Birthday Parties

First of all, what a glorious day in Northern California! I believe the mercury hit about 65 degrees F. As you know I refuse to apologize for this or offer sympathy to those in the other 49 states (& let's not forget the D.C. area) as we Californians pay higher taxes in return for 300 + days of sunshine, a savage tan, and additional Vitamin D.

Ok, back to the blog and I promise that this will be shorter and to the point today. HMMM, wait a minute. I'm wondering why I chose the adjacent picture as Alec has a sad look on his face. My best guess is that while we were on the cruise, we told him he couldn't have another dessert.

Anyway, it's one of the more recent pictures we have of the triplets which leads me to my topic. What do you do when all three of your triplets are invited to a birthday party that has two birthday children? This is the case tomorrow and I know what we did, but I'm curious if others handle this quandary in the same manner? Assumption, price per gift is immaterial as total amount of $ spent (for 2 birthday kids combined) is the same whether you purchase 1, 2, 3....x gifts. Therefore, one could spend $1M down to $1. Do you...?

1. Buy six gifts, wrap them all individually and have each triplet give one gift to each of the two birthday kids?
2. Buy six gifts, divide them into two bags (one bag for each birthday kid), and give them each a gift bag of three gifts (you may put the "from" for each triplet or just say that each bag of gifts is from all three).
3. Buy 2 more expensive gifts and label each to one birthday child (from all three triplets).
4. Buy 1 even more expense gift and label it from the triplets and say it's for both birthday kids to share.
5. Gift each birthday kid only a card and say you've donated a nice gift in each of their names towards Habitat for Humanity.
6. None of the above - I have a better idea, dumb dumb.

Let me know what you think...........Mom MD and I had a short debate about this topic (she won), but I'm curious to see what others do in this circumstance. I suppose the scenario doesn't have to be triplets to singletons...it could be quads to twins...or singletons to quints...or just X siblings to X other kids.......in any case, there must be some commonly used formula! Anybody know it?

Here's to: Heroes - remember in a previous entry I couldn't cite a specific living hero....well, here's one.........Chelsey B. Sullenberger III, the pilot of the U.S. Airways jet that successfully landed in the Hudson River saving all 155 lives. His dedication to his craft, expertise, preparation and ability to make a decision under extreme duress is not only remarkable and honorable, but a testament to all that is good on Mother Earth.

Itchy and Scratchy

I swear, Alec and Julia have turned into Itchy and Scratchy!  I'll admit, I was totally unprepared for the constant bickering and fighting...short of calling The Nanny...what do you do when your multiples (or any kids of equal size/strength) can't seem to leave each other alone? 

Amy makes the Sacramento Bee!

Hey everyone - I know that it's Election Day '08, but don't forget to check out Amy in today's Sacramento Bee (sacbee.com) in the "Living Here Family" section. Andrea Creamer did a good job tying in the lives of three ob/gyns who have had multiples, and Julia gets the first word!

Tripletisms

"Isms" as defined by American Heritage Dictionary represent a "distinctive doctrine, system or theory." Our triplets although monumentally different in thought, word and deed, probably like many multiples, have a distinctive bond that differs from those of typical siblings. Perhaps, not a stronger bond, but an aura....a feeling that part of you is missing when the others are not around.

"Sick Julia" home today with dad has already inquired about the whereabouts of Alec and Vivi and wants to pick them up early today from preschool. As much as we'd like to pull them apart for individual mommy and daddy time, and as much as they think it's pretty cool, they resist. Why? I guess their relationship began earlier than most. Maybe "the love" began the first time in utero when Baby B (Julia) or Baby C, (Vivi) kicked upside down Baby A (Alec). Hence an approximate origin in the line of communication, albeit of the non-verbal (& not the kindest) variety......


In their early years outside the "friendly confines" of the womb, in a slightly larger space in the same bedroom, the triplets co-habitated in cribs. They cried, cooed and grunted. Alec even uttered a "huh huh" sound on occasion. One purpose was to let each other know that they were all still there and safe....sort of a perpetual "role call."

Fast forward to the present and the world of speech. Sometimes they just want to say "I'm here, and I am ok" or make a statement about their environment. Other times, talk leads to debate, and debate to a disagreement. My preference would be for them to just agree to disagree, but of course that's unrealistic in the world of four-year-olds.

Vivian is the queen of "one-liners." During Alec's spitting faze a few months back, we were all upstairs one morning and he asked if spitting was allowed inside the house. I said "NO." His retort was "how about outside?" I then said yes, but ONLY if you are outside all by yourself. Vivian chimed in and said "then NO Alec."

Another exchange between Vivi and Alec came at the dinner table. Vivian began to sing a song she learned in preschool. Alec decided he wanted to sing along. Unfortunately, Vivi favored a solo over a duet, and said "NO Alec, you can't sing with me." Alec then cried out to me "Daddy, Vivi isn't sharing songs."

Exchanges between Julia and other two is less frequent as she tends to be more independent, but she is always listening and "on call" if she's needed. She's the "mommy" of the three...definitely the sheepherder, nurturer, and leader. Alec is well......a boy.

The triplets interactions are exciting to watch at this age. They are extremely close and each has a distinct role within the trio. What I see is a powerful bond that will not allow itself to be compromised.

Now, I suppose when they're beating each other up over the bathroom in few years, it may be interesting to watch the exchange between the three if one were a fly on the wall, but not quite as cute..................stay tuned!

What to do with the 2nd Half of My Life

All right, let's get this web log started. For me, this marks my very first journal entry ever (after what was required in elementary school, of course).

I have a few reasons to begin this forum. First of all, I love to write. I was a journalism major for a couple semesters in college (in between accounting and management), but mostly I enjoy creative writing. I want to discuss those issues that I hold dear including family, and being the father of triplets + 1 quirky 10-year old girl. Speaking of that "big sister", I will ask for her input for this blog as she is more net savvy than I.

Most of all I want to learn more about myself. I'm soliciting the advice of strangers (& perhaps someday friends) who might provide suggestions as to which course a (gasp) 40-year man should take after being laid off from the shrinking housing industry. I'm fortunate that my wife is gainfully employed, and I have the luxury of time to sort out the dilemma.

So, stay-at-home dad or back to corporate America? In 2008, a dad staying home with his kids is still quite uncommon. Businesses target "mom" as the decision maker for purchases both big and small. Websites like cafemom.com aren't too inviting to dads seeking advice on parenting or hoping to form neighborhood play groups. On the other hand, corporate America is cut throat and job opportunities are disappearing. The mortgage business has imploded and won't recover anytime in the near future. HMMM, what about door #3?