Long Weekend!

Griffin walking in his walker, what a big boy!

Patriotic triplets!

Maxim playing intensely.
Alex trying new foods, sloppy joes YUM!
Emerson says "no more pictures Mama, I'm sick!".

Boys, being boys!

Happy Earth Day!

Long Weekend!

What a week. The week and the long weekend seemed to fly by. Isn't that always the case? When you want to take some leisure time and enjoy the beautiful weather, it's just here and gone before you know it. Since early last week the boys have been sick. You know the sick I mean, runny noses, stuffy heads, coughs and snot everywhere. I know it has to do with sinus' and there is really nothing I can do about it. Even poor little Griffin was sick. The colds barely affected our outdoor activities though. It was so beautiful outside, the thought of being couped up all weekend was too much to bare. Needless to say we spent the weekend at home and enjoyed the yard. On Saturday our good friends Mike & Kelly along with Kyle and Gabby all came to visit. It was a lovely evening and the weather was great. We spent the rest of the long weekend roto tilling, weed pulling and erecting a fence for our new vegetable garden. We have around 50 vegetable plants that will be in the ground by this coming weekend. I have to say my husband did a wonderful job putting up the new fence and gate. It looks quite professional. We also opened the pool. It was nerve wrecking to wonder what we where going to find under the winter cover. Much to our surprise the water was crystal clear. The debris was minimal and all we needed was to fill it up with more water. We are hoping to get it cleaned and chemicaled up this weekend after the planting is done. We'll see, the weather is supposed to be iffy.

Looking out the window, triplet style!

Like I said the triplets where sick all week. This didn't stop them from playing hard everyday. Emerson has a new hobby of sitting in the back of the couch in the living room and watching the cars go by. Occasionally the other two join him and at certain times all three are hanging from the tops of the windows looking out. It must be quite a sight from outside. We have had several people honk and passer-byes wave. While waiting for Austin to get off the school bus one woman said to me "your boys are beautiful", when I turned I saw them all in the window laughing. Maxim had a heck of a week as you could probably read from my previous post. I'll be glad when he looses the "clumsys". Alex is well, Alex. He actually grabbed my face on Wednesday and said "Wuv vu"(love you in Alex-ize). I thought I would melt right on the spot. His talking is getting better and better. The other boys are still just in the "mama, dada, austin, meow, nums" phase. I don't think they are overly delayed in speech but they definitely lag behind Alex. All in good time they will ALL be yelling at me!

I know I've said it before but Griffin is Super-baby. He is now cruising in his walker! I put him in, just as a change from his seats and swing and he loved it. He scooted(backwards of course)all over the kitchen. He smiles and laughs and loves to push the buttons for the music. He still needs a little propping by a blanket but at 4 1/2 months he has amazing strength and control of his body. Like I said...SUPER BABY!

Austin is doing great. He is working hard at getting tooth number 2 out! He wiggles and wiggles that thing. He won't be happy until he's toothless! He is almost done with school for the year and we are contemplating some programs for him. I am hoping to get him into a reading program and possibly martial arts of some kind. He needs something since his coordination leaves something to be desired. I also think the discipline that martial arts offers can only benefit him in the long run. We'll see, all options are under discussion.

I would like to wish my husband of now 9 years a happy anniversary. On Tuesday we celebrated 9 years and 5 kids strong(our new motto). I know we where predestined to be together. God knew what he was doing when he brought us together! We have had an interesting 9 years. Irregardless of all the drama, good times and bad, one thing has been consistent and that is our love. We have had our share of nay sayers and have proved them all wrong. We promised this year would be the year we focus on our family and rid our lives of all the stresses from outside sources. So to the love of my life I say Happy anniversary and here's to many more. I love you!

New veggie garden pictures to come next week! I am very proud to be doing this project just me and my hubby.

Oops he did it, AGAIN!

Boo Boo lip!

Boo Boo lip and two bandaged knees!

Oops he did it, AGAIN!

