Nov 27

Vacation Part III: Epcot & the Beach!

Day two at Disney kicked off with another surprise thanks to Craig, taking his role as a girl dad very seriously and booking a makeover by a local business to transform regular six-year-olds into real princesses! The girls were slow to wake up after such a magical first day, but we managed to convince them to zombie sit on the couch for a little television and breakfast bright and early. Their excitement sparked as soon as the surprise revealed.

On theme, Harper—ahem, I mean, Aurora—was thrilled to style with pink eye shadow and finger nails, plus a fancy updo to complete the look with her beautiful dress. Emerie, fully embracing her new title as Queen Elsa, chose purple eye shadow and nails with an Elsa-inspired twist braid and lower curls. And Reagan, sticking with her alliance to Princess Jasmine, rocked gold and teal eye shadow, teal nails, and a bubble braid updo. The stylist assured us all the hairstyles would survive the long day and the Florida humidity—and they did!

To top it all off, each princess sported bright red lipstick that also lasted the day, along with a healthy spritz of hair glitter (twice, on request!) and a sparkly crown comb. The crowns gleamed in the sun all day—well, except for Emerie’s, who later declared the crown was ruining her life and dramatically yanked it out, but luckily her hairstyle held up! Meanwhile, Harper and Reagan would have slept in their crowns if allowed.

It was a really fun experience and I was impressed with how quickly three incredibly sleepy kids transformed into ready to perform princesses. They even humored me and gave me Anna braids, so my hair was fancy and out of the way for the heat filled day. Everyone insisted on a photo op outside before we left – but carefully away from any impending alligators (according to the girls)- I mean honestly, is that not the cutest picture you’ve ever seen??

Outfits were changed for a second time before 9 AM, with Craig and I insisting dress up dresses would be uncomfortable through a day of walking and direct heat. With that in mind, I packed cotton twirly dresses with same theme of course, that were light weight and soft enough to handle all the activities. And then were were off for the day! While Magic Kingdom definitely took the trophy for the best park of our stay and one of the best adventure days in the past six years, Epcot still offered some memorable moments—despite not having much in the way of rides for younger kids. Epcot focused more on food, beverages, and shopping from around the world, catering more toward older kids and adults. However, the primary reason for our visit was a must: two out of three favorite princesses only make appearances at Epcot, so the choice was made for us.

And when it came time to meet those princesses, whether waiting in line talking to other families or with said princesses, the girls’ excitement was contagious. Harper nearly burst with joy meeting Aurora while Reagan was thrilled for a second Jasmine sighting and in a slightly different outfit. Emerie asked about a million times when we would see Elsa in her frozen wonderland and was undoubtedly in awe when she came into view.

This park entrance was within walking distance from parking, which greatly simplified everything. We wandered through Alice in Wonderland, briefly seeing her walk by but refusing to stop (she claimed to be on break!) and then waited in France until Princess Aurora made her appearance, walking through the gift shops and grabbing tasty treats to try. Harper’s wait was limited and before long Sleeping Beauty walked over.

We were second in line, which was outside again so thankfully still morning temperatures (still hot for us whiny northerners but not 2 PM hot!). As she sauntered up, all three girls squealed with excitement and commented on her dress. The spot was beautiful with the gazebo for shade and a treed backdrop. In no rush, she took the time to answer everyone’s questions and inquiries, giving each kiddo a little bit of individual attention, and hugs to all. Harper was beyond thrilled and talked about that ten minutes for the rest of the trip; and honestly, this is one of the best photos of the visit! With no Disney photo pass option, I took a ton of photos and ensured everyone had a solo or hug photo too. Out of all the princess, she was by far one of the best, in style, humor, and willingness to slow things down and give the girls a great interaction.

We wandered around the area a little longer and determined the landing spot for Beauty and the Beast’s Belle, since we didn’t spot her at Magic Kingdom during dinner the night before. Everyone was heating up waiting in direct sun, but making friends with other excited kiddos waiting too. The enthusiasm for Belle wasn’t the level of other viewings, but the girls still happily took a photo with her and scrutinized why she was dressed in everyday blue and not her famous, yellow gown. After a momentary chat in the shade, we were off to the next country, for a second sighting of Jasmine under the cover of glorious air conditioning! Her line was short, but long enough to admire the intricate walls and decor and the golden lamp. I do have to note, the lines were FAR smaller than the prior day’s park, likely because Magic Kingdom is larger and more focused on the child experience; so that was definitely appreciated. And I’m still a little disappointed we were unable to catch Alice, Snow White or Mulan for meet and greets. As Emerie always says, Alice is daddy’s favorite!

Each country hosted a small coloring station with specific characters to beautify, one of the only real kid focused activities. We found most spots and the girls happily sat down and colored with Grandma Sue while Craig and I wandered through a shop or two for souvenirs or goodies to try. We found a few fun Christmas presents, like fans with their names written in Japanese in the Japan store and princess ornaments. Wishes were made in more wishing wells like at Snow White’s well in Germany, many photo ops stops occurred all along the way and a few more “magic” induced ones by the Disney folks, and a long stop at a huge area with mini trains running through the “village,” with a pathway through it so the kiddos could view details up close. Lastly was a brief stop in China to look at a gift shop filled with panda things, like a panda umbrella that Reagan excitedly begged for (and made it home with us and is already damaged!).

After a morning of when do we see Elsa inquiries from our littlest, we blew through the country of China to arrive in northern Europe- a spot I hoped for indoor air condition to keep with the cold movie theme. The girls first wandered through the themed gift shop, Emerie taking stock of everything Elsa related and to get her long awaited doll (which she looked for at every princess related shop to no avail). Waiting in the princess line felt like stepping right into the Kingdom of Arendelle—it may have been the longest line of the day, but the detail made up for it. Inside was cozy like being in a cold place, the walls were adorned with family portraits of the sisters, and the dining table was set with Nordic flair. The girls were thrilled to explore all of it, giggling and wiggling with excitement as they spotted all the hidden Frozen details. By the time we reached the end, it felt less like a wait and more like a walking through part of the movie set with Elsa and Anna!

Anna was up first and they humored her existence, all the while wanting to get to the real prize of the day, Elsa. I’m guessing this is quite a common response. I’m surprised Emerie didn’t clobber anyone in her path and run straight into Elsa’s arms -the shyness and or utter awe held her back a little- and everyone did a quick Anna photo before pestering excited questions to Elsa. Emerie is convinced that Elsa promised to add her picture to her dress. I’m unsure what was actually said here, other than she’s repeated that sentiment a number of times since then, like it’s the most exciting news of her life! Just as the interaction started a light bulb in the ceiling exploded with a bang, so loud it could’ve been a plot twist in Frozen 3 (hahaha). Everyone in the room jumped but the moment was far from ruined. The automatic Disney camera captured the moment perfectly: Emerie and Harper’s faces frozen (pun intended!) in horror, while Reagan was mid-turn toward Elsa. Trying to lighten the mood, I joked that Elsa must’ve been behind it; without missing a beat she replied with a perfectly straight face, I didn’t do that. After many more questions and excitement we left the throne room and to a nice, Frozen themed photo op that produced two of my favorite photos of the whole visit. A little Disney magic added to Emerie cute reaction to “pretend there’s something on your hand” and a great family photo.

With the final, required stop of the park complete, that equaled a stop for ice cream. The girls spotted Kristof across the way, but we were informed his time was up so we couldn’t join the line to say hello. Instead everyone devoured a rapidly melting treat and took in the landscape of the area. We wrapped up Epcot at this point, with the girls begging to go to the pool again to cool off. Since other princesses weren’t out for a while, we opted to sail through the last half of the park and head back to the condo to relax. This was a good call and mostly avoided the overheated, sun filled tiny humans from melting down in the middle of the trek to the car.

