Happy Halloween 2007!

We had so much fun this Halloween. It all started with our good friend Jane coming over with a pumpkin shaped pizza for dinner. After dinner we got the kids all ready to go in our "Barnyard" themed costumes. The kids loved being the animals and if you asked them to do a trick them would make the animal sounds. It was pretty cute.

We were lucky enough to have daddy home with us this year. Since our good friend Jane came over both Jon and I were able to go trick or treating with the kids. We left the house with out a plan and we ended up going all the way down the block and back up trick or treating. The kids loved it. We were out until 8:20 PM!!! Both Jon and I had no idea that it was so late.

Holidays with the kids are getting to be more fun every year. It was a blast to watch them get so excited and run from house to house. They also loved to hand out candy to the kids that came to our house.

Favorite memories...

Last night at dinner, the kids were talking about sharing their candy with each other. Then KJ pipes up from the end of the table and says:

"Aimee and Ella, You can't share your candy with me because I am a grumpy old troll"!

We all had a good laugh about that one.

There were a few houses that we went to and the person answering the door would say "oh you are the best costumes yet, I have to go get my husband/wife to have them see this"! This always makes a mother feel good!

Another house we went to the lady went crazy over the kids. It was a lot of fun!

The kids have been talking about the big blow up pumpkin and ghost that the neighbors have in their yard. They have been up for a few weeks now. Last night all three of them ran right up to them and gave the blow ups big hugs! KJ announced "These are our friends"

Now I just need to figure out what to do with all of the candy....

Fun in the Leaves!

Kendrick in a Kilt

Tonight the kids had fun dancing around. I was trying some clothes on the girls to see how they fit and the girls were having fun twirling in their skirts. KJ then asked me if he could wear a skirt. His dad protested but I put on on him too. KJ just loved it. He was twirling and laughing right along with the girls. We have some great pictures for when he is older so we can show him.

Fall is in the air...

Okay I just LOVE this time of year. It is always so beautiful and for some reason I just seem to be noticing all of the beautiful colors around her more than ever this year. The kids are really excited about Halloween and they ask me everyday when we get to go Trick or Treating. They are excited to dress up. It is so much fun to watch them get so excited. Every night after dinner we have been playing with our flashlights after dinner. We will turn all of the lights off and then they can flash different images on walls and ceilings. They love this and we can play this for 45 minutes straight with out losing interest in it. The kids have been into Apples a lot this fall too. We have a special slicer that Grandma Erickson gave us and they love to turn the crank and watch the apple slice. Today they were cutting up their own Apples at Grandma Mary's today too. These pictures are from Sue's house where they helped her make some Apple Pies.
We have a busy weekend with some trick or treating and a pumpkin carving party to go too. I am sure I will have a lot to blog about.

Swimming Lessons

At the end of the summer I suddenly realized that I had not signed up my kids for any activities. I spent an entire day looking into ECFE classes, Gymnastics, Dance, Sports, etc.. At that time I called the local YMCA to see what they could offer my kids at the age of 3. I was thrilled when I found out that we could start swimming lessons and Jon and I did not have to be in the water with them. We had not started swimming lessons before this time because we needed to have one on one in the water and we did not have that. Today we finished the first session of swimming lessons and it was picture day so I brought the camera. The kids did very well for their first session. We saw the biggest difference in Aimee as she was willing to take the noodle, kick across the pool and come back with out the teacher holding on to her. All three of them came a long way in the first session. They are all getting more comfortable with the water and although they have to repeat the same level I am confident they will be able to move up to the next level by the Holidays.
Their teacher was so sweet today when she came up to me and told me that the class she taught with our kids was her favorite of all her classes. She said she just loved teaching the kids and she really looks forward to seeing them every week. That makes Jon and I feel great.

We are so happy that we have found a great swimming program for our kids. They will be pros by next summer.

