A Triple Inspiration

My triplet ballerinas are my triplet grand-daughters, Makenna, Jaeli Jo and Maysie. My children's picture book, The Triplet Ballerinas, is almost ready to be self-published. (See my Facebook page:  The Triplet Ballerinas). The dedication in my book says, "For my triplet granddaughters, Makenna, Jaeli and Maysie, who inspire me each and every day". This is so true. When I started writing almost 4 years ago, I had no idea what to write about. After a lost dog came to our house one Fall day, lost from a hunter, I thought maybe this would be a good story to write about. But then, of course, I was inspired with writing about the triplets and it evolved from there (remember the ponies!). Back then, the triplets were of an age (around 6 years old) that they would have really enjoyed reading and sharing this picture book. Even though they are more into chapter books now, they love that there will soon be a picture book out there that was inspired by them and dedicated to them. They can't wait for it to be published so they can share this special book with their classmates. I can't wait either for that day, hopefully by the end of the year. Beverly

My triple summer break.....

My triplet ballerinas are my grand-daughters, Makenna, Jaeli Jo and Maysie. I have decided to take a break from this blog until September while I try to find an illustrator for "The Triplet Ballerinas" and work on self-publishing my book (see my Facebook page:  The Triplet Ballerinas).  I am also going to enjoy spending the summer with my own triplet ballerina grand-daughters as they turn 10 this year.  See you in the Fall with hopefully great news about my book and new stories about our triplet ballerinas.  Beverly  

Triplet Bedroom Switch

Guest Blogger:  Megan J.

My triplet ballerinas are my daughters, Makenna Anne, Jaeli Jo and Maysie Jailyn.
Lately, the girls have been fighting about what they want to do in their shared bedroom so I thought it best to split them up again. It's usually the twins (Jaeli and Maysie) against Makenna. Makenna is just so different from the other two and it's hard for them to get along. Makenna begged me for her own room again. Since she doesn't know how to keep a bathroom cleaned, I decided to give her the room with the attached small bathroom. It will be her responsibility now to keep it picked up and cleaned. It's the biggest room of the two, but Jaeli and Maysie never wanted to use that bathroom when they were all three in that bedroom because Makenna always had it so gross. Jaeli and Maysie moved to the smaller former playroom. After we switched beds around to fit the rooms, they were all set. So far it's going well.

My Facebook Page:  The Triplet Ballerinas

An invisible triplet....

Guest Blogger:  Megan J.

My triplet ballerinas are my daughters, Makenna Anne, Jaeli Jo and Maysie Jailyn.
Lately, I have been feeling pretty sad for Jaeli. She has struggled with making friends and fitting in since the triplets were held back in 1st Grade at their school. My worst fear of holding them back came true for her. Thankfully, the other two are perfectly happy and can make friends just fine. The hardest part is that Jaeli was the most social of the three her first year of 1st Grade and had a great group of friends. She considered a couple of them her best friends. But, of course, the friends moved on to 2nd Grade and Jaeli had to start all over. And now, 2 years later, she is in 3rd grade and still in tears over it. Tonight, she told me she doesn't feel like she can be herself when she's at school. She says she's emotional and has a temper because she can't make friends. She feels invisible. She said she tries but they just ignore her. She and Maysie are in a new program at school that is supposed to help them learn how to be more social, but she just started, so we haven't seen any improvement from it yet. I am considering asking the school to put her with Maysie next year since Makenna prefers to be on her own. I think it would give Jaeli a lot of confidence and Maysie could guide her. I just don't want it to hold Maysie back from continuing to make friends. There are so many joys of having triplets, but this is just heartbreaking... especially since Jaeli has the biggest heart of all three girls and is always the most caring. Guess we'll just have to wait till the end of the year and see how she's doing.

Beverly's Facebook Page: The Triplet Ballerinas 

I wonder about triplet ballerinas.....