On the way to dinner, which might I add took eternity to drive only THREE miles from the condo (this seems to be a theme in Florida), we swung into a nearby outlet mall. Craig found shorts he was looking for and Sue, the girls and I wandered into an unknown (to us) shoe store, leaving with three pairs of pink flats and a couple pairs of AMAZING sandals for me that, you know, won’t be worn until next summer. Dinner at an Italian restaurant with great service and food, the girls colored and chilled from the busy day, doing great for how late we finished eating.

But did the day end there, after 12+ hours of fun activity?! Of course not. The day we arrived in Florida, Reagan started complaining about ear pain. A little Tylenol resolved it for the moment and thank goodness, with big park days ahead! But the next evening, Harper was having similar ear pain, enough to trigger a check up prior to our upcoming flight. Craig found a 24-hour urgent care not far from our dinner spot, so we headed there pretty late in the evening, with the plan to check all three pairs of ears to rule everything out.

The girls kept entertained coloring and watching a movie in the waiting room, and soon we were back in the exam room. The nurse was a good sport and answered an interrogation of favorite princesses -or LEAST favorite princess as the questions morphed into- before convincing the girls to respond to questions for the reason of the visit. By the end of the two and a half-hour visit, two ear infections were confirmed and Reagan’s freshly flushed out and releasing a massive chunk of wax to show for it! By the end, Harper and Emerie were sound asleep in the car with Sue, no amount of convincing kept them conscious, and Reagan out cold by the time the car was on the road.

It was a long night, but the staff was incredible, and the best part? No pharmacy run in an unfamiliar city! Unlike back home, the doctor prescribed and mixed the medication right there, so we were out the door and on our way with one less stop. Now THAT is what I call a day, and a good one at that. With one more day to cram activity into, everyone instantly went back to sleep in their beds, refreshing for one more day of adventure before heading home.

Orlando Day III: Beach Time!

We opted out of any Disney parks for our last vacation day, knowing it was too close to pass up the opportunity to visit a “real” beach, and that the experience would be worth it. The beach is also less expensive (i.e. free) than Disney extravagance and much needed after the prior two days spending (but also not the point!). The day started out slower, with no fancy makeovers or rushing to get there, and eventually we headed an hour or so east to Satellite Beach. At one point on the drive the dashboard map froze and required rerouting, but otherwise was mostly uneventful, with kiddos coloring and drawing in the back and discussing the events of the past few days.

Thanks to a friend from college who shared fantastic advice and directions to the best spot to visit (it was wonderful to see her and catch up!), we enjoyed an incredible afternoon. The beach was nearly empty, with just a few other people passing by in the middle of the day. The weather was perfect—sunny and in the 80s, which says a lot coming from someone like me who typically hates the heat—the breeze off the incoming tide kept us cool.

The girls were instantly excited to explore the waves, though a bit hesitant at first. They were all determined to stand in the surf and see if they could stay upright (holding the hand of an adult!), and it was adorable to watch their reactions and bliss when realizing the water was warm. Before long everyone was discovering shells—so many, and so different from the ones back home. It was wonderful watching them become completely captivated by the waves and their new collections.

After Emerie had her fill standing in the big waves with Craig, which were increasing in size as time passed, she discovered several Ariel necklace shells and wandered down the beach to find more, just like we do at home. She was the only one to find those spirals and even the adults were impressed at the discoveries. Harper was harder to track down, her enthusiasm lying with jumping and sitting in the waves and running all over the place. When Reagan had her fill of the waves, she walked along the beach with me, looking for specific shells in different colors. I was quite impressed by the variation in shells compared to those on Alaska’s beaches. However, I suppose it makes sense when you think about it—after all we are literally a world apart, with entirely different ecosystems and oceans shaping the shorelines, and Florida is definitely a lot more tropical.

Burying one another in sand was also a required activity, which is very different up north where it’s VERY cold! It was such a fun afternoon, no one sunburned (and I wore my t-shirt to keep that true!), we left with tons of fancy shells to use for crafts back home, and all three begged to stay longer. If we could do it again, I would have stayed another day to go enjoy a second visit.

After physically removing the children from the sand, with a much higher tide at this point, the only consolation that actually maneuvered everyone into the car was the promise of ice cream down the street to cool off. Such a cool spot, called the Surfin’ Turtle, where you could enjoy ice cream or soft serve in the presence of real turtle rescues. This family-owned business was friendly, fast, and Emerie was in heaven getting a treat with her favorite animal wandering around behind her. Definitely a spot worth visiting again!!

We wandered to a few more shopping spots in the area and another outlet mall. Hilarious shopping surprise of the trip? I never realized the store Five Below indicates below five dollars. This northerner assumed that meant another winter clothing store, not befitting for the south at all, and referring to five DEGREES (like the 32 Degrees brand), and I chuckle at how wrong that was. Our last store of the trip, the girls were thrilled to look at all the exciting stuff, and several stocking stuffers were secretly purchased.

It was another long day and jam packed with exploration to make the most of the end of our trip. The only real hiccup was the ridiculous traffic on the way home, bumper to bumper taking more than an hour to go five or six miles. Other than the fact that Alaska appears to have a better ITS traffic system than more populated southern states, it was a fabulous day. The evening ended with a packing frenzy to get all purchases shoved into suitcases and totes, and a quick jog to the nearby Walmart, which was “Alaska Black Friday busy” at 10:30 at night on a Friday. I’ve never seen half the checkouts open at any store in Anchorage, and every single one was open and with a line. Hilarious, indeed.

Heading Home: Travel Day

After purchasing additional suitcases in Cincinnati and Walmart totes in Orlando, we definitely left our vacation heavier than we started it. In our (my?) defense, we found amazing bargains too good to pass up, and my out-of-state shopping was overdue by a solid six years. The outlet malls did us quite a solid, and I don’t even want to share how many pairs of discount shoes returned with us, but it was well worth it! From the light-up wands from Disney on Ice and hand-painted parasols from Magic Kingdom to the oversized light-up goblets from Belle’s ballroom dinner, our packed bags were both eclectic and memorable. And yes, there were also three bags of massive pine cones, a bag of authentic, unwashed seashells and a little sand for good measure, and plenty of other store-bought treasures. The next morning at a balmy 4 AM, we barely—and I mean barely—managed to fit everything into the car. After an impressive round of Tetris-style packing, we loaded three very sleepy girls to trek to the airport and return the rental.

Knowing Orlando International is a lot larger than Anchorage or Cincinnati’s airports, we arrived in just enough time to return the car, score luggage carts to the terminal and onto the train -that many suitcases and three booster seats is a full body workout, even with three adults- check in, route through a long TSA line, and find the correct boarding gate. The highlight—the blog-worthy part—of that three-hour saga? Not one, but two kids puking in the never-ending, winding TSA line. And no, I couldn’t make this up if I tried. It was hot—unbearably so for everyone—whether from the lack of air circulation, the crush of people, or my brilliant choice to dress the kids in three-quarter sleeve dresses and pants in preparation for the colder weather up north. Or maybe it was just the sheer length of time we stood there, inching forward at a glacial pace, looking at other locals in hoodies and sweatpants, and questioning their survival choices! Who knows, but the result? Vomit in front of a lot of people; a different spectacle from the usual oh you have triplets? comments.

