Bithday Eve

Tonight as I sit here on the eve of A,E, & K's Birthday, I can't help but reminisce about five years ago and how uncomfortable and anxious I was at this point in time. It is a bittersweet to me that they are going to be five years old already. They are such little people now and it amazes me how I can remember when I was five and now my kids are going to be five too.
They are such special little people who are loved by so many people. It takes a village to raise triplets and a village of people is what we have. These kids are such a gift from God and I continue to thank him and praise him for all he has given us. Some days are hard and parenting is tough but in the end it is the best thing that I have EVER done. I love all of them all the same but yet so differently. They are great kids and I know we will continue to be proud of them for so many years to come. Here's to the fives and all the fun and joy they will bring to us!

Popsicles

Now that the warm weather has arrived, the kids have been into eating Popsicles. This makes me smile because I remember as a kid LOVING to eat popsicles in the summer. The kind that we have provide jokes on the sticks. However, you cannot get the answer to the joke until they eat the popsicle. They always come running once they have eaten to hear the answer to the joke. They laugh everytime at the joke but most of the time they do not get it. It is cute to watch.
Every year at this time I always smile at how much fun the summer is going to be. Every year it gets easier for us and this summer is no excpetion to that rule. These kids have become so independent but yet they still need us for some things. I LOVE THAT! I can already tell that Five is going to be a fun age!

Boys will be Boys

Last night after dinner, the kids saw some of our neighbors outside so they wanted to go out and play. A has not been feeling all that great but after a 2 hour nap and some dinner I figured it was okay to go out. The kids love to run around the neighborhood and play while I chat with all our fun neighbors. It is great for all of us.
Last night a little boy showed up in the neighborhood. He was 4 and his Grandma lives near us. K and this little boy became fast friends. They were playing ball together and with in 10 minutes they were tackling each other and rolling around having fun. I even overheard this little boy at one point tell K "that hurt so we need to play more gentle"! WOW! I was amazed at how they took to each other and I was happy that K had a boy his age to play with. Just a little while ago the door bell rang. I was surprised because it was so early on a Saturday. It was K's little friend and he wanted to know if K could come out and play. K is still sleeping but I am sure when he gets up he will be thrilled to go out and play with his new friend. So fun.I have always had a little guilt in my heart about K being the only boy. I know I have no control over this but I feel sorry for him at times when his sisters are playing "dolls" or "barbies" and K does not have a playmate to do boy stuff with. Three can sometimes be a crowd around here when they are trying to play and often it is K that is left out because he is a boy. K also hates that he has to sleep in his own room all by himself. One night he was crying to me and begging me to have a baby so it could sleep in his room. This caused me to tear up and then Daddy came in and told K that he was breaking his mama's heart. We all laughed at that.
For now K will have to get his"boy" fill with his friends. He does not seem to have a problem making friends. Last night as we headed inside to get ready for bed, K turned around and waved and said "Bye Friend"! So cute.

One of those Days

Today was just one of those days. Crazy busy as usual with the added stress of a sick little boy. That seems to be a recurring theme lately with my little buddy. He has had more than his fair share of illness lately. Amazingly, his sisters who he plays with, sleeps next too, and sometimes even shares cups, with have both remained healthy. It has always been strange to me how one kid can get sick and the others stay so healthy. Of course, I am always thankful when this does happen as it is the worst when you have three sick kiddos at once. I think we mind finally be on the mend with K but only time will tell.
This past weekend was chuck full of Birthday parties and fun. It all started on Saturday with our friend party, then lunch at the American Girl Bistro on Sunday, followed by a dinner with our family on Sunday night. I promise to post about it soon but for tonight I need to head to bed. You never know when you will get that middle of the night wake up call that someone needs some more Motrin or just a snuggle because they feel lousy.
Here is to sleep and good health!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Watermelon Time

