Afternoon schedule

A while back I wrote about our morning schedule. Here is a "usual" afternoon schedule:

12:15 or so - Kids eat lunch. In a perfect world I fix their lunch while they are napping.
1:00 - We start loading up for an outing (weather permitting)
Now most people would think of an "outing" as something like a trip to the Zoo, the Arboretum, or fun. For the Texas Trio anything that involves getting in the Family Truckster (the minivan) is an outing that needs to be prepared for:) Packing the diaper bag, getting everyone in clothes (mommy for some reason asks that their shirt matches their shorts), getting shoes on, etc....
1:20 - We depart for a fabulous destination, aka; WalMart, grocery store, Sam's, or any other errands we need to run.
2:30 or so - We load back up in the Family Truckster for the trip home. Most places we go are 5-10 minutes away
3:00 - We arrive home. I corral everyone out of the van and upstairs. This is quite often comical if everyone wants me to carry them. I have two options.... Each kid does a "super jump" (me carrying each one individually up the stairs and over the gate) or we all go up a few steps at a time with me manually moving them up the stairs.
3:10 - We have a snack. "Chefs choice" of crackers, cheese, apple, oranges, or other fruits and veggies.
3:30 - Down for nap #2 I read to them for 10 - 15 minutes.
3:45 - 6:00 - It is DEFCON 4 at the house as you never know how long they will sleep. I prioritize things and get the must get dones first then the want to get dones. I feel like I am on house arrest as if I go in the basement or outside I must take one of the baby monitors with me. It even beeps if I go too far:)
6:30 - Mommy and Daddy get to have Dinner!
7:00 - Family playtime
7:45 - Brush teeth and get the kids in PJs
8:00 - Say prayers and Mommy reads to the kids
8:30 - Mommy and Daddy eat dinner

Did I ever mention how great and beautiful Mommy (the CFO) is?

William is trying out a new style for our gang, "The Trips". He is wearing his shorts on his head and throwing our gang sign your way.


You know you are a stay at home parent when your meal selection is driven, in part, by who is changing their diapers the next day:)

Al

You know you're a stay at home dad when....

In the past I have been accused of being a member of the fashion police, a far cry from my cargo shorts and T-shirt uniform these days:) I also was nicknamed "Nurse" in College for taking care of those that, well, let's say "over-enjoyed" their time at parties. But being a guy I LOVE power tools and other "guy" toys. My tastes have changed a bit though. Here is a short "You know you're a stay at home dad when...." list:

Instead of asking Santa for left tilt table saw you hope the LG Steam Washer and Dryer go on sale with 12 months same as cash

Instead of buying the DeWalt bag of tools because they are a good deal you ASK to buy them so you can start building the playhouse for the kids (saving money vs. buying one already built)

Instead of buying the newest first person video game for yourself and playing it 8 hours straight you spend your time on the computer looking for healthy meals that are easy to fix

"If" you buy a newspaper or have it delivered to the house you "better find and use" coupons over and above the cost of the paper:)

Living the dream...

Al

Funny coments from our Grocery Store trip today

As I may have mentioned the kids and I go grocery store shopping together. I will see if I can get a picture sometime to share. I get lots of comments. Two people today made me proud and laugh a lot.


A lady behind me in the checkout line said "What did Daddy do to deserve this punishment? :)" I then told her I stay at home with them. She replied "Bless you, I am going to call Oprah!"


Another lady in the store said "I had twins but we never went out, you sure are brave."

Addison using her Jedi Mind-trick on me... "You want to give us cookies"

Life is for keeps,

Al

Now I get it!

I sometimes get a little tired of whining. This is nothing new, I use to get tired of employees whining (hours are too long, I don't make enough, traffic is bad, etc...) now I have three 20 month olds doing the whining. Well, I have definitely learned from my triplets that God has a sense of humor and loves teaching lessons. So I got one.


Starting with Jackson and currently finishing up with Addison, the kids have had runny noses, a little coughing and A LOT of whining. Well yesterday my throat started hurting. The runny nose started about 4pm and by 7pm at dinner (LOVE Pizza Hut's kids eat free on Tuesdays) it hit me like a brick wall. I could barely make into bed. When I say barely I mean it.... No milk cups made for the morning, kitchen dirty, dishwasher not run, etc.....

I feel much better today and I have a better perspective on things:)

Live, laugh and love... A LOT

Al

Back to school....

The kid's day out program takes a two week break between sessions. At least that what the calendar tells me:) But in my reality I think I will need the minivan's navigation system to get me back there today. Many people ask, did you enjoy your "break" from the kids? OK, first of all this break costs money. Yes, it is sponsored by G-Daddy but it still costs money. So my corporate side takes over and I need to get things done! So Tuesdays I am the yard man and Thursdays, the cleaner.

So, yes, I love my "break" as it allows me to get the rest of my "job" done:) Not sure if I mentioned the S.M.A.R.T. goals I set for myself or not. For anyone not familiar with S.M.A.R.T. goals just Google it:) My main S.M.A.R.T. goal is to have ALL of the "house work" done by the weekend. That way all we worry about is having family time. Any "stay at home" parent that does not have this as a S.M.A.R.T. goal should spend some time in Corporate America. Yes, it is tough, yes, it is hard work but come on.... I have gotten a lot more out of people that worked for me and given a lot more to the people I worked for and gotten less in return.

Enough of the rant:) Here are a couple of pictures of me teaching the kids about working with ovens and hot pans. What, you think I was planning on doing all the cooking myself:) I still need to teach Jackson that the thumb usually points up.



Only one person who has walked the earth has been perfect, so forgive yourself and those you hold dear,

Al

Great weekend!

We had a great weekend!

Definition: A few meltdowns, one or less blowout, two or less bitings, got out of the house, went to church and the house still looks good.



We had a nice surprise on Saturday, a visit from Quenta's Aunt Joan and Uncle Alan who currently live out of state. We absolutely LOVE IT when people visit, no, really. The only weird thing is that I feel like we are an exhibit or putting on a show for them. This time Jackson was the main attraction. He really "put on the dog" as they say in Alabama. But I am realizing that raising the kids gives you memory problems, like I needed more:) When I look back at the weekend I remember all the fun, cute and adorable stuff. The crying, screaming, fit-pitching and willful disobedience are barely a memory.

If you think your life is tough, just turn on the news. I PROMISE someone's life sucks more than yours.

Al

Shocking.....

I seem to be one of the few people that conduct electricity like copper. I mean my kids just set foot on a piece of plastic playground equipment and ZAP! I get lit up like a Christmas Tree. The kids don't seem to appreciate it either.

Well, this is one of those few cases in a Man's life that neither duct tape or epoxy will fix the problem.
My solution, spray it down with static guard and wear my yard gloves (picture below). Sure I look like a duffus but hey, I am married and I have triplets, who do I need to impress? It worked! Now if I can just get our stroller from charging me up in grocery stores we will be good to go. I actually saw the spark a week ago when I reached for a can of beans. Talk about a diet plan.

Another "Your Mama joke" for you,
Your mama's teeth are so yellow that when she smiles traffic slows down:)