My Sister - Reaching a boiling point.

The last time I talked about my sister was over a year ago, in this post. I just re-read that post, and I am saddened to say that most things are either the same, or worse than they were then.

Lily will be 2 in February, and my sister is still a terrible mother. She still works evenings at Boston Pizza, and then stays out all night partying with her friends. My mom continually argues with her, and tells her she needs to come home to Lily, but my sister doesn't listen, and obviously doesn't care. Lily is NOT a good sleeper, and is up several times a night, which is hard on my mom who has to get up at 5:30am for work.

Lately, my sister has started to not even come home until 7 or 8am. So of course she is tired, and lays around sleeping on the couch all day, while Lily wonders around the house unsupervised. It's sick. My mom seems to finally be getting sick of it, and has given my sister an ultimatum. Straighten up by January 1st, or get out, and leave Lily.

Am I a terrible sister if I say that I hope she just leaves?! My sister has had 2 years to get her shit together, and she hasn't even tried. Obviously it is NOT a priority to her. It would be so much easier on everyone if she just wasn't even in the picture. Lily deserves so much more, and my mom shouldn't have to deal with all this crap.

So, as January 1st quickly approaches, we will see what happens. I really hope my mom stays strong, and kicks my sister out. She is 22 years old. She is not a kid anymore, and in my opinion, some tough love is long overdue.

Christmas 2010!

We had a great Christmas this year! :)

We spent Christmas Eve at my brother's house, eating appetizers and playing games. We were home by about 8:30pm, so that we could get the kids into bed at a decent time.

The kids were up at 7am on Christmas morning. We all opened our stockings, had bacon and eggs for breakfast, and then opened our presents. The kids had a great time, and of course got way too much stuff!

After all the presents were opened, we got showered/bathed and ready to go to my parents house. At my parents house we opened more presents, and ate appetizers for lunch. Then we just hung out and visited (while the kids played), until it was time to go to my Aunt's house for dinner.

At my Aunt's house, we did more visiting, more eating, and the kids got a visit from Santa, so they each got one more gift to open!

It was a great Christmas! The highlight for me (besides seeing the kids excitement, of course!), was that my parents bought us a full size, digital piano!!! I played the piano as a kid, and obviously haven't been able to play much over the last few years, as we don't have one. I am thrilled that my parents got us a digital one, as it is smaller than a "real" piano, so we can actually find somewhere to put it, but it has a full size keyboard with weighted keys, so it is comparable to a real piano for the kids to learn how to play!

All our stockings, lined up on the couch!

All the presents stuffed under and around the tree!
Love the thrilled looks on their faces! ♥

Christmas morning breakfast - Sage is even sitting at the table with everyone!

Present time!!

So much stuff!

Opening gifts at my parents house.

The kids playing at my Aunt's house.

Getting one more gift from Santa!

"Christmas" with the In-laws!

Since Gairod's parents went away for Christmas (don't even ask - it was supposed to be their year to have Christmas dinner with us, but they "forgot", and planned to go away!), we celebrated with them a week early!

We had dinner at Kody and Kim's house, and the kids opened WAY too many presents! Seriously, after opening gifts there, we could have just skipped real Christmas!

Anyways, we all had a good time, and it was nice to get to celebrate Christmas twice! :)

All my little sweethearts, dressed nice and ready to go! ♥

Too many gifts!

My 3 girls, waiting to open gifts! ♥

Opening stocking from Grandma

Triplet Discrimination

In September, the triplets started swimming lessons - their first ever "class" of any kind. They were all in the same level, as it was the first time in lessons for any of them.

Hayden struggled a bit, and when the session ended, and they all passed, I have to admit - I was a bit surprised. I couldn't help but wonder, did he pass because he actually met all of the requirements? Or did he pass because his brother and sister did, and the teacher didn't want him to be left behind??

I left that class feeling weird. That was the first time I have ever wondered if the fact that they are triplets, affected the way another person treated them.

The next week, they started another session of swimming lessons, the next level up. This time, they had a different instructor. This lady bugged me from the start. She was ALWAYS calling them "The Triplets".

Calling them "the triplets", doesn't necessarily bug me. In fact, I call them "the triplets". I use it when I am talking about them as a group, just like I will say "the girls" or "the boys" or "the kids". But it was the way she said it that bugged me - like she was introducing a circus act or something: "Oh look! The Triplets are here!!"

