Honey, It's not Wally

We ventured to Kent Park yesterday. We packed a picnic lunch, the stroller, the fishing gear and the kiddos and had a great day together. We started the trip at the super Wal-Mart, needed a few fishing supplies. The "snoopy pole" needed a replacement. Chloe picked her new pole out all by herself...are you ready...yep...she picked a "Princess pole". YEAH! A Princess pole! Not a camouflage one, not a boyish one! I bright pink one with Cinderella, Belle and Sleeping Beauty on it. All I have to say is hahahaha! We left and reloaded the girls in the van. When we arrived at Kent Park, the triplets were catching a napper, of course, so we toured the park for a while and scoped out our spot. Nice and shady, along the trail and close to the water. We unloaded the troop and walked to our spot. Spread out the blankets and dined on PB&J, Doritos (Mommy and Chloe's favorite), cheese, bananas, Puffs and some fresh berries. Chloe was ready to fish. As I reloaded the triplets in the stroller, Chloe and Daddy started getting her new pole ready. Did I mention, it's a Princess pole? When the pole was ready for the bait, he opened a can of worms, literally. Chloe began to cry, she was so upset, "Daddy, I like worms! Please don't hurt them!" I tried not to chuckle as Matt looked my way. I said "I keep telling you, Chloe is not the hunter! She loves animals too much! When she realizes what hunting is she is not going to want anything to do with it!" Then Daddy knelt beside her and explained why worms were important to fishing. She then asked "what if that's my pet worm Wally?" Daddy assured her it was not her pet worm Wally, and she agreed to let him bait the hook. (With tears in her eyes). Jocelyn, Farrah, Silvie and I began our hike around the trail. We walked all around, looking at birds and flowers and enjoying the sunshine and nice breeze. It was a beautiful day. About halfway around the trail, I thought to myself, wow, I am really out of breathe. When I really thought about it, the stroller without kids weighs 65 lbs, add 3 kids and I was pushing over 115lbs! I would say I got a GREAT workout. Chloe and Daddy caught 2 fish and then released them. We took some pictures to send into John Campbell! On the way home Daddy told Chloe she was a great angler. Then he made sure to say "a great archer and a great angler!, yep, she's the tomboy." Hmmm, we will see.

Our Little "Chuck Adams"

Don't feel bad...I didn't know who that was either until this evening. Just to clarify he is "the only person who has harvested every North American big game species with a bow". My dear hubby is trying to turn our firstborn daughter into a "tomboy". At first I thought it was kind of cute. However recently he has been pressing it more and more. He even bought her a bow and (suction cup) arrows today. As I type, they are in the back yard shooting at the target. She is actually a fairly good shot too. She is so excited about it. She wants to go "shoot" animals with Daddy. He is so proud. He just grins from ear to ear. I keep telling him that once she realizes what hunting really is...she will cry and never ever want to do it. However, today she said, "Mommy, I want to shoot Bambi." I know...disturbing isn't it? I was actually pleading tonight, "Not my Chloe. Not my princess, not my Barbie girl, not the dress-up queen, make-up loving, my favorite color is pink, long haired, headband wearing, high maintenance, dancing, singing, baby doll loving, sweet little girl. She is mine. I'm worried.

Little Climbers

We had a little outing today with our BFF's. Molly, Olivia and Laila. Daddy even came too! We took the "little beauties" to the Par-Tee Zone. They spent two hours climbing and running, crawling and sliding, and let us not forget squealing with delight. Poor little Laila girl...the triplets just LOVE her and she is so not used to having three people the same size as she is being mobile and literally attacking her. Jocelyn, Farrah and Silvie invade her space...big time. They hug her and kiss her and knock her over. They are trying to show her how much they care...it is truly sweet. Olivia and Chloe were red faced and sweaty when we left...well, hmm...so was I. By the way, Kristi, if you read this...the girl I talked to on the phone...must have hit the crack pipe right before I called...the prices have not changed. Still a very affordable place to take the kids. We will have to add that to out list of things to do when the weather is a blistering 150+ degrees. Sorry about the incorrect information!

Daddy is Fun

Daddy gives the best rides. Our new favorite thing is being "thrown" in the air. Daddy makes sure we all get a turn. We spent the good part of an hour doing this tonight. Good arm work out huh Daddy?

Fun at Grandma's House

Yesterday the girls and I spent the day in Marion. We met Grandma Val and Grandpa Dave, Aunt Ande, Haley and Aunt Alicia in Albernette for the parade. You know how the girls love parades. Chloe and Haley were able to ride on a horse and carriage. They were even able to throw candy. Chloe said she wanted to ride ONLY if we caught some candy for her. I think she made out pretty well! The girls loved watching all the entries go past, and of course eating tootsie rolls. Next time you see Chloe, ask her how to get the horses to go and to stop, it's super cute how she says it. After the parade, we headed back to Grandma and Grandpas. We had a little gathering in honor of Aunt Alicia and Baby Will (due the 17th of September). We haven't seen her since she found out she was expecting Baby Will. She looked great! We cannot wait to meet Baby Will...the first boy grand baby! I know his cousins will love and spoil him. I can see them looking out after him already. We had lunch and played outside on the trampoline. Well some of us did. Chloe and Haley jumped and jumped and Jocelyn, Farrah and Silvie took turns jumping with Aunt Ande. It was a fun day together. We did miss Daddy and Uncle Eli though (they were working).