Harper, to her credit, managed to give us the classic heads up just in time for full-on mom (and grandma) mode. Cue me frantically dumping out a plastic bag from my backpack to improvise a puke bucket, rerouting her to a nearby trash can mid-eruption. Crisis averted, or so I thought. As we’re catching our breath and trying to regain some dignity amongst strangers (who did NOT offer to help but at least didn’t laugh) —all while still stuck in that damn line—Reagan suddenly spins around and projectile vomits all over the floor. And yes, at this point we were almost to the front of the line.

It’s safe to say this was a TSA experience for the books. After Reagan joining Harper’s puke parade, another TSA agent appeared and swiftly blocked the line behind us with a rope—presumably to protect everyone else from an unfortunate slip-and-slide situation brought to you by the Douglets. Honestly, I’ve never felt more complimented in my entire traveling life (I said what I said!). I mean, how many people can say they’ve had a TSA line shut down in their honor? You? It’s not every day a federal agent takes such action and I was ready to roll with it….that, and then we finally made it to the front of the line!

Miraculously, we didn’t miss our flight and—praise the travel gods—without any more vomit-related disasters. As we were boarding Emerie, ever the sane child, looked at me and proudly declared, well, at least I didn’t puke too. You know what? She’s not wrong. And that sums up my life in a nutshell…small victories, folks, small victories.

Fortunately, the rest of the travel day was calmer; if anything almost enjoyable. Our 6.5 hour flight to SeaTac shortened with a tail wind, and that repeated and shied off an hour of the Anchorage leg. Very minimal turbulence and sunny skies and other than the basic bickering, everyone in our group was completely chill. Only hiccup was a random passenger across the aisle deciding it was his duty to suggest I mask Reagan, who developed a mild, throaty cough the night before. It was clearly aggravated by the dry, air-conditioned and freezing cold cabin, but she had no fever or other symptoms. His tone was, let’s just say insulting, and when I politely declined, he turned to his wife with a dramatic, well, at least I tried and complete with an eye roll. Other than the darting glares from that direction for the next four hours, and the scenario replay of a better response to it than my “um, no” answer him, all was well.

It is good to be home and comical it took me a month to fully write out this adventure. It was a wild 15 days and went by quicker than expected. The girls adapted smoothly to each transition and better than younger years would have, all the different states and hotels we visited (Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida = making up for no prior out-of-state trips!), and all the new venues and people. I didn’t get a single demand from Emerie to go home, something she requests a lot when we are out and about in Anchorage, because home is her happy place, as is mine. By the end Harper was asking to stop going shopping, which was fair. Returning home after a long but wonderful trip was a mix of relief and travel exhaustion. The familiar surroundings of home, normal cool temperatures, your own bed and snuggly kittens, the girl’s toys and stuffies, and the chance to finally decompress- it was definitely worth it.

And mother nature was kind enough to wait 36 hours before dropping the first real 6+ inches of snow for the winter, and then back to the usual grind. First big vacation is officially a success!

❤

Nov 13

Vacation Part II: Heading South to Disney

First day of the second half of our trip was spent in the car, driving from Cincinnati down to Atlanta, with three six year olds in tow. For NINE hours in the car, they did so well and better than we expected. The drive was seamless through Lexington with no traffic, speeding south with that lovely 70 mile per hour speed limit; bumper to bumper traffic didn’t occur until until Knoxville, which sucked up over an hour of slowly moving forward. Once again we then cruised until Chattanooga, and then off and on had traffic delays until we arrived at our Airbnb in downtown Atlanta. With only a few potty and food breaks, a brief run session while we waited for food, and a random playground, we spent the rest of the day in the car. The girls colored, wrote down words displayed on billboards and played with their toys, and watched a couple television shows. That, and a LOT of snacking.

Craig had another surprise in store, unbeknownst to the girls, with Grandma Sue walking in the door that night in Atlanta, to complete surprise and delight. While we traveled all day by car, she traveled by air. She walked in the front door like it was no big deal and they were so surprised! Little did they know that their beloved Disney castle was right around the corner.

Atlanta was not our final destination but a good midpoint on the long drive, so we shoved two major tourist destinations into a one day visit. We walked over to the Atlanta Zoo, first thing in the morning (once we found the front entrance!), and explored all the attractions in perfect morning temperatures and with very few people around. Staying a couple blocks from our morning destination and being able to walk over was a nice touch to the visit.

First stop was the elephants, learning that a couple were older than us! We stopped at most of the penny machines and I towed a huge bag of customized, zoo animal featured pennies back with us. Everyone saw the zebras and giraffes but didn’t get to feed them, as they didn’t wish to cooperate while we stood in line for it. Gorillas were everywhere in several different enclosures, but the girls could care less and were more excited to follow the random squirrels -which are everywhere down there- and collect acorns and pine cones off the ground. We saw snakes and other reptiles, and a variety of different turtle breeds. A few beautiful birds humored us in the bird enclosure while the lone red panda refused to wake up from his nap to say hello.

Fake pandas everywhere but no live ones…sad day.

Turns out the Atlanta Zoo didn’t quite live up to Cincinnati’s vibe, but at least it filled a morning. The real kicker? The live pandas packed their bags and returned to China just a week before we showed up. Reagan took the tragic news like a champ—definitely better than I did. She still strolled around the panda exhibit like they were magically going to reappear, we made panda themed pennies, browsed the still-open panda gift shop, and grabbed some panda merch. Because if you can’t see the real thing, at least you can own the T-shirt, right? And the irony of it all- while we were in Atlanta not seeing the pandas, another pair was refueling in Anchorage on their way to a different zoo—one we weren’t visiting. Talk about timing!

The petting zoo was cute, with goats and sheep enjoying the sun and a little love from kiddos and adults alike. Emerie and Harper insisted on picking off all the straw on them, and stood there talking to the zoo employee while “cleaning” them off. The kid specific area had a little train that looped the section, decked out for Halloween with a candy-themed stretch that looked like sugar rush from Wreck It Ralph. It was basically Halloween eye-candy central, minus the actual candy (thankfully, because the last thing we needed was more candy). The girls enjoyed pointing out the types of candy decorations and yelling echos as we passed through the tunnel.

After the zoo visit we walked back to the house and drove further into downtown, stopping for a quick lunch eating some local barbecue -brisket and pulled pork that took forever and didn’t actually get eaten until hours after our next adventure. We headed to the Georgia Aquarium for our second aquarium of the week, and honestly? I was a bit disappointed. Compared to the Newport Aquarium in Kentucky—which might be smaller but is definitely more exciting and better laid out—this one just didn’t impress.

Harper immediately spotted the seal enclosure -which was tiny by the way- and she happily watched them swim around, talking about them with Reagan and Emerie. For so many seals in one spot, the size of the area didn’t even compare to the Sealife Center here in Seward, but still drew quite a viewing crowd. The adjacent wall displayed paintings of all different types of seals and we had to return later to ensure Harper had a picture with it! The girls weren’t really impressed at all the fish varieties swimming in the many tanks, although I did hear Emerie exclaim look it’s Dory! and later look it’s Nemo! when we passed those species. And in truth there were many beautiful fish- though through the eyes of a six year old, I can see how that is less exciting than all the larger sea creatures swimming around. Another fish coloring activity led the girls to requests to color lots of different fish and see them swimming along a full wall projector, and it took a few minutes to convince them we couldn’t do that section for an hour.

