer ashamed to die because I have now won MY victory for all humanity ... the potty training of triplets. Yes, you heard it here first ... all three are officially potty trained and diaper free. Do you hear that cha-ching in the background?? It's my wallet doing it's own victory dance for the money we'll now be saving in diapers.
I would formally like to thank the Elmo's Potty Time video, Potty Patty, Potty Scotty, Baby Bjorn Potties, Gerber training pants, gummy bears, M&M's, princess stickers, Clorox wipes, and the "Potty Training in One Day" book for all they have contributed to my campaign.
It was a harrowing road, but we faced it head on and won. Victory is mine to savor ... and savor it I will.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Fall In Our House
I love fall (I know I've mentioned that numerous times recently, but I enjoy hammering home a point). I love it even more now that I live somewhere that actually experiences fall weather. Changing leaves, cool, crisp nights, and fall festivals every weekend are some of the things I love the most about the season.
Whenever those nighttime lows start dipping into the 40's and 50's, I figure it's time to start making the house look a little more "fall-esque." In case you aren't aware, I consider myself somewhat deprived in the interior design department. I mean, I'm savvy enough to not have any posters tacked on the walls or indulge in extreme theme decorating, but I'm still a novice at best. I tried to add a few little details to our house this fall to make it reflect the season and I thought I'd take the plunge and share them with you. These are just small little things around our house that are intended to remind us of the season, nothing over the top. Less is more in my opinion (and the kids like the additions, so that's what really counts!).
These first couple of things are the ones I am most excited about because I actually made them myself! Little Miss Crafty I am not, so this was a pretty big deal for me. Of course I stole the ideas from other people, but I actually did the labor myself, so that counts for something!
The first was this super-cute fall mat that I made with my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group this past week. It was super easy and turned out really cute. The colors will let me use it throughout the fall and it's something pretty and different that anyone can see upon entering our home.
Isn't it cute? I love the colors and really all you had to do was tie on all of the ribbons. And while I'm not a Virginia Tech fan, I have always said that I liked their team colors.
My second project was even easier. I wanted something fall-ish for our table and this is what I came up with ...
(Excuse Sam in the background. I didn't have the heart to tell him I was actually taking a picture of the centerpiece and not of him).
I like them because they look classy but also seasonal. And they look like something I spent a lot of money on at the store. In actuality, I just bought a few gourds at a roadside stand and picked up some metallic gold spray paint at the hardware store. Then I sprayed those puppies (not real puppies, I'm referring to the gourds PETA people), let them dry, and placed them on a silver tray that has been collecting dust in our basement. Pretty cool, huh? AND easy, which is my main requirement in a craft. Here's another shot just because I love them so much.
Two crafts in a week pretty much pushed me to my limit, so I made up for it for adding some other things around the house that didn't require assembly or labor.
Nothing says "fall is here" like a gigantic mum ...
Or, if you're a pyro like me, nothing says fall like a fire pit. With a mum in the background, of course.
And yes, those are miniature adirondack chairs for the kids around the fire pit (if they were adult-sized, that would be a pretty big fire pit). And NO, we do not let them play in or beside the fire. We leave that fun for us grown-ups.
And what would fall and Halloween be without an abundance of pumpkins everywhere you look? We have some on our windowsill ...
In our bellies ...
And hanging by the front door to remind us of the fast approaching night of sweet treats!
Aren't those trick-or-treat bags cute? Quadruple bonus that they have their names monogrammed on them, so now we don't have any fights over whose pumpkin is whose.
And finally, I had to let the kids contribute a little of their own to the decorating. Even though I'm not a super-crafter, I don't want to stymie any budding artists in my midst. Their contribution made it to the wall of fame ... the coveted refrigerator.
We'd like to feel they were channeling their inner Picasso's with these pumpkin representations, but something tells me they just haven't advanced to the concept of "straight" in preschool yet. I guess there will always be something new to learn.
