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.

Daddy the Money Machine

The other day at lunch A was telling us that she was going to buy herself an American Girl doll with all the money she had in her piggy bank. Since her bank consists of mostly pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters, we knew that she was no where near ready to buy herself and American Girl Doll. Jon took this as an opportunity to teach the kids about money. Everyone went and grabbed their piggy banks and that is when the lesson started.
I am not sure what the kids took away from the table that day but they sure had a good time counting out they change. When I was a little girl, I clearly remember the first lesson I had in money. I asked my parents for a new pair of ice skates and when my dad told me that to buy a pair of ice skates I would need a truck load of pennies I remember just being so amazed!
I wonder if these kids will remember their first lesson on money?!?!? One thing is for sure, A knows that she needs to save up a lot more money before she can buy herself an American Girl Doll!

Wordless Wednesday~Triple the Triplets

A Sore Throat

This past weekend K got sick with a fever and he told me the bottom of his mouth hurt. After 24 hours of a fever and not feeling so good we thought it might be a good idea to get him checked out. Much to my surprise, he has strep throat. Poor little guy. I guess it is very contagious for the first 24 hours so we have been bracing ourselves to see if it will show up in someone else around here. So far so good.
The girls slept over at Grandma Mary's on Saturday night. K was supposed to sleep there too so Jon and I could have a date night but since he was not feeling so great we decided it was only fair to keep him at home in his own bed so we went out for an hour and then brought K back to his own bed.
After we found out it was Strep on Sunday, Grandma decided it would be best to keep the girls away. She had them all morning and then they were invited over to Sue's house for the afternoon. Sue likes to read books to the kids when they are there so on Sunday she was reading them a book. She was so impressed that they were sitting so still and listening so well. Then her daughter kristin took this picture...both girls were sound asleep. We all had a good laugh about this one.
The good news is that K is feeling much better and life is back to the norm around here. Now if we can all just hold out and stay healthy!

4 Going on 14!

Grandma Mary was over one morning last week watching the kids so I could go to a much needed Doctor appointment. One of K's little friends was going to come over to play that morning and the friends mom was fine with dropping him off while Grandma Mary was here so he was still able to come over. Grandma reported that E picked out a fancy outfit and then E asked Grandma to fix up here hair. She was all dolled up for the day.
Soon after E was finished prepping for the day, Grandma announced that K's friend had arrived. She said A tore down the stairs with her hair a mess and E tore into the bathroom, jumped up on the stool checked out her teeth and then her hair and then tore downstairs to say hi to K's friend. Grandma said it was all she could do not to laugh and little miss E. WOW...we are 4 going on 14 in this house. I had no idea it started that young!

Bunk Beds

Jon and I decided awhile ago that it might be a good idea to get the girls some bunk beds. We were just so tired of trying to squeeze two beds and all their other things into their room. So last week after finding a good deal on C-list we have bunk beds.
The funny thing is that K was more excited about the bunk beds than either of the girls. He has slept up top a few nights since we have set them up and he loves the bunk beds. It is a sure sign that one day we might need to get him his very own set of bunk beds. The girls have been taking turns sleeping on the top bunk so that has been working out nicely. My only complaint is that the top bunk really makes it hard to make the bed!
It feels great to have some more space in the girls room. For lack of having a good picture here is one from the factory. Our beds came with the underneath trundle/storage piece as well and we really like this option. We can use it in the future as an additional bed or as we are using it now for storage. It is nice to have.

Wordless Wednesday~Bulldog Fans

Wordless Wednsday ~ Oh How They Have Grown

Evidence of the Bunny

So this morning when we all woke up we realized rather quickly that the Easter Bunny had been here. It had nothing to do with the huge baskets of goodies on the counter but everything to do with the bunny poop on the floor. The kids went crazy when they saw that and have told everyone we ran into so far today that the bunny pooped on the floor!
The kids found all of the hidden Easter eggs. THANK GOODNESS because that can get stinky if they are not found. I know that from personal experience when I was a small child. They were thrilled that the Easter bunny hid some of the eggs in their bike helmets. They all thought that the Easter bunny must be pretty funny. The bunny also ate some of the carrots that were left out for him too. However, since he did not eat all of them, he must have been getting full since I am sure all the boys and girls have left carrots out for the bunny.
This has been a wonderful Easter. Daddy and Uncle T returned from their trip this morning and they were just in time for the Easter festivities. We had a wonderful brunch followed up in the afternoon with a big ham and all the fixings. Needless to say we have been well fed. It is a beautiful spring day here and I told my friend this morning that a bright and sunny Easter morning just makes me smile. Alleluia!
The kids have been enjoying the treats out of their baskets all day and it is always nice when they have some new things to keep them happy and busy. Today was a great day. I was worried that it would be a sad day because Easter was a holiday that we always spent with GG Del. I know she was with us in spirit and since we were all together having fun and laughing it made it easier. Christ has risen, the sun is shining, spring is in the air, God is good! Alleluia! Happy Easter 2009.