The dolphins and the single, large shark were seen without any big excitement from the three, surprisingly. The kids absolutely loved crawling through the tunnels under the penguins—so, naturally, Craig and I found ourselves down on all fours, squeezing through like giant, overgrown toddlers (kidding not kidding!). We popped up inside the viewing bubbles, face-to-face with those cuties, probably looking just as thrilled (or ridiculous) as the kids. It was a sweet family moment— with a side of mild knee trauma for the parents! Another, more readily accessible spot had a moving escalator below the large fish tank and was met with more excitement than the actual exhibit, and less suffering on the adult knees for that experience. We touched more stingrays in the touch tank, took pictures in front all all kinds of fish, and the girls touched every piece of fake treasure on display throughout the Halloween themed halls.

After a couple of hours wandering around, we ventured back outside and to a nearby playground for a few minutes, then attempted to find ice cream to no success. The place we found was in a large, air-conditioned mall and hotel, but nearly everything was closed. The funniest thing about that stop? The highlight of that stop? Three girls, probably in their early 20s, walked by and asked if we were triplets—a question asked countless times on this trip. Turns out, they were fraternal triplets themselves, sparking a cute conversation about life as triplets, who’s the oldest, middle, youngest, and all that fun stuff.

We ended the evening driving to the Atlanta Airport to swap the rental car for a large model; you know, to accommodate Grandma and our continued shopping excursions. Craig and I managed to find the right location within the city that is the airport, and the rental folks were very nice and helpful. After clearing out one car, loading all the car seats and coloring (so much coloring) into the replacement, we drove home with the sunset dropping across the sky. This time, the quest for a local ice cream spot was successful, with tons of random flavor choices to try.

By the end of the day everyone was tired; no bedtime stories or Tonies were requested, and not even a nightlight to keep the darkness away. The three bedroom AirBnB meant each kid slept in a big bed with one adult, and were off to dreamland in no time, unsuspecting that Disney was right around the corner after one more day in the car. While Atlanta was a bit disappointing overall, I believe we made the best of the stop and still had fun. Reagan found plenty of panda swag, Harper saw more of her beloved seals, and Emerie

Final Travel Day: Atlanta to Orlando

The long awaited trip to Disney World is finally here! After six years as a parent, over a year of saving up funds and buying plane tickets, we finally made the final 400 mile drive to get to Orlando. Some grumbling and complaints were heard with another day in the car, but not enough to give away the surprise at the southern destination. With a fourth “older” kid in tow (Grandma Sue haha), the overall ride consumed less complaints and arrival time requests. Everyone rotated seats, with one in the very back surrounded by luggage and Grandma and the other two in the middle row. Each kiddo spent a block of the ride doing their reading homework with Grandma when seats swapped, time very well spent in the car, and eventually we conceded to allow iPad games for a while too, a rarity all were thrilled about! Nobody napped, everyone snacked and enjoyed the unusual screen time as we made our way to our final, exciting destination.

I will also add, traffic was nonexistent on the drive until outside Orlando, which was MUCH appreciated after the first trip’s challenges. With fewer cities to get through and more rural areas on the one interstate, traffic moved at a fast pace and the 70 mph speed limit kept us moving. We drove through areas affected by Hurricane Milton earlier in the month, with the billboards (or lack there of I should say) torn to shreds and missing on a long stretch of road. Many were blown down, in pieces, or ripped apart, as was the brush and trees nearby. Numerous DOT employees were out clearing trees along the interstate right of way and continuing efforts to clean things up. Once into Orlando area, we couldn’t see any devastation other than more missing signage and areas with high standing water.

The temperature and humidity continued to increase as we worked our way south. Our final rest stop potty break was met with a slap of humidity and the girls finally felt real heat as we coaxed them off the iPads and out of the car. I was surprised we made it more than halfway through our trip before encountering any real humidity—Ohio had been drier than usual, and Georgia only slightly more humid. The girls eyed the palm trees and found other trees dropping pine cones, which were bagged in the back of the car and even made it home to Alaska with some effort, for a flower craft we will do this winter.

First stop after arriving at our home base for the next few days? The pool! After a long day cooped up in the car, all three of them couldn’t get into their swimsuits fast enough. They practically sprinted across the condo parking lot to the pool, which turned out to be the perfect temperature to cool down a bit on a nice day. The only thing that slowed them down? Recognizing dozens of tiny geckos living their best lives along the pathway, each one spotted getting an excited remark from one of the three. They had fun torturing Craig in the water while I relaxed poolside, letting my eyes refresh from a long day of driving. Later, we tried out a local spot for dinner; while the my salad and the rice bowls were amazing, the place could’ve used a few more hands on deck. We gave up waiting for a the kid meal dessert and explored a Publix and a Disney outlet shop (they’re practically everywhere!) next door before calling it a night—a good nights’ sleep was a must!

Everyone chose their parent for the first night and ended up staying in that same room for the rest of the trip. Harper roomed with me in the master bedroom and glorious king sized bed, Emerie insisted Craig bunk with him in a room with two full beds, and Grandma and Reagan were together in the last bedroom. Each bedroom had a fun feature- colored lighting under the bed frames, and a nice way to handle kids’ dislike of darkness in a foreign place; definitely a good set up for families visiting Disney. The condo perfectly fit our group, even though we only really slept there each night, and spent the rest of our time adventuring, meeting princesses, shopping, and enjoying what Orlando had to offer.

Orlando Day I: Disney, Disney, Disney!

We opted to keep the excitement of the day a secret until the very last second. Getting the girls up, showered and fed, Craig and I then walked out in our princess themed t-shirts (Rapunzel for me and Snow White for Craig, the least girly color options!), and handed the girls three more matching ones with their favorite ladies, Sleeping Beauty’s Princess Aurora, Frozen’s Queen Elsa and Aladdin’s Princess Jasmine. They initially took the news a little calmer than I expected, with minimal screaming, but definite excitement that grew once we made it to the park and the realization of the day’s adventures became reality.

Matching shirts in front of the real Disney castle!!!

It took over an hour to get from our condo to the actual park—despite the fact that we were only 10 minutes away by car! Little did we know, once you find the right parking lot for the right park, you catch a ride to the park entrance, only to then hop on a train to finally get near the actual entrance. This all equals lines in between each transportation stop, and of course, doing this right at opening time meant everyone else was just as eager as we were. Thankfully, the girls were thrilled to ride on both vehicles and managed to stick close to ‘their adult’ in the crowd of equally eager park-goers. Somehow I was also flagged BOTH times we entered the park for security to go through my bag. Not Craig, who wore a backpack himself, just me. The girls kept saying my boobs were setting the censors off…silly kids!

This being my first time at any Disney theme park, I wasn’t expecting the throngs of people that surrounded us. In fact, one park employee noted about one hundred thousand people pass through in a day; in Alaska terms, that is a third of the city we live in, which is crazy! Because of that, each kiddo was reminded to stick with their “assigned parent,” which rotated throughout the day (although Reagan was mostly glued to me for the whole trip). Everyone was handed a Disney card “ticket,” Emerie instantly unimpressed that Elsa was not an option. It took the girls a couple tries to swipe into the park, but we made it. The cards helped with our princess photo pass, the predominant reason for the visit, and will make the memory book at some point later.

The first day of Disney World, at the Magic Kingdom Park, was a big success. Not only that, but we ended our 14 hour day with very tired but happy kiddos and parents, kiddos who exclaimed this is the best day of my life! (Emerie!). No amount of coaxing in the world would have kept all three awake on the short drive home, after such a fantastic day.

