Today was my first day of a Tuesday morning Bible Study I am doing at my church. I've never really done a Bible Study before and probably haven't really taken a close look at the Bible since 6th grade Sunday School. Sure I go to church, but actually studying of the Bible hasn't happened yet. After 6th grade we would all skip Sunday School and go eat at Burger King across the street for breakfast.
So this morning I couldn't find my Bible I bought in college. I think it is lost somewhere in a box from the move 2 years ago. So no Bible for me at the Bible study. Talk about prepared. Luckily, it is a Beth Moore DVD and a workbook that we used today. However, there is homework for 5 out of the 7 days of the week. Whoa! I had no clue it would be so intensive, but I'm still excited. She is a great speaker and I like the ideas we are going to be talking about.
So after lunch I went to the Christian store and bought a new Bible. I'm all set to go and off to do my homework. I've wanted to do this for awhile, but never really wanted to dedicate the time. My friend Robbie inspired me as she signed up for it first. I decided at least I'd know one person in the class. I have to say that I feel grown up and proud of myself for trying this out. I'll let you know how it goes and maybe some of what I learned.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
We're Back!
Yes, we made it through Disney. Everything went pretty smooth, and I really have to say that I was surprised. There were those "Oh, I wish I was home moments", but very few.
Warning!!! This entry does have a lot of random writing. I'm trying to get all of our trip down so that I can have a good base for when I scrapbook it. I will not be offended if you don't read all of it! I'm going to try to do more installments throughout the week. This entry talks about the airplane and hotel only. Oh, and the things I learned.
Things I learned
1. Disney will get your children back on a chicken nugget and Mac 'n' Cheese kick. Logan had decided he was not interested in either of these options at home, but when you have been in the heat, are super hungry, and those are the only options on the kids menu you come around. Now both kids eat these non-stop! Woooo hoooo!
2. Lemonade is the official drink of lunchtime from here on out. I have always been pretty strict on what the boys drink. They think lemonade is like an expensive liquor that they never get. However, after Disney I have decided that breakfast and dinner are milk meals. Lunch is a juice, water, or lemonade choice. How far I have come! I just didn't want Logan to get sick after chugging milk and, besides, who wants milk when its 95 and 500% humidity outside? They really like this new policy.
3. Disney will get your kid over the automatic flushing potty fear. That's all they have there except in your hotel room. Dylan was a champ. I guess my warnings and Lakeline Mall prep worked because he got on it and did his business. Of course, I do have to mention that I would put my hand over the sensor to let it know we were there. Now Dylan insists on doing the same for me when it is my turn. I haven't the heart to let him know such things are a 3 year old fear, not a 31 year old fear.
Da' Plane, Da' Plane!
Both boys were excited about the airport and the trip. We left our house at 11 am to catch a 1:45 flight out just to make sure we had enough time to explore the airport, get through security, and eat lunch there. Everything went great. Dylan had airport Scholzkey's (sp?) and we had some Maudie's enchiladas. Logan had a banana and some chips. Yummy!
From the time we pulled into Fast Park until we got on the jet way, Logan kept saying "airplane, airplane." He was so excited he barely ate lunch and when I finally let him walk around he went straight to the windows, pointed and said "airplane, beep beep beep." The beeping is for the airplane moving.
So we get on the airplane. Dylan gets on with Grandmommy and Granddaddy because they are super frequent fliers and automatically get within the first 30 boarding on Southwest. They were saving us all seats. Dylan sat by the window and asked questions the whole time. He really liked the tray tables and snack time. Logan was a lap child and sat in Greg's lap looking out the window. Of course, no one likes sitting by a lap child so I sat in the aisle seat and we had the blank seat in between us. We lucked out! No one wanted to sit next to us so we got Logan a seat, too! Same thing on the way back, too.
So Logan is sitting in Greg's lap at take off and as we lift off of the runway he says, "Up. High." He then konks out for the next hour and 1/2 in Greg's arms which rocks! Such an easy flier. When he wakes up, we sit him in his seat, pull out the tray table and give him his snack of Cheese Nips and apple juice. This boy is in heaven.
Once we landed, which was the smoothest landing EVER, we boarded the Disney Magical Express bus and were on our way to Disney's All Star Music Resort. The boys loved the bus too.
