Just Like You

Hayden. This girl is turning into quite the young lady. When she was age 3, she would tell people that she was 4. Now that she's 4 she tells everyone she is 5. She asks to wear my make-up and lip gloss every single day, she carries around a purse with a phone, wears jewelry and says she wants to get her ears pierced when she's 5. She likes to wear her dress-up shoes and cowgirl boots because they make the same sounds on the hard floor that my stilettos and boots do. And she BEGS to go with me to my ladies bible study, mom's night out or other grown-up events. 

Here she is all dressed up, clip-on earrings, sunglasses and all, when it was time for me to leave for a baby shower. After this photo was taken, I soon walked out the door. She was devastated that she couldn't come with me.

Hayden also rushes to join daddy in heading out for work most mornings that he is home. She sees him gather his things and she runs to grab her computer and put her shoes and jacket on so she can go to work with him. He tells her that he wishes she could come too and how much he loves her. She cries. He leaves. She cries some more. Little does she know all of the benefits of being age 4 rather than 31!

Payson. This boy cracks me up. He wore his three pairs of sunglasses like this for a FULL day! Yes, into the gym, school and various stores as we ran errands. I'm still not sure why but he liked it but it was cute. Self expression maybe. But probably just a boy being a boy.

We hosted some friends for dinner and the kids and their friend Charlotte made up a hula hoop train game of going round and round the house. They were laughing so hard until the fun ended, as most preschool games do, with one child getting "hurt." 

My college roommate and bridesmaid, Katie, is having her first baby and I got to celebrate with her while she was in town for a baby shower. Can't wait to meet Baby M!

There has been hardly any proof at all for the triplets that there is a season called winter. That's right, win·ter. /ˈwintər/. Nope, they didn't believe it. They just kept asking when it was going to snow. Poor Texas children.

But, as Keith and I dined for Valentine's Day, two days early, we looked out of the restaurant windows and saw snow fall (albeit wet snow). Miracles do happen. Upon arriving home we woke up the kids (oh, yes we did) to peek out the window to take a look. Fifteen magical minutes and now they believe.

So, what's new with Mom you ask? An iPhone. Yep, I finally did it. My previous phone, with which I could only make calls and send texts, completely broke down. I had resisted a smart phone because I didn't want it to cut into my time with the kids but it was getting ridiculous, I must admit, when I was having to call Keith during the day to look something up online! It is fabulous, of course, and I. Love. It! Especially how it magically syncs with everything from my Mac. Beautiful.

Dippin' on Valentine's Day

Keith and I went on a date over the weekend so the evening of Valentine's Day was a family celebration. The grande finale was homemade chocolate fondu with homemade pound cake, strawberries, bananas, marshmallows and cinnamon marshmallows for dipping.

This was Hayden, Payson and Madison's first fondu experience and it was definitely a big hit! 

1, 2, 3, GO! 

Pretty much every bite Hayden took looked like this. She. Loved. It!

Daddy had arrived home with roses in hand for all of his girls.

These girls will always know how they should be treated because their Daddy has been teaching them since birth.

Payson delivered a single rose to each of his sisters, his Mommy and Grandma. His smile was even bigger than the recipients' smiles - he was so happy to be the loving gift-giver. Such a young gentleman already!

A few nights earlier we had surprised the kids with a horse-drawn carriage ride.

Hayden and Payson snuggled in the back...

...while Madison rode up front with the George the driver.

 

Mommy and Daddy snuggled on the ride too!

Here are the Valentines that the kids delivered to their friends at school. They picked their designs, I helped them print and cut them and the kids finished up by decorating and assembling them.

Craft time at school!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

with love,

THE MELKERS

Ice Skating and Celebrating

Cousin Avery had her 7th birthday party at the ice skating rink so Hayden, Payson and Madison got to hit the ice for their first time. Nunie helped Hayden lace up!

They started the afternoon hardly able to walk in their ice skates and ended the day walking on the ground well and skating with confidence around the wall by themselves.

Of course Keith and I took them for a few spins around the ice and they improved more and more each time around.

They all enjoyed it but Hayden was the most giddy about the whole experience.
(l-r: Cousin Addison, Madison and Hayden)

The following weekend we celebrated Grandpa Irv's 90th birthday along with my mom's birthday. We are thrilled that he made the trip down so we could celebrate with him! A memory to treasure forever.

I treated Grandma to one of her favorite indulgences: Strawberry Pretzel Salad. YUM!

"Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday dear Grandpa..."

"Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday dear Grandma..."

Madison snuggled with her Great-Grandpa while we watched a slide show of his life in photographs.

The cousins had a wonderful time together, as always, and I was amazed to see them playing so calmly and quietly together... for once.

Of course that didn't last long. Before we knew it, their 4 1/2-year-old cousin had painted Madison and Hayden's nails (and the fingers and toes that go along with them) and the girls' had done their own make-up. Bath time!

Here's a cute shot of the kids with some of their friends at lunch after a playdate.

And I also enjoyed my own mom's night out with my special triplet and quad mommas! Thanks dads for putting our 40 kids to bed so we could have a night out!

A Jog Through January

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