Earthworms and Birds Feet

A few weeks ago we headed out to the pumpkin patch with our dear friends the Swanson's. It was a great time had by all and the best news is that we selected our pumpkins for Halloween that we will have the utmost fun decorating next weekend. When we got home from the pumpkin patch we threw some pizzas in the oven and headed out to the patio to hang out. The kids were all playing with their trikes and stuff. All of a sudden Ella came up to me and said "Look what I found Mommy" and then she threw her fist right into my face. It was an earthworm. I was not expecting that so I screamed and jumped. Of course this was not the right reaction to have and everyone was laughing at me.

So the other night when I was checking my email, Ella walked in and said look what daddy just gave me as she shoved a Pheasants Foot into my face. Again, I screamed and jumped and I could hear Daddy laughing all the way from the kitchen. He had just returned from his annual hunting trip and he was cleaning up the birds. I could not believe that he let the kids have some of the feet. I was really grossed out but they LOVED it. Of course, I made them wash their hands a few times when they were done playing with the bird feet!

Now I just need to learn to be cautious when Ella walks in and says something like "Mommy look what I found".

Ella's Prayers

My sweet baby girl Ella said some amazing prayers the other night.

"Dear God, Please pray for the baby that is in my mommy's Tummy!"

You can imagine my surprise when I heard her say this and then I asked her "What did you just say?" She just smiled at me. As far as I know there is no "baby" in my tummy! Now if she knows something I don't that would be a different story.

She then said, "Please let my sister Aimee be good tonight, God, so we can fall asleep together"

Normally, if the girls are mis-behaving at bed time, one of them gets removed from the room so they will fall asleep. Apparently, Ella just assumes that it is Aimee fooling around...it couldn't be her!

Better Together

Gymnastics

We started Gymnastics last month and the kids LOVE it. They really like their Teacher, Ms. Ann, a lot and I think KJ has a crush on her. He likes to talk about Ms. Ann a lot.

We are in Gymnastics with the Boland triplets. It works out perfect because there are only 6 kids in the class so we fill the class up with our two sets of triplets. The kids have been the best of friends since they were 12 months old so they are really good about taking turns and being nice to each other.

Ms. Ann was surprised at how good the kids were to each other considering the sibling issues she was dealing with. The kids are really doing good with the gymnastics too. They have come a long way in just the 4 weeks we have been taking classes. I have decided today that we are going to sign up again for next session when this one ends.

Mommy Kate and I are surprised at how well Ms. Ann handles the kids. She manages to keep them all under control and focused which is amazing! We are so blessed to have found such an awesome teacher. She is really good with the kids and the kids like her. It is a win win situation.

Kendrickisms

The other day Daddy was strapping Kendrick into his car seat and Kendrick wiped his forehead with his arm and said "whew, that was close daddy"

Jon overheard Kendrick talking to the girls and he was saying "Okay guys, here is what the game plan is"

Kendrick likes to run errands with his daddy so the other day he told the girls "Girls can't run errands with daddy's only boys can"

Kendrick came up to me the other day and said "Mommy, You being we-dic-u-lous"

Kendrick was dancing around the bed tonight after his bath. I was was trying to get him dressed so I was struggling a lot. He just kept on laughing about it. Then he said "Mommy, I am a really good dancer" Oh the confidence at this age...

The other day we decided to stop by our old "school" (daycare) for a visit. There is one little girl there who really like the trio. The trio really liked her as they talk about her all the time. So when we got to the school we walked out on the playground to say hi and this little girl came running over screaming Kendrick, Kendrick, Kendrick the whole time. Then she embraced him in a huge hug and would not let go... Hmmm it must have been his first love. To Cute!

Happy Anniversary Babe!

My sweet sweet husband and I celebrated 7 years of marriage this past Saturday. It was a perfect day and we were lucky enough to have an overnight babysitter so we could just hang out and spend some time with each other. It is always so nice to reconnect with Jon and we both pledged that we are going to do that more often. I just need to get the older kids in the neighborhood on board to babysit!
When we got married the priest made reference in him homily that when we had been married for 7 years we were going to write him a letter to tell him how a marriage works! We still have to sit down to watch our wedding video so we know exactly what our assignment is but I am excited to sit down and write the letter.

