Jessica's Favorite Things 2011

I always enjoy pulling together my annual Jessica's Favorite Things post because I get to reflect on the last year and how much the kids have grown and developed. I am also humbled by the abundant blessings God has given us.

Badger Basket Polka Dots Triple Doll Stroller

My little babies are growing up! This is the first year that I don't have a stroller on the list. Well, not a full-size stroller anyway. But, the girls' new triplet baby-doll stroller is definitely a big hit in the Melker household. I had to laugh when Madison told me how hard it was to turn. If she only knew!

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Digital SLR Camera with Canon EF-S 18-135mm IS lens

At the very end of 2010 my camera was lost/stollen so I finally had the excuse that I needed to get the DSLR camera that I had contemplated purchasing for years. I purchased our new camera, attended a photography class with a local photographer and then the clicking began. I love it and can easily take thousands of photos in less than a month. I can now capture the kids while they're on the move and even get some fancy shots now and again.
(Photo above of a Nikon DSLR sitting across the table at my photography class.)

Digital Blue Disney Pix Jr. Digital Camera

Speaking of cameras, the kids have loved having their own digital camera. It's great because it helps take the focus off my camera which is definitely off limits for kids. And they are learning how to line up their subjects and objects and take great pictures of their own. They can even add their favorite Disney character to the photo by selecting it from a list of graphics before they take each photo.

Leaflet 500ml Lunch Box Bento Box

This reusable bento box comes with three compartments (that I removed for this special Halloween lunch) and I use it every time I pack the kids' lunches. It fits a whole sandwich (cut in half and stacked) and has room for two sides. All three bento boxes fit in one big lunch box bag and I love how I don't use a single plastic or paper bag (except for special occasions as seen above). The only change I might have made is getting the 650ml one instead.

Rainpals Rain Boots

These rain boots have been awesome! The kids wear them constantly, whether it's raining or not, and they are easy for them to slip on and off quickly (and close to nothing is done quickly with triplets - except for gaining a large family instantly, I suppose!). Think the convenience and ease of Crocs but with the warmth and protection you need for winter and spring!

Dress-up clothes

Our kids spend a lot of time getting in and out of our dress-up closet. Nearly everyday we have a princess, policeman, pirate, fairy, or superhero on our hands. Dress-up clothes used to be for home only but I decided to stop fighting that battle and to let the kids express themselves as they wish. So, we oftentimes have moments like the one above.

Radio Flyer Fold 2 Go Trike

The kids outgrew these tricycles this fall as their knees began to hit the handlebars, but these trikes saw a lot of action on the back patio and during rides around our block or to the playground. The kids all learned to pedal on these trikes which stayed in great condition throughout their time with us even though we had bought them used from some fellow moms of multiples. And the kids loved to collect treasures in their baskets along their neighborhood excursions.

Stearns Kids Puddle Jumper Basic Life Jacket

I don't know how Keith and I could have managed the pool with three preschoolers without these wonderful Puddle Jumpers. Sure, there are other floatation devices out there, but the kids love these and the design allows them to lean forward and "swim" on their tummies which was/is crucial in helping them learn how to swim on their own.

Outdoor Playset

This outdoor playset has been so much fun for the kids that I can't believe that we decided so many times over the last few years not to get one! The clubhouse on the bottom (with accompanying doorbell!) definitely provides additional interest for the kids and the whole set in general keeps them active and entertained.

And, as in 2010's list, these favorites continue to please:

- Little Tikes Endless Adventures Fold 'n Store Picnic Table

- Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel

- Monogramed Nap Mats by Mimi Made it Designs
- KidKraft Train Table

Jessica's Favorite Things 2010
Jessica's Favorite Things 2009
Jessica's Favorite Things 2008

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

Christmas morning...

We started our morning by reading the real Christmas story in the bible and acted out the manger scene with the kids' nativity set. Here's a video sneak peak of what followed...

After a look at the unwrapped toys under the tree, Madison led the group in going through our stockings.

Hayden quickly helped Santa eat his leftover cookies!

I just love the stocking tradition and how each family puts their own spin on it. We have a handful of "regulars" that show up every year as well as fun new things as well.

Payson's medieval castle was an instant hit and his first presents to open were the knights, horses and dragon that Grandma gave them to go with it!

Grandma also gave the girls a collection of princess figurines to go with their new princess castle. Madison quickly got lost in her imagination. I love how she talks aloud in her sweet, soft voice when she plays pretend by herself.

Matching ties for the boys!

Legos were a big part of Payson's Christmas and he spent a good part of the morning playing with them. In fact, all of the kids would stop and play with each new toy for up to 15-20 minutes before we would remind them that there were more presents to open. I love how they really engaged with each gift instead of tossing it aside for the next one.

Keith taught Payson how to take his first remote controlled car for a spin.

This Vtech "Kidijamz Studio" was a huge hit! They love this thing and it's a bonus that they can all get their hands on it at once.

After a family breakfast, we headed to Pops and Nunie's house for the kids to nap before doing Christmas with my extended family. It was so sweet to watch big cousin Avery read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to Madison.

There were presents galore! First we did an adult "Dirty Santa" gift exchange, then onto stockings and then we let the kids loose!

