A Brief Encounter with Potty Training

When it comes to potty training, I am a very lazy mother. I figure if I wait long enough, they'll figure it out themselves... which is pretty much how it happened with Anderson a year ago. So, I was surprised yesterday when Caleb said, "I wear underwear today." He's a little young, I thought to myself, but why not? After 1 accident and 2 successful uses of the potty, I sent the boys in the backyard to play. I instructed Anderson to show Caleb how to pee on the lawn (I know you are all shocked... but, I am the mother of two little boys... and, did I already mention that I am lazy?) Anyway, it was a big hit! Anderson even constructed a square out of sticks for them to aim at. I brought out cups of juice and the party continued. Caleb did pretty well the rest of the day.

Today, however, using the potty just wasn't something Caleb was interested in. I wasn't motivated enough to pursue it either. So, maybe this was just one step in the long potty training process. Or, maybe we will have another Pee Party in the back yard tomorrow.

The ability to nap anywhere... a valuable skill to have.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Anderson: Holding his stomach with a pained look on his face, "Mommy, my stomach just keeps asking for candy over and over!"
Me: My stomach does that too. I just tell it 'Tummy, you need to eat good food!'
Anderson: I do that too! But, my tummy just doesn't listen!

And neither does mine, to be honest.

I love where I live. Yesterday the weather was warm, so we put on sweat shirts and went to the park... in January.

I'm still here!

It's been a whirlwind of celebration here since Thanksgiving. Chad turned 33, we celebrated our 10th anniversary...and Christmas and New Year's, of course. Here is a smattering of photos from the last 6 weeks.


Skiing on our anniversary. I didn't fall once! Though, I sat down to rest once and it took me 5 minutes to get back on my feet.

"Stocking Feet"

Yes.... they are gloves. "My feet were cold, mommy!"

Bedtime stories with daddy.

I don't know which is more amazing: 1) the fact that they slowed down enough to pretend to be asleep, or 2) they are that close to each other and they are not wrestling.

Happy.... Halloween?!

I know it's a little late for Halloween pictures. But, these pictures that my friend took are so DARN cute! I couldn't resist. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Things I am grateful for (in no particular order):

A healthy, pain-free body

A caring, considerate husband

Little boys who make me laugh

The standards of my church...they keep me living a happy life

The patience of those around me

Friends

A warm place to sleep and food in the cupboard

Meet Super Snap Man

Anderson has a talent for finding just the right outfit for the day. Here are a few of his most recent choices. My favorite is "Super Snap Man." I'm not quite sure what his super powers include, but I feel safer knowing he's fighting on my side. "Super Snap Man"

Check out the swords... no sissy golf clubs for my boy!

You can't be too prepared.

Marathon

After 20 weeks of training and countless practice miles, Chad ran his marathon yesterday. He ran the 26.2 miles in 3 hrs and 17 minutes..... which I think is incredible in and of itself, but there was also a 3,000 ft elevation climb in the first eight miles! I think my husband is amazing. I admire his dedication and self-discipline. The boys and I had a great time being his fan club. I painted the boys' faces and then they painted mine. The day was beautiful; we were lucky the rain held off until the race was finished.

Raking Leaves

Today, we started the "Raking Leaves Ritual" at our house. This ritual consists of the following: gathering the leaves into a pile the size of car, pushing them onto the biggest tarp you've ever seen, dragging the tarp to the front of the house, and dumping them on the road so the leaf-sucker truck (yes, that is the official term) can pick them up. We will probably repeat this ritual 3 more times before our humongous sycamore is finished dropping its leaves. But, it's worth it for the shade in the summer... at least that's what I told myself multiple times today. I would also like to report that I did not freak out even once when the boys ran through my pile and spread it everywhere over and over and over.......and over.