I remember at the time that 7 years seemed like such a long time. Now that it is here I am just amazed at how fast the time has gone. I am also amazed that the road we planned to go down was not the road we traveled at all....not even close. What a great lesson that was to both of us.

So in honor of 7 great years of marriage with my best friend and soul mate: To my babe, I love you for the husband you are to me. For loving me unconditionally, even when I was not all that love able. You have stood by my side and just like the song lyrics said "You were there"! I love you babe! Thank You for loving me back!

Multiples Day at the Baseball Game

We cheer for the MN Twins and so you can imagine when I learned of a "Twins, Triplets, Quads, and Quints" Day at the Twins game I was all over getting tickets. It was a lot of fun. We decided it would be fun to take the "Train" downtown again so we did that. Then we lined up as any multiples who attended the game that day got to walk around the field before the game for a parade. The kids loved this and we got a close up view of some of the baseball players. It was pretty cool.


The whole family went with Grandma and Grandpa, uncle Tony, and of course or friend "Auntie" Jane!



The kids discovered what Binoculars are and they loved looking through them.

It wasn't the best game and we left after the 7Th inning as to beat the crowds on the Train. We have decided that this will become and annual event for us as EVERYONE had such a great time.

Buddy and Buddettes

There has been a lot of debate and arguing lately around our house about who is a buddy and who is a budette. It all started when Daddy called KJ his buddy. Then the girls piped in and said they were his buddy too. KJ then replied that daddy only had one buddy and it was him. The girls were less than happy about that and wanted to be Daddy's buddies too. KJ then piped up and said that girls could not be Buddies. Then Daddy suggested that the girls be his Buddettes and KJ would be his buddy. Again, the girls were less than happy with that.

Since this arguing has been going on for a week we have come to the conclusion around here that KJ is Daddy's buddy, the girls are Grandma's buddies and there are no Budettes to be found.

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Then other night we were in the car and KJ was sitting in the middle care seat. He reached over and patted the girls on their legs and said "these are my sweeties"!

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This morning we went to open gym at the Gymnastics gym we attend. It was a lot of fun and we met our friends Mommy Tina and her trio, Lindsey, Dylon, and Taylor. We played and practiced our gymnasitcs for 1.5 hours and the kids LOVED it.

Then after we left, we were going to head out to a local restruant and have lunch together. As we were getting in the van, KJ kept talking about hurrying up and beating mommy Tina. I was so distracted that I was not paying much attention to what he was saying. Then Mommy Tina started to back out before us and he was all upset telling me to hurry up and beat her. Then we were behind her and they were all yelling for me to honk the horn and get ahead of her. I was kind of surprised by their competitinvess! Where did it come from and when did it arrive?

When we got to the restruant they asked mommy Tina why she was first! I better watch out. They will start competting with eachother now.

We're doing something right....

Tonight as I was tucking the kids into bed we said our prayers.

Ella said "Mommy, I weally, weally, wuv God"

She was so sweet when she said it and I could tell that she meant it with all of her heart!

To sweet.

Notes from Sue

The kids had a sleep over at Sue's this week. Here are notes from their stay:

Just a couple of cute things about yesterday.
Aimee and Ella like to help stock up my fridge down stairs. Last week they loaded it with water, Diet Pepsi, Mountain dew, and a couple of other kinds of pop. Now when I eat with them, they always ask what I am drinking (Ella assumed the first time they asked it was beer). I drink Diet Pepsi decaf in gold can. So, at lunch yesterday when my sister was here with Charlie, we sat down and I forgot to get my pop. I asked Aimee if she would run down and get me a diet Pepsi. She came up with the right can ( I snuck down and watched her do it). Then my sister couldn't’t believe it, because there are 10 different kinds of beverages in there, so we sent her again. Again she brought up the right thing. I sent her at supper time, and the same. She really knows which one is the one I drink!

When Becky was leaving with Charlie yesterday, Kendrick was sad and wanted him to stay. I told him that Charlie is not even two yet and has to take a nap before they do. So as they were driving away, Kendrick yells out “goodbye Charlie, have a nice nap!”

