Twins, A Momma and A Single Skiing

I haven't been skiing in years.  I took my first ski trip up north in college with my dear college roommate, Erin and her family.  It was the best thing ever.  I remember thinking how could I have lived so many years and not have experienced something so fun.  I was taught to ski the right way (the Frederick way).  Erin and I drove up north to Boyne where her parents had a place for us to stay, they bought us the crazy ski hats, treated us to dinners and drinks all weekend and it was just a great time.  I then continued to take some trips while I was dating my DH (dear husband).  Several of his friends had condos so we would all pile in and ski during the day and sip cocktails into the evenings.  It was again a great experience.  It was not until I was married and I actually realized that skiing is a very expensive sport.  It wasn't until this past Tuesday that I really really realized that a family with 6 kids probably should pick a different past time. 

We are on break this week. (good lord, break really......... do we really need another week off in the middle of the miserable winter so that I spend my time trying to entertain children who are bored to tears?  We still have spring break coming in April.  I propose we get rid of one of these weeks and make everyone a bit happier and the checkbook a bit heavier) I decided to teach the older 3 kids the fine art of skiing on Tuesday.  We left the house by 9am and off to Mt. Holly we went.  We arrived and I am not going to lie.  I was calculating in my head just how I was going to teach these 3 how to ski when it has been 10 years since I have been skiing myself.  We paid (oh and did we pay....we don't own the equipment either so I took a deep breath and slid over my credit card thinking...this better be worth it and I hope these kids love it)  I got the 3 all situated and I overheard a dad asking about lessons.  I stepped a little closer and realized that instead of private lessons, if you had 3 people you could have a group lesson (ahhhh haaa..the first benefit of having multiple children at this moment).  I decided to get them an hour lesson just to give them a fair shot at liking this activity and to keep my patience level low especially if we were going to be here for the next 6 hours.  The instructor took them out to the hill with all of their gear while I went back in and paid for my ticket and rentals.  I was able to hit some of the hills on  my own and get back into the groove before my children saw me. 


The hour class is all they needed and off we went.  We quickly moved from the magic carpets, mastered the tow ropes and managed the ski lifts.  Eamon and Liam were doing well getting the feel of the skis and practicing what they were taught.  Mairin was keeping up with no problem and every time she would fall she would pop right back up and continue. (I warned everyone in the car that there would be no crying.  This was going to be frustrating at times but no crying was allowed). It was nearing the later afternoon when Eamon and Liam begged me to let them go to the bigger hill that had the speed lift.  I decided to let them go and they were in heaven.  They must have gone down that hill 30 times.  They did frustrate me when I observed them at the top of hill getting into their squatted position with their poles tucked neatly under their arms.  It was like they were doing what they see on the Olympics or how they have to compete on the Wii.  There were a couple of wipe outs by Eamon but other than having all of his gear spread 30 feet in different directions, on the side of a mountain it was no big deal.  He quickly figured out how to gather his gear and put it all back on.  Liam generally would wait for him at the bottom but never stop his momentum mid run.   Mairin got to the point where she wanted to ride the chair lift by herself and she wanted to do it all herself.  I found myself riding up alone and trying to ski with her on the way down.  She was such a little trooper and I must have told her a hundred times how proud of her I was. I really expected Mairin to get cold, want to go in, get bored etc, but she proved me wrong.

I had to beg them all to leave and promise that we would come back someday. (it was 4:30 and we had hockey practice at 6pm..thank goodness I grabbed the hockey gear and threw it in the car because we went from the ski hill to hockey practice.  I was secretly wondering if they would collapse with all of this activity for one day.) Eamon and Liam both said it was the best day ever and little Mairin insisted that she is now a good skier.  I was completely happy, satisfied with everything for the day.  I don't get to do things like this with the older 3 so as we were buckling up to head out I turned around and said, "Hey guys thanks for going with me, I had a lot of fun hanging out with you today".

Disco Day at West Maple

The last day before the school lets everyone out for a break they always seem to have a theme day.  I kind of enjoy the theme days as much as the kids do so of course I dig thru the house in hopes of finding the next best dress up for a cool theme day.  I have learned that Eamon doesn't want to be too dressed up in case someone laughs or makes fun of him, Liam is all in and doesn't care and Mairin it all depends on the outfit.  Thank goodness for good neighbors who loan out girl disco outfits we were ready to go Friday morning.  It was cute and I know the boys look more like hippies than they do disco but I convinced them it would work...LOL

Help We Need Something To Do......