Now for this installment of the bumps and bruises of Maxim Stinner! Well my clumsy little man is at it again. On Wednesday I was cleaning up the kitchen while the triplets ran around and ate lunch(They no longer sit in their high chairs for lunch except when with Mrs. Debbie). When all of a sudden Max comes running around the corner, into the kitchen. By the time I turned to him he was tripping over the rug and flying face first into his little table. I immediately grabbed him to asses the damage. He bit almost completely through his lower lip. I called David at work to prepare him for another possible trip to the ER. The ironic thing is that last weeks finger drama was exactly one week to the day and almost to the minute! After monitoring the bleeding and cleaning up Max's mouth I discovered it wouldn't need stitches. Thank God! Can you imagine stitches in your mouth. He would have yanked them out for sure. After about an hour of calming him down I decided to take the boys out back for some fresh air. Big mistake! Within 5 minutes, Max ran down the sidewalk and tripped skinning both knee's! Ugghh! I think this kid is an accident waiting to happen. I know little boys are rough and tough but COME ON! My poor baby! Well, Max is doing much better. He hasn't skinned, broken or bruised anything in a day or so. However, he did wake up with one HECK of a cold! Oh God give me strength!!!!!!

Going...

Going...

GONE!

Going, Going, Gone!

Yesterday Austin came home with a loose tooth. It's actually been loose for some time but today it was LOOSE! You know the kind of loose that a tooth gets when it's clinging to that last ligament. So he played with it and played with it. I kept offering to yank it out for him, but NO...he wanted to do it himself. Finally I convinced him to let me take a look and "see" how loose it really was. With that I reached in and yanked out his first tooth! It came out with no blood and no problems. He was so excited! He ran around in circles looking in every mirror he could find. I guess next time he won't be such a scardy cat when it comes to pulling out the tooth. Who knows he may just start yanking them all out!

He was so excited to put his tooth in his little star tooth holder he got when he was 2. He put it under his pillow and this morning was very surprised when the "Tooth Fairy" left him a one dollar bill and a coupon for dessert at school! The "Tooth Fairy" was apparently out of new toothbrushes...she better stock up for next time! He was so excited to go to school and show all his friends that he's growing up and loosing his teeth. I on the other hand am feeling a little sad. Sad that my first baby is growing up so quickly. I don't know where the time went. I'm hoping it slows down.

Busy, Busy 2

Emerson

Maxim

Alex

Austin and Zack (his BFF). He asked me to post this pic!

My baby sister getting her diploma(trust me, it's her!)

My baby, eating his hand and watching Aunt Ella graduate!

Busy, Busy 2

The week started out crazy with the trips to the doctors and ER and the rest of the week was pretty much the same. I have been trying to get the kids acclimated to spending as much time outside as possible. So every chance we get we are in the yard or going for walks. As anyone with multiples can tell you their children are usually pretty isolated. It's a difficult task to watch several children, all he same age going in all different directions. Not to mention having a 6 year old who doesn't always listen and an infant who is needy on a whole different level. For most of the winter we where inside for fear of flu or sickness that would leave the whole family debilitated and now it's such a huge task to get 5 children ready to go anywhere that we tend to stick to our home and the surrounding areas. When we go outside our normal realm the kids tend to act out and then we get the stupid comments like "oh, you've got your hands full" and the "better you an me's ". All though I have seen people with just 1 child who is acting like a crazy kid and I would never think to say anything, people always feel the need to make comments to me. Don't people think..maybe they should just let me be when I'm trying to control the kids rather than getting involved with stupid comments.

