Summer flew by for Amy in the blink of an eye. She and Ty took the kids to the beach, to visit Lily and Wade, to horse shows and to the Calgary rodeo. Before Amy knew it August was here and Maddie was going to start pre-school in a week. Amy and Ty had debated it all summer but in the end they thought it was best. Today Amy was taking Maddie and the twins to the mall in Calgary to get her some new school clothes. Maddie walked beside the double stroller as Amy looked for a children's store.

"Mommy can I get new shoes too?"

Amy smiled at Maddie. "You need new sneakers."

"Yeah!"

Amy turned into a store and Maddie followed. Maddie picked out some outfits and was trying on a pair of black and pink nike sneakers when noah started crying. Amy stood up and pulled him out of the front seat. He stood next to Maddie leaning on the bench she was sitting on for support. He had just started standing a week ago. Maddie giggled at him and kissed his head. She looked back down at her feet and shook her head.

"Mommy I want those princess sneakers."

Amy shook her head in amusment and grabbed a box off the shelf behind her. She pulled one of the white velcro sneakers with pink lining and a picture of Belle, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. She helped Maddie put it on and she nodded.

"I like these."

"Ok then put this one back in the box."

Amy put the nikes back in the box and put them on the shelf. Noah sat down and then started crawling away. Amy ran and grabbed him before he went to far. She sighed. Things had become difficult for she and Ty when the twins learned how to crawl a couple weeks ago. They constanly had to keep and eye on them. Amy set Noah back into the stroller and saw that Hannah was sitting contentley in the back. Amy paid for Maddie's stuff and then pushed the stoller towards a store that had school supplies. She pulled Maddie's list out of her purse and checked it. She saw that she needed a backpack, a pocket folder, a pack of crayons, a waterbottle, and a pack of glue sticks. Amy let Maddie pick out her own backpack. She wanted a pink quilted backpack with a picture of a brown horse on it. Then Amy picked her out a 24 pack of crayons, a pink folder with a black "M" on it, and a pack of purple glue sticks. Maddie wanted the waterbottle that matched her backpack. When they went to pay for it the sales lady smiled at them and held up the backpack.

"We can put your child's name on this here in the store. It only takes 2 minutes."

Amy nodded. "Ok can you put M-A-D-D-I-E on it?"

"Sure."

The lady set the backpack into a machine behind her and she typed Maddie's name into the computer. By the time Amy was done paying the backpack was done. She looked at it and was shocked to find that Maddie's name was stitched in brown just above the horse. By the time they got back to the suv Maddie was exhusted. Amy buckled the 3 kids into the car and then struggled with the stroller. Once everything was loaded she drove home. When she got to her house all 3 kids were fast asleep and it was pitch black out. Amy was glad she had decided to stop at the food court with the kids. Ty came outside when he heard her door shut.

"Hey I was starting to get worried."

Amy smiled and opened the back door. "Maddie was really weighing her options."

He laughed and unbuckled Noah. He then climbed in and unbuckled Maddie. He shook her awake gently. "Maddie you're home."

Maddie rubbed her eyes and slid out of her seat. Ty picked her up and then Noah before carrying them both into the house. Amy grabbed Hannah who was stirring awake. She carried Hannah into the nursery and laid her down in her crib. She covered her with her blankie then walked outside to help Ty carry the stuff in. He grabbed the stroller and set it in their shed before grabbing the last of the bags. They set the bags in the living room and then Amy collapsed onto the couch.

"Can you picture when we have to do this with the twins?"

Ty laughed and sat next to her. "Yeah i'll have to go with you. Were they good?"

"Yes. Hannah chilled in the stroller and Noah only wanted out once."

He looked surprised. "Really? Maybe we can start taking them to more places with us."

She smiled and laid down resting her head in his lap. "Yeah they're getting better but Maddie can still make me exhusted."

He chuckled and shifted to lay down behind her on his side. He pulled a couch pillow so they could rest their heads on it. Amy sighed.

"You shouldn't have done that. Now i'm gonna fall asleep out here."

He kissed her neck softly. "Well then we'll sleep out here tonight."

She molded her back to him and quickly fell asleep.

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A week later Amy woke up around 6:30 and started getting ready for today. She filled Maddie's waterbottle and clipped it to her backpack. At 7 she went into maddie's room and flipped on her light.

"Rise and shine Mad."