As for the airplane ride home, Logan had napped in the bus on the way to the airport so he stayed awake the whole flight home. I was so impressed. He looked out the window for awhile, ate a nice, large snack, colored, and watched some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse until we had to turn it off for landing. He was exhausted by the time we got into our car to drive home and was a little fussy, but really did great!
Dylan had a different experience. He laid down on his new pillow-like Pluto while we were waiting to be cleared for take off and was out like a light before we even took off. He slept about 2 hours and 30 minutes, waking up right before landing. Also, he asked for ice cream when we got off the plane, but settled for a Sonic smoothie on the way home.
The Hotel
When we were booking we decided to stay in the Value resort for a couple of reasons. One, it was the cheapest, but still on Disney property. Two, it had a family suite with a bedroom that closed off, a kitchenette, two bathrooms, and a family room with a pull out double bed couch and two twin pull out chair/ottomans.
I would stay at the All Star Music again for sure, however, our sleeping arrangements turned out not the best for the grown ups. Since my parents were with us, they like to stay up and out later. The door to the hotel room is in the living room with the pull outs. Also, the bathrooms flush like a cruise ship. If you've never been on a cruise, its like its sucking your whole room into the ocean loud.
So we decided we would try to put the boys together in the queen bedroom with the door since it was quieter. This was the first time they have ever slept together. It went really well. It took about 15 minutes each night for them to fall asleep. The only thing we heard was a little tattle tale ---"Mommie! Logan isn't sleeping." Logan would be crawling around the bed. Once we ignored it, all was good. Logan only fell off the bottom on the bed on the first night. We think. He was crying, trying to get back up on the bed. Greg put him up there and he fell right back asleep.
Now for the worst part of the trip. The boys have the only actual bed. Us adults ended up with the pull outs. Ugh! They were the worst things I have ever slept on. Even Greg said he didn't sleep good and he can sleep anywhere at anytime. It was worse than sleeping on a plank of wood. Of course, after we had been to the parks, we were so exhausted we slept much better, but everyone was aching after that experience. I did figure out 1/2 way through the first night to put a layer of pillows between me and the cot-like mattress. I was the only one who got that luxury because we were out of extra pillows and I got dibs because I was pregnant.
Overall grade of hotel - B. I'd use it again since the price is so nice and I'd even do a family suite again if it was just Greg, me and the kids. As long as I get the actual bed, I'm okay!
More tomorrow...
Warning!!! This entry does have a lot of random writing. I'm trying to get all of our trip down so that I can have a good base for when I scrapbook it. I will not be offended if you don't read all of it! I'm going to try to do more installments throughout the week. This entry talks about the airplane and hotel only. Oh, and the things I learned.
Things I learned
1. Disney will get your children back on a chicken nugget and Mac 'n' Cheese kick. Logan had decided he was not interested in either of these options at home, but when you have been in the heat, are super hungry, and those are the only options on the kids menu you come around. Now both kids eat these non-stop! Woooo hoooo!
2. Lemonade is the official drink of lunchtime from here on out. I have always been pretty strict on what the boys drink. They think lemonade is like an expensive liquor that they never get. However, after Disney I have decided that breakfast and dinner are milk meals. Lunch is a juice, water, or lemonade choice. How far I have come! I just didn't want Logan to get sick after chugging milk and, besides, who wants milk when its 95 and 500% humidity outside? They really like this new policy.
3. Disney will get your kid over the automatic flushing potty fear. That's all they have there except in your hotel room. Dylan was a champ. I guess my warnings and Lakeline Mall prep worked because he got on it and did his business. Of course, I do have to mention that I would put my hand over the sensor to let it know we were there. Now Dylan insists on doing the same for me when it is my turn. I haven't the heart to let him know such things are a 3 year old fear, not a 31 year old fear.
Da' Plane, Da' Plane!
Both boys were excited about the airport and the trip. We left our house at 11 am to catch a 1:45 flight out just to make sure we had enough time to explore the airport, get through security, and eat lunch there. Everything went great. Dylan had airport Scholzkey's (sp?) and we had some Maudie's enchiladas. Logan had a banana and some chips. Yummy!
From the time we pulled into Fast Park until we got on the jet way, Logan kept saying "airplane, airplane." He was so excited he barely ate lunch and when I finally let him walk around he went straight to the windows, pointed and said "airplane, beep beep beep." The beeping is for the airplane moving.
