Buy One, Get One Free

When I was a child, my mother always made my Halloween costumes, and she was quite creative.  I went through a few years of wanting to be things instead of people.  Long before the invent of Pinterest, mom managed to craft costumes including a bag of M & M candies, a shocking pink Crayola Crayon, and a bunch of purple grapes.  When the quads arrived, I was determined to follow her example of creating cute costumes without spending much, if any money.

When the quads were infants, Aunt CiCi made them mummy onsies.  The next year, we used white t-shirts to make four of a kind playing cards.  When they were two years old, we went as Noah’s Ark; the kids wore animal print clothing with coordinating ears and tails.  These first few Halloweens, the quads tolerated whatever I chose for them.  As threenagers they weren’t quite so complacent.  In the weeks leading up to Halloween, the excitement over the holiday began.  Throughout the day they’d inform me what costume they intended to wear, which primarily consisted of favorite television show characters.  Feeling defeated, I decided I would take them to Target to choose their own costumes (gasp!)  Much to my delight, Target was running a buy one, get one free sale on children’s Halloween costumes.  If I was going to fork out cash for Halloween costumes, at least I’d get them for a bargain.

Here are Mommy's Mummies handmade by Aunt CiCi herself!

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©FourtoAdore.com

After cruising the crowded costume aisles several times over, each child chose their own costume.  I could hardly contain my excitement when they managed to coordinate with one another as superheroes: Supergirl, Captain America, and Spiderman.  Proving the purchase was worthwhile, the quads wore their costumes nearly everyday after we brought them home.  And, I believe they will continue wearing them throughout the year.

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Mason wasn’t keen on the Spidey mask so I found a Spiderman baseball hat at Target for him to wear instead.  Rylin added her own flare to her costume by adding a sparkling tiara. Harper and Sydney were excited that they were compliments to one another.

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Our neighborhood is the perfect place for trick or treating.  As soon as the sun begins setting, families clad in Halloween costumes begin lining the sidewalks.  Homeowners (or kind relatives) perch on the driveways sharing treats while spooky music fills the air.  There are so many trick or treaters, most people realize that closing the front door is a fruitless effort.  Some families leave a clever note and basket of treats on the porch while they enjoy the festivities for themselves.

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The quads had a hard time understanding the concept of taking only one treat from a bucket so I had to keep an eye on them.

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©FourtoAdore.com

Sometimes the treats looked so yummy, we had to stop walking to nosh on one.

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©FourtoAdore.com

©FourtoAdore.com

Once we were back at the house, the kids began tearing through their treat buckets for goodies.  We let them choose a few favorites before confiscating the haul.  Sneakily, we distracted them by charging them with passing out treats for our visitors.

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How did you spend your Halloween night?

Hugs!

Amber

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Our Home is Not a Pottery Barn Catalog

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Long before our kids made their debut, George and I loved conquering DIY projects and decorating our home. We are quite thrifty and find joy in such projects. Every project begins with inspiration, and many times it’s from a design site, or my favorite, the Pottery Barn catalog. Oh how the Pottery Barn catalog speaks to my inner designer’s heart. Everything is always impeccably tidy and organized, yet inviting and warm. Whether there’s a dining room set to host a meal or a cozy sofa by the fireplace, I’d love to jump right in. While I come up with some fantastic Pottery Barn hacks, looking at these glossy pages sometimes skews my expectations for our home.

Is our home well-designed, cozy, and inviting? I believe so, and our friends and family seem to agree. Our home is filled with heart and it’s the very place where an abundance of family memories are made, but it’s no Pottery Barn catalog.  Every night after all of the children are snug in their beds, I scurry around the house working to fight clutter.  Though the kids tidied up themselves, there are always stray toys posing as tripping hazards, a sink of dirty dishes, dirty shoes and clothes littering the floor.  And that’s just the clutter.  Let’s not even entertain the dust bunnies, finger prints, and pet dander (I try to ignore those things when possible because there’s never enough hours in a day).