Maddie flipped onto her back and rubbed her eyes. She sat up and looked at Amy who was looking in her closet. Amy grabbed a blue smocked dress with apples on the collor and puff sleeves and a pink top and jeans set.

"Ok Mad, is it a cute top and jeans day or a dress day?"

Maddie looked at both and pointed to the dress. Amy helped her put it on and then she slid navy knit shorts on underneath of it. Maddie put on her red maryjanes herself and Amy brushed her straight, silky blonde hair that now fell just past her shoulders. Maddie slid a thin red headband into her hair and then ran out into the living room. Ty looked over at her and smiled.

"Wow Maddie you look pretty."

Maddie ran and hugged him tight. Amy smiled and kissed Maddie's cheek.

"Do you want to help me with the babies Mad?"

Maddie nodded and ran ahead of her mom. she flipped on the nursery light herself and ran over to Hannah's crib.

"Hannie Bear."

Hannah giggled and started slapping the bar of her crib making her loose her balence and fall back onto her butt. Maddie smiled and climbed the side of the crib. Amy walked in and set maddie down. She picked hannah up and set her on the floor. She crawled over to Maddie. Ty walked in just as Amy set Noah on the changing table and started changing his diaper. Ty changed Hannah on the floor and then put her in a yellow striped sunsuit with a flamingo on it. Amy put Noah in a blue plaid collared romper She buckled his brown fisherman sandals and then set him on the floor. She slid a light yellow bow headband onto Hannah's head and then fastened her white sandals onto her tiny feet. Ty picked Noah up and Maddie looked at Amy.

"Mommy can I carry Hannah?"

Amy picked Hannah up and handed her to Maddie. She almost awed at how carefully Maddie held her and carried her. Even though the kids were almost 3 years apart Maddie adored her baby brother and sister. Maddie stopped at the front door and waited for Ty to come get Hannah to carry her down the stairs. Amy handed Maddie her backpack then followed her to the car. When they got to the main house, Lou had dinner ready for everyone. Ty set the twins into their high chairs while Maddie sat down between Tim and Georgie. Georgie smiled at Maddie.

"Mad are you ready for school?"

Maddie nodded and took a huge bite of pancake. Tim laughed at her and cut it up for her. When Maddie finished eating she took her plate into the kitchen. Georgie and Katie grabbed their backpacks and said goodbye. Amy stood up and checked the time.

"Ok Mad you ready?"

Maddie nodded and Ty carried the twins out to the car. Maddie kissed everyone goodbye then followed Amy outside. Ty was finishing buckling the twins into their carseats and Amy buckled maddie into her booster seat. Ty drove them to the community center then took a deep breath as they parked. Amy grabbed his hand and squeezed.

"She'll be fine."

He smiled and nodded. Amy carried Noah and Ty carried Hannah. Maddie held both of their hands as they walked into the building. They walked into a very brightly colored waiting room with a curved counter. There was a big white door that led into the pre-school room. Ty opened it and they walked in. A young looking brunette woman in jeans and a light pink blouse walked over to them with a clip board

"Hello, I am Miss. Rachel. What is your child's name?"

Ty spoke. "Madelyn Borden."

Rachel smiled and wrote something. She then pulled a laminated apple that said "Madelyn" on it. She knelt down in front of Maddie.

"Hello Madelyn. I will be one of your teachers."

Maddie shied away from her and clung to Ty's leg. Amy smiled.

"She goes by Maddie."

Rachel smiled and stood up. "If you can pin this to her outfit we will have a short parents meeting before class starts. Also if you can confirm the address that she is to be dropped off at?"

Amy accepted the clipboard and nodded. Rachel motioned to a group of parents and they sat down. Amy pinned the name tag to Maddie's dress and Maddie sat down between them. An older brunette woman around Tim's age stood with Rachel and smiled.

"hello everyone I am Miss. Kasey and this is Miss. Rachel. We just wanted to walk parents through security measures and our daily schedule. To enter this room you must check in with Miss. Dawn at the front desk and you must have photo id with you. This is to ensure your child's safety. We will send your child home with a packet which will include an emergancy contact sheet. Please list any family members or friends that have permisson to pick up your child so that we are aware of who they are. Now Miss. Rachel will take you through the schedule."