The winter months in Michigan can drive anyone crazy but it can also send a mother over the edge with 6 kids cooped up in the house.  You can attempt to go outside but you really have to be up for the challenge.  You have to be prepared for the limited time that it will last, the work involved in getting everyone ready and the amount of mess you are prepared for while outside.  This year has been a mild winter and has been nice in some respects.  The kids have been riding their bikes in their boots and snowpants.  They have been able to walk and run comfortably and haven't been hijacked by any snowbanks.  They have been able to take a few runs down the hill on their sleds but knowing that the afternoon sun could very well make the snow dissappear by the time they wake up from naps.  This mild weather can also provide certain negative outcomes especially for little ones.  Puddles of water with only a sheet of ice on them and just a touch crushes the ice and exposes the temptation of water.  It starts with a touch from the edge of their boots and it doesn't take long until they are stomping in the puddles and using their gloves as their momentary shield as they dip them under water.  The few moments of joy quickly turns into tears and screams with hands that are wet, cold and miserable.  It turns into 3 sets of wet everything and also cuts the outdoor playtime in half.  I do my best to encourage driveway play when it is a melting day but it never works.  Children are drawn to water or mess. They can find a water and mud better then they can find a new pair of underwear in their underwear drawer.  

When we have exhausted the outdoor play we are forced to go back inside and try to discover something that will grab their attention.  I often put the older 3 in charge and tell them to take the trips downstairs and play with them.  The older 3 have taught the trips how to play knee hockey and my favorite (not) how to slide down the stairs on a cushion.  I cringe when they start sliding down the stairs but with some monitoring it seems to be great fun for all and it keeps everyone happy.  The latest and greatest fun is when the older ones give piggy back rides to the little ones.  They move about the house and the little ones just laugh and laugh. 

Enjoying February....

Every month brings new celebrations and new activities (especially for the little ones).  The older ones consider some of the activities to be a tradition while the little ones get to experience some of these Mott happenings for the first time.  No matter how many times you do an activity there is nothing better than the first time they get to do it.  My sister, Heidi baked the Valentines Day cookies this year and I made the frosting and pulled out the sprinkles.  The triplets each got a tray and a couple jars of sprinkles.  Heidi and I would spread the frosting and hand the cookies over for the decorating.  The triplets didn't take long to go thru 8 bottles of sprinkles and they didn't understand that they couldn't keep taking bites out of each cookie we set in front of them.  They were so methodical in how they dumped the sprinkles on the cookies.  They enjoyed making some mountains on top of each of the cookies.  Heidi and I ended up finishing the decorating and no one got sick so I guess all in all it was a success.

The kids also love having lots of family around because it seems like we are always celebrating a birthday.  We get all excited when it it time to celebrate Heidi's birthday because it means an ice cream cake and singing Happy Birthday.  I love how someones birthday brings joy to all the kids around.  I guess it makes sense though.  It doesn't matter who's day it is ...... it still means that mom will have treats for everyone.

He Is My Child And I Didn't Realize.....

Snack time yesterday we were sitting on the couch and watching our favorite "Calliou" and as Colin is watching the show he is carefully pulling out his cheese it one at a time. (I bought the scrabble ones so each one has a letter on it). He shows me the letter and tells me what it is.  A, G, D.....and he keeps pulling them out and he keeps correctly identifying them.  I grab the bag and dump them out and start asking him and he keeps answering correctly.  (this must be a mistake....I have been thru this age before and I haven't spent endless hours practicing letters in hopes of have a reader at 3 years old. My other children didn't know this age this age.)  Later on I got out the letter cards and ask Colin to come and sit on my lap.  I show the cards and he proceeds to tell me the letters as I show him one by one.  We continue on and some of the letters he tells me the sound rather than the letter.  I let David go thru the letters with him as well and David is a bit surprised too.  I am his mother and I am with him all of the time and I didn't realize he knew his letters.  I want to continue the test so I grab Declan and show him the cards.  Declan told me the color of the letter and the object that appeared with the letter but didn't say the letters.  He wants to get off my lap because he really isn't interested.   Hummmmm interesting.  Colin is always intense in whatever he does.  He plays hockey with his older brothers and he is very focused in the cartoons or movies in the car.  When he looks at a book he really looks over each page before turning to the next.  I think this is a perfect example of how little ones develop and grasp things at their own pace.  I have 3 little boys who are being raised in the same house, by the same parents with the same rules and the same exposures and Colin has learned his letters while the others are working on shapes and colors.  Finn and Declan have no interest at this point other than repeating what I say.

