Camp Talk

Back by popular demand, another episode of Camp Clark Conversations:

LTD - "just a tish"
Taylor: "my throat hurts just a tish"
Dylan: "my tummy hurts just a tish"
Lindsey: "I want just a tish of cream in my oatmeal"

LTD - Future Careers
Lindsey: "I want to be a ballerina who spins round and round"
Taylor: "I want to be a fairy princess in Magic Kingdom"
Dylan: "I want to be a race car driver and a policeman"

Lindsey:
(observing the deck Dad built a few summers ago) "Hey, nice job Dad! It's the PERFECT place for a cookout!"

(playing hospital with Taylor; Lindsey is the nurse) "Oh, hello, responded the nurse. Bring that baby over here to my operating table so I can have a look" (she has been reading alot!)

"Mom, you really don't need to sing. I know the words" (to one of our favorite ABBA songs)

Taylor:
"Mom, will you PLEASE wash my pink leotard and tights? I can't be a princess without them!"

(playing hospital with Lindsey; Taylor is the mom of a baby that took a bad fall) "Oh baby! Mommy is gonna take good care of you. Don't cry, I'm here. (as she fakes crying and fakes a massive blow of her nose into a hankie)

"Mom, get your seat belt on right now! Are you speeding?" (nothing gets by the traffic patrol trio)

Dylan:
"I wanna sell our house and buy a super duper fast sportscar, faster than Daddy's!"

"Girls! I'm trying to talk here!!" (he feels he needs to be the loudest in the room in order to be heard)

"Hey Taylor, my heart has got a party inside" (after she told him she has love in her heart)

Sugar is junk food. Yuck! (Dad has got him trained pretty good :)

Choo Choo Wagon Farewell - Part 2

More good times with the Choo Choo Express........

Having a summer picnic at the MN ZOO A perfect sunny day at the MN State Fair

Cool cats on a neighborhood walk

On the campaign trail for our good friend, Derek Brigham

Choo Choo Wagon Farewell - Part 1

This past week included another milestone for us......a sad one.......saying goodbye to our Choo Choo Wagon. Yes, I am being a bit dramatic about a little wagon but it was such a huge part of our lives for the last 3 years; it was super sad to see it go. We took it EVERYWHERE: daily walks to the neighborhood park, the zoo, the mall, Trick or Treating, Target, grocery store, church for women's Bible study (in their earlier years), State Fair, pretty much anywhere instead of a stroller. It was quick and easy to transport 3 little munchkins and it helped keep them "together" when out in public. We sure did manage to get ALOT of attention whenever we were out and about with it; sometimes more than we cared for. We decided it was probably time to pass it along to another triplet family to start their own fond memories. When Dylan came out into the garage the day after I passed it along to the other family, Dylan said, "Hey mom, where's our wheels?" They noticed right away it was gone and there were some sad faces, BUT, we are on to the next chapter........riding bikes to the playground/around the neighborhood and walking when out in public which has gotten much easier now that they fully understand if they leave our sides, there are some serious repercussions.I went back into the photo archives and picked out a few photos of some fun times we had with it:

Our First Halloween 2005 - Trick or Treating in the neighborhood

Halloween 2006 at the MN Zoo - Lindsey pulling her posse

Mom with her 2 little ballerinas & Dalmation

Clowning around at Byerly's
(stay tuned for more photos in Part 2)

Song, Dance & Prayers

There are a few things that are always in abundance at Camp Clark: singing, dancing and prayers. There are so many cute moments (sometimes not so cute) that we seem to miss having the videocamera for. But, we have managed to capture a few candid moments: Papa Good's birthday celebration, dancing with Grandma Good, singing at the breakfast counter and praying with baby dolls. WARNING: the song of choice at breakfast is one of their new favorites, just because it's silly and has the word "beer" in it. NO, we don't let our munchkins drink beer, at least not more than a bottle at a time (jk!).

