Posts from the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

My Triplet Ballerinas…Gift of Triplets

My Triplet Ballerinas…Gift of Triplets

My triplet ballerinas are my grand-daughters Makenna, Jaeli and Maysie.

December 24, 2007 will always hold a special place in my heart. On that day, almost 12 years ago, we found out we were going to be grandparents to triplets. Our daughter and her husband invited the whole family to their home on Christmas Eve. We knew our daughter was pregnant, we just didn’t know how many babies she was pregnant with.

When we got to their house, I was handed a card that said, “You must be so excited! Hope the time just flies and you’ll be holding that precious little one/s (the “s” was handwritten) before you know it.” Inside the card was also 2 ultrasound pictures, one at 5 weeks and one at 6 weeks. Since I am not an expert, by any means, on ultrasound pictures, I did not know what I was looking at. So, my daughter explained the 5 week one was of twins, and I thought “Oh, how wonderful!” Then, one of my other daughters looked at the 6 week ultrasound picture (below) and said, “Wait a minute, A, B & C…triplets???” I almost passed out. That day was just the beginning of the miraculous journey I would take as a grandparent of triplet girls. Beverly

Since I am having shoulder surgery soon, this will be the last blog post until next year. But, please enjoy the other blog posts of this year, the first year of “The Triplet Ballerinas”. Beverly

My Triplet Ballerinas…Triplet Friends

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 individual classes. So, when Jaeli connected with a group of friends in her class, 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 parents of multiples. In the years since, we knew it was the right decision based on their academic improvement. However, making new friends is still a big challenge for Jaeli. She has yet to find that one friend she feels as close to as she did back then. Thankfully, the other two 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.  

It helps though that for the last few years, she has had her sister, Maysie, in the same classroom as her. I think it gives Jaeli a lot of confidence having Maysie guide her in making friends, and I don’t think it holds Maysie back from continuing to make friends. But, in the long run, they will always have each other as a “friend”.

My Triplet Ballerinas…A Triple Inspiration

My triplet ballerinas are my grand-daughters, Makenna, Jaeli and Maysie.

The dedication in “The Triplet Ballerinas” 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 5 years ago, I had no idea what to write about. After a dog came to our house one Fall day, lost from a hunter, I thought maybe this would be a good story for a picture book. I couldn’t make that story work, but then I was inspired with writing about the triplets and it evolved from there.

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, by the time the book was published, they had left picture books and entered chapter books, they still loved that I wrote a picture book inspired by them and dedicated to them. Recently, there was a day at their elementary school where they could dress as their favorite book character. It was a proud day for me when they dressed up and went as their counterpart characters in the book I wrote that was inspired by them. Beverly

My Triplet Ballerinas… Three Little Miracles, Part 2

Guest Blogger: Megan J.

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

My three little miracles are turning into three bright, amazing, young ladies. It’s so fun to watch them grow and become their own person.

Makenna Anne has really become quite the little miss. Her presence is so “grown up”. I can still count on her to help with anything and everything. Thankfully, her food intolerance is becoming so much more manageable and really doesn’t interfere with her everyday life anymore. I love the conversations we share, and it’s amazing to watch the person she is becoming.

Jaeli Jo still has her big heart but likes to hide it. Her teacher commented to me the other day about how funny she is. I see it too; I just wish she would show it more at home. She struggles to sleep at night, and I think it’s because her thoughts just keep spinning and she can’t stop thinking about things that bother her. Hopefully by the time she gets to middle school next year, she will have better control of it.

Maysie Jailyn knows what she wants and is so dramatic until she gets it! I think she will always be dramatic, that is just who she is. I need to encourage her to use it in a positive way. She is also laidback and doesn’t let too much bother her. But when it does bother her, we know! I try to find ways to show her a little extra attention simply because she needs it more than the other two.

My Triplet Ballerinas…A Missing Triplet

My triplet ballerinas are my grand-daughters, Makenna, Jaeli and Maysie. 

When the triplets were little and went everywhere together, we would get asked a lot, “Are they triplets?”

A few years ago, Makenna went on vacation with her aunt, and whenever we went anywhere with Jaeli and Maysie, we were always asked the 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 twins (the “twins” of the triplets). You could also 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!) The best one though is, “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. That year, it was a long week feeling like someone was missing. We were all happy when the triplet sisters were back together.

As they get older, we don’t get asked if they are triplets as much anymore. They probably look like normal siblings now especially since they aren’t always together. I am sure we will never get over that feeling though of someone missing until they are all back together once again. Beverly

My Journey…Critiques

During the years of writing “The Triplet Ballerinas”, I received many critiques of my story/writing. The critiques became better as my writing became better. The first few ones were pretty discouraging, especially the one I received from a male editor on Mother’s Day! I almost quit then, but I persevered and, with each critique and advice, my manuscript improved.

Here is an excerpt from one of my later critiques: “The story feels more tightly focused on Annie, and we are now clearly inside her perspective. Conflict is introduced earlier in the story. And the story is more focused overall—there are fewer elements that fall outside of the main story line. However, as is usually the process, as you make forward progress with each revision, it can also become even more clear what other story elements still need to be addressed. I don’t feel a deep connection to Annie, or that I have a strong sense of her character arc for this story. Many of your readers won’t have any real understanding of or interest in dancing in a recital—but they will understand having a deep desire that is at first thwarted, and then, through persistence or creativity or cleverness, ultimately rewarded. That is the universal element that will draw them in even if they are not dancers. Without building in that universal element—the thing that makes the story emotionally understandable to a broad audience—the audience will be very limited to those who already know what a pirouette is—which means, very few picture book readers.”

