Saying goodbye is never easy...

It seems like our time in Texas is ticking away before our move to Chicago!  

Over the past week, we have begun the process of finishing Brooks, Reese and Sloane's activities.  I have teared up more than once as I watch the trio say goodbye to their gymnastic coach, swim teacher and T-ball friends. We are visiting friends and enjoying "Texas activities" as much as possible for the next couple of weeks.

Brooks, Reese and Sloane loved the movie "Madagascar 3".  Luckily we were able to see the movie at one of our favorite spots...The Studio Movie Grill.  Sadly, these theaters do not exist in our new city.  We will miss this place!

Madagascar 3 at Studio Movie Grill

Brooks, Reese and Sloane have loved their gymnastics coach!  I cried when they hugged him goodbye...

Reese & Sloane's last gymnastics lesson

Brooks' last gymnastics class

During my last Danceaton performance I got to see Dirk from the Dallas Mavericks...

My photo with Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki

The baseball season is almost over....

Sloane & Reese with their friend Olivia

My last Danceaton flash mob

Brooks, Reese & Sloane folding laundry....we will miss this house!

The last swim lesson in Texas

Sloane with her princess dog

The last few weeks are going to be bittersweet as we continue to say goodbye to our friends and favorites places in Texas!  We have created many memories here and I hope we will have many good times in Chicago! For now we are going to relish every day we have in Texas....this is where our hearts will always be....

Are you ready for some baseball?

Steve and I met played coed softball so we thought it would be great if Brooks, Reese and Sloane began playing baseball.  We started last fall and boy it was tough!  

The Trio did not seem too interested and we were not sure if they would ever enjoy playing baseball.

Luckily, we tried again this summer....what a difference a season can make!

Now they are hitting and stopping balls like pros (well almost), but we are making progress!

Here are a few shots from one of their recent games.  Reese and Sloane both bat left handed! 

Sloane up to bat!

Sloane safe on 1st base

Sloane ready to play catcher

Sloane taking a break!

Brooks giving high fives after the game

Brooks as the catcher

Reese ready for the ball!

Nice hit Reese!  Go Reese!

Brooks in position

Brooks decided he was finished with his helmet

Reese #2

Reese & Sloane's Dance Recital

Reese and Sloane just participated in their 2nd dance recital.  Last year, the girls were in the same dance class together and performed one routine.

This year, Reese and Sloane were in separate classes and both performed a ballet and tap routine.  

What a difference a year can make!

The girls learned many dance skills and were so excited to get up on stage to dance!

We were proud of Reese and Sloane...both were poised and confident little dancers!

Reese in her tap dance costume & Sloane in her ballet costume

Reese ballet

Reese recital hair

Sloane tap dance costume  

Dance trophies!

Flowers for the beautiful dancers

Our family

End of Preschool party

It's hard to believe that Brooks, Reese and Sloane have completed another year of school! For the past 2 years they have attended an amazing preschool with a wonderful teacher.

Here they are at the end of the year party...

Reese

Sloane

Brooks

We love Mrs Puglia!

Brooks, Reese and Sloane are excited to attend Kindergarten next year!  

Let the adventure begin!

Steve finally received his job promotion and we will be moving to the Chicago area over the summer!  I am extremely proud of Steve and this accomplishment, but also sad to leave Texas since I have lived in this state most of my life!

Recently, we attended one of our last Texas Rangers Baseball games.  Brooks, Reese and Sloane love baseball, not to mention their obsession with Josh Hamilton.  That night while we were driving home Brooks asked me if Josh Hamilton could come over for a play date!  

Inside the Ballpark at Arlington

Our Family

This summer before we move, Brooks, Reese and Sloane will be busy with swim lessons, vacation Bible school and T-ball games!  We had our first game last week!  All 3 of them are hitting really well, and Sloane even hit a home-run at her first at bat of the season!

The last day of preschool was bittersweet.  I am proud of Brooks, Reese and Sloane and how much they have learned over the past 2 years!  They had an amazing teacher, Mrs Puglia, who was a true blessing for our family.  We will miss her next year when we begin Kindergarten.

Over Memorial Day weekend, Steve and I traveled to the Chicago area to find a new home.   We had been looking online for a few months and had narrowed down the search, but this was the first time we were able to actually see the homes.  Just before this trip, I discovered that the public schools in Illinois did not have a full day Kindergarten!  I was shocked!

Brooks, Reese and Sloane are ready to attend a full day of school and we were concerned about sending them to a half day program.  After some research and phone calls, Steve and I were able to find a beautiful home in an amazing neighborhood with a school that just happened to have 3 openings left in their full day Kindergarten!  Not to mention that the house we are buying is surrounded by 5 year old children on both sides!  It is fate!  God is looking out for us during this transition and we couldn't feel more blessed with all that has transpired thus far!

Steve  and I took a trip into Chicago the last day of our house hunting trip!  We walked around the city to see many of the highlights, and took a architectural river tour.

Union Station

Buckingham Fountain

Our NEW home!

Millennium Park

So as we always say in our family "Never a dull moment".  We are excited about the future and the adventures ahead!

Mother's Day thoughts...

It’s almost Mother’s Day and I can’t believe my triplets are already five years old!  Where has the time gone?  It seems just like yesterday we were in the NICU with our premature triplets, Brooks, Reese and Sloane.  We thank God everyday that they have grown to be strong and healthy. 

Now I look at my three babies and realize they are growing up so fast! They are reading books and asking questions about everything from where do the clouds come from to why ladybugs are red and black.  One of my favorite times of the day is driving with them in the car to school or one of their activities such as gymnastics, dance or soccer.  It makes me smile to listen to them talk to each other or observe their surroundings and make comments or ask questions.  They are no longer babies....it is very bittersweet!

Along with their developed personalities, I also have realized that Brooks, Reese and Sloane have become extremely independent!  Not only can they dress themselves, pack a snack in their school bag and buckle themselves in the car.....they also buckle in their toys and animals! 

Here's Sloane's dog, Peaches, ready to go!  

Reese and Sloane participated in separate dance classes this year.  I felt that it was time for the girls to have their own classes and begin to experience things as an individual rather than "the triplets".  Recital is just a few weeks away and the girls have been working hard to perfect their ballet and tap routines.

Here's Reese in her ballet costume...

 Reese' tap dance costume...

 Reese, Brooks & Sloane on our Friday Family Dinner Night

 Sloane's ballet costume...

 Sloane's tap dance costume...

Being a mother is the most amazing thing in the world and more difficult than any of my past occupations.  When I find myself discouraged or stressed, I am reminded of this quote “Without children, my house would be clean and my wallet would be full, but my heart would be so empty”. The love and happiness my children give to me is more valuable than material things.

On this Mother’s Day, I celebrate with the greatest gifts in the world, Brooks, Reese and Sloane.