Where? Who? How? Photography? Help! Triplets take on the World!

[Chicago Mo]

Steal away...SERIOUSLY! I am totally not offended! In fact...I'm flattered! It's comforting to know that there are other Excel Queens out there... Wayne thinks I am weird. What does he know?

Nope... they don't get it at all... planning is one of the better perks!!! LOVE planning!!! and LOVE LOVE LOVE the binder idea... a little miffed that i didn't think of this before?!?!?
Anyway yours is awesome. I am SO going to use it.

I've been to Chicago once...20 years ago! Went to a Cubs game, shopped on Michigan Ave., and up in the Sears Tower (as it was named then). That's all I remember! I would love to visit Chicago again sometime!! So....umm....dark side here I come!

a CUBS GAME?!?!? NOOOOOOOOOO sox... all the way.
I will ALWAYS call it the sears tower the big willie is just wrong. Yes a Chicago trip for everyone is a NECESSITY!
---------------------


Another Matt update.
So he is all Jazzed up for tomorrow. I have to go shopping today for a care package for him. including all the stuff he will need to keep the toes clean and infection FREE!
OUT OF NOWHERE. He tells me he feels bad. I am figuring it's because the Surgery is tomorrow. NOPE. he feels bad because he thinks he is FAT?!?!?! Where in the world did THAT come from?!?!? he is NO WHERE near fat!!! he's a big kid tall and has broad shoulders. Not a ounce of fat on this kid, between football, baseball and whatever else i can't think of at the moment keeps him fit. He has the baby fat belly, he thinks he is fat... what a different society we live in!!! at 8 i didn't care i was playing with barbie and still making mud pies!!! I just don't get it...

 

[teachermommy78]

Joining, but will read later. I have huge plans of laundry, then a work out. Then I'll relax. I have one more day of nothing before I start a new job at a museum! Yikes!

Anyway, I live in Chicago, and will be taking my 4th drive to WDW in July! We will also be driving down in June 2014. I'll read later, but do you know when you are traveling down yet?

I have some great advice about the trip, which I will get to after I marathon read your PTR. It worked phenomenally for us in 2011 when we had a 3 year old, 5 year old, and 7 year old. This time around they are 5, 7, and 9. Hopefully it will be even better!!!

And oddly, my 7 year old (8 in July) was ALSO recently diagnosed with learning disabilities (reading) and is in speech therapy at school.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

OMGoodness...my younger dd once told me she thought her belly was fat. I HATE that our society puts these things in our kids' heads!!!! I make it a point to NEVER complain about my own body or looks in front of my children. We try so hard to stress the importance of internal beauty...but unfortunately there are many voices out there telling them otherwise.

 

[Pixiedust530]

Nope... they don't get it at all... planning is one of the better perks!!! LOVE planning!!! and LOVE LOVE LOVE the binder idea... a little miffed that i didn't think of this before?!?!?
Anyway yours is awesome. I am SO going to use it.

a CUBS GAME?!?!? NOOOOOOOOOO sox... all the way.
I will ALWAYS call it the sears tower the big willie is just wrong. Yes a Chicago trip for everyone is a NECESSITY!
---------------------


Another Matt update.
So he is all Jazzed up for tomorrow. I have to go shopping today for a care package for him. including all the stuff he will need to keep the toes clean and infection FREE!
OUT OF NOWHERE. He tells me he feels bad. I am figuring it's because the Surgery is tomorrow. NOPE. he feels bad because he thinks he is FAT?!?!?! Where in the world did THAT come from?!?!? he is NO WHERE near fat!!! he's a big kid tall and has broad shoulders. Not a ounce of fat on this kid, between football, baseball and whatever else i can't think of at the moment keeps him fit. He has the baby fat belly, he thinks he is fat... what a different society we live in!!! at 8 i didn't care i was playing with barbie and still making mud pies!!! I just don't get it...

YEP... CUBS!!! My grandpa is a HUGE Cubs fan (always has been)! I remember I was about 13YO when we went to the game. We had seats somewhere in the outfield and I enjoyed the view of Ryne Sandberg's butt throughout the game! LOL Isn't it funny the things we remember from our childhood as we grow up? Now...my dad and my 2 brothers are HUGE St. Louis Cardinals fans. I am planning a trip this summer to take my son to St. Louis and my dad is planning to tag along and take Caden to a Cardinals game. They just so happen to be playing the Cubs while we are there. My poor kid is gooing to be so confused...his great grandpa telling him to pull for the Cubs and his grandpa telling him to go for the Cardinals! I'm staying out of this one!