I'd love to hear what you think of our seasonal additions and if you have any suggestions for things to add (or remove!). I'm learning as I go, so throw me a line if I'm drowning!
Now I'm going to head outside and put my feet up by the fire while smelling my mums and stuffing myself with candy pumpkins. Happy fall!
Whenever those nighttime lows start dipping into the 40's and 50's, I figure it's time to start making the house look a little more "fall-esque." In case you aren't aware, I consider myself somewhat deprived in the interior design department. I mean, I'm savvy enough to not have any posters tacked on the walls or indulge in extreme theme decorating, but I'm still a novice at best. I tried to add a few little details to our house this fall to make it reflect the season and I thought I'd take the plunge and share them with you. These are just small little things around our house that are intended to remind us of the season, nothing over the top. Less is more in my opinion (and the kids like the additions, so that's what really counts!).
These first couple of things are the ones I am most excited about because I actually made them myself! Little Miss Crafty I am not, so this was a pretty big deal for me. Of course I stole the ideas from other people, but I actually did the labor myself, so that counts for something!
The first was this super-cute fall mat that I made with my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group this past week. It was super easy and turned out really cute. The colors will let me use it throughout the fall and it's something pretty and different that anyone can see upon entering our home.
Isn't it cute? I love the colors and really all you had to do was tie on all of the ribbons. And while I'm not a Virginia Tech fan, I have always said that I liked their team colors.
My second project was even easier. I wanted something fall-ish for our table and this is what I came up with ...
(Excuse Sam in the background. I didn't have the heart to tell him I was actually taking a picture of the centerpiece and not of him).
I like them because they look classy but also seasonal. And they look like something I spent a lot of money on at the store. In actuality, I just bought a few gourds at a roadside stand and picked up some metallic gold spray paint at the hardware store. Then I sprayed those puppies (not real puppies, I'm referring to the gourds PETA people), let them dry, and placed them on a silver tray that has been collecting dust in our basement. Pretty cool, huh? AND easy, which is my main requirement in a craft. Here's another shot just because I love them so much.
Two crafts in a week pretty much pushed me to my limit, so I made up for it for adding some other things around the house that didn't require assembly or labor.
Nothing says "fall is here" like a gigantic mum ...
Or, if you're a pyro like me, nothing says fall like a fire pit. With a mum in the background, of course.
And yes, those are miniature adirondack chairs for the kids around the fire pit (if they were adult-sized, that would be a pretty big fire pit). And NO, we do not let them play in or beside the fire. We leave that fun for us grown-ups.
And what would fall and Halloween be without an abundance of pumpkins everywhere you look? We have some on our windowsill ...
In our bellies ...
And hanging by the front door to remind us of the fast approaching night of sweet treats!
Aren't those trick-or-treat bags cute? Quadruple bonus that they have their names monogrammed on them, so now we don't have any fights over whose pumpkin is whose.
And finally, I had to let the kids contribute a little of their own to the decorating. Even though I'm not a super-crafter, I don't want to stymie any budding artists in my midst. Their contribution made it to the wall of fame ... the coveted refrigerator.
We'd like to feel they were channeling their inner Picasso's with these pumpkin representations, but something tells me they just haven't advanced to the concept of "straight" in preschool yet. I guess there will always be something new to learn.
I'd love to hear what you think of our seasonal additions and if you have any suggestions for things to add (or remove!). I'm learning as I go, so throw me a line if I'm drowning!
Now I'm going to head outside and put my feet up by the fire while smelling my mums and stuffing myself with candy pumpkins. Happy fall!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Picture of the Week - October 24
I wanted to try and start a tradition of capturing and posting a "picture of the week" on this blog. I want this picture to simply be a moment or emotion that I want to remember from the week. Something that made me or someone in my family feel something significant, a facial expression I don't want to forget, or an image I want to remember forever. The images don't necessarily have to be monumental, they just have to elicit emotions and memories that I don't want to forget.