My triplet ballerinas are my grand-daughters, Makenna, Jaeli Jo and Maysie.
Now that my manuscript is finished (see my Facebook page: The Triplet Ballerinas), it is time for publishing and for self-reflection of this journey I have been on for over three years. I wonder if, without the inspiration of my triplet granddaughters, would I have written a children's book about triplet ballerinas, Annie (Makenna Anne), Julie (Jaeli) and Macie (Maysie)? Definitely not. I wonder if I had written a book about anything else, would I have stuck with it until the finished manuscript? Probably not. The joy in the eyes of the triplets anticipating when this book based on them would be finished is what encouraged me to continue when I wanted to give up. I wonder if anything now will ever be better than writing a children's book based on my own triplet granddaughters? Maybe not.  Beverly

More School Work Times Three

Guest Blogger:  Megan J.

My triplet ballerinas are my daughters, Makenna Anne, Jaeli Jo and Maysie Jailyn.
Now that the girls are in 3rd grade, more is required of them. Recently, they each had to write a report about a business in the community that they think is important. In the report, they had to tell about the business, facts about it and why it's important. They also had to provide pictures and build a model of it using at least a paper bag. We went a little further and used a shoe box. With a little help from me, we came up with 3 pretty creative business models. I even took them to each place to ask questions they could use in their reports. The models were big hits at school and used to show as an example to the other students. Makenna chose Ossian State Bank, Maysie chose Honegger Animal Clinic, and Jaeli chose Heyerley's Bakery. We had fun working on them individually and I am looking forward to seeing their grades!







Beverly's Facebook Page:  The Triplet Ballerinas

Triple the one-on-one time.....

My triplet ballerinas are my grand-daughters, Makenna, Jaeli Jo and Maysie.
When your grandchildren are the same age and looking for a little attention, giving one-on-one time is almost mandatory. Especially when they get it from their parents and expect it from their grandparents too. Unless there are rules attached, it can easily get out of control though. When they were little, it didn't matter how many times they each got their own individual one-on-one time, they wanted more, more, more time with Grandma, so we decided to stop it. This summer, I started it back up thinking they would handle it better. They each stayed overnight alone once during the summer, but, again, they wanted more, so I would add time here and there during the day for some mini one-on-one time, but, again, it quickly got out of control with them clamoring for even more. I ended it once again and think I will stick to just one individual overnight one-on-one time for each of them during the summer. Hopefully, I will be able to stick to this new Grandma decree, but you never know....  Beverly                      My Facebook Page:  The Triplet Ballerinas

A New Arrangement

Guest Blogger:  Megan J.

My triplet ballerinas are my daughters, Makenna Anne, Jaeli Jo and Maysie Jailyn.
For the last year or so, Jaeli and Maysie have shared a bedroom and Makenna has had her own bedroom. Her room is closest to the train tracks about 3 blocks from our house. For a few months now, Makenna has been worried and scared about the train running into our house and into her bedroom. I've found her sleeping under her bed, in her closet, in the hallway and in my bedroom due to her fear. She asked if she could switch rooms with her sisters (I guess she doesn't care if it runs them over!). I told her "no" because their room is bigger than hers. We finally compromised and she has moved back into the bigger bedroom with her sisters. Her old bedroom now stores all of their toys. They also each have their own wall and closet for themselves in one room or the other. So far, they are getting along with this new arrangement. We will see though how bedtime goes every night and if they continue to get along!

Beverly's Facebook Page:  The Triplet Ballerinas

Another school year begins for these triplets....

My triplet ballerinas are my triplet grand-daughters, Makenna, Jaeli Jo and Maysie.
It's that time of year for the triplets to go back to school. They will be in 3rd Grade this year. Once again, they are in different classrooms with different teachers. After this was suggested by the school when they first started Kindergarten, it has become standard every year, through all-day Kindergarten, two years of First Grade (they were held back from Second Grade but was able to keep the same teacher both years), last year in Second Grade and this year in Third Grade. This year, for the first time, it seems that all three girls have been assigned to teachers that complement their personalities, which is a gift since that doesn't always happen. When one of the girls is assigned a teacher that they don't really connect to, she then usually struggles through the school year. For the first time, one of the triplets (Makenna) has a male teacher. It will be interesting to see how that plays out, but it should be fine since Makenna does so well in school in any situation. So, back to school bus rides, making school lunches, and homework. Another school year begins.....  Beverly
Facebook Page:  The Triplet Ballerinas

Triplet Drama

Guest Blogger:  Megan J.

