High Five Cuz

A week in OKC

Here's how the week went down: On Monday all of the babies went to Mother's Day Out. They were nice enough to let Charlie "drop-in" for the day. He couldn't be in the triplets class because it was full, but still had a great day. It was quite interesting picking up 4 babies, a backpack, a lunchbag, and 4 napmats. When we got home we all had a grand time playing in the pod:

On Tuesday Julie's nannies (I say this in the plural sense because Julie had a fabulous nanny who also bring her 3 daughters to help watch the babies... they are ALL super helpful) took the kids to the zoo for the day. On this day, the Leclercq's were getting a new roof and it was so loud that the house was shaking... good thing the babies weren't there. On Wednesday I got all 4 babies to myself! We hit up the park in the morning. I contained them by putting them all into a pack and play so that I could do a shoe round-up:

The park was short lived because there was broken glass and Charlie was trying to eat it.

I got a workout in by lugging four humans up and down hills to and from the park.

We got our groove on:

The babies "helped" me pack up more stuff from the house.

And we played and played. The house was a wreck when Manny came home, but the babies were all alive... mission accomplished! That night we went to see Julie and Manny's (hope-to-be) new house... it is a GREAT one. 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, over 3,000 square feet... much better space for a family of five! On Thursday the nannies came again. I got to go to lunch with Julie and Manny and then go check out Manny's new Texadelphia that is in the process of being built. I can't wait to see it when it's finished! Thanks to Jessica for bringing Charlie and I back home!!

Father's Day Weekend

We had a fun filled weekend. On Saturday, we hung out with the babies at home, took them all swimming and then had a sitter come for the night so that we could go to a "fancy" dinner. On Sunday we took the babies to the zoo. First stop was the splash pools. Charlie LOVED it~ he was drenched! No one thought to bring a change of clothes for any of the babies, so they were in wet clothes all day. At least it kept them cool!

How do you travel with 4 babies... use the choo choo wagon!

We took the babies to see the birds, but left quickly when Sophia and Julie freaked out.

Dads and babies checking out the butterflies.

Happy Father's Day! Here, you are of charge of the kids.

We switched Cooper and Charlie's seating arrangement. Charlie got in the choo choo and Cooper passed out in the stroller.

When we got back from the zoo, we gave everyone a quick bath. Here is a nice one of Sophia in her birthday suit.

Everyone on the couch!

Happy Father's Day to two of the best fathers I know! Here are Manny and the trips:

And Patrick and Charlie:

Turn It Around

At our 15 mth appointment our pediatrician said that due to Charlie's height we would need to turn Charlie's car seat around to the front by 18 mths. Plus, one of our carseats has a weight limit of 30 lbs. turned backwards... Charlie is 27 lbs. So, we made the big swith (at least in Patrick's car) for the ride up to OKC. It's not going great. Charlie is in a more up right position, can't sleep well in this new position, has more things to look at, etc. It will take some getting used to. I will have to turn him around soon in my car also... his knees just about hit his chin when he is in his car seat these days. But, it has a weight limit of 35 lbs., so I might wait until 18 mths rolls around. Our little man is growing up!

Our Little Climber

Next will come the crib, I'm sure. Is the big boy bed just around the corner?

Father's Day Breakfast

The weekend started off with a Friday morning breakfast of "Donuts with Dad" at daycare. Since I missed "Muffins with Mom" (we were in Spicewood) over Mother's Day, I tagged along.

Here is cute Charlie in his Father's Day get-up:

Double fistin' the donuts... nice!

Breakfast pic:

For the weekend we headed to OKC to spend one last weekend in the Leclercq's house that they have sold and are moving out of next Wednesday! The weekend stay turned into a week stay for Charlie and I. It was apparent over the weekend that they needed all sorts of help with packing, childcare, and meeting with various workmen. Jen and Charles to the rescue! More pics to follow of our busy week!

Breakfast Bar

Typically Charlie sits in his "high chair" like this: (such the big man holding his drink all by himself)
But, lately I have been experimenting to see if he can eat off of the breakfast bar (without throwing food on the ground). What do you know... success!!

Swim Lessons

Today concluded our two week session of swim classes. Charlie (and I) have been taking them every afternoon at our YMCA and he has really loved them. He has (sort of) learned to kick, scoop his arms, blow bubbles, lay on his back, and hold his breath (aka- make a monkey face). The best part is that he now has no fear when it comes to water. No longer does he hold onto me for dear life. It's nice, yet kind of scary at the same time... he will lunge out of my arms to get a ball or any other toy he sees floating in the water. We are looking forward to many more afternoon at the Y!

Lunch Date

Charlie and I frequent Chick-fil-a on lunch dates. They are fast food, but still will bring your food to you, get you refills and clean up after you... all convenient with a toddler in tow. Plus, they have an indoor playground... what could be better than that? Truth be told, though, I'm kind of buned out. Anyone have any other fun suggestions?

Bring it on in!

It's already so darn hot here... it seems like the only time we can play outdoors is either early mornings or late afternoon. So, my solution is to bring the outdoors in.

New Trick

Charlie has figured out how to take the plug covers off. Great! He will spend many minutes taking one out and putting it back in. I have invested in the plug covers that lock and will be installing them today... don't you worry!

Fashionista

Charlie is really into hats these days... all sorts of hats:

Big Hair Cut

Charlie's hair was starting to get a little out of control... especially in the back. His hair was becoming a nice bowl-shape. So, we decided to take him for his first haircut. It was pretty spur of the moment, so we went to the closest place, which was not one of those kid-only type places. I'm not sure it would have mattered where we were though. It did.not.go.well! I held Charlie's hands, Patrick held his face, and the guy cut as quickly as possible all through tears, lunges to get away, and an arched back in an attempt to get the scissors away. Poor guy... it was traumatic.

Kitchen Completion

Flashback: Remember when our kitchen looked like this? (Just a few short months ago?)
Crazy, right?

You see those pictures hanging above the window in the first picture? Those where made by my Great Grandmother, Granny Cherry. (On my mom's side, of course.) As where the yellow ceramic containers that are on the ledges next to the window. In our new kitchen, I really wanted to keep these as they are special heirlooms. So, I modernized the frames from this:
To this:
OK- that was step 1.

I then wanted to do something about that window... some sort of window shade/valance/cover. So I ordered some fabric and got to working. I tried to do this roman shade idea, but ended up with a roman shade-like window covering that doesn't move. That's OK. I don't mind the way it turned out (notice the yellow ceramic containers are now showcased on either side of the window):

And the complete package:

In addition to these changes, I have decided that I would like to keep fresh flowers around. Here are my latest from Sam's:

And, the completed look:

Funday Sunday

Remember when "Funday Sunday" consisted of finding a patio somewhere and drinking all day? Well, times have changed. This was our Funday Sunday this past weekend:
That's right, we broke out the pools:

Charlie loved manning the hose, especially when Hank would come drink from it.

To add to the excitement, we added the basketball goal to the party.

Even more fun? Getting all 3 boys in the pool. Fun times!