Preschool Field Trip to the Fire Station

October is Fire Prevention Month and Brooks, Reese and Sloane have been learning about fire safety in their preschool class. This week they talked about firemen and how they help us when there is a fire. Brooks was also happy to announce that he now knows how to call 911 (let's home he only calls when there is an emergency)!
At the end of the week, the Trio's preschool class went on a field trip to the fire station.
One of the teacher aids volunteered to dress up in the fire suit.
The children were asked to shake her hand so they would not be afraid of a fireman who would be dressed in the same uniform. One of the biggest challenges during a fire is that children are afraid of firemen and will not come to them. Sloane was one of the only children who would shake the teacher's hand so we still need to work on that with Brooks and Reese.

Brooks is all about safety! Every time we see someone on a motorcycle or a bicycle without a helmet he will say "Uh oh Mommy....they are not wearing a helmet and they are not being safe". As soon as he jumped into the fire truck he said "I have to put on my seat belt"!

Brooks, Reese and Sloane with their preschool class...

Brooks, Sloane and Reese

Brooks asked the firemen to let him drive the truck....could you resist that face? :)

Naturally Sloane also wanted a turn...

And Reese too....then the rest of the class!

Reese, Brooks and Sloane
Fire truck!

Dallas Arboretum and Dallas Zoo

The weather is finally cooling off so we have been spending time outside. Every Fall, The Dallas Arboretum has a pumpkin patch. One afternoon I took Brooks, Reese and Sloane for some fun and of course to shoot some photos. I captured this cute one of the three of them laughing. L-R: Reese, Sloane and Brooks.

Giggling and hugging....my 2 favorite things!

Brooks found some interesting pumpkins.

Looking at all of the pumpkins.

Reese

Pumpkin House

Reese, Brooks and Sloane

We love pumpkins!

Brooks was so worn out after our trip he slept for 2 hours on the couch.

This past weekend, one of our friends had a birthday party at the Dallas Zoo. Brooks had a soccer game a the same time, so I took the girls to the party while Steve took Brooks to his game. It was nice to have "girl time".

Sloane and Reese ready to eat!

Sloane LOVED her ice cream sandwich!

Reese loved the giraffe exhibit

Sloane and her little friend, Alyssa

Carousel ride!

Sloane and Reese eating lunch

Go-carts and fun!

Brooks, Reese and Sloane are some active 3 year olds!
Lately when I take them out to run errands, grocery shop or take them out to eat they end of running around the store giggling and screaming!

Imagine their excitement when I took them Halloween costume shopping! Well, they sure did enjoy trying on several pairs of sunglasses...
Last Friday, Steve took off a half day from work so we could do something fun as a family. We decided to take Brooks, Reese and Sloane for their 1st go-cart rides.
Brooks and Steve...

Reese LOVED the ride with me! She kept saying "Mommy this is fun...and I am not even scared".

We also played a few games. Sloane playing "Guitar Hero".

Sloane riding with Steve...

Costume shopping at Target.....but these little girls are too sweet to wear these hats. :)

Having some fun!

Since Brooks, Reese and Sloane started preschool I have attempted to keep them engaged in an activity every afternoon. Sadly, they have not napped since this past April and their preschool is only until 11:00 a.m. each day.
Thus, I am looking for things to so Monday through Friday!

One Friday, the local My Gym was having a free open house. Brooks, Reese and Sloane were excited to see their buddy, Diego, at the gym. Although I have to admit that this Diego looked a little scary!
Dora was there too!

Our friends Jack and Caroline had their 3rd birthday party at a gymnastics place. Sloane and Reese were supporting my college by wearing their TCU cheerleading uniforms. I was a TCU cheerleader when I was in college so the girls are keeping up the spirit! Reese seemed to have fun on the trapeze, while Sloane looked bored.

Our friends, the Urech Quads, also finish preschool at 11:00 a.m. So we try to meet up for playdates every week. Here we are going for a bike ride (L-R): Brooks Hickey, Rayne Urech, River Urech, JuJu Urech, Sloane Hickey, Skye Urech and Reese Hickey.

When we come home from preschool, I like to have educational activities ready for Brooks, Reese and Sloane. All 3 of them love working with pattern blocks. Here is a design created by Brooks:

He is so proud of his work!

Sloane and Reese love to play dress-up! Our friends, the Davis Twins, came over for a dress-up playdate. (L to R): Sloane Hickey, Sydney Davis, Madison Davis and Reese Hickey.

Brooks' 1st Soccer Game

Reese and Sloane have been taking dance class for the past 6 months. We have been hesitant to start Brooks in an activity because after all, he is a 3 year old boy...who does not like to listen! :)

So we decided to sign Brooks up for soccer. The first practice was a little rough....Brooks did not want to listen to the coach and he did not want to follow directions.

There were only 2 practice sessions before his 1st game so we had no clue how Brooks would perform.

Here is a picture of Brooks with his coach and team mates just before his 1st game:

Brooks is so determined!

Reese and Sloane sporting my college uniforms...cheering on their brother and Mommy's college! TCU won that night 62-7!

Ready for kick off!

Brooks seems to like playing soccer...that is until someone takes the ball away from him!

Then he will stop and start crying. We will have to work on his defense. :)

1st week of Preschool and a Trip to the Dentist

Brooks, Reese and Sloane have attended a Mothers' Day Out program for the past 2 years. This year, they are attending a preschool that is affiliated with the school district I used to work for both as a teacher and as an Assistant Principal.
Steve was able to attend Open House with the Trio and I to meet the teacher and visit the classroom.
Here is the circle time area: Reese and Brooks working in a center with their teacher.

Sloane working at the sand table.

The children have access to computers every day! Brooks, Sloane and Reese love them!

Reese and Sloane in the dramatic play area.

Play dough! I do NOT have play dough in our house so this was a treat!

Brooks

The 1st day of school, we had a torrential down poor in Dallas! No joke...it was more like swimming to school. Luckily, Brooks, Reese and Sloane had rain gear! I actually dropped them off and went to Target to buy myself a pair of rain boots. Five inches of rain fell that day, not to mention several tornado warnings that night! What a way to kick off preschool!

Taking off our rain coats and rain boots at school.

Sloane

Since it was raining on the 1st day of school, I took this picture on the 2nd day of school. Sloane was in a bad mood so she decided to turn around...thus why you see her back.

Off to the 2nd day of school with our preschool bags!

The 1st week of preschool was a success! Brooks, Reese and Sloane never wanted to leave when I came to pick them up! Not to mention, on the 1st day of school Reese gave me a hug and a kiss, Sloane just waved "bye Mommy" and when I asked Brooks for a hug he replied "No Thanks". Good to know the Trio is not afraid for me to leave them at school.

This week, we had our 2nd trip to the dentist. Brooks, Reese and Sloane all have good teeth and gums. I guess we are doing a good job of brushing their teeth...which is a daunting task times 3!

The Trio did much better this time when it came to allowing the hygienists to clean their teeth. All 3 of them sat still with their mouths wide open.

Here's Reese just before her cleaning...

Sloane...

Brooks was even a trooper with the teeth cleaning this time!