With no rolls of quarters at their disposal, the Clifford kids spent countless hours concocting strategies to hijack the stash of candy teasing them through the glass ...
With no rolls of quarters at their disposal, the Clifford kids spent countless hours concocting strategies to hijack the stash of candy teasing them through the glass ...
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Is It Just Me?
One of the blogs I frequent, Triad Moms on Main, has done this type of blog before. Basically, it's a fun way to let you in on some of the random and non-essential facts about my life. Very random, but fun to compose. Hope you enjoy!
Is it just me who ...
... rarely showers before 3pm most days?
... checks the mail box at least 5 times a day when I know the mail never comes before 4pm?
... tells my kids that something just "needs new batteries" when it is beyond repair? And then throws it away when they aren't looking?
... eats more fruit snacks than my kids?
... has a toddler whose favorite song is "Boom Boom Boom" by the Black-Eyed Peas?
... has a son who already knows how to use the touch screen on my iphone? And he's not even three years old!
... steals bites of my kids' grilled cheese sandwiches (and their mac and cheese) when they aren't looking?
... tries to convince my kids every day that cheese sticks would be a great snack to have, just so I can have some too? (Ok, so apparently I like cheese.)
... hides Christmas presents and and forgets about them until a couple months after Christmas?
... exercises just so I can eat more?
... one day wants to own and operate a Bed and Breakfast?
... still sleeps in a Queen bed? I feel like everyone has a King these days! What can I say, we like to snuggle (feel free to gag).
... wishes I knew more about interior design?
... wishes I knew more about flowers and gardening?
... secretly wants to own a pick-up truck?
... has a dog that barks, runs and wags his tail in his sleep?
... lets my kids eat food that has fallen on the ground as long as there isn't any noticeable dirt or hair on it?
... is creeped out by hair in showers and bathroom sinks? Gross.
... misses being pregnant?
... cannot go for more than 3 hours without eating something?
... has children who proudly tell the checkout girl at Harris Teeter that they "go poop in the potty just like Mommy?"
... has a 30 pound 17 month old whose first ten words all related to food (all done, more, pizza, bite, apple, juice, milk, Elmo (his fork has Elmo on it), oh's (Cheerios), and meatball - yes, he says meatball)? Wonder why he's 30 pounds??
... already knows what I want as my last meal before I die?
... loves Chinese food, but never eats it? I kinda want some sesame chicken now.
... really wants to take a photography class?
... has children who won't eat hamburger unless it is in the shape of a meatball?
... may have a complete and total mental breakdown when my kids outgrow their afternoon nap?
... cannot leave Target without spending at least $50?
... can tell you the nutritional information for pretty much any food I eat? Doesn't stop me from eating the bad stuff though. That's where the exercise comes in, right?
... Can't think of any more to write at this time?
Totally random I know, but fun. Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Is it just me who ...
... rarely showers before 3pm most days?
... checks the mail box at least 5 times a day when I know the mail never comes before 4pm?
... tells my kids that something just "needs new batteries" when it is beyond repair? And then throws it away when they aren't looking?
... eats more fruit snacks than my kids?
... has a toddler whose favorite song is "Boom Boom Boom" by the Black-Eyed Peas?
... has a son who already knows how to use the touch screen on my iphone? And he's not even three years old!
... steals bites of my kids' grilled cheese sandwiches (and their mac and cheese) when they aren't looking?
... tries to convince my kids every day that cheese sticks would be a great snack to have, just so I can have some too? (Ok, so apparently I like cheese.)
... hides Christmas presents and and forgets about them until a couple months after Christmas?
... exercises just so I can eat more?
... one day wants to own and operate a Bed and Breakfast?
... still sleeps in a Queen bed? I feel like everyone has a King these days! What can I say, we like to snuggle (feel free to gag).
... wishes I knew more about interior design?
... wishes I knew more about flowers and gardening?
... secretly wants to own a pick-up truck?