Rachel stepped forward and smiled. "Ok so after your child arrives in the morning we will do roll call. Then we go into our lesson for the day. We teach them how to write their names, learn the alphabet, count to 50, spell their names, learn their colors and shapes, and basic reading and writing skills. Then we normally go into story time. Each day we will read them a new book. They will eat a snack while we are reading to keep them still. Then we have an 30 minutes of directed play inside where they will rotate through 3 out of the 6 stations. We will keep track of who played where each day so every child has a chance to play at each station. Then if the weather is decent they will get to play outside for half an hour before getting on the bus to go home. Decent weather to us is no rain or snow and it has to be 40 degrees or higher so in the winter months they will just rotate through all 6 stations before going home. So any questions?"

No one raised a hand except for a mother who greatly reminded Amy of Lou with her slick blonde hair pulled into a tight french twist and her cardigan and skirt set.

"I was wondering if you will do exersises to promote their cognative development using classical music?"

Ty stiffled a laugh as did a few parents but Kasey seemed confident.

"This whole room will promote your child's cognative development. I have an doctorite in child psychology and I was taught that children learn and are more creative in a highly stimulative enviorment. The bright colors are the perfect thing to trigger creativity."

The woman still had questions. "My husband and I use the Ferber Method for parenting, will you stick with that?"

Amy rose her eyebrows and glanced at Ty. He looked just as confused. Miss. Kasey did as well.

"i am not familiar with the Ferber Method."

The woman pulled a book from her purse. "The Ferber Method is all about teaching children to self soothe. We do not cuddle him or pay him any attention if he is crying or throwing a tantrum. He only uses pre approved educational toys and he does not watch any TV. We also speak to him like an adult."

Kasey smiled. "We treat the children like idividuals but we do explain things in a way that is easy for them to understand. If the children misbehave they recive 5 minutes in our quiet chair. One of us will sit with them in the corner and when the timer goes off they can play again. The chart over here..." She motioned to a bright yellow chart with the kids names on it. "Is used to promote good behavior. If your child has a good day they recieve a sticker and if they get 10 stickers in a row they recieve the choice to choose their stations for a day."

A man raised his hand. "What to you look for to have them earn a sticker?"

Rachel spoke up. "If they follow directions, use their inside voices, play well with others and help clean up they will earn a sticker. Are there any more questions?"

No one spoke up so Kasey smiled. "Ok if parents would like to say goodbye to their children we will get started."

Ty and Amy stood and kissed maddie's head. Maddie looked at Ty.

"Where are you and Mommy going?"

Ty knelt down and adjust Hannah slightly. "When you're at school Mommy and I are going to be working at home."

Maddie looked shocked and then started crying a little. "I don't want you and Mommy to go."

Amy kissed her head and rubbed her back. "Maddie you'll be ok. You'll be home soon."

Maddie settled down and then kissed them goodbye. She kissed noah's cheek and then held Hannah's hand.

"Can Hannie stay with me?"

Ty shook his head and Maddie sighed and kissed Hannah's cheek. They walked out the door leaving maddie. When they settled in the car Amy started crying. Ty sighed and wrapped his arms around her. He held her for a few minutes until she calmed down and pulled away to wipe her eyes. he held her hand tight.

"Do you want me to go in and get her? We can try again next year."

Amy shook her head. "No we have to let her go but how can we trust someone else with our little girl?"

Ty kissed her hand. "I guess we just have to."

He let go of her hand and drove home. They went to the main house and left the twins with Lisa. Amy grabbed a horse named Timber out of his stall and started working with him on his issue with a bit. She had gotten him to allow the bit in his mouth but he would not let her ride with the bit in his mouth. Ty watched her from the fence and smiled. When Amy decided Timber had enough for the day she put him in his stall and saw Ty staring.

"What?"

He grinned and came closer. "After all these years we've known eachother you still amaze me."

She smiled and kissed him softly. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Amy kissed him again and then checked her cell phone. "I say we get the babies and go wait at the bus stop."

He nodded and they walked into the house. The twins were in their playpen watching some kiddie show. When Hannah saw them she stood up and giggled. Amy picked her up and kissed her cheek.

"Are you ready to get Maddie?"

Hannah smiled. Ty picked Noah up and they walked out the door. They saw Jack by the mailbox and waved to him. He stayed there while they made their way over to him. Amy smiled and grabbed Hannah's hand.

"Can you say hi to Grandpa?"

Hannah reached for Jack. He took her and laughed. "Waiting for the little peanut?"

They nodded and Amy saw the bus. Noah started giggling and Amy grabbed his hand.

"Is that Sissy's bus?"

