Tee Ball: Season One 

When George and I were in college, a little league team used the university baseball diamond for games.   The first time we noticed them at play, we paused briefly to observe.   It was the cutest thing we’d ever seen. Itty bitty kids were scattered all over the field clad in oversized jerseys and enormous batting helmets. Parents stood in close proximity cajoling little ones to swing the bat, catch the ball, or run the bases. I thought to myself, if we ever had a little boy, he’d have to play tee ball.  Little did I know, we’d have two little boys awaiting the opportunity.

After taking dance lessons last summer, the boys eagerly awaited their chance to try tee ball. Each week at the end of dance class Harper proclaimed, “Next spring, I play tee ball!” He was a good sport and humored me by attending dance classes. In the fall, I polled parents in our neighborhood and moms of multiples group regarding youth sports.  I decided i9 Sports was the best fit for our family and enrolled the boys.  It was affordable for us, the practice and games were scheduled back to back, and the league fostered character building.

The first weekend in April our season began.   The first game was organized chaos: the kids struggled to make sense of the game and preferred to nosh on snacks or pick dandelions.  Over the course of the season, our rag tag team of tee ball players grew.  By the last game they could hit the ball off the tee and run the bases with minimal assistance.

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“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” – Babe Ruth

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Much to my dismay, the weather was anything but springlike.  The girls and I shivered on the sidelines and attempted to stay dry on damp days.  We made the most of it and cheered for our boys.

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Each week, the team focused on a particular aspect of sportsmanship.  At the end of the game, the player who best demonstrated the weekly goal earned a medal.  There were enough opportunities for each player to earn one, but they had to earn it- everyone didn’t get a medal for being there.  Mason earned his medal at the second game for listening.  He beamed with pride as the coach hung the medal around his neck.  Early on in the season, Harper often wandered away from the game and came up with excuses to avoid playing (e.g. use the restroom, snacks).  Towards the end of the season, he became more interested in the game and started enjoying himself more.  That week, he earned the medal for having fun with the game.  This boosted his morale for the remaining games and he certainly had more fun.

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Tee ball was slightly different than I envisioned, but it was a wonderful experience for our family and worthwhile.  In fact, Harper recently asked when they’d play tee ball again.

hugs!

 

Amber


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Train Ride {Summer Bucket List}

Yes, you read the title correctly, it says “Summer Bucket List“, and it’s December.  I set out to take the kids on a train ride as part of our summer bucket list, but our trip was delayed significantly.  Nisey and Poppa gave the kids a train ride coupon for their birthday in July, and then we all decided it was much too hot to enjoy during the summer.  Nisey and I researched local trains and considered which would be most enjoyable for three year olds.  We determined the train at the zoo was both cost effective and ideal for preschool aged kids (e.g. classic looking train with a 15 minute  trip).  Then we waited crisp, yet sunny weather for our trip.  After Poppa purchased our tickets we boarded the Yellow Rose and awaited departure.  Harper could hardly believe we were riding on a legitimate train.

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While we were at the zoo, we also seized the opportunity to ride the old fashioned carousel.
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 And, we nibbled on a delicious picnic lunch…
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Oh, and we checked out some of our favorite animals.  It turned out to be a gorgeous day for a train ride and trip to the zoo.
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So that’s it, we FINALLY completed our summer bucket list.  Ta da!
  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- For the latest from Four to Adore, you can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

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

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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

For the latest from Four to Adore, check our pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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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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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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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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

P.S. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

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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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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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

PS- Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

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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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!

Sea Life Aquarium {Summer Bucket List}

Last summer we visited the Sea Life Aquarium and the babies really enjoyed it.  I wanted to revisit again this year because I knew they’d understand even more of it.  Just like with the zoo, we went right before they turned three so their admission would still be gratis.

All summer we practiced getting out without strollers and the kids proved themselves quite capable of walking independently.  I knew the aquarium would be lots of walking, but figured we were up for the challenge.  I asked Grandaddy and Carol to join us for the quadventure, which made getting around stroller free much easier.

All four kids were in awe of the sting rays who greeted us, and this year they were able to identify the sting rays as well as many of the other creatures.

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They were impressed by the dome-shaped aquariums that made them feel part of the scene.

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After exploring the aquarium, we headed to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch.  The wait was shockingly long for a weekday at 11:00 am.  Thankfully the shop and animated animals entertained the kids.

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©FourtoAdore.com

©FourtoAdore.com

©FourtoAdore.com

Later that evening we asked the kids what they liked best about the aquarium and several mentioned the crocodile with pennies in his mouth.  I couldn’t recall seeing this fella at the aquarium, but then realized they meant the animated crocodile outside the Rainforest Cafe.

  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

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

Zoo {Summer Bucket List}

Just before the quads turned three, we took one last trip to the Fort Worth Zoo while the kids still enjoyed free admission.   We thought it was ideal summer weather with cooler than average temperatures and cloudy skies.  Shortly after our arrival, the skies fell and showered us in a drizzle.  We were able to take cover while also feeding the Koi.  The humidity following the rain chased us home sooner than we planned.  Texas humidity is miserable!


The kids received zoo memberships as a birthday gift so we’ll enjoy many more zoo visits this year!  We are really looking forward to the seasonal activities the zoo hosts annually.

  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!

Summer Reading Club {Summer Bucket List}

Starting in June, we went to the library every Wednesday morning for preschool story time.  Following story time, we headed to the children’s section where we spent about thirty minutes perusing books.  Before leaving, each child chose two books and a DVD to borrow for the week (thankfully our library system allows each borrower to check out 99 items).  To protect our loaner materials, we kept them in a basket on top of the refrigerator out of reach for little hands.


 We keep libarary books in a large basket on top of the refrigerator and only get them down when there is adequate supervision.

Since library story time typically includes a craft, we haven’t done many projects at home this summer. I really enjoy crafts with the kids so I came up with one to accompany our book/ DVD rental of  Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type.  We made a cow using a paper plate, googly eyes, scraps of construction paper and glue sticks.   The majority of the crafts done at the library involve glue sticks so I thought a little practice at home was appropriate.

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type Craft

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type Craft

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type Craft

I always love how when given the same materials, each child’s artwork is unique.

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type Craft

Every night before bed, we choose two of the books to read on the sofa.  Sitting on the sofa gives everyone a decent view of the pictures.

Daddies Do it Different


For every 15 minutes we read to the kids, they earned a check on their Summer Reading Club chart.  Each time they filled a row on the chart, they earned a bag of prizes from the library.  We didn’t quite fill up the entire chart before the Summer Reading Club was finished, but they earned plenty of trinkets and had fun doing it.  Even though the Summer Reading Club ended, we still visit the library regularly and read daily to help the quads build vocabulary, develop early literacy skills, and use their imaginations.  Today I stumbled upon an article on Huffington Post about how reading to young children impacts brain development.

  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!