40 something year old triplet dad goes back to school.

Having placed second in several great job opportunities, I decided I need three letters after my name. MBA. Six letters actually - MBA, CPA. So I took a GMAT exam preparation course, then the GMAT exam(twice), obtained letters of recommendation and researched schools based on reputation, convenience and affordability (my employer reimburses, but it is maxed). I applied to the university from which I had earned my undergraduate degree. They accepted me.

So, here I am. Over a year after I started the process,s I am enrolled and taking my second graduate level class in my second semester. Only one class. With twenty years since I obtained my undergraduate degree and three soon-to-be 3 year-olds at home, one class is enough.

My first class went great. It was hyped by the University to be difficult - almost like a right of passage into the program. The class consisted of a big team project, which consumed quite a bit of time outside of class. I kept telling Sarah "I just need to pass". Long story short is I ended the class with an "A-". Thank you very much.

On to class #2 this semester. The difference is like night and day. This math class I had heard was "fairly easy". I walk into the class - there were nine students. NINE. My first class had 38. The class starts and the instructor is all business and says "let's go to the lab". So our classes are held in a building on the other side of the campus in a computer lab in the basement. With 8 other students. No where to hide.

Long story short: I am struggling in this class. My grade on the mid-term was the second lowest in the class. The professor wrote "talk to me" on my exam. NOT GOOD. When I got my grade I immediately second guessed my decision to return to school. "What am I doing?" I thought to myself.

I have been deflated. Both my enthusiasm for school and my self-esteem are currently lying at the bottom of a shallow, dried up river somewhere in the middle of Australia. Let's hope I am able to retrieve them.

How 3 year olds plant pizza.

At least once a day for the past several weeks either Sarah or me have said "where do they come up with this stuff" in reference to things our daughters have either said or done. Take, for example, last weekend. We had one of those spectacular New England spring days when everyone is outside - doing yard work, washing their car, shooting hoops or just hanging out. We took full advantage of the nice weather and had the girls playing outside as much as possible. During the time the girls were playing outside there were several of the "where do they come up with that?" moments. In this video clip, the girls are "planting pizza". Check it out:

Allie as a ballerina.

BEWARE: you may be overexposed to cuteness while viewing this video of my daughter Allie "being like a ballerina".

Elmo Goes to the Library as read by Anna.

When everything seems to be falling apart around me…

When I am tired and cranky…

When it seems as though every person on the road is trying to cut me off…

When I am wondering what this life is all about…. I watch my daughters.

I listen to what my daughters say.

I look in my daughters’ eyes and see the true joy of life.

I captured Anna “reading’ a book to Allie (and then Emily) the other day. I believe the book is Elmo Goes to the Library. Watch the video and listen to Anna tell the story. Reflecting on moments like this brings me back to what it is all about it.

Enjoy the cuteness!

The cuteness continues.

To continue Sarah's post regarding the funny things that come out of our girls' mouths, the clip below captures a cute conversation I had with Allie last weekend regarding a rare one-on-one trip to run a couple of errands. I took her to the "daddy store" (Home Depot) and the grocery store earlier that day. Em makes an appearance in this video also with a big "hello" before Anna grabs the camcorder - she always wants to see what's in the viewfinder!