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Once the kids were in toddler beds, unbelievable shenanigans ensued.  I’m talking, flipped beds, stripped boys, peeing contests, drawer emptying, clothes swapping.  We thought if we moved the boys into bigger, heavier beds some of this would stop.  Nope.  This pair is clever and has an uncanny way at finding solutions to any problem they encounter.  We pray they develop their curiosity and ingenuity to future careers…

Because of this, the boy’s room isn’t quite up to par with the girl’s grown up room, but it’s okay.  It’s real.  They have the same DIY Jenny Lind headboards attached to the wall.  They have some artwork, which is also secured to the wall and out of reach as they’ve been known to hang from paintings, snapping the picture wire.  Harper no longer has a foundation to his bed since he developed a routine of turning the mattress to create a teeter totter, which he told us was his car.  Their lamp is on the hutch, far out of reach since they dangled it by the cord and said it was their lantern.

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Bedtime is full of epic stalling techniques.  Once these four created a bridge of kitchen stools and began chanting in delight.

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©FourtoAdore.com

My seagrass baskets meant to conceal toys in the den are often tipped over, allowing kids to crawl into the entertainment center.

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This was one of the girls’ “masterpieces” created during nap time one afternoon.

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A while back, I developed a habit of making our bed.  It takes about 90 seconds and makes me feel more accomplished as I begin the day.  However, little people are known to sabotage my efforts by hiding among the pillows.  Frustrating as it can be, they are simply adorable when they do this.

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There are days when all of the clutter and grime in the house makes me feel anxious.  I wonder to myself why it isn’t like a Pottery Barn catalog.  Why can’t I keep things in a better state?  Well, duh!  OUR HOME IS NOT A POTTERY BARN CATALOG!   Families don’t live in catalogs, they are merely spaces created by designers to sell products.  They are void of all the love and joy of a home, and memories are not made there.  I’ll probably always continue my battle against clutter and work endlessly to keep things as tidy as possible, but it won’t be because I’m striving for a catalog photo shoot.  These things will continue because I’m the type of person who thrives in an orderly state and I simply cannot let it completely go.  I can change my state of mind, however.  Instead of feeling defeated, I can recall the events of the day.  When I trip over a Hot Wheel or Lego, I can remember the kids building a mighty tower and racing cars together and pick them up with a joyous heart.

Maybe it’s not a Pottery Barn catalog that makes you feel as though you don’t measure up.  Perhaps it’s your friend’s Facebook photos of glamorous vacations and hip parties.  Maybe it’s a coworker who easily meets goals, or the friend who eats a strictly organic diet and runs marathons.  Whatever the case, remember where your heart is, and stop making comparisons.

hugs,

Amber

Related Posts:

The Gifts of Infertility & Miscarriage

Are You Missing Your Child’s Now

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Rain or Shine

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Last year, the quads visited a pumpkin patch for the first time, and I knew it should become a family tradition.  There’s something about taking a hayride on a crisp day and the sight of bright orange pumpkins littering an open field that signals onset of autumn.  However, here in Texas most October days felt like summer with temperatures in the 80-90’s.  This summery weather stifled our autumn spirit.  When this weekend promised a cool front, we promised four little people a trip to the pumpkin patch.  Unfortunately, the cool front was accompanied by torrential rain, which did not bode well for our plans.  After our local meteorologist promised a slight reprieve in the afternoon, George and I knew we needed to keep good on our promise.  Anticipating plenty of mud, we took the kids to Payless Shoes to score some new kicks appropriate for mud.  They were trilled at finding rain boots clad beloved characters: Minnie Mouse, Spiderman, Anna & Elsa, and Lightning McQueen.  The boys were equally ecstatic we had an occasion for them to wear batman rain coats.

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©FourtoAdore.com

The boys proudly hauled their pumpkins into the farm-house for purchase.  These pumpkins will decorate or porch for Halloween, and then will be roasted for spiced pumpkin soup next month.

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The kid’s rain boots proved worth every penny we spent on them.  Rylin happily twirled, hopped, and splashed about an enormous puddle.

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©FourtoAdore.com

Though many of the typical farm activities weren’t open due to the weather, the kids enjoyed visiting the rabbit, chickens, and farm dog.   They also experienced a see saw for the first time.  Unfortunately, see saws are quite dangerous and required close supervision, hence, not photos.  Sorry, folks!

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©FourtoAdore.com

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Things don’t always go as we originally envision, but when we embrace life, they can be better than we imagined.  I’m glad we didn’t let a little rain and mud spoil our plans because we made the best kind of memories in the moment.