So anyway, the weekend approached and the weather turned cold as it often does in the Buffalo springtime. We still dressed the kids as warm as we could and sent them in the yard. Surprisingly enough the weather doesn't seem to bother them. I did a lot of gardening and the boys did their best to help. As I was planting the annual flowers they were digging them back up and handing them to me. They looked so proud that I couldn't possibly be angry. Than as I filled another planter with dirt, they would dig it back up. At one point all three little boys where covered with dirt and so was Austin. I guess it was my own fault for buying them gardening equipment. We had been looking for to Saturday for several months. We where invited to the NICU Reunion at Sisters Hospital. The NICU is someplace that is very important to my husband and I. All four of our little boys spent time there and they all did such a wonderful job. The nurses and the doctors became a part of our family. I personally couldn't wait. When the time came I dressed the kids in special matching outfits(so I could tell my children from the others) and we headed out as a large family of seven to Sisters Hospital. When we arrived it seemed like such organized ciaos. Their wee families as far as the eyes could see, kids everywhere and a juggler of sorts in the corner entertaining the masses. I scanned the area hoping to see our favorite nurses but saw no one. Emerson was already starting to fuss since he refused to take a nap. Within 5 minutes my boys where off and running. I went to get snacks to entertain them (again scanning the room). They ate, Austin complained, Emerson cried, Alex colored and Max observed. Griffin just hung out in the stroller the whole time. I was disappointed, we only saw 2 nurses the whole time we where there. None of the doctors where their and we pretty much wasted our day. Maybe next years reunion will be better.

Sunday was a beautiful day. My sister Gabrielle graduated from Niagara university. Actually she graduated in December(a semester early) but the ceremony was Sunday at UB. I brought Griffin as to not torture David by leaving all 5 kids and quite frankly he is the lesser of 5 evils. He seemed to enjoy having my mother, sister and Aunt all to himself that was until he was awoken by our hoots and hollers as my baby sister crossed the stage. Shortly there after we left. I went home and gathered the family for the party. We among the first to arrive and believe me that is quite a feat for us. The boys where irritable but in their defence we where outside, there where a ton of people they didn't know and it was freezing. After visiting for several hours I was more than happy to take my tired, filthy brood home. They seemed the happiest when finally getting into their cozy car seats and watching their movie. After that crazy day I was happy when all kids where home bathed, jammied and in bed by 8:30. Only 30 minutes off from our schedule. Not bad for this cranky mother of 5! I'm happy this week is over. I hope the weather gets better so we can start another crazy week off better. No Dr's appointments, no trips to the ER!

Medical Intervention!

My beautiful boy!

Max's boo boo!

Medical Intervention!

I took Griffin to the Doctor for his 4 month check up. He is an amazing little man. Trying to sit up and rolling over. He is in the 75th percentile for height and weight! 15.35lbs and 23 3/4 inches long! He's a moose. A happy, smiley, talkative, mostly sleeping through the night moose! The only downside is he will need minor surgery soon for an undecended testicle. AWWW, my poor baby. I'm sure he'll be fine. Unfortunately I have to post pone some summer plans until I know when his surgery will be but I'm sure all involved will understand.

Wednesday was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and birds where singing. I decided that the boys needed fresh air and I needed to do some yard work. I set up the boys fence, brought out some toys and started to trim the bushes out front. I figured since Austin was due home at anytime I would work out front. Before long Max was getting fussy. He really doesn't like to be confined for very long. I decided I would put the kids back in the house one by one and clean up later. First Max since he was fussy, than Emerson, Alex third and Griffin last. The older boys are pretty easy to just open the door and set them in. The house is baby proofed so they really have no where to go. I didn't want to leave anyone alone so I would just put them through the front door than go get the next one. I put Max and Emerson in and went to grab Alex when I hear SCREAMING! It was Maxim. My heart sank as I ran into the house with Alex. Max was holding his hand and their was blood dripping down. A mothers worst nightmare. I grabbed Max and a towel that was conveniently on the floor. I wrapped his hand, placed him on the floor and went to get Griffin. When I got everyone safe in the house I looked at Max's hand I realized he had got his finger slammed in the large oak door leading to our foyer. Emerson loves to close everyone in the hallway and he must have shut it as Max was pulling himself up. Oh well, what could I do. After I cleaned Max up I realized this would be the first trip to ER for one of my boys. I had to take him because he was favoring his middle finger as if it where broken. I called David, who immediately came home. I rushed Max to the hospital fearing the worst. They ushered us in quickly and into X-ray. Within 1 hour we where told Max did not break any bones! He just bruised it very badly! Thank God! I was so worried and the fear of having his hand in a cast and trying to prevent everyone form yanking on it was freaking me out. Anyway, he is doing well. The finger is still swollen but is healing. I hope he doesn't loose his nail, that would just be gross!