All *seven* kids - Hayden, Payson, Addison, Carleigh, Gretchen, Madison and Avery at the end of a fun day. We are all so blessed.

Eve and ICE!

After a week of respiratory infections and the stomach bug, we put our illnesses behind us (all except for those persistent coughs, of course) to enjoy the magic and wonder of Christmas. Christmas Eve went as smooth as can be as the two Melker elves laid out the remaining gifts under the tree.

We had spent that afternoon at Gam & Grandad's house where the kids went on their much anticipated golf cart ride. If only we could find the key... 

Madison, Hayden, Nunie and cousin Addison were ready for take-off.

The key was located and Uncle Brandon, with cousin Avery and Payson, took the kids for a spin as the mist drizzled upon them.

If only I had video instead of photos to capture the squeals of delight when the girls opened their 7-set Barbie-doll sized Disney princess set. It was the sound of every gift-givers dream and was the ultimate Christmas gift for two 4-year-old princesses-in-training.

Following our Christmas Eve church service we headed home to decorate cookies for Santa - a very popular tradition in the Melker house!

Followed by another tradition of opening new jammies on Christmas Eve!

The kids had made personalized glass plates at school so this year we had three plates of cookies for Santa.

Daddy carefully guided the kids to the fireplace in an effort to avoid having any broken plates, ruined cookies or massive Christmas Eve meltdowns!

That'll do it! Now all we need is the milk!

The day prior we made our first visit to the famous ICE! exhibit at the Gaylord Texan.

This year's theme, Shrek the Halls, was the perfect fit for our triplets as Shrek and Fiona's triplets were also on display! Hayden is both warm natured and not a fan of restrictive winter clothes so it was all I could do to get her to commit to a hat and her own jacket. She wanted nothing to do with the parkas that EVERY. OTHER. PERSON. has worn in the history of the exhibit!

 And as you may remember, we also had Three Little Pigs for Halloween two years ago!

Payson wanted a photo in front of all of the various ice sculptures. He is always so good to his Mama!

Our brave little Madison was the first to go down the ice slide. That girl loves adventure! With some encouragement (we'll use that word) from Dad, Payson tried it too. Hayden opted out. Add that to the list of battles that we choose not to fight. :)

I was pleasantly surprised to see that the final ice sculpture was of Jesus and the manger scene. The kids were so excited to see it and point out the various characters.

The kids also enjoyed this large Gingerbread house of the Gaylord Texan Hotel.

And Hayden liked these decorative gingerbread men.

Speaking of gingerbread, the kids decorated their own train and houses again like last year but this year we took it to another level with mini gingerbread men and snowmen made out of marshmallows. Not surprisingly Hayden's house was picked at quite a bit over the days that followed!

We had a great visit with Keith's family while they were in town for the kids' 4th birthday party. Here are ALL of the grandkids (I think Marshall officially completes this generation of the family tree) with Grammy and GP at our church.

We braved the Texas cold (ha!) to attend a local evening holiday event. The band was a big hit with the kids and Hayden danced so hard that she eventually took off her jacket and danced in her short-sleeved t-shirt! I'm sure other parents thought we were crazy but, after all, it is just a myth that you can catch a cold from the, well, cold! (Battle count: 0)

The weekend before Christmas we also hosted and enjoyed a Christmas party with our Life Group at church which included a fun family "Dirty Santa" gift exchange. Such a special group of people!

Tutus and Choo Choos!

In the midst of the holiday chaos, last week our beautiful babies turned 4. We threw them a super fun birthday party that had them on cloud nine. Yay for no tantrums from the birthday girls and boy! I didn't know if we could top last year's party, but it was a big hit! The theme was "Tutus and Choo Choos" with Madison choosing to be a princess and Hayden a ballerina. Here is the invitation that I designed (with the help of my favorite Mac trainer, of course!)

The party's this way!

This place seriously had everything a 4-year-old could want. A dress-up closet...

Toy dinosaurs and bugs...

Cars, trucks and superhero figures...

A baby doll nursery... where I caught Madison taking care of "baby Payson"...

And their friend Spencer playing doctor of quads!...

There's a ride-on merry-go-round...

Roller coasters...

Basketball...

Bounce house with slides...

 Rock climbing...

Indoor jungle gym...

And a dollhouse play area. There was plenty to do and we had the place all to ourselves!

Madison and Daddy.

Hayden, Madison and Payson's friends and party guests were so good about getting a group photo with them.

Check out these amazing cakes we had a lady make for them. I'm not sure who loved them more - me or the kids! They were stunning!

We sang "Happy Birthday" to each of the kids individually and they each blew out their own candles. Hayden blew hers out with her first try, Payson had one lone candle remaining until his second blow and Madison needed a little help from brother after about four tries. They are always so unique and different even when it comes to blowing out their candles!

Me with my lovely princess Madison.

The boys room was ALL BOY! Lots of train decor and lots of play and silliness going on in there!

The girls all immediately put on their crowns and were surprisingly quiet as they ate their snacks and cake. It was all sweetness in that room!

And for school the week before, I made these cupcakes for the kids to share with their classmates. I hear that they were a hit!

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY

Hayden, Payson & Madison!