Hugs,

Amber

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Tiny Feet, Big Impressions

Since I was expecting quadruplets I knew my babies would have a NICU stay, and I knew it would be difficult. In the months that led up to delivery, I communicated with other moms of quadruplets and braced myself for the inevitable.  In the first week or so, I was managing NICU life relatively well, but as the days and weeks passed, it wore on my heart. Seeing my babies struggle each day hurt.  About that time, our hospital’s resident art therapist, Diana, paid us a visit and the timing was impeccable.  Diana bonded with our family immediately and quickly began working on a masterpiece.   As the years pass and NICU life fades into memories, this piece of art remains as a salient reminder of just how much our babies have grown.  Right now, the painting is housed in our study’s curio cabinet, but at every birthday celebration, it’s a centerpiece of the party decor.

we got a bath and clothes016

Sydney was so tiny that preemie sized clothes were far too large.  Her foot was about the length of my thumb.

we got a bath and clothes019

we got a bath and clothes022

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Exactly three years and two days after meeting Diana, the kids and I returned to the hospital for a specialist appointment.  The appointment was at 8:30 am and I was running solo, which meant it was a huge undertaking to get everyone ready.  I decided for the amount of effort required to go to this appointment, we’d make it into a day long field trip.  Following the appointment, we stopped by the Build a Bear workshop where the quads beloved teddy bears were born.  There, each of the kids bought undies for their bear.  Next, we popped by Starbucks where I treated myself to a caramel frapuccino to sip while the kids darted about the play area.  The kids had a blast exploring the hospital where they were once long term residents.

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build a bear undies

  

Just as it was time to head home, I spotted the smiling face of a woman clad in splatter paint from head to toe.  It was none other than Diana herself!  Though it had been three years and the quads had grown, she remembered us immediately.  I am forever grateful for the gift of art Diana gave us at a difficult time, and I can only imagine the many hearts she’s touched and will touch.   Reuniting with Diana was the perfect opportunity to thank her for the impression she made years prior. Sometimes it really is the little things that leave the biggest impression on us.

Hugs!

Amber

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Three Year Stats

After the kid’s birthday, I always enjoy their well checks.  It may seem strange, but I really like spending the time to track their growth and developmental milestones (I may also like bragging about them a tad at the pediatrician’s office).  I try to make the day special for them too.  They are allowed to wear “top shelf” clothes, which are reserved for special occasions and  afterwards we do something special together.  At age two, I split them into two appointments: boys and girls.  It was nice having just two kids with me and I plan to schedule like that in the future especially as they change.  However, it worked better this year to book a quad appointment.

Unfortunately on the day of our appointment, the office was running behind and we waited over thirty minutes to go back.  The crew behaved really well and lapped up the attention they received from office staff.  They watched a movie in the waiting room, assembled puzzles, ate lollipops, read books, and built Lego towers.  As far as they were concerned, it was play time.  I was concerned whether they’d continue this behavior once we went into the exam room, but they were impeccable.

Nisey was a little tired of the wait, however.


  

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During the exam, our pediatrician was pleased with everyone’s overall development and was surprised that in some areas they were ahead of what is expected of three-year olds.  For instance, they are beginning to color within the lines and communicate using lengthy sentences.  We need to work more on independence skills such as dressing themselves fully though.  It’s often easier for me to do things for them so I’ve stifled their opportunity to develop a few skills.  No surprise to me, all four are on the petite side, but growing at a satisfactory rate:  Stats are as follows:

Rylin- 2″ 10.5″ tall and 25 pounds, 9 ounces

Harper- 3′ .05″ tall and 32 pounds

Sydey- 2′ 10″ tall and 23 pounds

Mason- 2′ 10.8″ tall and 24 pounds

hugs!

Amber

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Indoor Play Areas & Play Dates {Summer Bucket List}

Labor Day has come and gone, meaning it’s time to bid farewell to the lazy days of summer.  I’ve been back at work for nearly six weeks, and am starting a home school preschool routine for they days when I’m home.

Over the summer, we enjoyed an abundance of play dates and managed to soak in the cool air conditioning of indoor play areas in the process.   We met our friends at the library, local churches, restaurants, museums, and even their homes.