We met several characters the first day, including Encanto’s Mirabel, Tiana, Cinderella, Elena of Avalor, Rapunzel, and Ariel; but knew a few others were going to be part of day two. We stopped in many shops, rode the carousel and twirling tea cups, ate popsicles, smoothies and ice cream (anything cool!), enjoyed dinner in Beauty and the Beast’s ballroom and rounded out the day with the big firework show. It was a magical day made extra special by a few thoughtful details. For example, smoothies came with edible chocolate crowns, something small and fun that made it even more enjoyable. You better believe Grandma and I made sure to get three crowns for those tiny humans! New dresses were selected and everyone sparkled in the sun with princess-themed jewelry (jewelry that kept falling apart and making the adults crazy, I might add!). Eventually each kiddo found their mini princess doll (Elsa, Aurora and Jasmine duh) and toted them around like a tiny royal friend. The custom princess t-shirts were eventually traded for tank tops, which felt so much cooler in the direct, afternoon sun.

Another epic find in my mind was the customized parasols, each one hand-painted right there in the park and with their names on them. Emerie, of course, picked a “Frozen” theme, with cool snowflakes and an Elsa and Anna dress against a purple backdrop, while Reagan went for a Jasmine design against blue, full of vibrant colors and the magic lamp. Harper couldn’t resist Aurora’s signature pink, with a touch of fairy tale elegance of her crown and pink dress. A few hours later, we picked up their custom creations—perfect souvenirs for a day spent in their own little kingdom and a keepsake I hope we can keep from utter destruction for a couple of years!

Watching your kids see Disney World for the first time is like seeing pure magic unfold right before your eyes. Their eyes light up with a joy so big it seems to spill over, and each new sight—whether it’s the castle, a fancy dress (or pair of shoes!) or a favorite character—feels like a piece of their dreams coming to life, a small look into what they see as magical and important at this stage of their lives. It’s hard to put into words how wonderful it is to witness them in that pure, unfiltered excitement; in those moments, you realize you’re sharing something they’ll (hopefully) remember forever, just like your bank account will (am I right or am I right?!). I found myself pausing to watch the experience, and so very glad we made the effort to travel across the country to do it, and that we waited until this age.

I could write a book on the adventures of the first day, so in lieu of that here’s a list of some of the highlights:

The goal of the day was simple, to meet as many princesses as possible. Day one consisted of Mirabel, Tiana, Rapunzel, Cinderella, Elena of Avalor, Ariel and Jasmine. We learned that Elsa, Anna, Belle and Aurora would be day two at a different park, much to Emerie and Harper’s dismay. Many assurances continued to remind them all the favorite princesses would be met before we went back home to Alaska. We also spotted lots of familiar sights, like this photo with Rapunzel’s tall tower, which really looks like the real thing!

Seeing the real Disney castle, was a request Craig and I heard on repeat for the past two years or so. The girls didn’t fully comprehend the upcoming day until that castle came into view and were met with shrieks of excitement and awe that it does indeed exist! We took pictures in front of it, watched a couple dance numbers in front of it, walked through it, and explored with three very joyous and excited girls. Watching the magic come alive and their reactions to it was one of the best parts of the entire vacation. The firework show with the castle all lit up was a pretty exciting thing to see as well.

So many princesses to meet, such lines! We strategically decided who to see and when, with Tiana the first stop because her stop had no line. It was pure surprise when we walked in to the Princess and the Frog’s Tiana AND Rapunzel, and the girls peppered both princesses with lots of questions. The best part? The girls explaining they called Rapunzel “Pan” for all their toddler years, because it was easier to say and for her excellent use of a frying pan, which was met with a laugh and smile. Emerie also commented that Rapunzel’s hair was so beautiful, and we have braids too!

The moment they saw Cinderella, the girls made a beeline to ask her the most pressing question of all: what do your shoes look like? With a kind smile, she humored them and lifted her dress just enough to reveal those famous sparkly shoes, and the girls were so thrilled.

I couldn’t resist mentioning to Cinderella that Grandma Sue (and now Craig and I) always say, don’t act like Cinderella’s stepsisters! She actually laughed—a genuine, out-of-character chuckle—as if even she couldn’t help but non-verbally agree that it was pretty solid advice. The girls also asked her about her mice friends, and the prince, and were so fearless and not shy at all!

While rides were not the main focus for the day, we absolutely took advantage of low lines to ensure a full experience. At one point while Craig waited for lunch to be ready, Sue and I caught a quick line and rode the spinning teacups with the girls. We rode the carousel several times throughout the day, Aladdin’s magic carpet, and the girls drove the motor car track and ensured all three adults received minor whiplash from the wild steering. Apparently Harper became a speed maniac and was giggling and screaming manically with Grandma Sue in tow. Sounds about right.

We committed to a very long, winding line in a cave to ride the Ariel clam shells. Waiting in that line with the massive throng of people around us was the most anxiety I had the whole trip, but the ride was pretty cute once we made it. Reagan and Emerie hopped in with me and Harper with Sue and Craig behind us, and off we went. At one point everything stopped and the ride was stuck, which presented more time for the girls to look at everything closely. It was fun and got us out of the elements for a few minutes, not to mention all the creative characters and sets to look at.

Later in the afternoon we finally made it to see Ariel, in another cave. While in line we actually met another set of six year old triplets visiting from Michigan, whose mom is on my triplet Facebook page. It was nice chatting with them as we waited. Everyone was SO excited to talk to Ariel and full disclosure, Harper definitely reach out and touched her boobs. She told me later she wanted to know if her bikini top was made of real shells. So funny.

Last but definitely not least was Princess Jasmine and Aladdin. This was the toughest line of the day, 2 PM in direct sunlight, and we all look as sweaty and overheated as we felt. Reagan was SO thrilled to meet Jasmine and give her a hug; no one even batted an eye at Aladdin there with her, which was pretty funny. After pictures we rode the magic carpet ride, which provided a little breeze and view of the park from above.

It was really impressive that all the characters we visited took the time to listen to the girls, answer their questions as they all spoke at the same time, and just let them bask in the magic of the stories playing out in front of them. Everyone took turns pretty well, getting triplet photos and single photos with each princess, and often loudly announcing we’re triplets! to ensure that message was conveyed clearly to everyone in the room.

After a couple rides we walked through the Monster Inc. scare floor, watching the comedy show. It was cute although no Sully sighting was a little disappointing, but the air condition and momentary break to sit, on the other hand, were great! We rounded out the evening with dinner at the Beauty and the Beast ballroom, with the Beast walking around and waving but unfortunately no Belle sighting. Adults and kids alike had a three course meal and funny enough, Reagan and Emerie both ordered appetizer salads with their meals and quickly devoured them. The food was delicious after a very busy day and the girls received light up cups to pack home (to their delight and our addition of another tote for home). The kid dessert also had fun chocolate teacups that came with paint brushes to paint, so the girls decorated their masterpieces before tasting them.

By the time dinner was over it was dark outside, and we were right on time for the evening fireworks. While we initially planned to leave the park before this to beat the traffic, I’m really glad we found a spot off one path, with a direct view of the castle and sky. The girls oo’d and awed over all the different colors, which lined up with both the music and in relation to the princesses and characters. It was a spectacular show and the girls happily watched, without the “I’m tired” complaints after exploring for close to fourteen hours. It took another full hour to leave the park after the fireworks, along with practically everyone else. It felt like herding cattle, trying to keep my little ones close and with the adults as the crowd shifted to tired kids and sleeping babies in strollers, all of us pushing toward the train cars and the distant parking lot. Once we reached the car, keeping the kids awake was impossible, and the drive was completely quiet. Back at the condo, they instantly climbed into bed, still in their tank tops and shorts, with wonderful memories of the day to dream about.