Bad Haircut

Here's how the day went...Matt was home today. He spoiled me this morning and let me sleep in. So wonderful to sleep until 9:00 a.m. Thanks sweetie, I needed it more than you know. Then girls took a 2 1/2 hour nap this morning...Another wonderful thing. I went to a dermatology appointment. Went well, quick and easy. I saw a friend that works in the clinic next to my doc, got some friend hugs and chatted a bit. After that I had an appointment to have my hair trimmed. As you my remember, I went with my BFF a couple months ago and got the "mommy-do" which I have been loving, but I was due for a trim. You know just to clean it up a bit. My normal stylist recently moved to another state...not convenient if you need a haircut, so I when I scheduled I just went with the first available...big mistake. First of all, when I arrived it turns out I know this gal we will call "Annie" through a friend of a friend. Started out a bit weird...she was looking on her cell phone for a picture of her child to show to me. (That part was fine, however, when she realized she couldn't find her photos on her new phone she just purchased yesterday, she plopped into the chair next to me, and decided to call her cell phone company. Hmmm, excuse me, I am sitting here with this stupid looking cape on to get a hair cut, not to watch/listen to you talking to your phone company. Common sense would say, I will call them after I finish with this client. I mean it would be one thing if her child was hurt or scared or something like that. Then as it turned out, after she hung up with said phone company, she found the pictures. Next she goes on to tell me her entire life story. Not that I mind friendly conversation, but come on...more attention needed to be paid to my hair and the scissors she was cutting it with. I kept telling her I was VERY HAPPY with the style, just wanted it refreshed. She just kept talking and cutting. My hair trim took over 2 hours. Come on! I have had cut/color/style that have been quicker than 2 hours. She even washed it twice...because she put the "wrong product in" and couldn't get it to "do what she wanted". By this time I was feeling, oh so confident...not. Then she got the scissors out again, because "this sides longer" then it was "this side is longer". Finally she said "after you go home and wash it a couple times it should lay right." What??? You washed it twice and it still isn't laying right! In fact it was laying much better before I walked in here. You are the "professional". I think she could tell I was worried. It really was the first time in a long time I was having to fight back tears in the chair. When I got home, Matt looked strangely at me and said nothing. Then later he said, wow, it is screwed up huh? I went to the bathroom, washed, dried, and busted out the flat iron. Didn't help, not even a little bit. It is uneven to say the least. The "angle" really would be better described as "*!@()! short in the back" and then it drops into 2 longer pieces on the side. Not much longer. It looks more like a really bad "bowl cut" There is NO angle, it is a drop. It looks awful! Trust me, I am not just being over critical. Matt said call the owner (who I know as I have been going to this salon for a few years). Then he said, "It's just hair babe, it will grow back." The hug he gave me helped for a minute, then I walked past the microwave and caught my reflection. Believe me, I didn't need any help with the way I look these days, well not in that direction anyway. So next time you see me, please don't say "your hair's cute" or "it's not that bad" because I will know that you are telling a big fat "fibber".

Hot Hot Hot

With the temperatures soaring in the high 90's, we ventured out to meet some friends today. We met up with my friend Kristi and her kiddos Veda and Fisher. We gathered downtown in the Ped Mall. You guessed it...we played in the fountain! Ahh...it was refreshing. Molli had stayed overnight so we thought it would be fun to do something extra special. Whenever we go to the playground I never let Chloe play in the fountain. I know, I'm mean. But she is never in a swimsuit when we are there. Today Chloe and Molli donned their swimsuits under their clothes and we headed out. Big success. They had a great time. Jocelyn Farrah and Silvie hung out on the sidelines watching and wishing they could join their big sis, cousin and new friend Veda. They flirted a little with the new little man in the group. Fisher sure is a sweetie. Such a beautiful baby boy! Kind of makes me want to try again for that little boy...or maybe not! I'll just admire Kristi's and Molly's sister Sarah's. Some day I will have sons-in-laws. It was great to get out, even in the scorching heat. Great to catch up with Kristi too.

Twizzlers and Smiles (picture post)

The Hendricks Girls LOVE LOVE LOVE licorice. Can you tell?

"Save the Tatas"

Okay so I need some input. As many of you know someone very dear to my heart is fighting and winning the battle against Breast Cancer. She is so strong and full of courage. She is halfway through her chemotherapy. Then she will begin radiation. She and some of her cohorts are thinking that even though we are thirty somethings...well most of us anyway...that a bar crawl to celebrate the end of chemo is well deserved. The last 8 weeks and 8 more to go have been pretty rough for her physically and emotionally too. She needs to let loose...relax...let her "hair" down so to speak. What better way...let's get her hammered. Where the "help" part comes in to play...she would like to have t-shirts made to wear on the crawl, and of course to donate proceeds to the breast cancer foundation. Fun huh? She wants to do a top ten list on the shirt. Like, top ten reasons to do a breast exam...sort of thing...So I need some really good ones to relay to her. I know that a lot of you are very witty. I know how creative you are. I know you can come up with some great stuff. So lend a hand, a suggestion...just a plain old reason why you think you should...touch your boobies! She said she thinks the crawl will be called "Save Second Base-Big or Small, we drink for them all". So try to tie the ideas into that...I am counting on your creativity! Post them into the comments on this post. Also, let me know if you are interested in purchasing a shirt to support a great cause.

