I love summer. I love the sweltering heat. I love the feeling of walking from an over air-conditioned building or house to warmth and sunshine. I love vacations, usually to the beach. I love the pool. I love not having to wrestle with socks and jackets. I love the simplicity of walking out the door and getting the mail with no shoes. I love sundresses. I even love the thermostat battles with my husband; I’m comfortable at 80, he likes a chilly 70 (I know these things are programable but I don’t have the energy to tackle the user manual). This summer has been especially hot, leaving people longing for fall a month early. Not me. I enjoy the sauna!
This past week, I did something I never imagined possible last year. But now that my kids are two, life has become more manageable…at least for the time being. After teaching my 6 AM bootcamp on Wednesday morning, I came home, packed for the beach, loaded the car and the kids and we set off for a whirlwind. We met my sister and her family and the Grandparent Pietrons at the water park in Greensboro. Josie was by far the most brave, eagerly flinging herself down the kiddie slides only to run back around the “on” ramp to repeat the adventure over and over again. Marcus apprehensively gave the slides a shot while Mia decided to pass altogether, opting to float in the pools instead. After about two hours, the kids were exhausted. We dressed and got back into the car for a 3.5 hour drive to the beach. People think I’m brave for tackling long drives by myself with three 2-year-olds, but honestly, I find driving long distances relaxing. The kids sleep for half the time and watch videos for the rest of the trip. Meanwhile, I sit back and listento a book on tape. It’s actually a pretty peaceful three hours.
GaGa and Pop-Pop Gravitt took all 4 of Max’s sister’s kids to the beach for a week while Max’s sister and husband vacationed in the Caribbean. How fabulous (and brave) is that? To top off the craziness, the triplets and I crashed their party for a few days. A few years ago, prior to the triplets, I would have found it slightly appalling to take a trip to the beach with 7 children age 10 and under. But life make you grow; I’ve expanded my horizons. Spending time with so many children was actually lots of fun. All the kids had a blast at the beach and the bigger kids found the triplets entertaining. Mia (big surprise being the social butterfly of the group) took to Alex and Rachel right away. She happily became their little puppy for the weekend.
Rachel, Alex, Zach, Matthew and Mia
Josie, Marcus and I
Josie
Mia and Marcus
Josie
Indeed, we have had some fabulous family trips this spring and summer. A trip to the mountains, three trips to the beach, a trip to the waterpark and we probably have a few more trips up our sleeves. In fact, in a few weeks, Max and I are off to Vegas. No kids! I can taste that pina-calada already!
Glad you came and that the chaos wasn’t too bad. I wish I could have seen you guys. Alex lit up when I asked about the triplets. He loves little kids. I’ve said that we need to have another baby for him because not only does he seem to love them but it endears him to me when I see him with the kids (which, honestly, I need a little of with him right now). Loved the pics from the 4th!
I love how you always talk about how well behaved your triplets are. As I approach the “terrible twos” with my triplets I was wondering if you have any book suggestions or any advice on how to teach your little ones to mind? Thanks!