Wordless Wednesday: Self-Portrait

Shira's Disneyland Experience

If you are a friend on Facebook, this was posted over there, but I thought I'd share with everyone. (Plus I almost skipped today's post!)

Carnival Thoughts (and a picture)

Today is the Mothering.com blog carnival and I'm at a loss as to what to write. I had wanted to present a beautiful, well-written essay that exemplifies some of Mothering's core values and the way it is reflected in my life.

But I'm not going to.

I was laid out Monday evening with a migraine. Tuesday I was almost better and went to Disneyland with the girls anyway. That evening the migraine started reviving and I'm sharing my Wednesday with a low-grade migraine that I'm combating with pretty much everything I have. Good week to have a Shabbaton and not need to prepare any Shabbat meals! Yay!

Now I'm back to where I started, though. What to write? As I thought about this more and more my left eye starts throbbing and I realize that this is what I'm writing.

I have long and often remarked that attachment parenting should be rebranded as responsive parenting. A parent needs to respond to the needs of the child and the family unit and work towards a common goal. That means Ima's needs also need to be responded to and met. Right now I need to relax and rest and not worry about a blog post.

So that's where I'm headed now. First, though, a gratuitous photo from yesterday...

Other Mothering.com Writing Women

http://codenamemama.com

http://greenvneck.blogspot.com/

http://www.moderatemeans.blogspot.com

http://www.oneplustwoislove.blogspot.com

http://paxye.com/blog/

http://moosaidthemama.blogspot.com/

http://simplyjess.wordpress.com/

Wordless Wednesday: Batya Sheli

Hachnoset Sefer Torah

Yesterday we attended a Hachnoset Sefer Torah (a dedication of a Torah scroll). This was the fourth one that our wedding chuppah (canopy) was in. It makes it worth keeping the poles in the garage for seven years.

Toddler Photoshoot

The girls played with my camera this morning and got some interesting shots.

Party Hardy

with an alternative party plan.

I had planned to take the girls to the Bat Mizvah and then drop them off with Aba and head out for a little partying Ima-style. Yeah, it would have been really mellow, but I'd have been happy with an hour at the coffee chop knitting then wandering leisurely around Target to pick up my dishes followed by a manicure. Exciting, right?

As with most things in my life though, things change on-the-fly. With Chaya puking last night and Batya starting this morning, the whole Bat Mizvah part was out. They are also both very clingy when sick so leaving them all day with Aba wasn't going to fly. Instead Shira and I went together while Aba stayed with sleeping sickies. We managed to stay the whole time and brought back a couple goodies. Overall we had a blast.

But here I sit, in front of the TV with the laptop sharing my lap with a sleeping toddler's head and another one curled up next to me. And what does my partying consist of now? Two leftover Purim truffles, a cup of coffee and finalizing my Pesah shopping list. This truffle is really good, too.

I suppose all that matters in the end is that I'm able to be there for my girls when thy really need me. Even when that means peeing with a three year-old's head on my knee because she has to come with me to the bathroom.

You Sure Are Brave!

aka tips for taking triplet toddlers to Disneyland all by yourself.

Inevitably when someone hears I'm going to Disneyland they ask who I'm going with. Just the girls and I! Then there is some comment about bravery or a "Wow!" with that look of vague terror in their eyes as they imagine facing my plight. Even Aba can't figure out how I do all of these things alone. This last trip we had company for the first day and most of the second so it was a bit different, but the basics are still the same.

Step 1: Plan

This is usually the first step in any outing for me. Going to the grocery store? Plan. Taking a walk? Plan. I've found that having a well-stocked diaper bag is key to any plan. Diapers, wipes, a bag of non-perishable snacks, napkins, straws, a small first aid kit, sunscreen and a small plastic bag live in there. Another wonderful addition are those disposable sippy cups with straw lids so that I can divvy up beverages. I also keep a pack of wipes, 6 diapers, three jackets, a blanket, a carrier and a babywearing jacket and changes of clothing in the back of the car.

For Disneyland trips I add an old M&M tube that I fill with pennies and quarters for pressed pennies, a pressed penny album, an autograph book and marker, and a selection of extra batteries for the camera. To be added for the next trip are sunglasses and sunhats.

Step 2: Figure Out Food

I then plan breakfast, lunch and snacks for the trip and pack the cooler. I toss in 2 bottles of water for me and each of the girls gets a full water bottle, too. (I freeze one of my bottles to act as an ice pack.) Great things to bring are fruits and veggies, hard boiled eggs, string cheese, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cheese sandwiches and left over pizza. For myself I usually add in a veggie and cheese wrap. 

When we made our first visit, Kathy introduced us to a wonderful picnic spot so we usually go there or next to Princess Fantasy Faire. We also get one treat of ice cream, a pineapple wedge or Dole Whip (girls' choice) and a drink on the way out (coffee for me and the girls get a flavored milk).

Step 3: Plan Clothing

I admit it. I plan their clothing for pictures. I like them to be comfortable, but I also want them to look cute all gathered together. Their newest trend has been a shirt of some type, a skirt, footless tights, and sneakers. For myself, I'm looking for comfort, mobility and something that looks decent. Once I've figured out the girls' clothing, I tag them. 

We have the Brickhouse Child Locator and I slip the tag onto their pants the night before so that we just get dressed and go. The only problem with this is that I have to be certain I put the correct pants on each girl.

