LaLaGirl – Twinfinite Chaos! Parenting Multiples and Dealing with Autism

We’ve been doing well, getting all our FUN STUFF in before school starts again and before the weather turns lousy again. The weather was gorgeous on Monday, and we took advantage by heading out to the zoo! The kids and I had a blast. This was our first zoo trip where we just walked around and checked things out, without having our huge quad stroller in tow. We didn’t even take the double stroller this time. I think we’ve officially graduated to the age of WALKING everywhere! (At four and five. ‘Bout time, huh?) I did rent a wagon, so I wouldn’t have to lug our cooler and four jackets through the zoo, but that was easy to manage. And I’m a mean mom and didn’t let ANYONE ride in it!

Have you been to the Denver Zoo lately? They have a brand new baby giraffe – major “Awwwww!” factor, there. He’s got long spindly legs and a short little neck and runs around the enclosure so clumsy, just like a little toddler. We could not stop watching him! I’m sure there are lots of other amazing new things to see there, but we focused on the big important things: the train, carousel, and the monkeys. I HATE the monkeys. I don’t know why. They’re my kids’ favorite part of the zoo, but I hate winding through the maze of Primate Panorama, and hardly seeing anything. It’s my least favorite part of the zoo. I’d much rather spend time in the old school section of the zoo and see the giraffes, zebras, camels, and kangaroos! We completely skipped over Tropical Discovery and the polar bears and seals. Next time.

Yesterday, I met Arin and her boys at the park, and we had a splendid time there for a few minutes. I love that I live close enough to her now that we can pop over to the park and hang out for half an hour and then we can both move on with our day! Just a quick hello, and it’s so easy to do now that we live in the same neighborhood, practically.

After the park, I took the kids for haircuts – all four of them! That cost me a small fortune. I need to learn how to cut hair, I guess. Or settle for crappier looking haircuts, maybe? I’ve taken them to Cost Cutters in the past, but I’ve found that unless I spend the $14.95 at a kids’ salon, their hair looks like shit. They always end up with a lousy haircut. What gives? Where do YOU get your kids’ hair cut?

I’m pleased with how their hair turned out, even if it is quite a bit shorter than I planned, for the little girls anyway. And as soon as I figure out how to fix Pablo’s Dumb and Dumber boy bangs, I’ll be even more pleased. Cute little stacked bobs. No more long, messy, tangles. And we’re growing out bangs, so it’s not perfect yet, but it looks so cute pulled back in front! Pictures on Flickr right here.

Now, it’s Wednesday, aka Library Day. We need to get out of here in just a little bit if we’re going to make story time. We missed it last week, for some reason, and I have a TON of stuff to return. (And probably a small fine or two to pay. Booooo!) And tonight, Mallory is having a special sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. She’s is so excited, she’s about to burst. I need to find something fun and special for the girls and Pablo and I to do tonight, so they don’t get their noses out of joint. I have one more FUN SPRING BREAK thing I wanted to try, and I’m not sure if we’re going to do it or not. I was thinking of taking the kids over to Color Me Mine to paint a piece of pottery. Thursday is Family Day at the store near us, and all the family can paint for one firing fee, which is a great deal. We may try that tomorrow. Or then again, we may not.

And last night was my twin club meeting with my new club. I’m meeting some fantastic ladies there, have been mostly talked into doing their website next year, and am missing my old life less and less (although I still miss my old friends VERY much.) Life just keeps going on and on, doesn’t it? Outtie. Have to dress four kids for the library! Ack!

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Ewww, I just used a sideways heart emoticon. Am I allowed to do that, since I’m out of high school and all that? I hope so. Because, we really DO heart Story Time!

Last week, we checked out the amazing public library that’s right by our new house. It’s freakin’ AWESOME, man! First of all, it’s gigantic. The first dozen or so times I drove past it, I thought it was the courthouse or something. Finally, I paid attention to that “public library ahead” sign and figured it out with my big brain. Also, it’s shiny and new. I don’t know when it opened, but it’s really spectacular inside. It’s like walking into a huge bookstore rather than a library. There’s a foyer area with big chairs to sit and read (current) magazines, there’s a fireplace, there’s even a coffee shop! I’m going to make it my new escape whenever I need a break from my wonderful family.

Best of all, though, is the children’s area. It’s like a separate library all its own. There’s an automatic door that sort of seals off the children’s part of the library, so other patrons aren’t bothered by the noise and chaos children generate. Inside are rows and rows of books (of course) and tables where kids can sit and read or put puzzles together. They have a nice puzzle selection, too! A little playhouse provides the perfect place to hide out with a good book. And near the playhouse is a huge, sliding barn door that leads into this magical story room! It’s a 2-story room, with the walls painted 20 feet high to look like tree branches, so you feel like you’re in a treehouse. Throughout the week, they have regularly schedules storytimes that last a half hour, and they’re so popular that you have to book reservations for your kids to attend. It’s fabulous, and it’s the first activity we’re jumping into, hoping to meet up some new moms and friends in the area. Last week, I met another mom with 4-year-old twin girls – yippee! Hopefully, I’ll run into her again today! Hi! I’m desperate and pathetic, and new to the area! Want to be my new best friend?

Off I go to jump in the shower and agonize over our clothing choices so that we aren’t shunned by the Mommy Clique. Eeeek!

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