... has a dog that barks, runs and wags his tail in his sleep?
... lets my kids eat food that has fallen on the ground as long as there isn't any noticeable dirt or hair on it?
... is creeped out by hair in showers and bathroom sinks? Gross.
... misses being pregnant?
... cannot go for more than 3 hours without eating something?
... has children who proudly tell the checkout girl at Harris Teeter that they "go poop in the potty just like Mommy?"
... has a 30 pound 17 month old whose first ten words all related to food (all done, more, pizza, bite, apple, juice, milk, Elmo (his fork has Elmo on it), oh's (Cheerios), and meatball - yes, he says meatball)? Wonder why he's 30 pounds??
... already knows what I want as my last meal before I die?
... loves Chinese food, but never eats it? I kinda want some sesame chicken now.
... really wants to take a photography class?
... has children who won't eat hamburger unless it is in the shape of a meatball?
... may have a complete and total mental breakdown when my kids outgrow their afternoon nap?
... cannot leave Target without spending at least $50?
... can tell you the nutritional information for pretty much any food I eat? Doesn't stop me from eating the bad stuff though. That's where the exercise comes in, right?
... Can't think of any more to write at this time?
Totally random I know, but fun. Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Picture of the Week - October 17
I wanted to try and start a tradition of capturing and posting a "picture of the week" on this blog. I want this picture to simply be a moment or emotion that I want to remember from the week. Something that made me or someone in my family feel something significant, a facial expression I don't want to forget, or an image I want to remember forever. The images don't necessarily have to be monumental, they just have to elicit emotions and memories that I don't want to forget.
Anything is edible these days (when will teething ever end??). Luke's new taste for acorns is giving the local squirrels a run for their money ...
Anything is edible these days (when will teething ever end??). Luke's new taste for acorns is giving the local squirrels a run for their money ...
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Star Search
As a kid, Star Search was one of my all time favorite shows. I couldn't wait for Ed McMahon to come on screen and introduce a whole new line up every week. I loved all the dance categories (I was a dancer in my pre-teen years), but my favorite category of all was the Junior Vocalist. In addition to loving dance as a child, I always had this dream of being a Broadway music star. I'd watch the kids on Star Search who were younger than me singing on that big stage and I would be so envious.
Well, fast forward 20 years and you get a girl who still loves her Broadway shows and is addicted to Glee. I always wondered if any of my kids would get this trait from my gene pool and I think I stumbled upon some answers today. My husband brought home a portable sound system from work and he apparently thought it would be a good idea to set it up and let the kids have a whirl with the microphone. What followed was priceless. Apparently we have an entire troupe of performers on our hands! We captured somefuture blackmail material video evidence and thought it would be funny to share. Enjoy!
*Side note - They are singing a train song they know from school, so don't be surprised if you can't understand all the words ... it's not a tune you should know!
Sam was a natural with the mike. The kid was loving it. He is kind of our ham, so it makes sense that he likes to perform like this. Here he is singing one of your all time favorites ...
Just a little evidence that a microphone and a sound system can make for one very fun evening! Karaoke anyone?
Well, fast forward 20 years and you get a girl who still loves her Broadway shows and is addicted to Glee. I always wondered if any of my kids would get this trait from my gene pool and I think I stumbled upon some answers today. My husband brought home a portable sound system from work and he apparently thought it would be a good idea to set it up and let the kids have a whirl with the microphone. What followed was priceless. Apparently we have an entire troupe of performers on our hands! We captured some
*Side note - They are singing a train song they know from school, so don't be surprised if you can't understand all the words ... it's not a tune you should know!
Sam was a natural with the mike. The kid was loving it. He is kind of our ham, so it makes sense that he likes to perform like this. Here he is singing one of your all time favorites ...
Just a little evidence that a microphone and a sound system can make for one very fun evening! Karaoke anyone?