HINT: you may have to turn the volume up toward the end for Taylor's prayer (her little voice is still recovering from surgery). She and Lindsey have this thing about taking out ALL mom's dish cloths and dish towels from the kitchen drawers and making beds for all their baby dolls and Polly Pocket dolls. It appears the 25+ doll blankets they have just aren't enough since they need a sheet to lay on AND a blanket to cover up with. Many days, we can hardly walk around the family and music rooms since there are at least 50 beds put together, many times more. When indoors, they LOVE singing to their dolls, playing mommy and praying with them. Dylan is still zooming around the house on his super duper fast trike, spinning out, and playing with his cars, trains and remote control Monster Truck. Never a dull or quiet moment!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day from Camp Clark to each of you. We hope your day is filled with oodles (LTD lingo) of love, joy, laughter and overall happiness!

Last night we treated the munchkins to dinner and a play, "The Gruffalo", at The Children's Theatre in Mpls for their Valentine Day treat. We all had so much fun and the kiddos really enjoyed the play. At the end of the night on our drive home, Dylan said, "mom & dad, I had a great time tonight!" Lindsey and Taylor added in, "yah, we did too, sanks (thanks)! That gruffalo and snake were so silly!" It just melts our hearts to hear how happy they are and how much love they have in their hearts. Below are some photos getting ready to go on our date last night.

LTD also enjoyed creating and receiving Valentines this year. Thank you to our family and little friends for the sweet Valentine cards and treats. LTD are thrilled to rip open mail and packages addressed to them which is always a highlight. The candy treats are a big hit too. Sugar Police will be in full force come Monday. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted :)

Surgery Success

Last Friday was a very emotional morning, for both mom and dad. Little did we know, we each harbored terrible fears about putting our "Peanut" under and the potential consequences of anesthesia; we just didn't share them with each other (thankfully) until surgery was over and she was resting peacefully. The moment I saw her body go limp and her eyes roll back in her head from the anesthesia, I started crying. The Children's West staff was incredibly amazing though. They were so professional, caring and compassionate and made it as pleasant as possible for Taylor, Dave and me. In fact, the anesthesiologist, surgeon and nursing staff all called us over the weekend to check on Taylor which is very refreshing to know how much they care. Grandma & Papa Good gave her a Guardian Angel prior to surgery and she took the angel and her blankie into surgery with her, at her request. The surgical team commented on much they liked her Guardian Angel which said: "God is watching over you". Below is a photo of Taylor in the recovery room with her Angel in her decorative box.

Here is Taylor setting the record at Children's West for holding her liquid medicine the longest before swallowing, an agonizing 40 minutes! She could not be released until they knew she could swallow meds and liquids but she was playing the stubborn role, just like her mama according to Dave :) Check out her cheeks.

Finally, after the meds were swallowed and Taylor was fully awake, the staff loaded her up for a little red wagon ride around the clinic. She was the first to arrive that morning (at 6am) and the last to leave (mid afternoon around 2:30 or 3pm).

We are back home and recovering nicely. Lindsey and Dylan are taking good care of Taylor and like to play doctor and nurse by helping give her meds and liquids. They are really enjoying the extra popsicles, jello, juice, milk shakes, etc; whatever it takes to keep our little girl hydrated. Taylor is getting alot of attention and TLC and is milking it for all it's worth. She is almost back to her little spitfire self but had to miss school (KPT) today since she is still on meds and recovering. She will be back in the saddle full swing by next week, ready to take on ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. She has already stopped snoring which is a big bonus to all this madness and one of the main reasons we travelled down this path.

Thank you so much, Papa & Grandma Good, for making the trip to Mpls to be with us and with Taylor. Your visits are tremendously appreciated and we miss you already. Taylor keeps asking why you left and when you are coming back. She adores you!!! Also, BIG THANKS to all our family and friends who called and expressed well wishes for Taylor. Your calls, emails, thoughts, prayers and gifts were so uplifting. We are incredibly grateful and thankful for your prayers and your love.

Like Father, Like Son

A previous lifetime ago, Dave was really into karate. He still uses his moves here and there to show us all how quick and powerful he is :) Well, it has officially rubbed off on Dylan, including the sound effects. Lindsey and Taylor are now his victims of a combination of "Kung Fu Fighting" and "All Star Wrestling". Wonderful! Oh well, a little rough housing toughens 'em up. I can relate, right Bruce?