Anyways, throughout the second session, Cole excelled, while Kadance and Hayden did pretty good. I thought they would all pass - Cole for sure!

I was shocked when I got their report cards at the end, and NONE of them passed. I looked over the criteria, and agreed that Kadance and Hayden might not be able to do the few things they missed (all the same things by the way....hmmm...). But when I looked over the few things that Cole didn't have checked off, I disagreed. I KNEW he could do these things. I also knew his instructor didn't check these things off, because she didn't want to pass him, and not the other two. I just knew, that is the kind of person she came across as. And it bugged me. It still bugs me.

I could have talked to her, made a big stink, but I didn't. I let it go, and now I stew about it. I am NOT a confrontational person - definitely a hindrance in situations like these.

I really bugs me that she held Cole back, simply because she viewed him and "one of three". Like at the grocery store, when there are boxes of granola bars on sale - "buy 3 boxes for $2.00 each. Less than full groups $2.50 each." So you buy all 3 boxes. Not because you necessarily need all three boxes, but because you feel like you have to buy all three.

I feel like my children were discriminated against, because they are triplets. And I don't like it. I always used to say that if I put the triplets in school, I would want them all in the same class. It would be easier - one teacher to deal with, one class party to attend, etc. But now, I am not so sure. I am now realizing the negative aspect of having triplets. The way other people view/treat them. And it's hard. It's hard as a mother to watch my son, who LOVES and excels at swimming, to be held back simply because he has 2 same age siblings.

So, for now at least, I am further rooted in my reasons for homeschooling. I can teach my children like the individuals they are, NOT as a group.

I have also decided I need to be more forward - the next time I put the kids in swimming lessons (probably May/June), I am going to talk to the instructor before the first class, and request that she treat them individually - if one deserves to pass and the others don't, then pass that one, just like you would for any other single kids. It's sad that I feel the need to do that, but unfortunately, I do.

Trying to catch up!

I realize I have been really bad about blogging lately - Sorry! I have been so busy with Christmas prep, that I haven't had time for much else! I am TRYING to catch up - I have a bunch of posts on the go, just trying to find the time to finish and post them! lol!

Christmas Baking :)

Usually for Christmas baking, I do one or two batches each of several different things. This year I decided to try something different. I decided to make SEVERAL batches of only a few different things! AND I got the kids to help me! :)

10 Years.

Today marks 10 years since my world was turned upside down, when my 15-year-old brother killed himself.

10 years. Wow, that's a long time.

Every year gets a bit easier, but I will NEVER be the same person I was before that day. That day altered the course of my life.

Now, 10 years later, I am happy with where I am in my life. I have a loving husband, and 5 beautiful children. But I still miss my brother. I am sure he would have been an awesome Uncle to my kids, and I can't help but wonder if he would be married with kids of his own by now.

Christmas is such a bitter-sweet time. I try to ignore the anniversary approaching, and just focus on fun holiday activities with the kids, but December 12th always comes, and with it comes feelings and emotions, rushing back like someone opened the flood gates.

I miss my brother, and I wish he was still here.

Bug Cheerios

Yesterday, when I was asking the kids what they wanted for breakfast, Kadance said she wanted "Bug Cheerios". I said "Bug Cheerios?!?! What are bug Cheerios??" Of course then she got mad at me because I didn't know what she was talking about! lol!

I offered her regular Cheerios, and I offered her Multi grain Cheerios (the only 2 kinds of Cheerios we have) - neither of which was what she wanted. I racked my brain, and suddenly it came to me: Honey nut Cheerios have a bee on the box - therefore they MUST be "Bug Cheerios"!!! I was right! She had had them for breakfast when she slept over at Aunty Kim and Uncle Kody's house last weekend! :)

A little bit awkward!

Despite living in the same small town, I have managed to avoid any close encounters with Jade's biological father. If fact, I can count on one hand, the number of times I have seen him around town, or at a function.

Several months back, I learned from a friend, that Nick and his now wife Shaina, were expecting twins. How weird is that! 3 months ago, they had their twins, 2 little boys. Last night, Shaina showed up at our monthly multiples mom social. A little awkward to say the least!