Noah looked at his mom and smiled. When the bus stopped Maddie came running off the minute the doors opened. Amy caught her and picked her up. They waved as the bus drove away and Amy kissed Maddie's cheek.

"Did you have fun?"

Maddie nodded as they started back up the driveway. "I got my first sticker!"

"Wow! What else did you do?"

"We played outside and played with toys. Did you see they have a pirate ship playset!"

Ty grinned. "Do we need one of those?"

Maddie nodded and asked to be put down. She looked at Ty. "Daddy can I carry Noah?"

Ty nodded and handed her Noah. The baby put his arms around his sister's neck and rested his head on her shoulder. Maddie carried him towards the house and stopped at the porch. Amy took him for her and once they were inside Amy set him down and let him crawl around. Lou smiled at Maddie.

"Hey Mad. Did you have a good day?"

Maddie nodded then ran to play in the living room with the twins. Ty and Amy filled out the paper work they found in Maddie's backpack. During dinner Maddie, Georgie and Katie talked about their day. After dinner Maddie was almost asleep on the couch. Amy picked her up and carried her out to the car. When she and Ty got the kids home they were all in pajamas and asleep within 10 minutes. Ty and Amy stood in Maddie's doorway and watched her sleep. Amy glanced at him.

"It seems like yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital."

He nodded in agreement. "She's growing up way to fast."

They quietly shut the door and went into their bedroom. Amy wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He snuck his tounge into her mouth. After a few minutes Ty pulled away and grinned wickedly. He reached behind himself and locked their door before pulling Amy onto the bed.

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Over the next couple of weeks Maddie grew to like school more and more. She also loved gymnastics and ballet. Tonight Amy took her to gymnastics with Hannah in tow. Jack, Tim, Caleb, and Ty said they wanted to start teaching Noah how to toughen up. Amy sat down in one of the parent's area chairs. She set Hannah on her lap and then took Maddie's jacket. Maddie was in a lime green shiny leotard with her blonde hair in a ponytail. She grabbed Hannah's hands.

"Hannie are you gonna watch me?"

Hannah giggled and then leaned back against Amy. When Maddie's group was called she ran over and started her class. She was working on her back handspring. Amy and Ty had both been shocked at how flexible Maddie was. She learned how to tumble quickly and at she was able to move into katie's dance class because she learned easily. Amy looked down and saw that hannah was taking it all in. At the end of Maddie's class her coach came over and asked if Hannah would like to play with her sister. Amy carried her in and Maddie's coach helped Hannah do a forward roll. Maddie and Amy clapped for her. Maddie held onto Hannah's hands to help her walk. Hannah grinned the whole time she was in the gym. Maddie's coach maggie smiled at Amy on their way out.

"You know we offer an infant class. They come once a week and tumble for half and hour. It's like a mommy and me class if you're interested."

Amy glanced at Hannah. She and Ty had been discussing starting to do seperate things with each of the twins to get them use to being apart. Amy nodded.

"Ok sign us up."

When they got home Amy found Noah in the playpen with a bloody lip.

"Ty! What happened to Noah's lip?"

Ty looked at her and smiled. "I would not be doing my job as his father if I brought him back in perfect condition."

Amy gave him a look and he walked over and kissed her cheek.

"Relax he was crawling around in the barn and he fell forward and smacked his face. He didn't even cry."

Amy smiled and shook her head. When they were all eating dinner Katie looked at Maddie.

"Maddie did you have fun at gymnastics."

Maddie nodded and swallowed her food before she spoke. "Miss. Maggie let Hannah tumble with me."

Lou smiled and glanced at Amy. "Did Hannah like it?"

"As much as a 6 month old could. I did get talked into signing up for the infant tumbling class."

Ty chuckled and glanced at her. "What is it?"

"It's sorta like Mommy and me only the kids play on the gym equitment. I figured since you and I have been talking about starting to seperate the twins more it was a great idea."

He nodded in agreement. When they went home that night and the kids were put to bed Ty brought the class up again.

"So if you are taking Hannah to the class what if I start showing Noah how to work on cars?"

Amy smiled. "He's a little young to know what you are talking about."

"Yeah but I think I should start exposing him to guy stuff. I mean he was playing with Maddie's doll yesterday."

She laughed and slid under the covers with him. "I think that it is a great idea for you and him to have guy time."

He kissed her softly. "Good. I don't want him to grow up and be a wimp."

Amy rolled her eyes and snuggled into his side.