We miss Daddy

Today is Tuesday. A really good Tuesday. Yes, I am still lucky enough to be hanging on to that yucky cold, but taking otc remedies as well as an antibiotic for the sinus infection part. Matty had a day off today. The first one in...honestly I cannot remember when the last one was. Between the normal 12 hour shifts, the overtime on patrol, the overtime he is helping with in dispatch, overtime for Ragbrai, and the other part time rental company thingy, it has been a LONG couple months missing Daddy. The girls were in their glory today. Even with their running noses. Daddy fed them breakfast and played all morning. Put them down for naps. He helped with lunch...and for the BIG outing tonight...IHOP! Yes, we took the girls out to dinner. Now for all of you that maybe thinking, "Okay, what's the big deal about IHOP?" Have you ever taken 17 month old triplets and a 4 year old out to dinner? I didn't think so. I thought it was fairly successful. I mean, I did spill and entire soda all over the table and floor. Yes me, not the triplets, not Chloe, but Mommy. As Chloe said, "Aces Mommy". The floor was a bit messy when we were finished eating, however, I have seen and cleaned up much worse. I did pick up most of the large droppings and apologised for the mess several times. Besides we left a good tip. Jocelyn, Farrah and Silvie had "pannicakes" fruit and some eggs. Chloe loves the breakfast for dinner as much as Mommy and Daddy do. She had a "pannicake" with a whip cream smiley face. Silvie and Farrah also enjoyed the "crayon appetizer". Why do kids eats crayons? They do not taste good. But every time you give our trio crayons, straight into the mouth. They actually chew them...gross. Matt and I ate so quickly, I forgot what we had. But at least we were all together. Being together is all that really matters. We love it when Daddy's home.

Being sick Stinks

I know...I shouldn't complain...I try not to...however...having a cold, or a "virus" (as the doc called it) really stinks. I have had this yucky CRAP since Friday. Sore throat, fever, cough, running nose, stuffy nose, green stuff, sinus pressure, headache...blah blah blah... I hope it goes away soon, and I really hope the girls don't get it. They all four have the running noses and have been a bit grumpy today, but so far, no fevers. Happy Monday. Here's to good health...yours and mine too.

Time for a larger table

We sat at the table all together last night, well, kind of. The little beauties did. Chloe, Jocelyn, Farrah and Silvie had dinnertime together just like big girls! It was so cute. They all enjoyed sitting around the table together. They did some chatting and laughing. First time in awhile the triplets were not stealing food, biting or hair pulling. It was very nice. They dined on their favorites, mac-n-cheese, cheese dogs, carrots, mandarin oranges, cottage cheese and milk. Hmm, kind of an orange theme I guess.

Little Beauties at the fair

We made a couple trips to the fair this week. Tuesday is "kids day" so we went to see what all the fun was about. We visited the exhibit hall, collected lots of "junk". Chloe and Haley rode on the swings and played a few games. Haley got a tattoo and Chloe had to be rescued by a "carnie" at the top of the big slide. She would NOT slide down! She was so scared, poor thing! They wouldn't let me go up after her. So the "carnie" went up to help her slide down. Not sure how I felt about that really. Personally I would have rather slide down and be a bit frightened then slide down with a "carnie". Ice cream afterwards made everything all better and we went to visit all the animals. Chloe "milked" a cow, she wasn't sure she liked it. Can't blame her I am a city girl too. Leave the "farm work" to the farmers I say. One of the calves got a bit too close to Jocelyn, which she made sure she let everyone know that she did not like...be screaming as loud as she could. We saw sheep, and cows and some rabbits. Chloe said her favorite part of the fair was the giant swing ride. She went on it 4 times! Once with Haley and she suckered Papa Steve into it 3 times. Papa loved it! Farrah's favorite part was picking a duckie for a prize, Jocelyn likes the bunnies the best, and Silvie just liked it all...except when strangers came up and tried to touch her...she really doesn't like that! We saw some old friends and even got tattooed! All in all, the fair was good. Maybe next year we will attempt the State Fair...or maybe not.

Happy Birthday Laila!

Happy Birthday to YOU!
Happy Birthday to YOU!
Happy Birthday little Laila!
Happy Birthday to YOU!
We love you sweetie!

We hope you have a super fun day.

"Baby be Blessed" Lovies

Here are the little beauties cuddling their new dollies. They just LOVE them. They even know which one is their own and which ones is each of their sisters. It is so precious. Jocelyn will go and get all of them from the cribs and distribute them to each of her sisters. Even Chloe girl. Smart as a whip I tell you. Tina, we LOVE them. You can expect to hear from us again! We will spread the word about "Baby be Blessed". Thank you for touching our hearts.