Like Walking Puppies

The triplets are 18-months old!  (Stay tuned for their official "weigh in" after their appointment next week.) And they're just too big to be schlepping around in the triple stroller.  Not only does it take everything in me to get the thing rolling, it's near impossible to control once it is moving.  But I'm getting cabin fever.  I'm desperate to socialize with adults other than the ones in the pediatrician's waiting room.  So...yesterday...I decided to attempt the PTO meeting at Zoe's school.

Without the stroller.

Oh boy.

The Gang has cute little backpack/harnesses that I bought so I can keep them all at arm's length when we're out walking.  Of course, we haven't actually used them yet.  But the idea is there.  I'm working with them.  They wear the backpacks around the house and LOVE THEM.  Ava's is a pink poodle...and the boys have little monkeys.

(These were taken on a "practice wearing your backpacks" day...)

On paper, this is a great idea!  This should work, right?  After dropping Ty off at preschool, I strapped the Gang up in their packs and let them out of the van.  Immediately...they all went in opposite directions.  OBVIOUSLY, I knew this was going to happen, that's why I've got them on these leashes put the harnesses on.

That's where the comedy began!  For the next 15 minutes, the triplets twisted and turned, bobbed and weaved, ran and walked, stood and fell, cried and laughed as we worked our way from the parking lot to the school.  Whenever one of the triplets reached the end of their "slack" and realized I wanted them to come a different direction, they'd sit down.  After 15 minutes, we'd gone a whopping 6 feet.  I'm not exaggerating.  One word: debacle!

I ended up picking up a screaming Cole after he fell and put is hand in a pile of snow.  Walked a few more feet and tripped on the leashes straps weaved around my legs.  Ava saw Cole and became jealous...so I picked her up in the other arm.  A few more feet...and Eli buried his face in between my legs and bear hugged my knees.  Hmmmmm...not going so well.  I squatted down (careful not to let the diaper bag fall from my shoulder...that would've definitely caused me to fall over) and picked Eli up by his sweatpants...barely getting a hand under each butt-cheek.  Stood up and walked briskly into the school.

Thankfully, there was someone at the door to open it.  When I got inside, I was greeted by a friend who was hysterically laughing took Eli and helped me lower down the others.  My arms were quivering like I'd just worked out.  And in a sense, I had.

I refuse to give up...this is GOING to work...someday!