When we were at the park, Ella decided it would be fun to close her eyes on the little dizzy merry go round. Now how does she think up stuff like that?

Toot Toot Here, and a Toot Toot There......

So my kids have really gotten into farting and burping. They have been into both of these things for awhile now but the last few days it has been non stop. They laugh hysterically when someone farts. It is pretty funny to hear them laugh so hard but I always say "What do we say when we toot?" they say "Excuse me" and keep on laughing.
The other day they were really into farting in the car. Grandma Mary was driving them somewhere and she sang this song to them.

Old McDonald had a farm,
E-I-E-I-OH
On his farm he had Aimee, Ella, & Kendrick,
E-I-E-I-OH
With a toot toot here and a toot toot there,
Here a toot there a toot everywhere a toot toot,.
Old McDonald had a farm,
E-I-E-I-OH

Now as you can imagine every time they toot we have to break out in the Old McDonald Song!
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Last night while the girls were in the tub playing, they all of a sudden started drinking the water from bath (YUCK) and acting like they were throwing up! They would put there faces in the bowls and pitchers and then pretend they were getting sick. They were even holding each others bowls and cups. Oh there imaginations are wild!

I have been Tagged!

One of my blog friends, Triple the Blessings, has tagged me to come up with 8 random facts about me. You could be next so look for your name at the end of this post...


1. I am very particular about how my pillows and such need to be placed before I get in bed at night. I am not sure I am always been this anal but after having the kids and getting so used to so many pillows, it has gotten worse. I have always been high maintenance about bed time. Jon would agree with me on this one.


2. When I smile my right eye is much smaller than my left eye.


3. I hate flannel sheets. I cannot stand to sleep on them as I do not like the feel and I get way to hot.


4. My fingertips are very sensitive and I used to have a "sweatshirt" that I would rub the sleeve on every night before I fall asleep. No I never wore this sweatshirt, I just slept with it. I was told that once I got married it would have to go but it never did. I finally was talked into getting rid of it when I was on bed rest with the kids. It was a disaster. My loving husband knew how much it meant to me that when my mom finally threw it away one day he dug it out of the trash and gave it back to me...what a guy. It is now in sweatshirt heaven and I think it might be the best loved sweatshirt in history. Oh by the way, my little Aimee has the same sensitivity and she rubs a blanket every night. When she comes to snuggle in the morning she shares her blanket with me and we both rub the silky edges.


5. I hate riding on horses. I bet that back in high school that poor guy who tried to impress me on our first date with horseback riding would have loved to have known this!


6. I love to sing! I sing all the time and my kids are always asking me to sing for them. I sang at my cousins wedding and my Grandmothers funeral. That is about it for solos. I am very shy about it. My plans are to join the church choir as soon as our lives slow down enough for me to be able to get to practice for it.

7. I am a mommy's girl. I still love to hang out with my mom and she has been a tremendous help with my kids. She is one of my very best friends and in my opinion one of the best moms in the world. Of course don't we all feel that way about our mothers!?!

8. My favorite time of the year is fall. I love when the colors change and the crisp and cool air. Football games and Halloween. This is truly the best time of the year. Naturally I also got married in the fall too!

Okay, now that I am done, Tag your are it... Lots of Scotts, Amazing Trips, and House of Leos.

The Erickson Funny Farm!

The Fall Festival was a hit! We won a prize for being the best Group Idea for the parade. We were the Erickson Funny Farm. KJ was a Chicken, Ella was a sheep, and Aimee was a cow. It was really cute.

Daddy made the fence and then our good friend Denny helped me attach it to the wagon the morning of the parade. Grandma bought a bunch of candy to throw out to all the people watching and it all went. We had a lot of competition this year but we still won a prize. It was once again a lot of fun. I twas amazing to me how many people look forward to our parade appearance every year. They always want to see "those triplets"!