That's just crazy about Matt thinking he is fat. It is so unfortunate the worries that our kids have to deal with these days. It really should just be worries like whether to root for the Cubs or Cardinals!

 

[solana131]

Oh my gosh...NONE of you beautiful children are fat! That just makes me so mad. I hope someone didn't say something to him to make him think that!

Glad things went well today...hope the recovery is fast and easy!

BTW.....WE ARE 69 DAYS OUT TO MOA!!! Can't wait...so excited!

Bradey and I made a countdown for Disney...we have a Mickey head we move each day for that trip....I have a cocktail cutout I move a little lower down on that same countdown. He says to me "Mum, are you going to Disney before me?" And I said "No, that's for my girl's only trip with some friends, but I don't want to make another countdown, so can I share yours?" He says..."sure, but why is your fun girl trip before my Disney trip?" See...even he knows it is going to be fun!

 

[DMGeurts]

So glad that Matt's surgery went well today... and thanks for the text to update me - I was out n' about, and not by the computer, so I couldn't check for your update. I hope the little guy is resting comfortably, and I loved the photos of the limo ride.

Society sucks... My girls are very conscious of their bodies, and they are quick to pick out their likes and dislikes... I always reassure them that it's not how they look outside that's important, it's how REAL they are on the inside that matters... It's so hard, because all of their friends are so much more critical of themselves and eachother, that's it's impossible to shield them. I just try to give them as much confidence as I can - and I am not ashamed to admit that if their friends tell them something that is just plain hurtful or rude - I set my girls straight. IT's not fair, kids deal with enough as it is these days, and they don't need friends in their lives that bring them down...

Sorry.... Huge pet peeve of mine.

None of your adorable kids are fat by any means, and I sure hope that no one said anything like that to them.

I am sure I had lots more to write - but I must run... I am sure we will chat in the morning over coffee.

D~

 

[Chicago Mo]

Joining, but will read later. I have huge plans of laundry, then a work out. Then I'll relax. I have one more day of nothing before I start a new job at a museum! Yikes!

Glad to have you!!! a Museum!?!?! What a great job! Which one may i ask?

Anyway, I live in Chicago, and will be taking my 4th drive to WDW in July! We will also be driving down in June 2014. I'll read later, but do you know when you are traveling down yet?

Yep in 2014... you'll see i had to cancel this trip! another Chicago kid! North? South? I am south east by the lake. YAY!!! I NEED you on this report. I NEED your advice on

I have some great advice about the trip, which I will get to after I marathon read your PTR. It worked phenomenally for us in 2011 when we had a 3 year old, 5 year old, and 7 year old. This time around they are 5, 7, and 9. Hopefully it will be even better!!!

did you stop a lot? what did you bring to keep their attention from ARE WE THERE YET syndrome?
yes i have MANY MANY questions for ya!

And oddly, my 7 year old (8 in July) was ALSO recently diagnosed with learning disabilities (reading) and is in speech therapy at school.

Lots in common!
They will all be 9 going on 10 for the trip in 2014... did you get outside help with the reading? Zack is MORE then willing to learn and try all his teachers LOVE him because they say he is so easy going and wants to learn. Now i am thinking about a tutor for math.. in talks with one of his teachers now...

Welcome again to the crazy train glad to have you aboard!!!

 

[Chicago Mo]

OMGoodness...my younger dd once told me she thought her belly was fat. I HATE that our society puts these things in our kids' heads!!!! I make it a point to NEVER complain about my own body or looks in front of my children. We try so hard to stress the importance of internal beauty...but unfortunately there are many voices out there telling them otherwise.

WHAT??? your darling kids are BEAN POLES! and drop dead beautiful!!! you tell them i said that!!!
I'm so guilty about complaining about weight.. I gained 150 pounds with the pregnancy. I blame them... lost 160. diagnosed with hypothyroidism and have been a losing battle ever since. I have terrible knees and have had surgery several times so the weight needs to come off for my health!
But I had to quit complaining because of this nonsense. DUDE YOUR 8!!! going on 16 at this point.
if it isn't one thing it's another.. Society is always telling them how to act.. i'm always trying to make them be themselves. they really are great kids not animals i see in stores, or adults that have temper tantrums. They are awesome i am very proud of them and what they do every day.. They have days just like anyone nothing compared to what i see in other kids.