The last critique I received was the most important one. Here is an excerpt from this critique that sent me on the journey to “The Triplet Ballerinas” as it is today: “Ballerina books are always a welcome topic for little girls and the title certainly is a great one as I don’t think there are any triplet ballerinas out there. Unfortunately, this wasn’t about triplet ballerinas. This was about Macie and Miss Carol who for some reason that we have no idea, decide they need triplet ballerinas. And when Macie does a few things to force her siblings into helping her out, she doesn’t get the idea until a happenstance occurs with the pony poop. Now poop is always funny for kids, but to me, in this case, it is forced. If a conflict doesn’t feel real or there aren’t good reasons for them, then it won’t ring true for the reader. A better idea would be for a story about the triplet ballerinas and the shenanigans they get into while trying to put on the best show. I think there would be a market for all three of these characters if you made each one with their own personality and an interesting plot. You cannot force a plot. All conflict must have reasons. I want you to keep these characters, but you need to give them each a personality and there needs to be a better plot. I think you have the makings of a character driven book, but you’ve taken away the triplets. Allow them to help each other move the story along though their differing personalities. Most books are about one character, but there are books with two and you know what? Rules are meant to be broken when you have a great idea. Don’t ever forget that!!” Beverly

My Triplet Ballerinas…Grandma Times Three

My triplet ballerinas are my grand-daughters, Makenna, Jaeli and Maysie.

Since the triplets were my first grandchildren, I became a grandma times three before I was even a grandma once. Before the triplets came along, I spent my free time mostly scrapbooking. Of course, I wanted to scrapbook about these wondrous, new grandchildren. I wanted to scrapbook about them and any other grandchildren I had through the years. Sadly, finding time for scrapbooking became second to spending my time helping taking care of the triplets and later on other grandchildren. So, the grandchildren scrapbooking stalled at the point of when the triplets were babies. Hopefully, I will get back to it someday when I find the time. All the pictures I have taken over the years are still waiting there for me along with all the ones I take each year.

These days, you will find me still taking care of all my grandchildren, but marketing and promotion of “The Triplet Ballerinas” has replaced scrapbooking and any other hobbies. 

Years ago, I had no thoughts of writing, let alone writing a children’s book, but I was inspired by my own triplet granddaughters to do so. I am truly honored and blessed to have first been called “grandma” by these three beautiful granddaughters. Beverly

My Triplet Ballerinas…Turning 11

Guest Blogger: Megan J.

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

The triplets will be turning 11 in just a few short days. We always hope it gets easier as they get older, but that never happens. It just becomes “different”. The struggle is still there, just in a different way. The girls are no longer “girls”, they are becoming young ladies in more ways than I can count.

We still struggle with the social aspect of being a multiple. They have trouble connecting with others, and when they are by themselves, they feel like a part of them is missing, especially the identical twins within the triplets. Makenna, my fraternal triplet, has always been very independent and does the best at making friends. She has even commented to me, “Mom, I don’t feel like a triplet. I feel like they are just my sisters.” She says it does not bother her when we occasionally call Jaeli and Maysie, “the twins.”  Their unique bond can’t be denied. Although, when they are with each other for too long, they tend to fight more than usual. They won’t admit it, but they are lost without the other. Once they go to middle school next year, I am hoping they separate a bit and try to find out who they are on their own and not depend on the other so much.

Another struggle we are having is them simply becoming little women. The girls are obsessed with make-up, jewelry and clothing. I must constantly remind them to pick up after themselves, because I am finding earrings and bracelets all over the house or their bathroom counters are covered in make-up dust. I am also wondering when I am going to need to have “the talk” with the three of them. I pray I can hold off for a couple more years. Let them be little for just a while longer.

My Journey…School Visits

In January, soon after the release date of “The Triplet Ballerinas”, I was asked by one of the teachers of my triplet granddaughters to visit their school and present the book I had written. This would be my first school visit, and I would be reading my book to a large group of 4^th grade students and their teachers. I can’t put into words how nervous I was sitting there before and as I read the book to them. It helped that my granddaughters were front and center supporting me. Surprisingly, most of the students listened to me read the book even though it was probably considered a “baby book” to them. Maybe this had to do with the fact that their classmates were the inspiration for the story I had written. After I read the book, I answered any questions they had. One of the questions was about how I was inspired to write about my triplet granddaughters. My answer to this was, when I was searching for something to write about, I realized that I had something in my daily life that a lot of people never experience-triplets in the family-and this was something I wanted to share and thought would make a great subject for a children’s book. Another question was about the character names in my book and how those were chosen. I explained that “Annie” was based on Makennna’s middle name of Anne, “Julie” was a derivative of Jaeli, and “Macie” was obviously a different form of spelling Maysie’s name.

Afterwards, I headed to my grandson’s classroom to read the book to his class. It was a smaller environment, so I wasn’t as nervous. My grandson presented me to his class, and after I read the copy of the book I was donating to his classroom, I was asked to sign it, which was one of the first times I did this. It was also gratifying to hear from my grandson’s teacher that her mother was a children’s book author too, but she went the traditional route and it took her more than twice as long to get her book published as it did me.

A few weeks later, the Kindergarten teacher of one of my youngest granddaughters also asked me to come visit their classroom. I, of course, read the book to the children, but I also “critiqued” the “writings” of the class which was a wonderful experience and mostly consisted of encouraging words. As I was leaving, one of the little girls in the class laughed and said, “King Poo Poo”, which is the name of the cat in my book. I realized then something I wrote had made a young child laugh and that is priceless. Beverly