Wordless Wednesday ~ 1st Sprinkler Running of the Year

Mother's Day Tea 2009

Since this happened clearly almost two weeks ago, I am a little behind but I thought it was worth blogging about. The kids had a Mother's Day Tea at school again this year and I always enjoy going to it. It is so much fun to watch them sing (sometimes yell) and so sweet how they are so proud. Above is the picture of the three gifts I got from the A, E, and K. These are so sweet and another benefit of triplets is three times the gifts on Mother's day tea at school. These are sitting on my window sill and they make me smile every time I look at them.
I really enjoy after their serenading because then I get to watch them interact with all their friends from school. They LOVE school this year. We will not get to be in this program next year due to a new school schedule so we are bummed out. The teachers have even made comments about how well this class seems to get along. It is nice to know when the teachers enjoy the class too. It truly is another sign that the fives are approaching quickly when the kids talk about their friends at school and they fill us in on what is going on with everyone. Sadly this week will be our last for this program and the kids will be so bummed out. I guess we will just have to keep having play dates all summer long with their school friends.
Above is the class with their teachers too. So cute. Below are two video clips of the kids singing. Enjoy.

Mommy Has a Lovey

This week was junk pick up week in the city that my parents live in. So this is a great time to get some junk out of your house and put it on the curb for pick up. It is amazing how many cars will drive through the neighborhood looking to pick up junk. I guess one person's junk is another person's treasure.
My dad took down a few boxes I had up in the garage rafters. In those boxes were my childhood baby dolls, stuffed animals, and my oldest and dearest childhood treasure. My lovey or as I used to call it my "blankie"! I showed the kids and as you can see it is not in very good shape. The kids said "that is yucky"! So true. I was so attached to this blankie as a child that I think I was well into Junior high or high school before I agreed to put in a box and up in the rafters of the garage. I loved this blankie.
I put the blankie in the van tonight so I could take it home and take a picture for the blog. My dad could not believe that I would take that blankie anywhere. He told me he was going to give Jon a call and give him a warning that I was bringing home the blankie. We all laughed because my parents know how much this blankie used to mean to me and I am sure that the minute I announced that I was taking it home they thought I was going to keep it. First let me say that I am not cause who knows what has been all over that blanket that has been in the rafters of the garage for 15 plus years.
However, all this blankie talk reminds me of a story from a few years back. I think I was pregnant with the triplets and my mom was over helping to pick up and clean out the house in preparation for the babies. After I retired my blankie I soon acquired a sweatshirt that filled its spot. I guess I am in need of that "lovey" in my life. My mom took my old ripped and nasty sweatshirt and threw it away. I did not say anything because I figured it was just time to let it go. However, after my mom went home, my sweet sweet hubby decided to go out into the garbage, retrieve the sweatshirt, wash it and then he gave it back to me. My heart melted and I was thrilled that he saved it. I do not have that sweatshirt anymore. I do not have a lovey for the time being. However, I have new found love of A's lovey. It is a lot like my old blankie and it would be the perfect blankie. However, A does not like to share. Sometimes in the morning she will crawl in bed with me and let me feel one corner of her blankie but that is very rare.
So for now I will remain blankie-less. However, you never know when the next sweatshirt/blankie/lovey could pop up! Cause I am a lovey loving Momma!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Happy Mother's Day 2009

Green Ash Dedication

This past weekend, we headed to GG Del's town to plant a tree at the High School in honor of her. It was a great big Green Ash tree and such a tribute to GG Del. The local paper and radio station showed up to catch the news on it.
It felt great to do something in honor of her. We then were able to visit the cemetery where she rest next to my Grandpa and my cousin. We visited with her best friend Millie and my aunts and uncle, and cousins too. It was a short trip but a good one. I just wish we lived closer to this tree so we could watch it grow. It will be fun to go back and visit though and see the new life this tree brings. We planted the tree at the high school because GG Del used to be a hall monitor and cafeteria monitor there up until the end of her life. She loved her job and she took it very seriously. She would talk about her "kids" all the time. After her death, we learned that someone dedicated pencils in her honor to all the kids at school. So cool.
So here is to the Green Ash tree that will stand tall for many years to come. I know GG Del is smiling down on this tree with much approval.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Pretend Garage Sale

MS Walk 2009

(The picture above is the Erickson Five with their MS Walk shirts on that we had made last year!)