Monday, October 11, 2010
Pumpkin Pickin'
We spent some time last weekend going to pick the perfect pumpkin. Everyone got to pick out one of their own and there were a lot of hard decisions to make. Of course, once all the picking was done, I realized we had no money to pay for them! So there were few dry eyes in the van when we had to leave with no pumpkins. Luckily, we went back the next day and got to go through the whole process again (in surprisingly quicker fashion than the day before. I guess the novelty had worn off). So now we have a cute little family of pumpkins on our porch ready to welcome fall. The kids are counting the days until Halloween and are really excited to trick or treat!
Here are a few pictures of the pumpkin patch extravaganza (before the tears).
Our attempt at a group picture (we're still delusional that we can get one of these).
"Hey guys! Look at Mommy!"
"Adah, look up!"
"Now Peyton and Sam look at me!"
The only one where everyone was looking somewhere near the camera.
And the pumpkin selection process begins ...
Sam turned this one down because it had "caterpillars" on it. Poor unloved pumpkin.
Waiting to make our purchase (that didn't really happen until the next day ... oops).
Fortunately, the pumpkin patch was right next to a park, so a quick trip over there quickly quelled the rising "lack of a pumpkin" tantrum. I wish all things in life were as easy to forgive with something as simple as a trip to the park!
Here are a few pictures of the pumpkin patch extravaganza (before the tears).
Our attempt at a group picture (we're still delusional that we can get one of these).
"Hey guys! Look at Mommy!"
"Adah, look up!"
"Now Peyton and Sam look at me!"
The only one where everyone was looking somewhere near the camera.
And the pumpkin selection process begins ...
Sam turned this one down because it had "caterpillars" on it. Poor unloved pumpkin.
Waiting to make our purchase (that didn't really happen until the next day ... oops).
Fortunately, the pumpkin patch was right next to a park, so a quick trip over there quickly quelled the rising "lack of a pumpkin" tantrum. I wish all things in life were as easy to forgive with something as simple as a trip to the park!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Picture of the Week - October 10
I wanted to try and start a tradition of capturing and posting a "picture of the week" on this blog. I want this picture to simply be a moment or emotion that I want to remember from the week. Something that made me or someone in my family feel something significant, a facial expression I don't want to forget, or an image I want to remember forever. The images don't necessarily have to be monumental, they just have to elicit emotions and memories that I don't want to forget.
This past week at the fair, Sam experienced one of his lifelong (albeit he's had a short life so far) dreams: Driving his beloved firetruck.
This past week at the fair, Sam experienced one of his lifelong (albeit he's had a short life so far) dreams: Driving his beloved firetruck.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Oh, The Places You'll Go
Living in a smaller town definitely has its benefits when you have to tote four children around in the car. In our previous city, you literally had to drive at least 10 minutes from our house to get anywhere, and you could have to drive up to 30 minutes or more to get to a specific place. Heck, my parents even lived in the same city as us and it took 40 minutes to get to their house! Needless to say, I am enjoying the "10 minute-ness" of our new town. It is seriously 10 minutes or less to get anywhere (even somewhere "clear on the other side of town").
Being so close to everything, I often take the kids with me on little errands and things that need to be done. Now, don't worry, I only take them to places within reason. For example, I cannot grocery shop with 4 children. Logistically (and for my own mental sanity) it just doesn't work. They still get to go (and love it actually), I just have to pick and choose the best times - namely when I have some reinforcements in the form of other adults with me. So the fact that it's four against one most days means that any errands I run are pretty restricted to ones I can do in the car. Therefore, my kids have become very adept at recognizing and pointing out all the places we regularly go when they see them as we drive by. I realized as I was driving the other day how funny all their names and descriptions were of these every day places, so I thought I would oblige my 3 readers out there and share.