Aren't they cute!
After the parade was over we then spent the rest of the day enjoying the festival. They had a funky hair booth this year so all of the kids wanted to get their hair colored. It was a lot of fun!


There was also a Ferris Wheel and the tallest slide in MN was there too. The kids loved the slide and KJ would have spent the day going down the slide over and over again. However, it was not cheap to ride so we had to limit him. There was also a race track and a train at the festival and the kids just loved it. There was also a petting zoo and tons of kids games to play.

At the end of the day we spend the last hour dancing to the music. KJ would go drag everyone he knew out on the dance flooer with him. He had Grandma, Mommy, Sue, Uncle T, Kristin, and the list could go on. It was fun to see how much the kids really enjoyed dancing. They were pretty good little dancers too.

Overall, the festival was a hit. The kids had a hard time going to sleep that night because they kept talking about all they saw and did that day at the festival. They are already looking forward to next year. Now I just need to get my thinking cap on to figure out what we will be in the parade for next year.

Tail Shakin

Tomorrow we have our big day. It is the annual Church festival. Every year we dress up as something and partake in the parade. Tonight we had a dress rehearsal with our good friend Kristin (creative mind behind every years parade theme). I caught Ella and Aimee Shakin their tails and KJ was tail-less but he still gave it his best effort. You just have to love their belly laughs. Enjoy!

Fire Trucks For Real

First I would like to say that it has been a week since I have posted to this blog. It bugs me but I have been out of town. Yes, that is right, I was able to leave town with some friends for the entire Labor Day weekend! Boy did it feel good to get out of town. We went camping up north and it was beautiful weather and so relaxing. I really needed that.
So anyway, back to my fire truck post. The past few days, Jon and I have noticed that our electricity was doing some strange things. We both just chalked it up to the power company must have been doing some testing or something. Anyway, last night when Jon got home with the kids, the lights in the house were very dim and would not get any brighter. Jon called our Electrician friend and he told Jon to flip the switch on the circuit breaker so Jon tried that and it worked. Later on in the evening, I was downstairs and when I started the dryer, the lights got very dim and then they came back up. I thought it was weird but was so tired I decided to go to bed. In the middle of the night I woke up and there was no electricity in our room. Something felt weird to me so I woke Jon up and told him the power was out again. He then said, not in the kids rooms because I can hear the fan. He then decided he better head downstairs to take a look and check things out. Jon then came back up stairs and asked me if I would go down with him. Once, I got down there he asked if anything seemed weird to me. It did...it smelled like burned rubber. We both then proceeded to feel the walls and the ceiling to see if anything felt hot. Nothing did.
At this point I looked at Jon and said, do I need to wake the kids and bring them to my moms (it was like 2 AM), do we need to call someone to come out and take a look, or should we stay up all night in case of a fire? We were not really sure what to do but we decided it would best to call the dispatcher for the fire department to see what they thought would be best to do. They suggested either an electrician (didn't want to pay for one in the middle of the night) or the fire department. We opted for the fire department. Before we knew it, we had two fire trucks with lights ablazing sitting in front of our house. We have 5 firemen in our house. They were walking around checking the walls and the ceiling for haze and heat. Then three of the men got called out to a more critical call. The fireman came down to the conclusion that the house seemed fine but advised us to leave the circuit off for the night and if the smell got worse to call them back.
This morning, Jon called our Electrician friend and explained the situation. He said he would stop by on his way to another call. After he inspected our electrical panel, he said that God must have been looking out for us. The main line into the house was shorting out and the insulation was melting. He said that if we would not have turned the circuit off that the sparks would most likely have caused a fireball and then our house would have started on fire! I am numb to this news. My stomach hurts just thinking about it. I just THANK GOD that Jon was home with me and the house did not catch on fire. WOW!
I told the fireman last night right before he left that my biggest fear is having a fire and trying to get all three kids out. He was right when he told me we needed to start having fire drills with the kids. I intend to buy a ladder for our 2nd story and to start talking to the kids about what we should do if the house starts on fire. God sure watched out for us last night. Now we just need to get the electrical panel back in tip top shape!