Since this is apparently the longest blog ever, I’ll wrap up this post here and finish our trip’s highlights in the next one! There’s just so much to capture—so many moments I never want to forget and so many details that deserve their own stories. I’m beyond grateful to be part of this family trip, sharing these magical days with my girls, an amazing mother-in-law who makes traveling so fun, and a husband who’s wholeheartedly embraced his role as a girl-dad, making every moment extra special.

Being here together, watching the girls light up with every surprise, princess encounter, and adventure, has been something I’ll certainly treasure forever. And I can’t wait to share the final leg of our trip soon….when I finish writing it 🙂

❤

Sep 05

Going with the Flow

It’s been a while since a randomly chaotic, yet hysterical event occurred in the Douglets household. I’m here to inform you that we had a brief stint of that very thing tonight, and of course while Craig is running an errand. Did it involve any kind of mortar? Thankfully no. Was it poop related? Well of course it was…

After dinner, I productively tackled the load of laundry that had been calling my name from the living room like it had more important business from the day. All three little ladies were deep in their evening ritual of royal chaos— their princess tea parties in full swing, complete with grand proclamations of announcing princes blah blah blah echoing from the stairway. Dance costumes and dress-up heels were the attire of choice, obviously, as they zoomed between pretend thrones and imaginary ballrooms. Just another typical evening surrounded by three pint-sized queens ruling their kingdom of glitter, giggles, and chaos.

I hear a scream upstairs, and the other two go running to see what Emerie is hollering about. Traditionally it’s something like I saw a spider or look at my beautiful fort! but this team meeting ended with three heads popping around the bathroom corner and sailing down the hallway, all screaming.

Since that got my attention, I ventured upstairs to find an impromptu inch- deep, indoor swimming pool in my bathroom, accompanied by three screaming children, and it still coming. After shutting off both the water and my ear drums, Emerie informed me with disgust that this occurred while still sitting on said pot, and everyone hovered as I frantically grabbed towels. Four of us in a tiny bathroom filled with water is a little tight, so my demands for everyone to go away were following by a flurry of artistic ambition (hilariously), all insistent that No Entry and Stop signs display on the door. After all, we wouldn’t want and unsuspecting visitors wandering into our new water park.

Note the sign. The outside one says “Flooded”

As I’m mopped up the bathroom floor, with the river thankfully changed to a lake, I realize it’s the first time in six years as a parent that this has happened to me. I am going to say that is pretty good -I’m certain it would have been sooner if we had boys- and everything was alright until I looked at the remains that caused the overflow (barf) and the incredibly amount of toilet tissue. This summer the girls appear to be on a mission to singlehandedly restart the COVID toilet paper shortage, on bathroom stop at a time.

By the time I emerged from the cleanup, and a still clogged toilet that needed Craig’s muscle to release, Stop signs were up and I heard the front door shut, assuming it was Craig getting home. In reality, Harper and Reagan went outside after their emergency six-year-olds summit to debate who caused the great disaster. The mission? To stand guard in case Dad gets home. We don’t want him to see it!!

Generally I would feel a mix of exasperation, amusement, and mild defeat in these moments—always wondering how something so chaotic could unfold in such a short time. But then again, at least it wasn’t mortar, and no real harm was done! Emerie summed up the experience pretty concisely with her well that’s so weird. I am happy to report all has been resolved, the plumbing de-pooped and tissued by Dad, and we will keep going with the flow (get it???).

Yep, kids are fun. I’m going to go wash my hands again.

Aug 09

Don’t “Juneau” What We Did This Summer?!

Better late than never is my theme lately on life blogs. Summer is often such a whirlwind that keeps us constantly on the move; I always have the best intentions of documenting the cute and exciting things that happen, the funny moments, the unexpected surprises, and the sweet (or hilarious!), everyday comments that ring into my ears. But before I know it, another day has passed, and I realize I forgot to jot down those memories to expand on later. Staying connected through these little updates over the years helps everyone feel more involved and more present, even when we’re miles apart. It’s one way to ensure that no matter how hectic life gets -and it can get pretty hectic with three- we’re all part of the adventure, the ups and downs, the big moments and the little ones, together.

We trekked down to Juneau for nearly two weeks at the start of July, with the plan to work in state office buildings there while the girls bummed around the city with Grandma Sue, wreaking the normal triplet havoc. We broke the record on number of suitcases, and resulted in what I felt like quite the spectacle lugging everything into the airport. The girls each had a tiny, pull behind carry on stuffed to the brim with their dolls and toys, and they even dragged their booster seats to the ticket counter, with minimal grumbling and groaning on the way. TSA and getting to the gate were much easier this time around -we haven’t flown with them in about 15 months- and they were oddly displeased at the lack of requirement for shoe removal as we passed through security. In fact, they strongly expressed their disdain to the agents, who were cracking up about it as they passed through. And I can also say, going through security with three six-year-olds is faster than going through it alone for a work trip: figure that one out!!

We occupied the back row of the 737 aircraft, which is actually amazing with multiple kids in tow and minimal turbulence. Reagan wanted Mom time on the way down and everyone swapped parents on the ride back. The best part about the flight down, besides how ridiculously smooth it was (for once), were her sentiments, which mostly consisted of repeating Mom, is this dangerous? It feels dangerous. Is flying dangerous? I think it’s dangerous. Once above the clouds and leveled out, she demanded to know why aren’t we moving anymore? How do we get there if we aren’t moving? It was unusually smooth, with only bright, blue sky and a layer of clouds below, giving the “air” (haha) of stillness.

After boarding Emerie asked twenty times when we would actually move and eventually figured it out as we pushed back. Harper stopped and explained to several smiling passengers that she was a triplet, and that her and Emerie are indeed twins, with another sister being her triplet. She continued to explain she had her own sac and so did her sisters and on and on… I still find it somewhat disconcerting that the layout of them before birth is explicitly shared to random strangers at the airport, at the store, everywhere.

Flights both directions were uneventful and everyone snacked and watched Bluey or Lion Guard on the iPad with minimal fighting; Craig worked on another yarn project and I listened to music and played random iPad games. One store had iPhone looking gum containers that were also devoured on the return flight; so funny. And I now believe we can tackle a longer flight and actually leave Alaska for a trip, and we will survive it! With a full backpack of snacks.

We stayed at Papa Cliff’s house for the whole trip, pulling sleepy blondes out of bed bright and early and loading the car in pajamas and messy hair, to drop them off at Grandma Sue’s to get ready and have fun for the day. Some nights everyone went to bed smoothly, other nights resulted in random and hyper chaos. For the most part, everyone slept well once asleep, and even through all the fireworks on the 4th of July, which were much louder and more constant than at home in Anchorage. At one point I could hear Harper comforting Emerie on the loud booms, explaining they were fireworks and she didn’t need to be scared. Very sweet.

Fourth of July weather was nice for the most part, at least in Juneau standards. It poured for a few minutes during the first downtown parade, nothing raincoats couldn’t handle. It didn’t diminish any candy collection or excitement; and Juneau may have a better parade than Anchorage! This being my first experience at it -we tried during our unplanned visit in 2019 and gave up due to the lack of parking and tiny toddlers in tow- and it was really fun. We grabbed hot coffees and smoothies at Heritage and walked over for the fun. The girls wore fancy flag dresses recycled from another triplet mom, fancy braids and hair ties (of course), and to top it off everyone’s faces were bejewled with sparkly “gems,” including Craig’s. Auntie Amanda was a little harder to convince, although I do believe one, lone gem made it on her cheek after we pinned her down.