Of course I had to start with my favorite store. We do frequent Costco a lot because when you have a 6 person family, you tend to need more paper towels (and fruit snacks, and 4 pound boxes of strawberries, etc.) than the average family. The kids love (I mean LOVE) this store. They call it "Crosco" and it's so cute that I don't correct them. They start screaming when we pass by all excited about getting a "smoovie" (translation: smoothie - they've had one and they're hooked) or a hot dog. Yes, we eat lunch at Costco when we go. I cannot possibly turn down paying $6 (that's right, $6 TOTAL) for my whole family to eat there. Best deal going in my opinion. This is also the store they pretend to go to when they drive around their little toy cars in the backyard. Sam often comes up to me and says, "Bye Mom. I'm going to Crosco and I'll bring you back a smoovie. Gimme a kiss", while he proceeds to run to his little car and drive off into the sunset. The boy knows the way to his momma's heart ... through her stomach and money savings.
I believe the good Lord was punishing me for something when he placed a Chick-fil-a on the road I have to take to the triplets' school every day. It taunts me every time I drive by. Of course I give in sometimes and the kids love it as much as I do. They didn't take to french fries originally (it was at this point that I thought they must have been switched at birth with some other triplet babies), but they eventually came around and now love waffle fries as much as the next kid. They affectionately refer to it as Chick-a-way and feel it is necessary to wave to it and shout salutations as we drive by. Unfortunately, this does not help my shrinking willpower to stay away for just ... one ... more ... day.
I used to never be the Starbucks type, but I must now admit that the cooler temperatures in North Carolina as well as the store's proximity to my home have converted me. I don't go every day, but if I manage to get myself and the four minis in the car for school before 8:40 in the morning, then I treat myself to a little reward. I would be a little scared if the kids knew what Starbucks was called, so they just refer to it as the "coffee store." However, it is a little sad that they now order for me at the window (I really don't go that much, I promise!). Yesterday, after treating myself, Peyton asked, "Mommy, does you like your Chai Tea Latte today, or is it still too hot?" After laughing, I realized that maybe I'm going to Starbucks a little more than I should (or at least I should order a better variety of drinks!).
Keeping with the trend of food (thoughts of it really consumes much of my day), here's another of our frequent joints. Fortunately, it's right across the street from Chick-a-way. Now, I seriously cannot remember the last time I ate actual food at a McDonald's. I simply go for one thing ... the large sweet tea that costs one whole dollar. I love this deal, I hope it never goes away. So on the days I'm feeling kinda thrifty, we'll hit up Mickey D's for some good southern lovin'. For a while, the kids called it the "drink store." A few days ago I told them it was called McDonald's. However, I neglected to think about this beforehand. You see, the only McDonald they know is Mr. Old McDonald himself. Therefore, they now shout hello to "Old McDonald's" when we pass by and I get to hear the moo-moos here and the oink-oinks there all the way home.
Finally, on every trip home we get to pass the gates of Wake Forest. The kids love to go to the college grounds and talk with the students (they say hello to all of them) and see all the cool things at the "big kids' school." One day I asked them what school it was as we passed by on the way home and Peyton responded, "Mommy, you know what that is. It's Wake up Forest!"
Car time has become a lot more interesting now that I have three little vocal passengers with me everywhere I go. Luke will be joining their voices soon (well, with cries other than "Elmo!" or "Uh oh!") and I hope I'll be able to hear above the din of their voices. But for now, it's fun to hear what they have to say about everything they see on our drives around town.
Being so close to everything, I often take the kids with me on little errands and things that need to be done. Now, don't worry, I only take them to places within reason. For example, I cannot grocery shop with 4 children. Logistically (and for my own mental sanity) it just doesn't work. They still get to go (and love it actually), I just have to pick and choose the best times - namely when I have some reinforcements in the form of other adults with me. So the fact that it's four against one most days means that any errands I run are pretty restricted to ones I can do in the car. Therefore, my kids have become very adept at recognizing and pointing out all the places we regularly go when they see them as we drive by. I realized as I was driving the other day how funny all their names and descriptions were of these every day places, so I thought I would oblige my 3 readers out there and share.