My triplet ballerinas are my daughters Makenna Anne, Jaeli Jo and Maysie Jailyn.
There is bound to be drama when you have three daughters in the house. But, with three daughters of the same age, the drama is exaggerated beyond what words can explain! I can’t even imagine what life will be like in just a few short years when the teenage hormones hit. I am scared, very scared! Now, at age 9, the drama usually consists of problems related to not sharing or who is wearing whose clothes, and most commonly, “they won’t play what I want to play”. This is a constant struggle and a battle I dread each day. The girls do not realize yet how lucky they are to have two sisters their age. They have a companion and someone to play with and talk to every day. Our identicals, Jaeli and Maysie, have much in common and their fraternal sister, Makenna, struggles daily to feel included. As they get older, I hope they find special bonds between each other and one day realize how precious their sisterhood really is. I can see it now: boy drama, attitude drama, friend drama, competition drama, and oh so much more I am sure! I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Even with as much fighting that has been going on lately, I am still seeing how fast they are growing. So, I know I need to take a step back and enjoy the time I have with them while they are still young.

Beverly's Facebook Page: The Triplet Ballerinas

A missing triplet!

My triplet ballerinas are my grand-daughters, Makenna, Jaeli Jo and Maysie. Recently, Makenna went out of town for a week with her aunt so the triplets were split up with Jaeli and Maysie staying home. When I took these two anywhere that week, there was still the inevitable multiples question of whether they were twins. So, how should you answer that or should you even answer it? You could simply nod or simply reply, "Yes, they are," because of course they are actually twins. Or, you could say, "Yes, but they are twins in triplets with their fraternal triplet who is not here right now." (What a mouthful, but I have been known to say it!) Or, the best one, "No, they are triplet sisters with their other sister." These last two usually get the biggest reaction of, "Wow, triplets," even with one triplet not there. It was a long week feeling like something (SOMEONE!) was missing. We were all happy when the triplet sisters were back together the way they were meant to be.  Beverly
My Facebook page:  The Triplet Ballerinas

Triplet Friends

Guest Blogger:  Megan J.

My triplet ballerinas are my triplet daughters, Makenna Anne, Jaeli  Jo and Maysie Jailyn.

I can't believe the triplets will be entering third grade next year!  One of the biggest struggles we have dealt with this year is making friends outside of their "triplet circle". They each struggle in finding their own identity and connecting with other girls, or even boys, their age. Unfortunately, their school splits the classes up each year, so they don't usually move onto the next grade with any friends they did make the previous year. This is really hard on them socially because it takes them awhile to get close with someone, and then once they do, they are taken away.  Sometimes, even their sister who ends up in a class with their old friend will become that sister's new friend. On a positive note, when one of the girls from their class invites them to a birthday party, they almost always invite all three. Although I would prefer only the one who is friends with them go, this might be good as time goes on. Hopefully, they will eventually gain the confidence to be friends with most of the girls in their class. The one thing I have been trying to get them to appreciate is that friends will come and go, but they will always have each other. My hope for them when they are all grown up is that they will be the best of friends and always be there for each other.


Beverly's Facebook Page:  The Triplet Ballerinas

Different Triplet Characteristics

My triplet ballerinas are my triplet grand-daughters, Makenna, Jaeli Jo and Maysie.
As I said before, these triplet ballerinas have different personalities. Makenna is stubborn and curious. Jaeli is shy and quiet. Maysie is dramatic and fun-loving. It is easy to state the characteristics of these girls because it is real-life and true. It is not so easy though to make up different characteristics for your pretend triplet ballerinas and then convey these characteristics through action and dialogue. (See my Facebook page: The Triplet Ballerinas). I am working on portraying one triplet ballerina as determined, one as confident and one as hopeful. This is all still a work-in-progress though, so these different characteristics of my pretend triplet ballerinas may end up changing before I am done. I hope they don't though because I like the characteristics that I have given these pretend triplet ballerinas.  Beverly

Triplet Friendships

Guest Blogger:  Megan J.

