The Blog About the Frog

My husband and his friend came back last Tuesday night from a road trip to Florida.  They pulled a trailer behind his pickup with his buddy's Ferrari inside (a story for another time).

The guys pulled up in front of our house at around 6 and started unloading my souvenir - 5 palm trees.  Not a t-shirt, or a coffee mug - 5 palm trees.  For around the pool in the summer, to be kept in my house til then.  One after another them came into the house, until we had a small tropical jungle.

Wednesday morning at 6 a.m. I heard the shower go on the bathroom, as usual with our oldest son, then I heard the shower go off.  "Mom, there's a frog in the bathroom."  "Tell your father."  "Dad..."  Only in my house - a Floridian frog stowed away inside a tree and went on a search for water, ending up in our bathroom.  Poor thing!

Hubby trapped the little frog in a disposable bowl (with air holes in the lid!), waiting to show the other kids when they woke up.   When he opened the bowl to show them the frog, it turned out to be quite a jumper - making it onto the counter and across the kitchen in 2 quick leaps.  Everyone started screaming (some happy, some terrified) and started running around the kitchen (including the dog) until the little frog was caught again.

After everyone was off to school, I called Trailside Nature & Science Center, fortunately located 5 minutes from our house.  A kind naturalist told me to bring the frog in, after first asking how big it was - would he have turned me away if it was any bigger than the 2 inches that it is?  I shudder at the thought of having to keep this thing and feed it crickets.  A dog, a guinea pig and 5 beta fish (in separate bowls, of course) are more than enough pets for one family, wouldn't you agree?

When I arrived at Trailside, I was greeted by 2 naturalists, who immediately told me it was a tree frog, not native to New Jersey.  (I figured that out by myself, first thing that morning!)  They happily took him off my hands to warm him up under a lamp and feed him.  Having done my good deed for the day, I went home to see what adventure awaited me next.

As my blog title references, I am scattered all over the place - lots of things to do every day for lots of people.  My husband has suggested that I make a 'to do' list, like he does, every day to get things done.  The frog episode is a classic example of why a 'to do' list doesn't work for me - every time I write one, something else comes up that requires my immediate attention.

I have to say, having my son find a frog in the bathroom was a walk in the park compared to the time my daughter found a mouse in her Ugg.  I'll have to tell you that story another time...

Triplet Mothers

When my triplets were a little more that a year old and I could finally get out of the house alone for an hour, I went to a local Mothers of Multiples meeting.  Many of the women there were already friends, mothers of twins, and although they were very kind to me, it felt more like a social group.  They did scrapbooking and outings with the kids, but I wasn't there yet - I was still trying to navigate this incredibly unique and challenging situation of mothering triplets and I was hoping to find others like me.  As luck would have it, I met one kind triplet mom that night who took me under her wing and helped me to connect with a few other triplet mothers she had met.

A few weeks later, I met with their small group for the first time.  What a diverse group of women from all over Central Jersey, but within 5 minutes, I new I had found my tribe.  Fellow warrior sisters who knew what it was like to go through a can of formula and a package of diapers every day (3 babies X 6 bottles each per day = 18 bottles, with a diaper change at each feeding, if not more often).  Feeding them in an assembly line, knowing that when the last was fed and put back to sleep there was only 1 hour of free time before you started over again.  What to do with that hour - sleep, bathe, eat?  (Not to mention I had 2 other young kids who needed me more than ever!)

This amazing group has grown to a total of 18 on our email chain, though when we get together there are usually less than 10 (scheduling is hard, as you can imagine).  When one of us meets another triplet mom, we are compelled to bring her into our pack.  From feeding to potty training, school placement (keep them in one class or separate them?) to extra-curricular activities, it's great to have someone to vent to and bounce ideas off of.   What vehicle do I buy?  Carseats?  How do you travel with so many kids, and where can you find affordable accomodations for your giant family?  (My husband and I found our solution in a Disney Vacation Club membership.)

