Skeptical and Hopeful

I must preface this entry by saying I hope I'm not jinxing this whole topic and with a warning that I know I over analyze this topic BIG TIME.

Allison has been showing most of the potty training signs for at least 2 months. I have been dreading it (understatement) based on my history training another child (who shall remain nameless) and the 4 month messy endeavor that was. I have had one excuse after another. Thursday I realized we had a pretty good window with about a week with little on our calendar and decided to just evaluate the situation.

What does that mean? Well, I usually just put underwear on the child, take child to potty on a schedule and try to get a feel for how long they can stay dry and if I feel their body is physiologically ready to retain the fluid. Yes, I'm convinced it's mostly (not totally) a physiological training. It is probably the therapy background.

Well, Allison did surprise me. She has not had a #2 in the potty but she was dry all Thursday am that included a trip to the Children's Museum. Her pull up was dry there after a 1 1/2 hour stretch. I was stunned (and skeptical) That night twice she told me she had to potty, went in and did her duty. (still stunned and skeptical) I still am not convinced that it is not just a novel experience. Friday she did pretty well too (only had one accident pool side-- I think-- the suit drippage was excessive and the part that hit my foot seemed a little too warm-- sorry for the vivid detail) She had a bit of a weekend break with Daddy on duty today and weekend unpredictability but we'll get back at it tomorrow and soon I guess I'll know if it's the real deal.

Rest and Relaxation

I had the great privilege of time away this weekend. It was such a treat. I was thankful to Damon for taking care of the kids and being supportive of my mental health.

Lisa and I used to spend a weekend each summer at her family's Michigan lake cottage. It had been 7 years since I'd been there and it was great to experience that with her again. The big joke has been that whenever I visit, it turns cold and rainy. Well, tradition continues. I was barely out of a sweatshirt all weekend and we didn't step foot in water-- freezing and from Sat pm until I got back to Kokomo area it poured down rain. It was great though. She and I agreed that the great thing about being there is there is NO guilt of anything else we should/could be doing. Everything is far away both physically and mentally. It is just a little bit of heaven on earth for me.

Highlights:
1. Catching up with a friend of 20 years
2. Playing at least 6 games of Scrabble
3. Reading 3 magazines cover to cover with no interruption
4. No cutting of food or caring for anyone but myself
5. Enjoying cheese, wine, crackers and tomatoes (I mean strawberries!:)) mid afternoon Sat. I kept calling the strawberries tomatoes. Lisa was convinced I should lay off the wine-- probably a good call.

Backseat Conversation

I was overhearing the talk behind me today. Kyle was asking Allison what she wanted to be when she grew up and she would say "ride school bus, Kyle" and he would say "you want to drive the school bus?" and she would say "ride the school bus, Kyle". Then Kyle would proceed to explain she would ride one some day but would continue to try to know what she wanted to be when she grew up. He finally concluded she would drive a school bus and he would be a police officer and stop the cars on the road. Cracked me up!!

Picnic at the Park

Allison enjoyed a special birthday play date at the park with friends. Today we invited 3 of Allison's church friends- Caelyn, Kali and Tori for a play date along with her best buddy Taylor. It was pretty humid but the kids had fun. We enjoyed Paradise Bakery cookies and lots of climbing and swinging.

Picnic at the Park

Allison and Caelyn


For dinner the Williams joined us for an impromptu dinner since their daddy was out of town. You blew out your candle all by yourself.

2 years of change

Well, it's hard to believe that my baby will be 2 when she wakes up tomorrow morning. It certainly has gone quickly.

Things I miss about the baby era: nursing, snuggling her under my chin and smelling that great baby smell, watching her develop so quickly that first year of life, those little smiles babies make when they are sleeping.

Allison must have known I was feeling nostalgic this evening. As I blogged and heard her fuss for half an hour trying to fall asleep, I gave her a birthday snuggle and rocked her to sleep. She has been so much better about getting herself to sleep but it was sweet to kiss her little nose and snuggle her so close on her birthday eve.

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!!
Love, Mommy

4 Generations

I know I take my family for granted at times. I am so thankful for them. I'm fortunate to have supportive parents and a grandmother that I've grown up with and who has even been able to get to know my children. I love the way the kids call her "Grandma Hildy" It was fun to see her today and I know she is always glad when Allison will hop up on her lap for a few minutes. I think this is the first "generation" picture we've taken.

Siblings

Two moments to remember this week:

Kyle was playing with his Leap Pad book (GREAT garage sale find with 5 books and backpack for $10) and Allison hopped right up beside him on the couch and put her arm around him. He just grinned. It was so cute. I was glad I had my camera close and they cooperated to recreate the moment.