 

[Chicago Mo]

YEP... CUBS!!! My grandpa is a HUGE Cubs fan (always has been)! I remember I was about 13YO when we went to the game. We had seats somewhere in the outfield and I enjoyed the view of Ryne Sandberg's butt throughout the game! LOL Isn't it funny the things we remember from our childhood as we grow up? Now...my dad and my 2 brothers are HUGE St. Louis Cardinals fans. I am planning a trip this summer to take my son to St. Louis and my dad is planning to tag along and take Caden to a Cardinals game. They just so happen to be playing the Cubs while we are there. My poor kid is gooing to be so confused...his great grandpa telling him to pull for the Cubs and his grandpa telling him to go for the Cardinals! I'm staying out of this one!

That's just crazy about Matt thinking he is fat. It is so unfortunate the worries that our kids have to deal with these days. It really should just be worries like whether to root for the Cubs or Cardinals!

How much fun!!! Poor kid is going to lose his mind. you should make a tee shirt for him. get a cubs shirt and a Cards shirt cut them down the middle and sew the two together... that would be a riot!!!
the triplet trio is all about the sox, my entire family and most friends are Sox fans. poor kids can't even make up their own mind. Then Urlacher goes and leaves the bears!!! when they were smaller i would ask "Who's your Daddy" all three would scream URLACHER. it was funny. one day Meg asked But Daddy is still my Daddy right? so i had to stop that...

Oh my gosh...NONE of you beautiful children are fat! That just makes me so mad. I hope someone didn't say something to him to make him think that!

I have NO idea this came out of left field.

Glad things went well today...hope the recovery is fast and easy!

I pray NONE of you have to go threw that!!! Yes it a minor surgery of laser treatment BUT he was still knocked out. i was a nervous wreck. I wouldn't wish that on ANYONE.

BTW.....WE ARE 69 DAYS OUT TO MOA!!! Can't wait...so excited!

Bradey and I made a countdown for Disney...we have a Mickey head we move each day for that trip....I have a cocktail cutout I move a little lower down on that same countdown. He says to me "Mum, are you going to Disney before me?" And I said "No, that's for my girl's only trip with some friends, but I don't want to make another countdown, so can I share yours?" He says..."sure, but why is your fun girl trip before my Disney trip?" See...even he knows it is going to be fun!

What a doll he is!!! Like a Christmas countdown? Pictures PLEASE!!! it sounds really cute!!!

So glad that Matt's surgery went well today... and thanks for the text to update me - I was out n' about, and not by the computer, so I couldn't check for your update. I hope the little guy is resting comfortably, and I loved the photos of the limo ride.

He is funny. like i said i dont' wish that on ANYONE. it sucked as a parent waiting there...

Society sucks...

Sing it sister!

My girls are very conscious of their bodies, and they are quick to pick out their likes and dislikes... I always reassure them that it's not how they look outside that's important, it's how REAL they are on the inside that matters... It's so hard, because all of their friends are so much more critical of themselves and eachother, that's it's impossible to shield them. I just try to give them as much confidence as I can - and I am not ashamed to admit that if their friends tell them something that is just plain hurtful or rude - I set my girls straight. IT's not fair, kids deal with enough as it is these days, and they don't need friends in their lives that bring them down...

you have it worse having teenage girls. Your girls are beautiful!!!!
you nailed it perfectly! it IS what is on the inside that you have to let outside! Someone CAN be pretty and skinny if they don't have a great mind and good sense of humor they are UGLY no matter what.
I try now with all of them to make sure they know they are AWESOME great kids. their friends treat them with respect and other or don't stay around them!!! play with someone else you don't' need that.
So bullying.
as you know this is now a big deal in school. My three hang our with my GF (since grade school which is cool now our kids are in the same grade and are BFFs) Her twin boys. they are tight as thieves. I treat them as if they are my own. well some kids TRIED to bully one of them and they stood ground. the kid turned around and started after another kid (not part of the twin/triplet circle) Matt went over to the kid told him "i told you to stop" and pushed the kid to the point the kid fell over.. So i have my little vigilante!!! He was NOT in trouble in school and i praised him when he came home. I was proud since 1. he did not allow this kid to push him/his siblings/ or his BFF's then saw that he was picking on another kid and yet STILL knew that was wrong. BTW the teacher never reprimanded this kid and has been a bully for a while.. NEVER FEAR MATT IS HERE! well Now Zack is also on a war path for his sister. needless to say i had to have a meeting with the teacher. all is well.

Sorry.... Huge pet peeve of mine.

None of your adorable kids are fat by any means, and I sure hope that no one said anything like that to them.

I am sure I had lots more to write - but I must run... I am sure we will chat in the morning over coffee.

D~

Don't be sorry it is also a pet peeve of mine I would rather my kids be fat then untrue to themselves.
again i have no idea where it came from but they know right from wrong and i am very proud of them!!!