So we get on the airplane. Dylan gets on with Grandmommy and Granddaddy because they are super frequent fliers and automatically get within the first 30 boarding on Southwest. They were saving us all seats. Dylan sat by the window and asked questions the whole time. He really liked the tray tables and snack time. Logan was a lap child and sat in Greg's lap looking out the window. Of course, no one likes sitting by a lap child so I sat in the aisle seat and we had the blank seat in between us. We lucked out! No one wanted to sit next to us so we got Logan a seat, too! Same thing on the way back, too.
So Logan is sitting in Greg's lap at take off and as we lift off of the runway he says, "Up. High." He then konks out for the next hour and 1/2 in Greg's arms which rocks! Such an easy flier. When he wakes up, we sit him in his seat, pull out the tray table and give him his snack of Cheese Nips and apple juice. This boy is in heaven.
Once we landed, which was the smoothest landing EVER, we boarded the Disney Magical Express bus and were on our way to Disney's All Star Music Resort. The boys loved the bus too.
As for the airplane ride home, Logan had napped in the bus on the way to the airport so he stayed awake the whole flight home. I was so impressed. He looked out the window for awhile, ate a nice, large snack, colored, and watched some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse until we had to turn it off for landing. He was exhausted by the time we got into our car to drive home and was a little fussy, but really did great!
Dylan had a different experience. He laid down on his new pillow-like Pluto while we were waiting to be cleared for take off and was out like a light before we even took off. He slept about 2 hours and 30 minutes, waking up right before landing. Also, he asked for ice cream when we got off the plane, but settled for a Sonic smoothie on the way home.
The Hotel
When we were booking we decided to stay in the Value resort for a couple of reasons. One, it was the cheapest, but still on Disney property. Two, it had a family suite with a bedroom that closed off, a kitchenette, two bathrooms, and a family room with a pull out double bed couch and two twin pull out chair/ottomans.
I would stay at the All Star Music again for sure, however, our sleeping arrangements turned out not the best for the grown ups. Since my parents were with us, they like to stay up and out later. The door to the hotel room is in the living room with the pull outs. Also, the bathrooms flush like a cruise ship. If you've never been on a cruise, its like its sucking your whole room into the ocean loud.
So we decided we would try to put the boys together in the queen bedroom with the door since it was quieter. This was the first time they have ever slept together. It went really well. It took about 15 minutes each night for them to fall asleep. The only thing we heard was a little tattle tale ---"Mommie! Logan isn't sleeping." Logan would be crawling around the bed. Once we ignored it, all was good. Logan only fell off the bottom on the bed on the first night. We think. He was crying, trying to get back up on the bed. Greg put him up there and he fell right back asleep.
Now for the worst part of the trip. The boys have the only actual bed. Us adults ended up with the pull outs. Ugh! They were the worst things I have ever slept on. Even Greg said he didn't sleep good and he can sleep anywhere at anytime. It was worse than sleeping on a plank of wood. Of course, after we had been to the parks, we were so exhausted we slept much better, but everyone was aching after that experience. I did figure out 1/2 way through the first night to put a layer of pillows between me and the cot-like mattress. I was the only one who got that luxury because we were out of extra pillows and I got dibs because I was pregnant.
Overall grade of hotel - B. I'd use it again since the price is so nice and I'd even do a family suite again if it was just Greg, me and the kids. As long as I get the actual bed, I'm okay!
More tomorrow...
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thoughts on Shoes
I of all people love shoes, however, at our house we don't wear shoes in the house especially on the carpet. I get that from my mother. She is a fanatic about it and I think on her new 2 year old carpet maybe 2 people have ever worn shoes on it. She doesn't even like to have people over to the house because she sometimes is embarrassed to ask them to take their shoes off.
Luckily, most of my friends know that we would like them to take their shoes off. Mainly because there is a pile of our shoes at the door. Its a good hint that our messiness just lucked out on. Plus, I don't have any problem asking people. I think its a generation thing. Now when my mom's friends come to see the house sometimes I chicken out.
So why am I telling you this? My friend Casie let me borrow her carpet steam cleaner because we had some remodeling in the house and the workers had been in my hall with their port-a-potty shoes. I can confirm that they had been in a port-a-potty because since there is still construction across the street they used that when they needed to go to the bathroom. Ewww!