The girls retrieved SO much candy. It must be a Juneau thing to distribute saltwater taffy and all the adults seemed quite excited by that too. The biggest monstrosity of the entire event was the man handing out plastic whistles to EVERYONE, and the crowd suddenly turned into a throng of tiny noisemakers. Parents winced while the kids, of course, thought the increase in volume was fantastic. I found myself caught in the middle of this chaotic symphony, ears ringing as I tried to embrace the sound increase. It was a sensory overload, but seeing the girls’ faces light up with joy was pretty priceless, and those damn whistles were hidden not long after we returned to the house.

We trekked over to the Douglas Island parade to ensure we had enough candy…and apparently more whistles, and enjoyed lunch at Island Pub. After the second parade the girls were climbing all over Auntie Alicia and Amanda, wanting to be carried, which was great for Craig and I not giving into it (hehe). We explored the beach a bit and played at the playground, snacked on lemonade and cotton candy, and it was an all around good day.

Another reason for the timing of the trip was for Craig’s 20 year high school reunion; somehow he (we) is that old overnight. The girls played a solid two and a half hours at the playground by the barbecue, with only a bit of rain and a lot of sand to ensure everyone was very dirty by the end. They didn’t even sit down to eat their burgers, and were very tired on the way home.

Another day one of my fabulous coworkers took us out for the girls’ first boating experience. Balancing their enthusiasm with safety was crucial, as we caught waves in hopes of seeing some wildlife. Riding a boat with three kids in Alaska is a minor feat in itself, and the very reason we hadn’t attempted this adventure when they were smaller. Other than the constant adult holding each kid’s life vests as we moved, it was a pretty easy experience and no one landed in the water or needed rescuing, even our wonderful tour guide from triplet time.

The breathtaking view of rugged mountains, expansive waters, and spots of sunshine provided a stunning backdrop; it is hard to describe. Even after growing up in this inspiring state, I am still in awe at such beautiful moments and hope the kids grow to appreciate how lucky we are to be here and raise our kids here. The kids, bundled up in warm layers, were filled with excitement and curiosity, pointing out every splash, boat, and potential animal sighting. We didn’t fish and catered to the demands to see specific wildlife, including a bunch of sea lions and whales. Harper expressed her opinion that we didn’t find any wild seals -which we spotted a different day from a dock by downtown- but also enjoyed listening to the sea lions expressive conversation from a distance. Luckily the girls have their father’s DNA when it comes to motion sickness, and the movement had no resulting effects on them. It was a memorable afternoon.

In addition to the boat excursion, one morning Sue took us to a beach at a low, negative tide, to see what we could find. As you can see from the photos, no hair was done or breakfast eaten, faces were dirty, but at least we changed out of pajamas and into coats and boots! It was well worth the reduced sleep, and I enjoyed it too as an “Anchorage city girl” myself. We left with three buckets of shells and other treasures…and happy girls.

Another first that my mom heart strings weren’t completely ready for, their first sleepover without mom or dad. While my emotions were a mix of pride and a pang of sadness on the realism they continue to grow up, it went smoother than I thought it would. In fact, it was no big deal to all three, sleeping over at Grandma Sue and Papa Lon’s house, and all demanding to sleep in Auntie Manda’s bed. I question if adults had a comfortable night of sleep, but everyone seemed in good spirits the following morning, and like it was no big deal. Sob!

One day after work we explored downtown and looked around for seal earrings, one piece of jewelry Harper desperately wants me to find, and I’m not sure actually exists. In the past I’ve found a diamond panda necklace and turtle earrings, but nothing seal related (which is not surprising). Auntie Amanda treated the girls to ice cream and I even cheated on my no sugar and ate a few chocolate covered, Alaskan blueberries (SO good). Emerie found a stuffed turtle with a baby on its shell, Harper found a stuffed seal she HAD to have for the collection, and Reagan spotted a panda face plate that she wanted more than a stuffy. I am happy to report the plate even made it back home without getting broken!

We finished our two weeks of adventures with two normal tourist activities when you visit, checking out the massive whale fountain and walking out to the falls. We lucked out on clear blue skies for our downtown excursion, and the girls begged me to find enough coinage for a wish at the fountain. It was a VERY big deal. In fact, Harper wished for a fabulous pink dress OR a pet seal to live in the bathtub, Reagan wished for all the Princess Sofia dresses in the land, and Emerie insisted she couldn’t divulge her wish with me or it wouldn’t come true, so who knows what whim she willed as her quarter went into the water.

We later walked to the waterfall out by the glacier, with a huge throng of tourist buses, moving very slowly. It was the perfect mix of clouds and warmth, so the walk wasn’t overly hot or bright, and the girls didn’t complain about temperature. They did complain about distance on the return trip, on a flat, gravel pathway, but managed to survive such hardship by collecting rocks, climbing and jumping off rocks, random screaming, and befriending a baby squirrel that followed us a ways. Harper at one pointed even noted I’m tired and my feet hurt, I need water and I just want to sit and watch TV… for a walk of less than a mile each direction!! The falls were beautiful and surprisingly loud, and everyone climbed up for a closer look. Grandma also muscled them up on one of the huge rocks, so they could stand in awe at the top and see everyone down below, much to their joy.

Also on the way back, Grandma Sue went into a legendary only-Sue-can-come-up-with-this-BS explanation on how the large rocks fell down the mountain from Elsa’s high castle, because it’s summer and the warm weather is making everything melt… something like, since it’s summer now and Elsa’s magic isn’t keeping things cold anymore, everything is starting to melt—including the mountains! That’s why these rocks have come crashing down and don’t look frozen anymore. Adults passing by were cracking up and pausing to inconspicuously listen to the animated narration while the girls (especially Emerie) argued about the validity of the information. The tale continued to expand as Sue defended her version of events with a mischievous smile. I mean if you really think about it…why not?? Juneau has a great winter climate with loads of snow (lately), it’s secluded and peaceful from the rest of the world, very beautiful, the northern lights boast their own type of magic that she could probably tap into, there’s lots of wildlife and options to connect with nature, and on and on! Yeah yeah, I’ll stop now. Suffice to say after a couple of weeks, Emerie is fully convinced that Queen Elsa of Arandale lives in Juneau during the winter, and is displeased that we missed her presence because our visit was the wrong season. Grandma has some work to do to keep her story true for next time we head down during the winter season! I have a feeling we will be trekking out to the falls in our snow gear.

All in all, it was a good trip- I questioned if two weeks away from home would be too long, but now that the girls are older and activities are easier to do, it was just right. They befriended a number of other kids on several play dates, kids we will have to see again on our future visits. They enjoyed many outdoor adventures and beach visits, parades and tasty foods, and spending time with family, i.e. torturing Auntie Amanda and Papa Lon, climbing all over Alicia and getting snuggles, and you can’t forget all the nail polish salon afternoons that occurred too. Good memories!

Until the next time ❤

Jun 15

And that’s a wrap!

What a whirlwind few weeks! The girls made it through their first year of elementary school and are already excited to claim first grade. While displeased that beloved Miss Tawni won’t teach them next year (since they assumed she moved up every year haha), they also contain excitement for Miss Kelly, who is just a couple doors down the hall. Looking at comparison pictures from day one to the final day, you can see how much everyone grew, not just in height!

Kindergarten is always a significant milestone of achievement. Kids start as preschoolers, becoming comfortable out in the “world” and leave the grade as elementary schoolers, with boosted confidence, better social skills and vocabularies, and understanding new concepts for math, reading and writing. I won’t claim that my kids are the smartest, most accomplished, doing amazing at all intellectual challenges thrown at them kids; I will say they are all on track, working hard to learn new skills, asking questions about everything, and greatly advancing from day one. And that is all we can really ask for, making sure to support the growth and challenges and make the time to help them achieve milestones and grow up happy, healthy and supported.