Update in a second on the great and mighty Triplets!!!

 

[DMGeurts]

Just stopping by to wish you a...

D~

 

[Luvchefmic]

Hi Mo, with your hysterical sense of humor (from D's PTR) I HAD to join this PTR
also nice that I can put a face to the name instead of picturing Jack Skellington Your family is beautiful ! Their BD is 2 days after mine, I love photography, and we both work with dogs LOTS in common already, ok going back to first page again so I can catch up Ruthie

 

[Chicago Mo]

Hello all!!!
Matt update first..
Friday morning I was up at about 4:30. needed coffee and to get ready, I didn't want to get Matt up too early since he wasn't able to eat or drink anything

So about 5:30 i woke Matt up didn't even let him brush his teeth i was scared he might drink water or something... Yeah i am that much of a loon. So downt he stairs he went. had his jacket and shoes i was going out to smoke before the limo showed up and POOF the BIG White Cadillac Esclade Limo has pulled up!!!
Matt was all excited we jumped into the car and OFF WE WENT!

making the pictures a bit smaller... I forgot to mention the jack you know what didn't even get out of the limo to open the door for us. whatever i'm not going to tip!!!
about 45 minutes later we were in Oakbrook! the facility was BEAUTIFUL! so clean and overly friendly!!! it was wonderful!!!
a couple of minutes later Matt was called into the room. here is where my panic starts.
they tell Matt to strip down for the gown.. He looked at me like a lost puppy. is was so sad. Buck up my little trooper you HAVE TO WEAR the gown... then HOLY COW the back of the gown doesn't close?!?! the horror...
the gown was about 5 sizes to big, it covered him several times over, around, and around! then i have a gown footies etc. he gets the cool hat to (Hair net..) this was a real PITA... BUT every nurse assistant any worker in the place needs to stop and say Hi talk to him etc. i mean REALLY friendly place!!! finally get him settled down in the chair. well it's time for the IV...
or not.
He looked like a deer in headlights. and that was all the Doc needed to see! He isn't even CRY!!! Just noticing the fear and the doc said NO. they will give it to him after he is out.
Phew.
so it was time for me to leave,
I kissed him on the head put on my BEST Mommy face tell him i will see him when he wakes up it will seem like no time at all. I have to take his bunny he brought with...
So off i went to call everyone to let them know he is in..
I start pacing, smoking like a chimney, and anything else you can think of.
I want to tell all of you parents now... I DO NOT WISH THIS ON ANYONE.
I don't care what is going to happen or why, having your child knocked out is the WORST feeling ever!!!
What felt like days was actually 25 minutes the nurse comes out with a bit of worry on her face and i turn sheet white. She asked about something on his leg. ?!?!?!?! huh ?!?!?! then think OHHHHHH he has a birth mark!!!!!!!!!!!! Ummm didn't they notice that when he was examined?!?! but anyway he is out the laser did the job. he is doing GREAT and i can come and see him in a few minutes... grabbed his bunny and sprite and off she went
again felt like FOREVER!
this is my little guy:

I got a "Hi Mommy" and my heart just MELTED...
we sat there for a while. Found out he got a little sick from the anesthetic. the Sprite is helping and he is nibbling on crackers. Again 9000 people are in and out checking in on him. His actual nurse comes in and tells me they hardly ever get children in there when they do they fuss and chit chat and make him the Prince of the floor!!! They really did.
Except for the dreaded:

SOOOOOOO not happy about this.
SO i reached into my Disney bag and pulled out his surprises! he was SO EXCITED!! i got him a book an Adventure time hardcover doodle, journal adn a Skylander toy of something. that got his mind off the yuckies. Doc comes in Matt did perfect. (Of course he is he's one of my PERFECT KIDS ) and started to remove the IV. he did FINE with it all kept down the crackers/sprite and it was time to BLOW THIS POPSICLE STAND!!! I walked out earlier to ahem... the Limo pulls up i start giggling... this thing is from 1982 white, rust, the whole shibang! they bring my chew chew out in a wheelchair (why isn't there a wheelchair smilie???) so anyway i was a little more comfortable since the driver actually got out of the car and helped matt inside
and on our way we go!

call/text everyone that i can think of tell them he is OK and we are on our way home!!! :jumping1 while eating crackers and drinking sprite!
Thank GOD. once home i ran for subway. thought that would be good for him and i CRASHED OUT watching a movie with him.
the knuckleheads came home looked at Matt and said: YOU HAVE a lot of work to do! nice eh?
so he did a few sheets of homework and we got ready for dog training while Zack went to their first baseball practice. brrrrrrrrr, Tom picked up Matt and Meg i came home about 9:30 after a night of training dogs. the kids were KNOCKED OUT so tired. found out during my stress relief nap in the afternoon Matt did NOT sleep!!!!! he was afraid to nap?!?! i have no clue but the poor kid was out cold
the rest of the days since then are perfect. Matt came to work with me that monday after the surgery went to the doc finally got rid of the UGLY shoes and into regular gym shoes!!! he was ecstatic!!! oh and BTW? he and i wear the same size shoe... i was very sad.. my little guys are really growing up and i can't stop it.