My triplet ballerinas are my daughters, Makenna Anne, Jaeli Jo and Maysie Jailyn.
One of the biggest struggles my triplet girls face is making friends outside of their "sister group". During their first couple years of school, it seemed very difficult for them to make new friends within their class. So, when Jaeli connected with a group of friends, we were thrilled and so excited for her. She developed a unique friendship with one of the girls in her group that was undeniably precious. They were very close and she talked about her every day. They would give each other hugs when they saw each other outside of school and had the occasional play date. Unfortunately, the decision to have the triplets repeat 1st grade was made due to them struggling academically. This was one of the toughest decisions we had to make. As they went through the next year, we knew it was the right decision based on their academic improvement. However, making new friends was still a big challenge. Two years later, they still struggle with it, and Jaeli seems to have the hardest time. She has yet to find that one friend she feels as close to as she did back then. Hopefully, over time, as they continue through the grades, they will develop stronger relationships outside of their "sister group" and become more social. We have been encouraging them to talk with others and simply ask if they will be their friend. It seems to be helping. But, in the long run, they will always have each other, which is something precious in itself.

Beverly's Facebook Page:  The Triplet Ballerinas

It's only fair....

My triplet ballerinas are my triplet grand-daughters, Makenna, Jaeli Jo and Maysie.
I am sure it's probably like this with most siblings, but these triplets are all about fairness. It doesn't matter what it is, if one gets it, the other two need to get it too or you will hear about it. It doesn't matter if it is food (especially candy), toys or even new clothes, it has to be fair and equal. This can sometimes be challenging to find three of the same or similiar, especially with clothes. Lots of times though, as long as it is something new and for them, they are happy. I suppose this started when they were young and it was fun to give them each something and see their faces light up. They were never far apart then so if you gave to one of them, you had to give to all three. Even though they are not always together now, you still have to buy or give three. It's only fair.....  Beverly            My Facebook page:  The Triplet Ballerinas

From "The Triplet Girl" to "The Triplet Ballerinas" (updated)

With my guest blogger on vacation and me busy working on my book, I decided to update a post from September 2016:

My triplet ballerinas are my triplet grand-daughters, Makenna, Jaeli Jo and Maysie.
 In researching what I wanted my picture book story to be about, I took inspiration from where I could find it.  So, one day, when one of the triplets leaped off the couch, the idea of ballet was born.  I started researching ballet and ballerinas and found the book, "Ballerina: A Step-by-Step Guide to Ballet", which was very informative.  I decided to have one of the triplets be the most interested in ballet and the other two girls more interested in horses to make them seem boyish.  I found the book, "For Horse-Crazy Girls Only: Everything You Want to Know About Horses", which was also very informative about horses and ponies.  Sadly, through editing, I had to cut out some scenes that didn't fit and the "leaping off the couch scene" was one of the first to go.  But, it had served its purpose anyway by giving me the idea of ballet and ballerinas.  In one of my early critiques, the horses the girls got for their birthday were called "ponies" instead of "horses".  It dawned on me then that it would probably be better to have the triplets get the smaller, more manageable, ponies for their birthday than the bigger horses so the horses became ponies in the story.  At one time, the ponies even had names:  Jamie's (Jaeli) was "Beauty", Macie's (Maysie) was "Ella", and Annie's (Makenna) was "Snow."  But, eventually, I sadly had to cut this scene too.  The real-life triplets were not happy with this since they were the ones to name their counterpart's ponies.  Beverly

Update on my book: I decided to take my book in a different direction, so  I cut out the ponies and have made it all about ballet. I also changed the character name of Jamie to Julie to make her name sound more girly.  It is truly about "triplet ballerinas" now.                      

Facebook page:  The Triplet Ballerinas

Triplet Characteristics

My triplet ballerinas are my triplet grand-daughters, Makenna, Jaeli Jo and Maysie.
Lately, I have been working on revising my manuscript (see my Facebook Page: The Triplet Ballerinas). Right now, I am working on characterization of my pretend triplet ballerinas which brings to mind the characteristics that make up our own triplet ballerinas.

If I were to describe the character of Makenna, I would give her the characteristics of stubborness (she resists greatly the idea of even attempting to say "I'm sorry" when she is in the wrong), intelligence (she is very smart and studious), curiosity (she will read a factual book from the first page to the last to find out interesting facts and recite them), creativeness (her drawings and ideas are so good) and helpfulness (whenever she sees someone in need, she will help them out without being asked).