Step 3: Charge all of the Electronics

GPS? check

Camera batteries? check

Phone? check

Step 4: Gather My Personal Stuff

A new thing I started using on our last trip is a hip pouch. Think a flat fanny pack work on the hip. Into this I put the small camera, my cash and ID, my pass and the tracker for the Brickhouse. I carry my phone and Photopass card in my pockets.

Then I decide on cameras and lenses. I really try not to cart around everything I own even though it seems that way. I always take the small point-and-shoot camera and usually also bring my big one. And I pick one lens. That's where the thinking comes in. What am I trying to achieve? Artistic shots? Indoors? Portraits? A little bit of everything?

Step 5: Plan for the Unusual

Is there a threat of rain? Toss the rain coat and umbrella in. Does Batya have a bad diaper rash? Bring some cream. Are we staying later than usual? Bring jammies and bottles for the trip home. Is someone particularly clingy? Move the carrier to the diaper bag. Anything else?

Step 6: Pack the Car

I like to get as much as possible into the car and ready to roll the day before. I also pack the cooler and leave it open in the fridge just waiting for the frozen bottle of water to be added. This way we can have a nice breakfast and get ready without all of the running.

Step 7: Have Fun!

And realistic expectation. When you got with toddlers you have to expect to move slower and know you aren't going to be doing all the rides you might want. This is when it is important to remember that Disneyland is both rides and experience. There are years to get in all of the rides so enjoy the experience.

Bonus Tip: Be Firm

I'd have to say that this is the biggest part of the trip. I mean, I can buy diapers and changes of clothing and food and drinks when there so none of that is all important. What I can't buy is having my girls safe and somewhat behaved. The key to this is firmness. 

I allow them out of the stroller and let them run and play. We stop at some of their favorite places for long breaks. I let them wander and explore a bit. But there are two rules. Stay in sight of the stroller (or me if we are in a line) and come back when I call. If they don't do either of these, they get a warning. Still running all over? Buckled into the stroller. More than one running or one out of control? We leave.

I practiced this at Ikea and Target with them and we have left. Then I tried this at the LA Zoo on a Tuesday and it worked well. At Disneyland I've had to put someone in the stroller and I've given warnings and asked if they wanted to leave, but we haven't even advanced to buckling.

I Am Officially a Wild and Crazy Mom

I was packing up our lunches this morning before we headed off tot he farmers' market when I looked at the clock. My thought process went something like this:

It's 9:30...we could go to Disneyland and be there around opening...just stay for a couple hours...if we leave by 9:45 we could be there around 10:30...I'll take the triple and tag the girls...diaper bag is packed...camera is charged...I would have to run to the market tonight...let's do it!

We actually left at 10:00 but I also tossed a chicken, some potatoes and carrots into the crockpot so dinner was waiting. I didn't tell the girls in case I changed my mind which was actually a good thing because they were able to rest in the car on the way there. It took us an hour to get there, but there was a huge accident on the 10 this morning and they closed it so we had some extra traffic from people trying to go around.

We only went on two rides (Tea Cups and Casey Jr. Train) but we met the princesses, Mickey, Minnie and Goofy. We also played in Toon Town and the girls did some practice "walking with Ima and listening to her" throughout the day.

We only had one instance of Shira not listening and that was when she kept cutting the line to meet Minnie Mouse. There was a yound boy in front of us who was very serious about her staying behind him, though. It was so cute!

We also replaced Shira's mouse ears (lost on the tram while leaving last week) and got sihlouettes done of the girls. And we stopped by Small World (still closed) to have ice creams.

There were a few things that they wanted to do that we couldn't because of the seating arrangements. (We need rides that all four of us can fit in.) We couldn't do Dumbo and the Alice in Wonderland ride. Shira and Chaya wanted to ride the carousel, but Batya is afraid of it and I didn't have anyone to leave her with so that was a no-go, too.

We've already marked the calendar with our next visit (the only way I could get Batya to stop crying about going back) and this time we will bring some autograph books. Until the girls' birthday they are free and I have a pass, so as many times as we can go before April, the better. Maybe weekly? LOL...no...the zoo is next week.

And a note to self: don't dress so frumpy when going somewhere you'll be having your picture taken. Gah...I look like the harried mom of triplets.

Shiner

I'm not sure what she did, but this is the result of playing with the kitchen cabinets.

Marina Photoshoot

Picking Flowers for Grandma

Finally found the card reader for my big camera so I can share these pictures from last week. The girls ran around outside and picked some flowers for Grandma. The best part was when I told the girls to wait so that I could get to the bottom of the hill and take their pictures while they ran down. After they did that, Chaya and Batya went back to the top to "do it again" and asked me to "take more pictures, Mama." They learn so well. LOL

Snow Day!

Well, fake snow. Nothing like the real stuff coating most of the country. (I still need to correct the pictures. The bright ice messes with the light sensor on the camera.)

The Slope

Aba trying to coax a timid Batya into the snow What will it take?

Shira dove right in trying to make a snowman. She didn't seem to understand that it wasn't that kind of snow.

Chaya and Aunt Kathy got right down to the business of throwing snowballs.

The cousins having a snowball fight.

Chaya in the toboggan.

Looks like all Batya needed was a tutu.

Which means everyone needs a tutu for the snow.