Busy, Busy

Awww, my babies.

Alex and Griffin hanging out.

Happy Alex

My sweetie Emerson.

Alex and Griffin strollin!

My handsome boy, Austin!

Griffin's first food, he hated it!

Maxim growing up so fast!

Busy, Busy

Did you ever feel like there aren't enough hours in the day? Lately that's what I feel like. I had one of those weeks that was so busy. Even when I was sleeping, I was dreaming of all the things I needed to get done. The week started out calm enough. A trip to the vet for the cat(just her normal yearly physical), shopping and some time outside with my boys. We had some underground electrical work completed for the pool and their was a huge trench in the yard. So I went out and filled most of it in while the boys ran and played. I than started to work on pulling the weeds out of my soon-to-be garden. Not fun! I picked up all the plants I ordered from Austins school and we have begun work on clearing our veggie garden. We don't have the plants in the ground yet but plan to do so in the next few weeks. I volunteered to work the plant sale at Austins school as well, that was fun. I was only there a few hours but it felt allot longer. I'm glad I limit my volunteering. Just the smell of cafeteria food makes my stomach turn! School is behind me and for that I am grateful.

Friday I went to Austin's school again this time for a Mother's Day Tea celebration. It was lovely. Austin gave me a "makeover", he brushed my hair, applied makeup and painted my nails. This was encouragement from his teacher to be attentive to moms on their special day. He was not thrilled about it but he obliged. He gave me a beautiful planter he painted his self complete with a pink impatient. He also drew a lovely picture of me(it was cute, had big blue eyes with long crazy eyelashes and no hair on the head) it looked just like me!On Saturday we where supposed to go to Fantasy Island with the kids. However the weather took a strange turn and we decided to skip it. It was a good thing we did because the wind would have made t impossible. In the afternoon, we headed to a birthday party for our friends son. Within 10 minutes both Max and Emerson made it clear they wanted no part of the bounce house scene. David took them out for a walk while I stayed with the other 3. Austin loves to bounce and was gone every time I turned around. Running like a mad man! I had Griffin in the Baby Bjorn(front pouch)he loved to people watch. He seemed almost unfazed about the ciaos around him. Alex just loved the baby bouncing section and the miniature golf course. They had all been there not too long before since Austins Birthday was there in February. After the party we joined David and the boys in the van where they'd been sitting for a little while watching a movie. Thank God we installed that DVD system! Best thing we ever did. I was glad to get home and bathe the boys. I needed down time.

Sunday was Mother's Day. David made reservations for a buffet but at the last moment we decided not to go because the kids where fussy and 6 kids(mine +my brother)along with us and my mom would just be overwhelming and enjoyable. So I decided to make a surf and turf feast for me and my mom at our house. The food turned out great. Everyone enjoyed the extra thick steaks on the grill, crab legs, shrimp cocktails, crab cakes, stuffed mushrooms, tons of appetizers and a super sonic antipasto. I didn't eat much for fear of screwing up my diet(down almost 10 lbs in less than a month!). I'm sure Mother's Day will be more enjoyable for me when my boys are older and can take care of themselves. But until than it's just another work day for this Mommy! I do want to say Happy Mother's Day to all those Mother's and Mother type people.

Fear

Austin, nice new glasses...so grown up

Who us?

Happy

Fear

First of all I would like to say that my children had a wonderful week. Aside from a small cold everyone is doing fine. Griffin is a little chatterbox. He is cooing up a storm. He is trying desperately to sit up and rolled over for the first time over the weekend. We borrowed a crib from our niece Renee(Thanks) and he is transitioning nicely. I almost think he likes being in a big boy bed. Austin is doing phenomenal. I had a meeting with his teacher this week and she told me his vocabulary is through the roof and he is a wonderful reader. She said he definitely has an active imagination and has really come out of his shell. (I was unaware he had a shell since he is the most outgoing kid I've ever met.) The triplets where a little fussy this week. It's hard to have a Spring cold. I took Max to the doctors thinking he may have an ear infection but he was clear. I think they may have seasonal allergies like me. They have been enjoying the outside. We took several walks in the new stroller this week and even went to the park behind Austin's school. They loved running in the open areas and Emerson cracked me up with his fascination with the slides. Alex is Superman. He is talking so much. We actually have conversations now. His vocabulary is going to be like Austins. He is way advanced in the speaking areas, God help me. The other two say what they need to get by. I think Alex and Austin do all the talking for them. What a joy my boys are!