Friends come and go in life, but the bond that we share because of our multiple blessings is something that will always keep up connected.  Here's to you, brave warrior mothers of multiples!

In my free time...

Here are some things I do in my free time:

1.  Religious Education Teacher (formerly known as CCD Teacher).  I am currently teaching 7th graders, which is a challenge to say the least because most of them have no interest in what I am saying.  I do this because I feel it is important for children to have a strong sense of faith in their life and because I believe some day they will realize how important it was for them to make their sacraments.  Plus, every time one of them gives a profound answer in class, I know I'm doing it for the right reasons.
2. Parent Representative for the Special Education Advisory Committee for our school.  My triplets were born 11 weeks premature and as is often the case for preemies, have been playing catch up in some areas ever since.  When I was a kid, all children with any type of special needs were clumped into one class.  In Linden (where I grew up) it was informally called The "Blake' Class - I'm not exactly sure why, so if anyone reading knows, I'd love to hear your comments.  Although our educational system is not perfect today, at least we realize there are too many different types of special ed needs to throw everyone together and hope for the best.  And special ed does NOT mean that a kid is dumb or slow, some children learn differently, or at their own pace, and we need to nurture them so that they can blossom to their full potential on their own terms.
3. Co-Leader of a Cub Scout Den.  I do this because having 3 eight year old boys of my own isn't enough, it's more fun to try to maintain order with 10 at a time, and because I talked one of the nicest women I know into co-leading with me, which eases the pain.  I believe in scouting, don't get me wrong, but it's hard to complete achievements when the boys are more interested in wrestling, arm-farting, and hitting each other with their hats.  This is another area where I am occasionally awarded by a child taking what we teach him and applying it in his life after the meeting.
4. Sleep.  I believe no explanation is needed!

Split End

Today a friend of mine cheated on her hairdresser.  It just kind of happened.  She won a free haircut at a chic new salon during a fundraiser.  She thought it would be harmless, but now the guilt is killing her.  She has no intentions of leaving the hairdresser she's been with through thick and thin for such a long time, the one who knows her every follicle. 

This started me thinking about the proper etiquette for switching hairdressers.  How do you handle such a breakup?  Just disappear without making another appointment, no more contact?  Do you dare to be honest that the relationship has run it's course?  Or do you risk running into them somewhere with your new stylist's creation on your head, never telling them that you've been unhappy with them for quite some time? 

Years ago, I had a hairstylist who, in spite of my pleas, insisted on giving me an old lady helmet head every time I went in for a haircut.  I would actually leave there hoping no one would see me on the street and hurry home to wash it and re-do it myself.  How bad is that?  Know how I finally ended that relationship - I moved to another town!

Scattered Mom

Starting a blog is a major accomplishment for me.  I have a lot of ideas and things I'd like to accomplish, but most days I have to be content with the fact that my kids are fed, clean, done with homework and I've done 3 or 4 loads of laundry.

For 8 years I've been saying I'm going to write a book, and it still may happen one day, but I think I'll start with a blog for now.  Seems like a good place to share my scattered thoughts.  Last year, my husband suggested I start a blog, though I think he was looking for a way to keep me 'busy', since I'm home all day (LOL)!

From the moment we found out we were expecting triplets, I knew we were in for a wild ride.  I've always
been a person who can go with the flow, but it's been a big challenge for my husband who likes to plan and needs organization.  To quote John Lennon "life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans".  No kidding!

The word 'scattered' comes to mind immediately when I think of words to describe myself.  I have 5 kids, ages 8-15 and I am scattered all over the place with them.  Physically, mentally, you name it, I try to be all things to all of them (and my husband!) so sometimes I find myself spread a little thin.

There is a vast array of strong personalities in my house, some subtle, some in your face, and each equally as precious to me.  Did I mention they are all stubborn too - a trait from their daddy!  In the normal chaos of a typical day, I try to remind myself how blessed we are - my kids are all healthy and happy, beautiful and smart - but truthfully some days I count the hours til they go to bed.

Then I start another load of laundry.