The first thing that comes to mind in describing Jaeli is shyness. This is something she was struggling with all the time so I gave her a diary of sorts to write in every day how she was feeling that day and to record how she made an effort to talk to at least one person. It is so great that Jaeli feels comfortable now in talking to people and doesn't need the crutch of the diary anymore. Jaeli would also be described as being sweet and nice. I would also say solitary and quiet would be words to describe her too.

As for Maysie, there is no doubt that dramatic fits her to a tee. I would also have to add emotional and moody too. When she doesn't like something, you know all about it. But, that's not all the time, just occasionally. She is also imaginative (she is always coming up with great ideas) and fun-loving (when she's not being moody!).

The triplets in my book will probably have some of these same characteristics, but I am sure they will all have their own individual characteristics as their counterparts do.  Beverly

Identical Twins in Triplets

Guest Blogger:  Megan J.

My triplet ballerinas are my triplet daughters, Makenna Anne, Jaeli Jo and Maysie Jailyn.

When I was about 7 weeks along with my pregnancy, we learned we were having triplets. At this time, we were told they are all fraternal because they were in three separate sacs. It didn't really matter to us, we were just happy to have three babies and didn't think much of it after this.

After the triplets were born and in the NICU, we noticed right away that Jaeli and Maysie looked exactly the same. We even had trouble telling them apart. We only knew who was who because of the names the nurses put on their cribs. At only a few weeks old, we took the girls back to the hospital for pictures and had to remove Maysie's hip brace and Jaeli's heart monitor. After taking the pictures, it was time to put everything back on. This is the only time that I was ever confused about which one was Maysie and which one was Jaeli. Thankfully, I had previously painted Maysie's toe nail in case this would happen. This made me start to wonder though if Maysie and Jaeli were really fraternal. I remembered hearing from another triplet mom that she had her triplets tested with an at-home DNA test. This was very cheap and simple to do, so we decided to have it done. It was mostly so all of us would know when they were older if they are identical or not. I also knew we would have questions from outsiders as they grew up. One day, the lab called and said they were emailing me the results but wanted to let me know that the test showed a 99% match for Jaeli and Maysie being identical twins. I was very excited and happy we took the test but was a bit frustrated with the doctors for telling us they are fraternal and not even suggesting the possibility that they are identical.

As Jaeli and Maysie have gotten older, it is easier now to tell them apart. They may be identical but they are also different in many ways. Like their triplet sister, Makenna, they both have their own individual personality that makes them their own person.  

Beverly's Facebook Page:  The Triplet Ballerinas

Three Triplet Ballerinas, Not Just One

My Triplet Ballerinas are my triplet grand-daughters Makenna, Jaeli Jo and Maysie.
Recently, I decided to make a big change in the children's picture book I am writing (see my Facebook Page: The Triplet Ballerinas). My story has mostly been about just one of these triplet ballerinas. The reason for this was everything I read about writing a picture book said there should only be one main character. In the beginning, I decided Annie would be the main character out of the three girls, Jamie, Annie and Macie. Later, I switched the main character to Macie since she seemed to suit my story better. But, recently, I received a critique of my manuscript that encouraged me to write my story about all three triplet ballerinas since "rules are meant to be broken when you have a great idea." So, I am excited to begin my journey writing about three triplet ballerinas, not just one.  Beverly

Lovin' Those Triplet Grandchildren

My triplet ballerinas are my triplet grand-daughters, Makenna, Jaeli Jo and Maysie.
Is there any greater love than a grandmother for her grandchildren? Well, yes, the love of a mother for her children, but a grandmother's love is special too as is the love she receives in return. When I was first blessed with grandchildren (and three at once!), I thought it couldn't get better than that. But, with hugs and kisses and "I love you, Grandma" times three, the feelings are indescribable. Of course, some days, one or two will love you more than the other. And, I know, at times, like with all children or grandchildren, that love is tested, but it never goes away. So, in this month of LOVE, I will cherish any "I love you, Grandma" and hugs and kisses that are given as each one is very precious to me.   Beverly                       
My Facebook Page: The Triplet Ballerinas

(Starting with this month, I am only going to blog once or twice a month with a Guest Blogger once a month also.)