As a mom I have always wanted the best for my kids and when I had the twins I didn't really know what they should know and when they should know it (outside of doctor milestones).  I watched the twins begin school and that is when I first saw what other kids know and I  could see where my child fell in the mix.  I then had Mairin and was much more aware of what she would learn and when she would learn it.  I quickly realized that each kid develops at a different speed and watching a child "get it" is the most amazing and precious moment of being a parent.  I really find Kindergarten to be such a range of abilities.  You have the kids who are reading and those who are not quite there.  David and I spent several years watching the kids grow and now with the twins in 4th grade you see the important concepts, if grasped early, can make early learning so much easier.  I also saw first hand how most kids even out at 3rd grade and worrying about where your child ranks among the class might be of importance to you at the time, it really isn't that important in the end.  I am by no means an expert in education but it has been a bit of an eye opener to me in the past several years.  

It is so much fun to watch kids learn and grow.

My House From 4:06 to 5:26pm

It is 4:06pm at my house and here is what is unfolding.  I wonder if everyone has a house like this at this time?  I wonder how I am so ready for that time to come but how it can also wipe me out in no time if I am not mentally ready for it.  It is like strolling along on a walk and then immediately taking off into a full sprint. 
I can hear the rumbling and chatter out in the garage as the older 3 are rushing in to hang up their bags and take off their shoes.  A couple of 9 year old boys who make everything a race and a 7 year old girl who is trying her best to keep and be included.  She is often blown over and some sort of collision happens before they even enter the house.  They are so good at coming in and telling me about their day and then they are off to the kitchen table to tear open their backpacks pulling out a days worth of papers, dull and broken pencils and notes that need to be signed.  A lunch bag or 2 are usually on the floor under the table if they didn't remember to drop it on the counter.  Depending on the day I will ask them to go up and get the triplets up or I will go up and get them.  The beginning of dinner is usually on the stove and if I am running behind the counters have the leftovers of ingredients needed to create the meal of the evening.  "What is for dinner?" is one of the first questions and "when will it be ready?" is the next.

The older 3 are busy at the table completing spelling and an open laptop sits among the clutter.  The triplets come down and if they have been woken up (usually Colin) they need a few minutes on my lap.  I try to get a cartoon on immediately in order to re-adjust everyone to evening mode.  I am anxious to get up and leave the clingy one on the couch as something is usually boiling over or a timer is going off.  I am able to go back to the kitchen only to get my hands back into dinner when I have Declan who needs me to wipe him after a bathroom trip.  Mairin wants to show me a picture she drew for me at school and Eamon wants to take a spelling test and needs me to read the words for him.  Colin has decided that he has a boo boo and can I please put a band aid on it for him.  Finn is trying to put on an apron so he can help in the kitchen (that is his new thing.  He goes into the cupboards and moves things around and claims he is working.  He likes a dish cloth tied around his waist or clipped on him so he can work.  The towel is just big enough to go around him but small enough that I need to keep reattaching it) Liam is working on word masters and wants me to help him with a definition to a word that I have no idea what it means.  I ask him to wait for Dad to get home and he stomps off frustrated because he is that kid who wants to get it done and get it done now.  Eamon can sense my frustration and as much as he wants to ask me again when dinner will be ready he smiles and says, "mom I am going to go read so call me when dinner is ready".  Finn has now lost interest in helping in the kitchen and has decided he doesn't like his outfit so I see him in the family room..naked with the clothes drawer open trying on another outfit.  Colin and Declan are yelling at each other because one wants to shut a door and the other wants it open.  Mairin has now tuned out so a push is needed. "Mairin do you have your spelling done? xtra math? work packet? 20 minutes of reading"?  If there is a no to any of the above than she either wants to sit and debate why she has to do it or if she is in a good mood she will just dissappear and make it happen.  "Mom can I check my math homework with your phone calculator", "Mom did you read the note from Mrs. Ladd that we need a treat for the whole class for tomorrow", "Mom when I was in the lunch line today the lady told me I don't have any more money in my lunch account...will you remember to send in some"  As I write this I am realizing how many little things are stored in my head and how many things a mom needs to remember.   The triplets are now asking for a snack because I don't have dinner complete and they are ready to eat.  It is a fine line at this point.  Have dinner ready now or allow a snack.  Dinner right now will solve any meltdowns but a snack will hold them off.  A snack can also hold them off too long so that they are not interested in dinner.  There are nights when there is snack...dinner...snack.  These are the nights that I feel like I am stuck in the kitchen until everyone goes to bed. 