This past Sunday was the 2009 MS Walk and this was the 11th walk that myself and my team Walkin' Maniacs participated in. It was another successful day and I honestly think this year was the best weather we have had yet for this walk. It was 70 and sunny with a light breeze and this is my favorite kind of day.
I was able to raise $2700 this year and I am thrilled. With the Economic times we are all in I did not think I would reach my goal but I have some very generous family and friends that support me in this event year after year after year and to them I am so grateful.
While Jon and I were sitting in the VIP tent (this is reserved for top fundraisers) after the 6.5 mile walk, we met the president of the Minnesota MS Society chapter. It was such a pleasure to meet her and she was so grateful for all we do year after year after year. I also received and email from her the day after the walk to congratulate me on my fund raising and thanking me for all my efforts. It was nice to get that.
I will continue to do this walk every year. I am bound and determined to see a cure for MS one day and I know that my contributions will not only help to find that cure but also help people like myself who are living with this disease every day.
So big thanks to my Mom and Dad who drive us around, cook for us, watch our kids, and just overall support my efforts with the walk every year. Jane who is there right along with my mom cooking and helping and pledging my self and team mates. I would like to thank my team who continues to support me in this year after year. To Jon who makes the walk as much of a priority in his life as it is in mine. Thanks for being such awesome people. I love you all.

Here is to the MS Walk 2010! Go Walkin' Maniacs!!!

Baseball Fever

(This post was written by Daddy Jon)

Last night we all went to a major league baseball game. Nicole got two tickets from work (3 rows up from the first baseline) and we bought 3 additional tickets (family zone in the upper deck). We had decided K & I would sit in the 2 seats while the girls sat in the 3 upper deck seats (girls wanted to sit with mommy and when K realized how close he was to the action, he didn't want to move....until later in the game, when he missed his girls and wanted to see them). We all sat together before the game (and before the seats filled up). Our night began with high fives from the mascot. The kids were so excited they got to see him up close.
K used his usual charm to impress everyone in the seats around us and got to know the two girls in the seats next to ours (regular season ticket holders). They showed K how to go down to the fence and put his glove out in order to try and get a ball from the bullpen catcher. They would take K down there each time but he never was able to get a ball. In the 8th inning there was a foul ball that didn't go into the stands, K ran down to the fence with glove out wishing with all his might that he might be the one to get the ball, but it wasn't meant to be. The ball boy threw the ball to a middle aged woman in the first row and about 10 seats down from us. K turned around and came back to the seats. Then the woman who got the ball turned around and wanted K to come towards her. He had no idea what was going to happen and then she put the ball in his glove. Shear amazement was on K's face. He was utterly speechless (which tough to do with K). He just marveled at the ball, standing there, looking at it and holding it tight. (I took this picture with my cell phone right after K got the ball, he does not look very excited in this picture but he was very distracted at the time. He was on cloud 9!!!)

Bottom of the 8th inning, N, A, and E came down to the lower section and sat in open seats in the 5th row. He was so proud to show the girls his ball.

K had such a great time, he was just so happy to be at the game, he kept asking me all kinds of questions about the game and telling those around us that when he gets older, he is going to be a baseball player. "I am really good, and I can hit the ball really far". As soon as we got in the van to drive home, we had to call Uncle T and tell him about "The Ball", and then all three fell fast asleep.

It was a night filled with hot-dogs, sprite, cracker jacks, snow cones, cotton candy, lots of questions, and most importantly laughs and a whole lot of memory making fun with the happiest little baseball fans on earth.