St. Patrick’s Day

The last time we enjoyed a play date with the Bell Quads, I mentioned feeling a bit sad that my kids don’t have the opportunity for class holiday parties. I don’t know why, that just seems to be something fun for little kids to do. Noting the fact that between us we have a full capacity Mother’s Day Out class, Amber suggested we have a little class party of our own for Saint Patrick’s Day. Brilliant!

Originally, Amber intended to hostess this shindig. However, her crew became extremely ill last month and was under quarantine orders for four weeks! I started feeling a bit loony after our week-long escapade with a stomach bug so I can only imagine what she experienced. I invited the Bells to our house in hopes of providing fresh scenery.

Keeping up with the party theme, I dressed everyone in assorted Saint Patrick’s Day attire. Oddly enough, several of them came from hand me down bins. Amber and her crew also dressed the part in shades of green.

Amber brought themed plates and party decor while I served a green meal. For the main course, I wanted to serve a new family favorite (it is a super easy recipe that also happens to be green in color #WINNER). The recipe originally came from Picky Palate, but my family wasn’t fond of it as is. After making several tweaks to the recipe, I came up with one my family demolishes. Seriously, my kids eat 3-4 servings each when I make this meal so I knew Amber’s kids would approve as well. To make the green menu complete, I served steamed broccoli, a tossed green salad, and key lime yogurt bites.

While I was tossing ingredients together for our class party, I prepped two more batches for freezer meals. We have several friends with new babies, and I know freezer meals are among the most appreciated gifts for new moms. In case you want to give this recipe a spin…

While I plated dinner, Amber introduced paint with water books she scored at Target’s One Spot. It was shockingly quiet as these little artists went to work. It really resembled a little preschool class.

When dinner was ready, both Amber and I marveled at how big our kids have gotten. I couldn’t help but reminisce about our first play date that involved doling out several rounds of bottles, assembling four pack ‘n’ plays, and alternating kids through the quad table. It was A LOT of work in those days. Now the eight of them can gather around a dinner and feed themselves using utensils.

Amber’s party plates were really cute, but I really loved them when it was time to clean up after dinner. I simply tossed eight plates into the garbage instead of washing them. After dinner, the kids spent time in the playroom before we changed all eight into pajamas. And, just like “school” all eight gathered on the playroom rug for story time. It was absolutely precious watching all eight sprawled out or crouched around to listen.

When the bedtime hour approached, the quads bid their buddies farewell with hugs (ADORABLE!). George and I tucked our four in, and then I helped Amber load her crew into the Suburban. I’d say it was a ~~“class party”~~ quad play date success!

Do you celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day?

Hugs!

Amber

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Here is our March artwork. I commissioned my friend, Jen, for this one. We agreed a four leaf clover was appropriate.

On this beautiful Saint Patrick’s Day we took the babies on a mini road trip to my parent’s house. I say “road trip” because it’s an hour drive there and taking the babies anywhere besides a walk seems like a road trip. We stuffed the van with a package of diapers, package of wipes. four pairs of pajamas, eight bibs, four booster seats, a swing, a travel crib (mom has two more), four bottles, two cans of formula, four jars of baby food….you get the idea. It was everything but the kitchen sink and it practically looked like we were going out of town. In everyone’s best interest, we waited to leave until after the babies’ morning nap. I knew they probably wouldn’t get much shut-eye at Nisey and Grandpa’s so I thought at least one good nap was in order. After their 11 am spoon feed (green beans) and bottle we corralled everyone into the van and hit the road in our green attire. Thankfully, the babies made good use of their time in the van and took a decent nap.

Everyone wore green today in honor of Saint Patrick. And of course we didn’t want anyone being pinched.

A faux road trip seemed to be an occasion worthy of shoe wearing for everyone.

Upon our arrival, the babies made note of their new surroundings. Eight little eyes darted around the living room fully aware that we weren’t in Kansas anymore. They clearly knew it was new territory. Rylin being her pensive self really seemed to take it all in and pouted a little bit initially. When everyone was settled, the big people enjoyed a home cooked meal complete with cabbage and potatoes in honor of our Irish heritage. The babies of course were served some delicious formula. After lunch, George, my sister, and I headed to visit my Grandfather while the babies stayed behind. Nisey and Grandpa reported that the babies took a short nap then devoured their spoon feeds despite being in a new place and using booster seats for the first time. The babies also apparently met many of my parent’s neighbors while we were away.

Before we headed home, some of our extended family was able to drop by to meet the crew for the first time. While the babies were a bit apprehensive about meeting so many new people they all acclimated very well. Rylin really sized each person up, but was eventually won over by my uncle Clarke. Sydney who reserves laughter for special times erupted in giggles when my uncle Mark played with her. Harper does not know a stranger yet and enjoyed cuddle time with whomever held him. And Mason, well, he flashed his dimples way too many times to count. Instead of rushing home, we fed the babies their final bottle before leaving. George and I feared there would be dire consequences of moving sleeping babies from the van to crib. To our surprise, the babies handled it all in stride. Mason didn’t stir a bit and the other three were awake but went to bed without protest. Whew! It was a lot of work taking the babies out for the day, but we had a lot of fun and it was much easier than previous trips with them. We’re all looking forward to getting out and exploring more this spring and summer. My sister and I have grandiose plans for a field trip to the zoo and a shopping excursion with two babies (we’ll take the two who took a good morning nap!).

When Rylin finally warmed up to Clarke, she smiled at him and enjoyed this little game.

Props to Uncle Mark who got Sydney to chuckle.

My mom's sister, Linda, with Sydney enjoying a little Baby Einstein.

My Aunt Linda and Sydney enjoyed a little Baby Einstein and cuddle.

It’s so much easier feeding four babies when there are more than four adults. I don’t think I fed a single baby after 11 am today.

Harper was enamored with his Aunt CiCi tonight. He kept touching her face and grinning even while eating.

Oh yeah, we celebrated my belated birthday. My sister made this yummy s' mores cake found on Pinterest.

Oh yeah, we celebrated my belated birthday too. My sister made this yummy s’ mores cake found on Pinterest. Oops, someone forgot birthday candles so they improvised with a tea light.

This was cute. Grandpa sang to the babies as they waited to go back to the van.

How did you spend St. Patty’s Day? I hope you at least wore green and if not that you were pinched. I know I made sure to pinch everyone who forgot and that was most everyone in our family except the wee ones I dressed.

Hugs!

Amber