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Playing at a friend’s house offers opportunities for the quads to practice respecting the rules of others, using manners, and taking turns with toys.

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After spending time a local church’s playscape, my friend’s oldest daughter singlehandedly lined up five  three-year olds and led them to the parking lot.  This sweet big sister has a heart of gold and perhaps a future as a teacher.

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The quads received a family membership to our local children’s museum as a birthday gift and we’ve made good use of it.  We have a well established routine for meeting buddies there and noshing on a picnic in the courtyard.

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Play dates at the museum are terrific because there are ample things to do and explore and none of the toys belong to any of our kids.

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©FourtoAdore.com
I don’t know why it took me so long to find the joy in a McCafe while the quads romp around McPlayland.  McDonald’s will never top my list of favorite places to dine, but a warm cup of coffee while my children play in a climate controlled area close to home?  I don’t mind if I do!

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©FourtoAdore.com

©FourtoAdore.com
We wrapped up our summer play dates with none other than the Bell Quads at our house.  I always marvel at lunch set up for eight.  It looks like a preschool class!

In lieu of naps, we had a screening of Tangled, which is a new quad favorite.  Sydney is hiding in the hallway to avoid seeing the “scary” part.

No play date is complete without bidding our friends farewell with a bear hug.

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©FourtoAdore.com

When I plunked down a summer bucket list, I didn’t consider the level of commitment involved.  It didn’t take us long to tackle the majority of the items listed, but keeping up with photo editing and blog publishing took me all summer long.  I’m glad I published the list though.  If I hadn’t, I may have skimped on our summer.  If you’re paying close attention, you probably noticed that “train ride” is yet to be accomplished.  Nisey and Poppa gave the kids a gift certificate to ride the train for the kid’s birthday.  We are waiting for fall weather to enjoy the trek so stay tuned for that quadventure!

  1. Movies
  2. Sea Life Aquarium
  3. Train ride
  4. Fire station tour
  5. Library story time
  6. Sprayground
  7. Zoo
  8. Bahama Buck’s
  9. Frozen yogurt
  10. Community pool
  11. Grill dinner outside
  12. Water Table
  13. Inflatable Pool
  14. Sprinklers
  15. Ice Cream
  16. Indoor playgrounds
  17. Lee’s Grilled Cheese
  18. Blow bubbles
  19. Chalk drawings
  20. Board games
  21. Play dates
  22. Summer Reading Club
  23. Dance classes
  24. Fireworks
  25. Sleep over with grandparents
  26. Nature Walks
  27. Bounce house
  28. Popsicles
  29. S’mores
  30. Sparklers
  31. Water pistol duels

hugs,

Amber

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Bounce House & Grill Dinner Outside {Summer Bucket List}

For their first birthday, the quads received a mini inflatable bounce house from a family friend.  Although there tends to be a short season when we can use it, this toy earns it’s keep at our house.  It’s very popular with the neighborhood kids and about 30 minutes of bouncing almost always guarantees a good nap (my favorite part!).

Thanks to torrential floods early in the summer, we only enjoyed the bounce house a few times.  One temperate day we decided to grill burgers while the kids bounced.  Almost as soon as dinner was finished, we began to feel tiny droplets of rain.  George and I sprung into action, deflating the bounce house and folding it to keep it dry.

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©FourtoAdore.com

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©FourtoAdore.com

Mason was pleased with himself when he independently captured Diamond for a snuggle.

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Rylin and I decided to enjoy watching the rest of our family dance in the rain from our dry porch.

  1. Movies
  2. Sea Life Aquarium
  3. Train ride
  4. Fire station tour
  5. Library story time
  6. Sprayground
  7. Zoo
  8. Bahama Buck’s
  9. Frozen yogurt
  10. Community pool
  11. Grill dinner outside
  12. Water Table
  13. Inflatable Pool
  14. Sprinklers
  15. Ice Cream
  16. Indoor playgrounds
  17. Lee’s Grilled Cheese
  18. Blow bubbles
  19. Chalk drawings
  20. Board games
  21. Play dates
  22. Summer Reading Club
  23. Dance classes
  24. Fireworks
  25. Sleep over with grandparents
  26. Nature Walks
  27. Bounce house
  28. Popsicles
  29. S’mores
  30. Sparklers
  31. Water pistol duels

hugs,

Amber

PS- If you can’t get enough of Four to Adore, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

Nature Walks {Summer Bucket List}

Either in the morning or before bedtime, we take a walk around the neighborhood together.  I picked up tin buckets from Target’s One Spot, and sometimes the kids bring them to collect treasures found on our walk.  They received butterfly nets as birthday gifts, and we take them along sometimes.  We haven’t captured a butterfly yet, but George caught another flying insect one night.