Now for one of my motherly rants. I have heard some disturbing statements lately. Not necessarily about my children but about life in general. One thing that disturbs me most is the FEAR I hear in peoples voices and see in their faces. I hear about religious propaganda that claims the worlds recent events are a foretelling of the end of the world. Wow, even if the end of the world was coming shouldn't us Christians be the ones that are fearing the least. Our souls are saved, we know where we're going, so why fear? That's how I feel. I have no irrational fears about events happening or outbreaks. Another disturbing issue is the Swine Flu epidemic or pandemic now. It is a flu, people! The only difference between this flu and the others we all seemed to get this winter are that they haven't come up with a vaccination to prevent it. However it is completely curable. Unless your a newborn, 90 or immuno-suppressed you will be fine. Stop freaking out and wearing masks in public...they do nothing! Wash your hands and steer clear of people who look and sound sick. Antibiotics are treating and curing it. I too am watching the news and hear all the rumors and inaccurate information that's put out to scare people into buying products they don't need. As a mother I always have an over abundance of food in my home. But would I stock pile? No. I have what I have and refuse to waste what I won't use. It's always a good idea to have some emergency essentials but why go overboard? I look at my kids and I have everyday fears. Fears they will get hurt if they fall, fears they will get sick, fears they will not feel loved enough or fears I will somehow out live them. These are normal parental fears. I will not stay in my house for fear of flu. I will not sand bag my house for fear of flood, I will not stockpile food for fear of famine. Instead, I will live my life with love in my heart and not fear in my soul! I know where I'm going so I don't fear!

Only in Buffalo!

Emerson in his house!

Alex sliding!

Griffin, ready for a Safari! OK, maybe just a walk!

Maxim is a big boy on his swing! (Always posing)
Austin is cleaning his clubhouse, getting ready for Summer!

Only in Buffalo!

I love the city I live in. Where else can you ski one day than swim in the pool the next? This week it was 40, 60 and YES 80 DEGREES! It rained, it pored and almost felt like it would snow at one point, only to wake up and want to turn on the Air Conditioner! Only in Buffalo!

Last Tuesday David and I feeling adventurous, took the kids to Chuck E Cheese for the first time. It was early so we thought it wouldn't be crowded and we could keep a close eye on the boys. In the beginning, life was good. The crowd was small and we drew minimal attention with our approaching brood. We where alone so Austin played quietly with his brothers in the toddler area. They went up and down the slide and played with the baby video games and electronic rides. The whole time Griffin slept in his car seat. It seemed instantaneous that when we sat to eat our pizza, the flood gates opened. People where everywhere. Austin had gone to play some video games so I decided to take Max and go find him, leaving David with Alex, Emerson and sleeping Griffin. I located Austin quickly and used the rest of the tokens we had. When we tried to redeem the tickets it seemed that every employee disappeared. God forbid you leave Chuck E Cheese without your penny candy and cheap plastic snakes you spend $50 for! As we waited I could see David's face dropping. He had Emerson, Alex and Griffin and they where all screaming. The whole time Max was trying to escape my grasp. Meanwhile, I had several people come up to me and ask me the standard questions..."Are they triplets?", "Are they identical?", "Are they all yours?", "You had another one?", "Are they all boys?", "How do you do it?"....etc... The whole time I'm just wanting to grab the kids and bolt! As we where getting the kids coats on David ran to the rest room and I was there with 5 screaming kids (at this point, Austin was wailing because I wouldn't allow him to eat his cotton candy in the middle of 4 little boys throwing a temper tantrum!)We finally left after the longest 2 hours of our life. The moral of my story...2 adults 5 small kids and Chuck E Cheese, a recipe for disaster!