It is now 4:45 and we have to be out the door by 5:20 to make it to hockey practice.  Dinner is served and everyone makes their way to the table and usually Eamon and Liam are asking me to turn on the TV in the kitchen so they can eat and watch.  I say no every time and I wonder why they continue to ask.  The triplets always demand a lot at meal time.  I want my milk, I want, I want, I want.  I spend the dinner time handing out drinks, cutting up someones food and maybe emptying the dishwasher to make room for the dirty dishes being created.   We are usually missing David on hockey nights because we meet him at the rink. 

I attempt to slightly clean up after dinner and then it is off to corralling the little nuggets to get socks and shoes on. (I hate hate hate that they always take off their socks.  We have socks everywhere in this house.  They take them off at naps and usually whenever we get home from being out.  I can't seem to locate them when I need them so I am always grabbing for more)  The older 3 are in charge of getting the coats on the trips, loading them into the car and loading their hockey equipment.  This is really the luxury of the trip.  It is the one time that I do not have get them into the car and buckle them.  This method buys me an additional 10 to 15min to pack up some dinner to take to David, pack a bag of necessities for the trips and finish my kitchen clean up. (there is nothing worse to me than coming home to a disaster).  By the time I walk out and get in the car.........all 6 are buckled and ready to go.  I put the key in and hit reverse and we are off to hockey.

Naps...A Gift From God

Thank goodness for nap time. Mondays are swimming at Goldfish and we have established quite the routine. Annette and Kennedy (neighbor nanny and another little 3 year old) come over at 9am and we play until it is time to go to Goldfish. Our lessons are at 11:30 so we start loading the car at 10:50. I always pack 4 lunches so that when we are done swimming the kids can eat on the way home. (this is a sure way of getting a necessary meal out of the way to make room for long naps). There is no fooling around when we arrive home. We take off our coats and shoes and head directly upstairs for an afternoon of blissful sleep.

The triplets take their lesson until noon and when they are done I get the wonderful pleasure of joining them in the pool. Open swim is from noon to 1 so although I don't have to get into the pool for their lesson I have given in to my complete distaste of getting into a public pool in the middle of winter. It is not the water that bothers me, it is the fact that no mother needs to dig out a bathing suit in February. It is the idea of having to undress and glow in the dark with the white pasty skin or the fact that I get to stare at my toe nails and notice the pedicure that I haven't gotten since Labor Day weekend.

Upon arrival we all gather in a dressing room. Yesterday it seemed as if some of us were a bit on edge. Declan stood outside of the dressing room looking at the wall in a daze as I watched his pants slowly go from a light tan color to a dark brown. He then glanced down at his boots and watched the pee puddle at his feet. The "oh no" look came and immediately the whine of ..mommy I'm wet. When one pees..they all need to pee. We got Declan in the dressing room and just as we close the door there is the panic call from the other 2. "Got to go pee" "got to go pee". They are both naked, hoping around and holding themselves. (we aren't home so we can't just run out the door naked and find the bathroom). I am digging thru the swim bag trying to find the swim shorts so that I can get something on them and get them out the door fast enough to make it. (keep in mind that there is nothing relaxing about this event. It is always something and people wonder why I am always rushing and not taking time to enjoy...It is because "rush" is the only speed I seem to be familiar with these days)

We completed our lesson and our free swim and this is where...again it gets crazy. Triplets and I in a changing room and they are all wet. They can't pull off their suits on their own because they stick, they are shivering and they think it is funny to open the door. I decide to change first and they announce to everyone "mommy got underwear" "mommy go potty" etc etc etc. (Thank you wonderful sons for sharing with all of the Goldfish families exactly what your mom is doing...step by step in our cramped dressing room) We eventually gather our belongings and get out of the dressing room and now it is time for boots and coats. For some reason the hair dryers always stop us. There are 3 chairs and 3 dryers so all 3 get on the chairs and turn on the dryers and I try to wait patiently while they all hold the dryers in one place against their heads. They dry portions of their hair and by the time we leave they all have mohawk's sticking up in different directions. By the time we get loaded back into the car it seems like it has been a full day. I find the drivers seat and the ride home to be such a peaceful moment before we have to unload and empty. This is just a morning in the life of triplets....ahhhhhhh