I will do another update on Easter but of your bored...
MOFOTO

you can check out what photography i've been doing. SOON there will be a lot more Disney from the ice show etc...


hasn't been OFFICIALLY announced yet. A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to SUZI and Tom for being my #1 supporters and i won a photography challenge!!! the Interior Architectural Challenge!!!
you can see that here: Capture my Chicago

if your ever bored and want to sign up for it.. hint hint you can "dig it" to vote for my pictures: Capture my Chicago

until later!

 

[Chicago Mo]

Hi Mo, with your hysterical sense of humor (from D's PTR) I HAD to join this PTR
also nice that I can put a face to the name instead of picturing Jack Skellington Your family is beautiful ! Their BD is 2 days after mine, I love photography, and we both work with dogs LOTS in common already, ok going back to first page again so I can catch up Ruthie

RUTHIE!!!
I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOO happy to have you along!!!! I love when i can steal people from other reports...maniacal laugh.... maniacal laugh!!!!
please chirp along whenever you can!!!!
something is always happening. Whether it's a report hijack us being well... Us. Whatever happens on my report STAYS on my report..
ha ha ha ha

 

[DMGeurts]

What a wonderful update - so glad that Matt was a trooper and he did so well! You did great too!

I had to ROFL at the limo... They pick you up in a really awesome one and drop you off in a piece of crap... Niiiice. LOL

Can't wait to see your Easter update.

D~ <--- who still feels guilty that she can't "dig it" too...

 

[Chicago Mo]

What a wonderful update - so glad that Matt was a trooper and he did so well! You did great too!

I had to ROFL at the limo... They pick you up in a really awesome one and drop you off in a piece of crap... Niiiice. LOL

Can't wait to see your Easter update.

D~ <--- who still feels guilty that she can't "dig it" too...

I'm due for one every once in a while... I forgot to add when we did get home the driver did NOT get out to open the door.. NO TIP FOR YOU!!

Don't feel guilty... I understand you not oops i mean you can't help me out...

JUST KIDDING!!! ​

 

[Pixiedust530]

So glad to hear that everything went well with Matt's surgery. Hopefully he is getting around nicely now and that fixes his issue permanently.

A HUGE Congratulations on winning the photo challenge (unofficially of course ).

I just spent some time checking out some of your photos on your site. You are VERY talented! I love all the fountain shots in your Chicago album. I have a thing for fountains! When I have a little more time to kill I will be going back to explore more. I have added your site to my favorites!

I am definitely looking forward to those pics of Disney on Ice!!!!

 

[Chicago Mo]

So glad to hear that everything went well with Matt's surgery. Hopefully he is getting around nicely now and that fixes his issue permanently.

A HUGE Congratulations on winning the photo challenge (unofficially of course ).

I just spent some time checking out some of your photos on your site. You are VERY talented! I love all the fountain shots in your Chicago album. I have a thing for fountains! When I have a little more time to kill I will be going back to explore more. I have added your site to my favorites!

I am definitely looking forward to those pics of Disney on Ice!!!!

AWWWWWWW thank you!!!
i am about to do an up load now

 

[solana131]

I can't imagine having to deal with that....I would be a mess too! It might be enough to make me take up

So glad you won the Challenge....I tried to beat Tom with the picks, but he had a million!

 

[Chicago Mo]

I can't imagine having to deal with that....I would be a mess too! It might be enough to make me take up

So glad you won the Challenge....I tried to beat Tom with the picks, but he had a million!

I REALLY do appreciate it!!!
When something else comes up i will Def let you know!!! Yeah Tom is really busy at work isn't he???

so far the Disney on ice upload is taking a long time but should be there... on thre MOFOTO site.. this way D~ can look too!

 

[Chicago Mo]

OK RUN to see Disney on Ice

I'm not leaving a lot of those up there.. Some are REALLY bad where others will laugh at some of my choices of posting them...

i will keep them up until tomorrow night then they are GONE!!!

I will say Donald was my favorite since he has a camera around his neck!!!