The Madeira Fearsome Four: Not-So-Lazy Summer Days

It's been over two months since our last post! That's pretty shameful, especially since we haven't had any large adventures as in the earlier part of the summer. Our non-work-related home projects have been fairly large-scale--landscaping the backyard, going through old possessions, getting ready for our new baby--and we have made good progress on completing them. There's always something else that needs to be done, it seems, however. Fortunately, in this household, we're content with imperfection. Jody's book project and other research as well as preparations for the new school year have taken up much time as well.

We have had a wonderful summer, however. It was cool throughout July but things heated up in August, and now that it is September it is starting to feel like fall. Highlights include joining the Y and introducing the triplets to a swimming pool on a more routine basis, getting together often with friends, spending time with the boys and attending (NOT traveling!) to Pennsylvania for Matt's parents' surprise 50th anniversary party. It was so much fun to see beloved friends and relatives, especially since we anticipate being home-bound at least until spring.

Coming up we have the boys' 2nd birthday on September 15th. Is it possible that it has been two years already? We have a bunch of eager little boys who are learning to talk and help and who already know how to make one heck of a mess and are experts in being cute.

Here are some pictures from the past two months:

We made the discovery in June that big blue $3.00 plastic buckets from Michael's Craft Store were a big hit. Especially for playing "bucket head"...

We didn't put up our "big pool" this year because the weather was so cool, so we bought the boys a giant inflatable pool shaped like a frog. It got a hole in the bottom and was otherwise a pain, but the boys seemed to like it...

As Jody's lap shrank, and the boys were more reluctant to share what remains, we thought it would be a good idea to get chairs for the boys...they LOVE books!

Brotherly love?

Here is our second attempt at a baby pool; this one worked out better. No leaks!

The boys got an early present...a water table. They loved it and got just as wet as they did in the pool!

Much to Matt' s horror, Alex found a new friend...

Here's Wild West Alex!

This is one of our favorite photographs from Grandma and Grandpa Madeira's 50th anniversary party!

Driving home from Pennsylvania...Alex decided to take the wheel as Diaper Driver.

In August, my friend Rebecca visted us with her son Theo, who was about 11 months at the time. Check out this hair!

Rebecca and Jacen relax together...

Last week, Granmy Burkett and I went to the Indianapolis zoo with Rachel, a good friend of mine, and her threesome. Alex is keeping Rachel and Zoe company here as the rest of the boys run around the zoo's "sprayground"...