It’s always a great adventure searching for acorns, pebbles, flower petals, and leaves.  Taking walks together has been great for burning off extra energy, making and sharing observations, chatting with our neighbors, exploring the world, and practicing walking independently.  Since the kids do really well walking together, we rarely ever use strollers and are less reliant upon cart containment in stores.

When we take walks close to bedtime, the kids usually wear pajamas.
  

In our neighborhood, there’s a wide walking trail that curves around a creek.  It’s the perfect place to spy animals in their habitats.   We have to keep an eye out for snakes though (YIKES!!!).
  

  1. Movies
  2. Sea Life Aquarium
  3. Train ride
  4. Fire station tour
  5. Library story time
  6. Sprayground
  7. Zoo
  8. Bahama Buck’s
  9. Frozen yogurt
  10. Community pool
  11. Grill dinner outside
  12. Water Table
  13. Inflatable Pool
  14. Sprinklers
  15. Ice Cream
  16. Indoor playgrounds
  17. Lee’s Grilled Cheese
  18. Blow bubbles
  19. Chalk drawings
  20. Board games
  21. Play dates
  22. Summer Reading Club
  23. Dance classes
  24. Fireworks
  25. Sleep over with grandparents
  26. Nature Walks
  27. Bounce house
  28. Popsicles
  29. S’mores
  30. Sparklers
  31. Water pistol duels

hugs,

Amber

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Party Animals {Safari Party}

Birthday parties are one of the few times it’s more cost-effective to have four children at the same time. Instead of hosting four parties throughout the year, we throw one big bash for four kids.  For the big one, we hosted a splash party at our home, and when they turned two we had a pirates and princesses soirée at the house.  I enjoy decking the house for parties,  but it’s hot outside in July and guests end up cramped in the den.  This year I decided the party would be away from home with limited prep and clean up.  We rented a local church’s jungle themed playscape.  I ran with the existing decor for a safari party.  My friend, Amber, designed custom invitations, which I printed myself.  She is expanding her Etsy shop, Texas Take, to include invitations and other printables.  For your next shindig, check out her collection.  If you don’t see something that fits your theme, she can create something unique for you.

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©FourtoAdore.com

I was disappointed at the lack of safari party supplies and favors at our local party and big box stores, but Amazon did not disappoint.  I scored paper bags at Hobby Lobby in the kid’s colors and filled them with Amazon trinkets including: neon animal print pencils, animal print notebooks, make-a-zoo animal sticker sheets, and flashlight key chains, all of which coincidentally came in the same four colors as the bags.  I also ordered each party guest a beige pith helmet to add to our party ambiance.  Keeping with our prior party tradition, my friend Jen, snapped photos of the party.  It means so much to me that she takes pictures because if it were up to me, we’d get home without a single picture.  I struggle to host parties and preserve memories of them at the same time.

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Since our party wasn’t at home, our menu consisted of easy to prep and serve kid-friendly fare: fresh fruit, veggie straws, animal crackers, popcorn, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and juice boxes.  I intended on ordering a Costco sheet cake too, but George insisted on baking and decorating blue and pink velvet cupcakes himself.  He did a fantastic job!

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As part of our party decor, I printed our three-year photos Jen shot the week prior and mounted them onto canvas using a tutorial from Designer Trapped in a Lawyer’s Body. My little project set me back about $20 and maybe 30 minutes of time.  I believe I’ll be making many more canvas photos in the future.

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©FourtoAdore.com

©FourtoAdore.com

As party guests arrived, we snapped a quick family photo.  As usual, we weren’t successful in capturing four smiling kids, but we got this one.

