Southwest Play School Graduation 2009

A is for Alberty!

It is so hard to believe the triplets graduated from preschool. *Sniff, Sniff*  It is amazing how far we have come in the last 5+ years.  I am so proud of the great kids they have turned out to be!  It was kinda funny to see Claire as the first one to graduate, as she is our "baby."  We typically do everything in birth order (Emma, Owen, Claire) and didn't even think about alphabetical order trumping that during school.  I was proud of her for going first and being so brave.  A year or two ago she would have melted at the thought of being singled out.  She was so proud!  

Claire basking in the glow.  

The swings are one of her favorite spots on the playground.  They all have perfected the art of "pumping" and she, in particular, loves to swing.  I think Claire has actually changed the most over the preschool years.  She used to cry when I left or when singled out to do something.  Now she is a confident 5 year old who has become incredibly social.  Check out those Baby Legs!  Great leg warmers- perfect fit, don't slide down, come in many colors, aren't too thick...just right for a girl who loves to wear skirts year-round!    Way to go, Claire!

What a gorgeous smile!

Emma is definitely ready for the next step.  Now that she has checked preschool graduation off of her list, she talks non-stop about kindergarten.  I am amazed at how much more she knows than Brendan did at this age, that they all know.  She is just a sponge soaking up everything that Brendan is learning.  She is the patient observer, listening when we do his homework and remembering it!  Her biggest hurdle will be learning to let others be the leader sometimes. Darran says she is a "mini-me," which I guess is his nice way of calling her a control freak:-)  I turned out okay!  Congratulations, Emma!!

Doesn't he look like he is up to something??

Owen has such a big heart.  He could often be seen helping a friend who skinned his knee or giving hugs to the teacher, Miss Garrett.  He really is such a thoughtful boy.  It has been fun to watch him develop friendships with boys his age.  He always has the girls to play with but it has been fun watching him play with boys his own age too.  He usually is much more calm and polite at school than home....he saves up all his mischievousness for at home!  Awesome job, Owen!

 

I finally got around to adding a picture of Emma playing t-ball.  It has been really fun to watch them all play.  Emma is busy learning the rules of the game. Claire is busy looking cute while playing.  And Owen really love the game of baseball playing catch with Brendan as often as possible.  We're excited for Uncle Patrick's visit next week so he can see them play!

Team Rangers

Emma, Owen and Claire have joined the Rangers tee-ball team (sponsored by D&H Drug Store, of course)!  The rain finally stayed away and on Tuesday night they had their very first game. Emma actually had to sit this one out because she has a sinus infection and wasn't feeling up to it.  Claire and Owen did a great job though!  It is hard to believe they are playing tee-ball.  It seems not so long ago that Brendan had his first tee-ball game.  Of course, he knew nothing about baseball when he started, while the other three have the advantage of watching him play for the last few years.  They at least knew how to run the bases and how to hit the ball.  They seemed like pros!  

Owen has an amazing swing.  He is such an athletic kid.  He is always wanting to practice at home.  He has quite an arm and made a terrific throw from third base over to first. He had some great hits as well, hitting it to the grass (which if you have been to many tee-ball games is not very common amongst tee-ball hitters, at least in my experience!).

Owen rounding third...what a hit!

Claire also did a great job with hitting and even knew where to throw the ball when she stopped it (FIRST, Claire, FIRST!). It is so cute to see her stop the ball, then "pop up" and aim and throw.  I am smiling just thinking about it.  She is, not surprisingly, the littlest one out there, but she isn't afraid to get in there with the boys.  She actually was the only girl playing on the team on Tuesday, since Emma was out sick.  She sure didn't seem to mind!

Claire after scoring at home...how cute is she?

 We would love to have you stop by a game sometime.  You can't help but smile:-)

March of Dimes

Owen "cheesing" it up, as usual

Claire and Emma enjoying a sandwich after the walk

Emma doing some stretches- too cute!

Brendan's monkey tattoo

Thanks to all who donated to the March of Dimes!  The Columbia Mothers of Multiples team raised over $2400.  Woo hoo!  I really appreciate all your support.  They had many posters of families affected by prematurity at the walk and I realize how truly fortunate we were to have such healthy preemies!  Lots of folks turned out even though the weather was iffy.  Obviously many had been affected by premature births- not all ending up with happy, healthy kids like us.

This was the first year the kids have walked with me...well, the first year they were all in strollers and it was a long walk.  That was in 2005, so they were about 1 and 1/2...need I say more??  So for the next few years I left them at home and Darran met me at the finish line.  This year though it was a shorter walk at 1.7 miles and I knew the kids would love being included.  The weather held off and, although it was wet, we did not get rained on.  We had a great walk.  Charlie came with us and was a big hit.  The kids got their faces painted and got balloons.  It was too wet for the bounce house, but they still had a great time.  

Being part of the walk today really made us count our blessings.  Every birth is truly a miracle! Thanks again to all those who donated!

Tanya

Easter

Easter at Dad's with extended family.  They loved looking for Easter eggs.  The grown-ups were thankful the rain stayed away.  Jaxon was prepared though for puddle-jumping...check out those boots!
Easter morning after hunting for the eggs the Easter bunny hid.  He was tricky but the kids weren't fooled.  It was fun waking up on Easter morning somewhere other than our house.  The kids weren't sure if he would find us all the way in Pevely.  Of course, he did!  I love the innocence of children!  

We went to St. John's for Easter service.  I hadn't been there in ages and was amazed at the changes going on there.  I wish I would have been able to see old friends, but the kids were perfect in church and it was great to go with Dad and Grandma and Grandpa Wendling.

Emma lost her second tooth!!!  It is hard to believe.  She is awfully pleased that she can push her tongue through the hole of her missing two bottom teeth.  She is one proud lady!  It is especially fun when your triplet siblings aren't anywhere near losing any teeth!  I think the tooth fairy will have a bit of a rest now but I'm sure she'll be back soon enough!

Emma lost her first tooth!

After weeks of wiggling, Emma finally lost her first tooth!  I have a feeling the Tooth Fairy is going to be visiting the Alberty household a lot in the upcoming days and weeks.  Emma has another really loose tooth.  Claire has two loose teeth and so does Owen!  That Tooth Fairy better have her wings tuned up and ready to fly!  Stay tuned....