Of course I had to start with my favorite store. We do frequent Costco a lot because when you have a 6 person family, you tend to need more paper towels (and fruit snacks, and 4 pound boxes of strawberries, etc.) than the average family. The kids love (I mean LOVE) this store. They call it "Crosco" and it's so cute that I don't correct them. They start screaming when we pass by all excited about getting a "smoovie" (translation: smoothie - they've had one and they're hooked) or a hot dog. Yes, we eat lunch at Costco when we go. I cannot possibly turn down paying $6 (that's right, $6 TOTAL) for my whole family to eat there. Best deal going in my opinion. This is also the store they pretend to go to when they drive around their little toy cars in the backyard. Sam often comes up to me and says, "Bye Mom. I'm going to Crosco and I'll bring you back a smoovie. Gimme a kiss", while he proceeds to run to his little car and drive off into the sunset. The boy knows the way to his momma's heart ... through her stomach and money savings.
I believe the good Lord was punishing me for something when he placed a Chick-fil-a on the road I have to take to the triplets' school every day. It taunts me every time I drive by. Of course I give in sometimes and the kids love it as much as I do. They didn't take to french fries originally (it was at this point that I thought they must have been switched at birth with some other triplet babies), but they eventually came around and now love waffle fries as much as the next kid. They affectionately refer to it as Chick-a-way and feel it is necessary to wave to it and shout salutations as we drive by. Unfortunately, this does not help my shrinking willpower to stay away for just ... one ... more ... day.
I used to never be the Starbucks type, but I must now admit that the cooler temperatures in North Carolina as well as the store's proximity to my home have converted me. I don't go every day, but if I manage to get myself and the four minis in the car for school before 8:40 in the morning, then I treat myself to a little reward. I would be a little scared if the kids knew what Starbucks was called, so they just refer to it as the "coffee store." However, it is a little sad that they now order for me at the window (I really don't go that much, I promise!). Yesterday, after treating myself, Peyton asked, "Mommy, does you like your Chai Tea Latte today, or is it still too hot?" After laughing, I realized that maybe I'm going to Starbucks a little more than I should (or at least I should order a better variety of drinks!).
Keeping with the trend of food (thoughts of it really consumes much of my day), here's another of our frequent joints. Fortunately, it's right across the street from Chick-a-way. Now, I seriously cannot remember the last time I ate actual food at a McDonald's. I simply go for one thing ... the large sweet tea that costs one whole dollar. I love this deal, I hope it never goes away. So on the days I'm feeling kinda thrifty, we'll hit up Mickey D's for some good southern lovin'. For a while, the kids called it the "drink store." A few days ago I told them it was called McDonald's. However, I neglected to think about this beforehand. You see, the only McDonald they know is Mr. Old McDonald himself. Therefore, they now shout hello to "Old McDonald's" when we pass by and I get to hear the moo-moos here and the oink-oinks there all the way home.
Finally, on every trip home we get to pass the gates of Wake Forest. The kids love to go to the college grounds and talk with the students (they say hello to all of them) and see all the cool things at the "big kids' school." One day I asked them what school it was as we passed by on the way home and Peyton responded, "Mommy, you know what that is. It's Wake up Forest!"
Car time has become a lot more interesting now that I have three little vocal passengers with me everywhere I go. Luke will be joining their voices soon (well, with cries other than "Elmo!" or "Uh oh!") and I hope I'll be able to hear above the din of their voices. But for now, it's fun to hear what they have to say about everything they see on our drives around town.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Picture of the Week - October 3
I wanted to try and start a tradition of capturing and posting a "picture of the week" on this blog. I want this picture to simply be a moment or emotion that I want to remember from the week. Something that made me or someone in my family feel something significant, a facial expression I don't want to forget, or an image I want to remember forever. The images don't necessarily have to be monumental, they just have to elicit emotions and memories that I don't want to forget.
Who knew pumpkin picking was so exhausting?
Who knew pumpkin picking was so exhausting?
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