Is it hard to do with three at the same level of development? Yes! It is hard, and I often get in my own head about how we should be better, do more things, read more at night, have less screen time; all the typically mom (and dad) stresses that we all face. But I also must remember they love and spend SO much time coloring and drawing, sitting with puzzles, making up playtime stories and games, discussing the day’s events in bed at night, cooking all the things, and so many other skills they didn’t possess two years ago. It is wonderful to watch and new things are added to the list every day. We could certainly do more, but are also doing so much at the same time.

The girls’ school didn’t do an official kindergarten graduation, but their home school gave us the option! So of course, I couldn’t resist ordering caps and gowns and participating in such a wonderful event, just for the pictures. The week before we did a home school run craft and everyone “stickered” their caps (Reagan found ALL the panda ones, Emerie found all the turtles with Reagan’s assistance, and Harper was sad at no seals but found a lot of other fun ones), they painted a pot for a sunflower seed, and made a hand print. All three had a quick questionnaire away from the parents and each other’s ears, in which all three still answered we have no pets, which cracked me up since we literally have cats and chickens (and now a puppy!). They are such funny responses I have to copy them for sincerity, and share the corresponding photo taken with the silly glasses. Boy, how alike do they look with those expressions, and the matching shirt doesn’t help!

Harper was born March 20th in Anchorage, Alaska. She currently lives with Mama, Dada, Reagan and Emerie. As for pets, Harper shared they do not have any, but one day hopes to have a pet seal. When she is not writing, she enjoys eating chocolate ice cream, planting flowers, finding treasures and dancing. Harper dreams of being a ballerina queen when she grows up and wants to have SIX children while living in a pink house.
Emerie was born March 20th in Anchorage, Alaska. She lives with Mama, Dada, Harper and Reagan and does not have any pets. When Emerie is not writing, she enjoys planting seeds to turn into flowers. One day Emerie hopes to live in the Disney Castle as Queen Elsa Ballerina, with her three children.
Reagan was born March 20th in Anchorage, Alaska. She lives with Harper, Emerie, Mom and Dad and does not have any pets. Coloring, playing with stuffies, dancing and snuggling in bed are things Reagan enjoys when she is not writing. She dreams of one day being an artist in Seward, Alaska (very specific!). When asked about future children, Reagan shouted, “I don’t want any kids!”

On graduation day, the girls were uncertain why they had to wear loose gowns and weird caps, but went along with their crazy mother and were good sports about it. Grandma Sue and Miss Tawni were able to attend and join in the fun, and the sun came out just for that day, so their name calling ceremony wasn’t rushed and miserable. Everyone lined up and was called down one by one to accept their gift bag. They stood behind their name stars calmly until the last name was called. All in all, I might have had a bit of a lump in my throat; it’s tough hitting these milestones only once, and knowing that is the only time we will experience it, even when it’s three fold!

As for my little graduates, I couldn’t be more proud of how much they’ve grown and thrived during their first year of elementary school. I genuinely love that we know the teachers, the school and where they spend their days…because the world is a scary place! This milestone is a testament to their hard work, curiosity, and resilience. Each of them has learned so much and shown remarkable progress in their own unique ways. From mastering the basics of reading and writing to developing a keen interest in science and art, their journey is nothing short of inspiring. They’ve made new friends, discovered new passions, and faced challenges with courage and determination. It’s incredible to see how they’ve adapted to the structured classroom life, embraced the excitement of learning, and found joy in their accomplishments. Here are a few specific achievements and areas where each truly shined:

Harper recently started drawing and writing “lists” more than prior months, checking things off as they occur. I’m not entirely sure which school subject she is drawn to -it might be PE or dance related things- she also really likes to color and is getting pretty good at it. She sits and focuses on craft creations much longer than in the past, and thrived learning her dance routines this year. Harper is still working on a couple of her letter sounds and continues to try to figure out the answers when she doesn’t know them.

Emerie trends toward a joy in math and is often sitting in the back of the car, reciting her numbers and seeing how high she can count. She will scold her sisters if they interrupt her concentration, especially once she gets past one hundred. At home we will often find her listening to a story Tonie by herself in her bedroom, completely content, or thumbing through a book and looking at pictures. I think she will be our bookworm and she loves doing the reading application on the iPad. She also enjoys coloring more than prior years and brings her own style to her creations. If she is shocked or frustrated, you will hear her announce “oh biscuits!”

Reagan has definitely excelled on her handwriting, letter comprehension and freehand drawing. She will likely be our writer and is always willing to assist a sister on writing a letter or depicting the correct sound. She loves to draw and color everything, something consistent throughout her preschool years. She is the closest to reading comprehension and the connection between the sounds into words; she is at the brink of figuring it all out! While English class is probably her favored subject, she also continues to love to sing; albeit a bit shyer than her sisters. At home she is always humming and singing different tunes, or ones she invents herself.

I also have to highlight the improved handwriting. Personally I prefer the “loop de loops” that emerged from their very early years, but since that can’t last forever, I will accept the accurately scribed letters going forward. This image shows week one of kindergarten to the last week of school; showing their quarterly progress.

Toward the end of the school year I began a mental debate on how to proceed into first grade, with all three staying together or splitting one out separately, since only two first grade classes exist. After discussing with Craig, their teacher, and my fellow mom friends, I believe keeping them together is the best option, although maybe splitting them up at separate tables or desks not immediately next to one another might help. I did ask each kiddo if they wanted to split or stay together and received a resounding response to stay together. Another factor that could have helped would be who stayed with bestie Nicole, and if split, the solo kid would HAVE to end up with her, in order to level the playing field.

When considering who to split out solo, the best option scholastically is Reagan, who picks up and learns things so effortlessly, but is also the one that likes being alone the least of the three. Moving to Emerie, if she split out solo, she would instantly feel left out, something that her sisters often do to her during playtime and require coaching on, which would make that dynamic more difficult. Lastly, if Harper were to split out solo, which might prove as a good option since she is headstrong and needs reminders to try to figure something out before demanding help instantly, but she also really likes being around her sisters and included in the group. It seemed like a no win scenario option to me, with a literal third wheel getting excluded from all the activities of the other two, and I’m not ready to face that. Not to mention two different classes would also equal different fields trips and homework, and more parental support on both sides. This all concluded my mind to keep everyone together, as they’ve done since entering preschool at age two and a half, and see how it goes.

As we ease into the summer months, I find myself reflecting on the passage of time and the milestones that come with it. Although this blog isn’t as timely as school year end, it’s a reminder that it’s okay to feel that tightness in my chest at the thought of everyone growing up so quickly and reaching their milestones simultaneously. Transitions to next steps are especially challenging for me, particularly without another little one to follow in tow and stretch out the current parenting phase. While these events are undoubtedly exciting and fun to prepare for and experience, they also bring a mix of stress and sadness. My mom brain feels the weight of these moments, realizing just how far we’ve come in this childhood journey. The days seem to fly by, and it’s a bittersweet reminder of the fleeting nature of these precious years.

Witnessing their enthusiasm for school and the pride in their achievements fills me with profound gratitude and excitement for what the future holds. These early experiences lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning, and I can’t wait to see where their educational journey will take them next. My heart swells with joy as I celebrate these special moments and look forward to all the wonderful adventures that lie ahead.

Happy Kindergarten graduation ladies, we are so proud of you!

❤

The Douglets

Triplets in Alaska

Parenting