The thing is, I don't know if Shaina even knows about Jade! Actually, I really don't think she does! Last night was the first time I have ever met her. When she asked about my kids, and I told her the number and ages, she said "Oh you must be Gairod's wife! I'm Shaina, Nick's wife." (She knows Gairod through curling) I wanted to respond with "Yes, I know Nick quite well, in fact, he is my oldest daughters bio father!" But of course I didn't. By the way she talked and acted, I am pretty sure that she is clueless.

I know that after almost 9 years, it really shouldn't bug me, but at times, it still does. When I have to sit and make small talk, and listen to her talk about her husband and the babies, it's a bit hard. He was never there for OUR baby. She had the babies with her, and I have to admit, they were quite cute! But I can't deny that I was comparing them to how Jade looked as a baby - similarities and differences, and I couldn't help but notice their Peg Perego carseats, and remember the fact that Jade had mostly hand-me downs as a baby, because I was a single mother, and couldn't afford nice stuff for her.

I KNOW that Jade is better off not having Nick in her life, but it still bugs me that he, and most of his family, all live in the same town as us, and none of them have ever acknowledged the fact that he is her father.

I am really hoping that Shaina doesn't start regularly coming to our multiple club socials. That is MY group of friends, who I can feel comfortable chatting with, and not have to watch what I say about Jade's bio father. I wanted to just blurt out the truth to her, but of course being the bigger person that I am, I would never do that.

Swimming Lessons!

The 4 older kids have all been in swimming lessons since September, and they have all been LOVING it!! They all passed their first set of lessons, and are currently finishing up their second set! :)

Their lessons are early Friday afternoons, and there is public swimming at the same time, but the pool is usually all but empty! Many times, I bring me and Sage's swimsuits along, and we will play in the tot pool while the kids have their lessons, and then we stay and public swim for a while when their lessons are over!

I love that I can take them swimming by myself. When the triplets were babies, this is something that I never really thought I would be able to do. I am so happy that now, 3 year later, I CAN DO IT!! :)

Here are some pictures of the triplets in their swimming class (I didn't get any of Jade in her class :( ). I LOVE the fact that they are literally half of their class - 3 out of 6 kids! lol! :)

Boys New Bedroom!

The boys room is DONE! YAY!! My goal was to get it done before Christmas, and I am happy to say that it is only December 2nd, and it is done!! :)

Here are a couple of "before" pictures of the triplets room, with all three toddler beds in it. The first picture is from when we first put them in toddler beds, and we had a bed rail on Kadance's bed. The second picture is the most recent one I have, with Kadance's bed by the window. The only difference is that the change table has been gone for almost a year, and we had another dresser in it's place.
This is the boys room after we moved Kadance's bed and dresser out. I can't believe how much more room there was with only 2 toddler beds and a dresser in it! LOL!

"Before" painting.

"After" painting - Yes, I know it is BRIGHT red - and I LOVE it!! :)

All put back together - with bunk beds now! :)

For Christmas, Santa is going to bring the boys "Cars" bedding and curtains, so that will complete their new room! :)

Sooner rather than later!

When we set up the boys bunk beds yesterday, I knew it would just be a matter of time before someone fell off. I just didn't think it would be that soon!!

Last night, I was bathing Kadance, Gairod was tidying up the kitchen, and the boys were horsing around on their bed. I had JUST told them to stop playing on the top bunk, or someone would fall off and get hurt. A couple of minutes later, I hear a big thud, and Hayden starts crying.

He was rolling around crying "My back hurts! My back hurts!" So of course I am instantly panicking, and thinking his back is broken! I figured we would eventually have a broken arm or leg with these boys, but NOT a broken back!!! It knocked the wind out of him, and he could hardly breath - he must have landed flat on his back. Gairod got him calmed down, and breathing steadily, and took him out to the couch. I was supposed to be leaving in 5 minutes for dinner out with some friends, but now I was wondering if we needed to make a trip to Urgent Care! We have him some Tylenol, and got him to bed, and I headed out - leaving instructions for Gairod to call me if anything changed, and he thought we needed to take him in.

He slept fine, and was feeling MUCH better in the morning! Thank goodness! Hopefully he has learned his lesson, and will no longer play around on his bed - but probably not!