Starting Thursday the weather was beautiful here. Everyday was spent outside. We started putting the kids toys back out. Washing all the large plastic items was a chore but well worth it. When we reassembled the house and mini slide the babies where thrilled. They are completely different than last year. They actually listen which is wonderful. I can say "put down the rock" or "go get your bike" and they actually do it. If you say "do you want to swing?" they say, yes! They run like crazy but are contained. I can't wait until we get the recycled tires at the base of the large swing set since they are slowly gravitating towards the larger slide and swings! Hopefully as soon as the weather stabilizes we can get it installed. Austin is enjoying the weather. I think he will be ready to get his training wheels off his bike soon. He is showing signs of stabilizing himself better. Griffin is Mr. Easy! He is happy to hang out in the shade in his stroller. He watches his brothers play and he is starting to play with his little toys so at one point I had 5 boys intensely playing.

Our strollers have arrived! This is a blessing beyond belief. I love these strollers. First of all, all 4 little boys are contained. They can have a snack or drink, lay back and relax or listen to Mp3's. That's right, they have built in speakers. We just hook up our Zoons(Mp3 players) and they instantly have piped in music. Not only that, but they are so easy to push and we are much less conspicuous! Most people don't even think we are together! We have walked and walked. The kids where leery at first but quickly have learned to love their lush new rides! I can't wait for the first fair or event! Let Summer begin! We're ready!

On a personal note I would like to say Happy Birthday to my husband. He is an amazing husband and father, everything one should be. Loving, caring, never judgemental, never critical! We had a wonderful evening out just him, I and Griffin. Thank you for all you do for us, we love you!

Spring Break

Austin

Emerson

Alexander

Maxim

Griffin

Spring Break

This week Austin was on Spring break. This means it was a week of playing catch up. Dr.'s appointments where made, errands where completed and closets where cleaned. Austin started out the week with an appointment to get his glasses fixed. I'm not exactly sure what he does to them but it is a constant battle to keep his glasses fitting properly and scratch free. I decided while we where doing "eye care" day that I would pick Austin up a couple of extra pairs of glasses just in case he ever really broke them. Since the pair he has are special pediatric glasses that where outrageously expensive we took his prescription to a national chain and got him two new pairs for a very low price. He was so excited to pick them out himself. He got a pair of blue rimless and a cool Nickelodeon pair that are silver and orange. He tells me in the store that he will be the talk of Kindergarten now. "They are the coolest glasses ever, Mom!", "I can't wait to show my friends that I can wear different glasses with different clothes.". He's so fashion forward my son. I can't believe he was so excited, but he was!

David took off on Friday to give us a long weekend. The weather was beautiful so we decided to go to the Zoo and make a day of it. We walked around for a while when we noticed the triplets where actually starting to recognize that there where animals in the cages and enclosures. Alex growled at every animal he saw. They would all point and we could see their eyes light up when they recognised the animal. It was great. I can't wait until they really understand what's going on. After a while they got fussy so we stopped for lunch. I'm not sure if it's the wagon or us but it seemed people where walking by starring and pointing just like they would to the animals. Well, it was colder than we thought. We lasted about 2 hours before needing to leave. Griffin slept in his stroller all bundled up pretty much through the whole thing. On the way out the gate Emerson fell asleep. Poor baby, missed his nap!

It was very apparent that we need a new transportation solution for the boys if they're going to miss their nap. After much research David and I took the kids and went to Babies R' Us to try out double strollers. We figured with 4 little ones, 2 double strollers would work better than the triplet stroller (they no longer fit in because their legs are too long) and the single stroller. The wagon is great but to go on a long day trip, they need something they can rest in. I had a few in mind to look at with great ratings and reviews but when we put the kids in them we realized they where hard to turn. As we where leaving we spotted a double jogging stroller. We thought these where only reserved for stay at home moms who exercise for fun. However when we put two kids in and ran around the store we realized it was just what we where looking for. Of course they had none in stock but we successfully found them online and ordered them promptly. We can't wait until they arrive!