The second happened later that day when they were playing outside. Allison was "hang gliding" on the swing and giving Kyle high fives when she was on the uphill. It is so fun when they play well together. Gives me hope for those moments they are bickering.

Birthday Celebration

Kyle and Allison celebrated their 4th and 2nd birthdays today. Kyle was up at 615 and SO excited. He was singing "Let's get this party started" most of the morning and then after I set out their gifts and he kept saying "It's so hard to wait, Mom!" I was glad when all the guests arrived and we could get the party started!!

Kyle's favorite present today was his drum set. Allison liked her doll high chair and diaper bag full of things to feed, change and play mommy to her baby dolls. She certainly loves to play with them.

My favorite gifts were all the games Kyle got! As a game lover, I am really enjoying that Kyle can now sit down and play a game. We did 123 Go Diego Go and Candyland today. It is amazing how much he's changed in his ability to take turns, count, know his colors and sit still to play. We still have Chutes and Ladders to takcle and may get a new one when we return the 2nd Candyland he got. My favorite from Allison were all the clothes. I do love the girl clothes!! Damon's favorite was the cake from Classic Cakes. They are SO yummy and we did have leftover which was his request.

4 years of change.

I can remember looking down at Kyle when I was rocking him as an infant and wondering what he would look like as he matured into a little boy. Now I know!!

Puppy Pancakes and Bowling

Kyle is 4 today!! A week ago I picked up Rachel Ray's magazine and it had a recipe for Peanut butter pancakes in the shape of a dog. I often look at these ideas and think that it is cute but too much for me to tackle. Well, if you aren't going to tackle if for your 4 yr olds birthday, when will ya? SO, I gave it a whirl and despite not having whipped cream for the hair, they were a hit and started off his day with a little fun and celebrating.

Next stop-- Pinheads for duckpin bowling.
JD and Kyle

Kyle, Allison, Luke and Taylor


We had to think of an indoor activity with the heat index over 100 and a heat advisory today. So, bowling seemed a good choice. Luke and Kyle had been introduced to it in the middle of July when they went to camp at Pinheads.

The sound was a bit loud at times and I might recommend taking a couple excedrin before going with 3 preschoolers, 2 toddlers and a first grader. By the end, the boys were wrestling more than they were bowling. They played arcade games and ate hot dogs. It was a fun day. Tired us all out!! I was ready for some peace and quiet when it was all over.

Picture day

We had the kids pictures taken today. It's always a production coordinating outfits and getting them happy, etc. We had a photographer today that was less than good. (trying to be nice!) Despite that, we got 122 photos and found at least 5 we liked. Allison finally smiled and put on a show for the camera. First time in 2 years!! Kyle had more trouble but I think he picked up on the bad vibes that were in the room between Mommy and photographer.

Toddler Prayers and Worship

I don't ever want to forget how sweet it is to hear Kyle pray or to hear Allison sing Jesus Loves Me. I hope I can permanently etch them in my brain. I guess I should video tape it sometime although I'm not sure I'd capture it quite right.

Kyle's prayer-- He does it as a response but he says both parts. I thought he may have learned this in his class but when I helped in his class they don't do that (or didn't that night) and they also don't use the same words. It goes like this: " Open shut, open shut give a little clap. Open shut Open shut give a little clap lay them in your lap. Dear Lord, Dear Lord. Makin' me. Makin' me. We love you. We love you. Amen" I know the open shut part isn't the way they teach, but that is how it goes. And, he still omits the "l" sound so that makes it kind of sweet too. I say AMEN to that prayer!!! I'm so thankful that God gave us Kyle as such a precious gift. I love Him too, Kyle. :)

Allison's song-- We sing Jesus Loves Me together almost every nap and bedtime. I sing and she does motions from church and also gets the words that I'll put in all caps.
"Jesus loves ME this I KNOW for the BIBLE (hands like a book) tells me SO. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but he is STRONG. YES Jesus LOVES ME. Yes, Jesus loves ME. Yes, Jesus loves ME, the Bible tells me SO. My favorite is when she gives herself a hug for the Jesus loves me part and the strong part where she makes muscles and gives a very emphatic and almost growl with the word strong."

I am amazed at how much toddlers can know and learn about Jesus. I also think about the joy I feel in my heart when Kyle prays or Allison sings. I'm sure it is NOTHING in comparison to the smile it puts on God's heart. Makes me want to sing my praises louder and not worry so much about what and how I pray. I'm certain that my renditions of prayer and praise, however choppy and toddler like, will please my heavenly Father.