Career Day

When I got home from work the other night the kids all tried on my construction gear! They thought it was so cool. They often ask me about work and what I do. I try to explain that I help to build hospitals but they don't really get that. Just the other day they had a debate about where I go to the bathroom at work. They asked if I go in the port-a-potty and were so surprised when I told that that sometimes I do! At this point in time I am working part time but I love my schedule because it really gives me the best of both worlds. I get to spend a lot of quality time with my kids but I also get to have my own deal at work. I like the people I work with and I truly love what I do. So in my mind I do have it great. I would like to point out that it is not all peaches and cream and my stress level does get high because I am trying to be all things to all people but for the most part I gain so much confidence and feel great with doing the best I can at both worlds! I think it is a great example of hard work and dedication for my kids too. Now when this hospital opens, I will have to take them on a tour of it so they know where I spend my time when I am at "work"!

Wordless Wednesday~Future Pilots

So Long Cho Cho

For the kids very first Christmas, my parents bought them the Cho Cho Wagon! We LOVED this wagon and the kids loved to ride in it. It seemed that everywhere we took the wagon everyone was envious of it. I was asked so many times where I got it from.Well the time has come to sell the wagon. It is not that we could not use that wagon again but it is just time as the kids will be five and they are getting a little too big for this wagon. I sold this wagon to another triplet family that have three 9 month olds. It makes me feel good to know that it is going to a good home where it will be loved but this one is hard to let go for me. It is once again a reminder of how fast these kids are growing up! This is a good thing but sometimes it feels as if it is going just way to fast. Just today I had K at the doctor for an ear check. He has gained 8 POUNDS since August. He is getting so tall and he is such a handsome (not so) little man now.The girls are turning into little ladies now too. Just this past weekend when we were at Kohl's, Grandma E told the kids they could pick out one thing for their Easter gift. The girls bypassed the toy section and headed right on over to the girls section where the "make up" and little girl accessories are located. This again was a sign that they are getting to be such fun "not so" little people.Life has really been a lot easier on Jon and I now that they do not need us so much anymore but for some reason I have a little ping in my heart knowing that they are almost 5 and although hugs and kisses are okay right now, I am not sure how much longer until that is just not going to be so "cool" anymore.
I am loving this ride we are on. My heart swells with happiness but I am sure that the minute the wagon leaves our cul de sac on it's way to its new home, my heart will be sad for a few moments at how fast time is going by. For now I will continue to hug and kiss and love up my kids every day. Bye Bye good ole Cho Cho!

Skating Delight

Yesterday, the kids had their last "hockey" (aka skating) lesson. They all really enjoyed these lessons and they all did fairly well. It is safe to say now they can skate on their own and since we live in a place with true winter that is a bonus. I am not sure if we will have any hockey players on our hands but at least they can go pond skating with their friends now and hold their own.
When I was growing up, I was what they call a "hockey" sister. My older brother played hockey for most of my childhood so therefore I spent a lot of time at the rink! It was always fun to go to out of town tournaments, swim in the pools, and cruise the halls of the hotels. I think my parents enjoyed hanging out with other hockey parents too. These are all happy and good memories for me. Yesterday, I saw a mom at the rink that had a sweatshirt on that said hockey mom on it. This made me smile as I am sure my own mother probably wore something similar. She was by far the loudest and most active fan at my brother's games. She would spill peoples coffee as she would get so excited and then grab on to them. I remember telling her many times "MOM CALM DOWN!!!" Still to this day some of those hockey parents still laugh and reminder her about this. I am not sure if my future holds the title of "Hockey Mom" but I think I would be fine with it either way. Hockey is fun to watch and from what I hear a ton of fun to play. I guess only the future will tell if we will be a hockey family!
Uncle T (aka Jim) was a big help with the skating lessons. He would come every week and help either Jon or myself get the kids all geared up. This was a life saver for us as you can imagine what a feat this is to get three little kids all geared up to skate. We had it down to a science in the end and we would get the kids out on the ice with in 5-10 minutes of arrival at the rink. So THANK YOU JIM for all your help!

Wordless Wednesday~A Tinker kind of Magic