We spent the rest of the weekend outdoors. We played in the front yard and back. Played on the kids bikes and picked flowers. They even are showing interest in the swing set and slide. It's almost time to put all the toys back outside. We happened upon a beautiful public park in Eggertsville that reminded us we have to order the recycled tire material for the bottom of the swing set. Emerson ran up and down the huge play set and slid down the slide. They all loved the baby swings and Austin was swinging higher than he ever has before. Of course, Griffin slept. We stopped at Anderson's and had dinner (a car picnic, we like to call it). I put the DVD on in the car and they all get their dinner in their car seats. It's almost like a drive-in.

We also had David's family, Stephan and Hilda from Cambridge, Ontario come to visit. It was lovely to see them. They came once before and just loved our kids. Now when they are in town they come to see us. The boys adored them. They kept going up to Stephan to be held. And Hilda, being a great-grandmother herself, got on the floor and played. What a lovely couple they are. I know David would have loved to spend hours with Stephan updating the family tree but sadly they had to leave. Family is such a blessing, sometime!

Easter Bliss

US!

David and his Boys!

5 Easter Miracles!!!

The Easter Bunny left us LOOT!

Griffin and his Easter Dinosaur!

Tres' Babies! Easter 2009

Maxim

Emerson

Alexander

Easter Bliss

Easter is not at all as it began. In the beginning(I always wanted to say that), it was the day Jesus rose from the dead after being crucified three days prior. I'm not sure how a large rabbit bearing baskets of candy and toys came to be, but hey...who am I to question tradition? The kids woke up at 7:15am . Since they went to bed at 8pm Saturday night, I'm not complaining! They came down stairs and immediately started spotting brightly colored eggs filled with candy. They all started gathering the eggs and putting them in a basket. I'm not sure how they figured out that if you throw the eggs on the floor they break open, but someone did. Than 4 happy little guys started throwing eggs and feasting on M&M's and jelly beans. Anyone who knows me, knows that I allow my children very little candy. Needless to say this is my exception to the rule. Within a half an hour there where chocolate covered kids as far as the eye could see. And since we had colored eggs for the first time the night before, there where blue, green and orange fingers covered in chocolate as well.

Austin couldn't wait for candy.
Coloring Eggs

Even Griffin got in on the action!

As always I had dinner at my house. A feast of Ham, potatoes, green bean casserole, lamb, antipasto, blessed loaves of bread and of course the butter lamb. Austin did the honors of sacrificing said lamb by biting and eating lamby's head off. Gruesome but tradition. My Aunt and Mother brought the kids bags and baskets of candy and toys, continuing the sugar rush!

Griffin was amazing even though he has a little cold. Sleeping pretty much the whole day. He woke up only for a few moments here and there to have a bottle. When my mother gave him a small blue stuffed dog, he instantly hugged it tightly and went back to sleep. The triplets where burning off an intense sugar high running from room to room with chocolate faces and little toys that light up and walk. The smiles where from ears to ears and I very rarely heard a distressed cry or had to break up a fight. Austin was completely happy to play with his "Xtreme parachute man" throwing it from the top of the stairs down several hundred times and screaming "Too the extreme" over and over again! I did have to stand watch at the kitchen table for a while since all the Easter baskets where being stored. Mr. Austin had way too much! It was actually a very relaxed holiday for once. There was no problems just family coming in and out loving up my boys and eating a good meal. We had several family members stop by that had dinner elsewhere just to hang out. It was nice.

Between the bevy of toys, jelly beans, chocolate and desserts of cupcakes and cheesecake the kids where coming off a their sugar high fast and hard. Within 20 minutes the triplets where bathed and in their beds. The baby was still swinging in his swing and Austin was helping me fold the laundry while watching a movie. I sat and looked around. Just 6 short years ago are house was silent. A holiday consisted of dinner at family or friends and than home to watch television or read a book. Now we have 5 amazing sons. Our house is LOUD, our children are crazy men and our life is exhausting. However, in thinking back to our laid back life before children I am so thankful to be blessed with 5 wild little men that make our life complete. Happy Easter Everyone!