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Our venue was ideal for our mix of party guests.  The quad’s little guests included another set of quads, a set of triplets, two sets of twins, and five singletons.  If you do the math, that’s lots of little people!  We also had their teenage cousins, parents, and grandparents at the party.  The littlest ones were content hanging out on the playscape while the older kids (and adults) were entertained by the arcade.

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This year, we sang Happy Birthday to each of the kids individually.  They may share a birth date, but they are individual people so I try to honor that.  Rylin and Harper were slightly bashful, while Sydney soaked up the limelight and danced to the tune.

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©FourtoAdore.com

©FourtoAdore.com

©FourtoAdore.com

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©FourtoAdore.com

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When it was time to open gifts, we lined the kids up at a table where they could be seated.  It worked really well for organization.

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©FourtoAdore.com

©FourtoAdore.com

©FourtoAdore.com

©FourtoAdore.com

We managed to wrangle up both sets of quads for a quad squared photo.  EIGHT three-year olds and two Ambers in one frame.  Wheesh!

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Here’s to a year with threenagers….stay tuned!

hugs,

Amber


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Water Table & Sidewalk Chalk {Summer Bucket List}

Between Texas heat and potty training quadruplets, my sanity is questionable most days.  One lifesaver has been water play.   Our Little Tikes water table and iconic pink NICU bathtubs have been well used this summer.  I try to introduce novel items with water play to keep it engaging.  If I’m dressing four kids in swimsuits and setting up water, it has to last at least an hour, preferably longer.

1. Little People Bath Station

I was inspired by My Nearest and Dearest to set up a Little People water park and bath station on the front porch.  I gave each of the kids a tub filled with water, a mini bottle of baby wash, a wash cloth, and a few Little People dolls.  They spent the entire morning scrubbing dolls and squirting soap.  Lots of clean fun!

IMG_2226

little people bath station

2. Dish Washing Station

I borrowed this idea from a neighbor because it was brilliant.  I gave each child tub of water, a stack of play dishes, a scrub brush (I found super cute ones with animal handles at the Dollar Tree), and a Softsoap bottle filled with a little bubble bath and water. They got busy washing their dishes, and then scrubbing the patio before they jumped into the tubs themselves.  It’s hard to imagine they used to take a bath in these tubs and can barely fit inside now.

As the quads splashed around, my tootsies enjoyed a Mary Kay foot soak followed by energizing mint lotion.  I was in a foul mood that day thanks to countless potty accidents paired with many tantrums.  My little Mom foot spa worked amazingly at changing my demeanor.  I felt rejuvenated and the kids behavior seemed drastically better when I felt better.


Then….

NICU bathtime

Bath time in the NICU. Rylin is on the left and Harper the right.

And now…

NICU bathtubs

water play

3.  Condiment Bottle Squirters

Another day, I set up shop on the front porch.  I situated myself on an angle so I could supervise water play on the porch and sidewalk chalk drawings on the driveway. For water play, I used the NICU tubs and Softsoap bottles with bubbles, but also gave each of the quads an assortment of empty condiment bottles filled with colored water to mix.  I enjoyed another foot soak, this time whilst sipping fresh lemonade.   From time to time, the kids would give me a little foot treatment by pouring bubbles over my calves, which was sweet.  When we were finished playing we dumped the water tubs over the sidewalk chalk art to clean the driveway.


I love knocking out two bucket list items all at once!  Stay tuned as we wrap up the bucket list.

  1. Movies
  2. Sea Life Aquarium
  3. Train ride
  4. Fire station tour
  5. Library story time
  6. Sprayground
  7. Zoo
  8. Bahama Buck’s
  9. Frozen yogurt
  10. Community pool
  11. Grill dinner outside
  12. Water Table
  13. Inflatable Pool
  14. Sprinklers
  15. Ice Cream
  16. Indoor playgrounds
  17. Lee’s Grilled Cheese
  18. Blow bubbles
  19. Chalk drawings
  20. Board games
  21. Play dates
  22. Summer Reading Club
  23. Dance classes
  24. Fireworks
  25. Sleep over with grandparents
  26. Nature Walks
  27. Bounce house
  28. Popsicles
  29. S’mores
  30. Sparklers
  31. Water pistol duels

hugs,

Amber

PS- If you can’t get enough of Four to Adore, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!