So I cleaned that carpet and was appalled. Decided to do our living room which NEVER has shoes on it. Okay, maybe the occasional run through from the boys, but its closer to never than some. I put a picture of the dirty water above. This is my official urge to everyone to not wear shoes on the carpet. Ugh! How gross is that water and we don't even wear shoes inside. Imagine what it would look like if we did!
Random Shoe Thought
Why at play places where it is required for the kids to take off their shoes do parents not take theirs off too? Hello? Our shoes are just as dirty as the kids and you are walking all over the floor, climbing the equipment... You are not exempt!!!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Automatic Drama
When I set out to go to the mall this morning I didn't go with any sort of lofty goal except to pick up the boys latest photos and get my oil changed at Sears. Yes, I do get my oil changed at Sears. Yes it is a bit more expensive, however, it gives me a lot more options for boy entertainment which is worth the extra bucks. Most of the time Jiffy Lube doesn't have the greatest toy options. Did I mention that the mileage between my last oil change and this one was 9000 miles at least????
Anyway, we go get the pictures and play with the bead table and other toys there. We go to Stride Rite and get Logan some new sandals because the hand me down sandals from Dylan were too little and then Dylan announces, "I need to potty." No biggie, we go to the newly remodeled Lakeline Mall bathrooms and, UH OH, they have redone everything in nice tile and it is so super shiny.
Why the uh oh? They replaced the old potties with automatic flushers. One look at those things and Dylan is always like , "I don't need to go." What to do? What to do?
Wait! Sears has potties! Let's try those. On the way there I ask a worker where they are located. Dylan says something about automatic potty and the lady pipes up quite proudly, "We have those here." Can I get a break here????? Dylan decides that he has to see for himself and I'm prepping him by saying, "If we don't potty here we don't get to eat at the mall. We are going home." We go to the bathroom and indeed there are automatic flushers. He's a no go.
So we go back to Sears Automotive to pick up my car as it was over the 45 minute limit. Guess what I forgot? My car always requires some fancy, weird oil filter that either takes extra time to find or they have to get it delivered from Advanced Auto Parts (I asked the guy where it comes from today.). Needless to say, the car was not ready so now we definitely cannot go back home.
I decide that the mission of the day is to get the boy on the automatic potty and "Make it yellow." Now why did I bring this on myself? Sounds stupid, I know, but we are going to Disney World next week. How does that relate? You have to go on an airplane, which means you are in airports, which ALL have automatic flushers. If we were doing a quick Midland flight (55 minutes), no biggie. However, since we are going to be doing an almost 3 hour flight we need to conquer this. I need to not have the accident on the plane because he thinks he can go on there and realizes that even Mommy is a bit scared of that potty.
So, I say, "Let's go back to Sears' potty and try. We have to. We have no car and we can't eat until you potty. " Whiny crying starts. So I force him on the potty. Actually pick him up and pull his pants down and hold him on the potty, tinkle down. Usually, I'm not a make you do it person, but Dylan actually does respond well to that every once in awhile. Some things you just don't get a choice in. Plus, would I rather do this at Sears and ruin a morning or in the airport and ruin his first airplane experience?
Now I hear a lady walk in. Great. Dylan is screaming, crying and I'm talking him through it. Yes, she thinks its abuse I'm sure. Embarrassment, but she leaves before seeing my face. Of course Logan is chilling outside the stall in the stroller so I am recognizable.
No tinkle yet so we stop. Good try, good sitting on the potty, etc comes from me and Dylan calms down. He says he's hungry and I say, its not lunch yet and we can't get pretzel sticks until we potty. He decides to try the other Lakeline Mall potty that we went too after we go outside and hang out because I don't want an accident on Sears floor. I'm pretty frustrated by this point, but remember my parenting class (a church MOM time thing which is fabulous) and how we talked about anger. I'm keeping it in for now.
We go to the other potties. Same thing. Crying, but we sit there. I give up for a bit and decide its lunch time. We eat. I come up with a new plan and tell him the secret we have been keeping.
"Now Dylan I want you to know that Mommy isn't trying to be mean by making you tinkle in the automatic flushers. I know it is scary, but I need you to be brave and start using them because you know how we are going to Disney World next week?"
Dylan - "Yes."
"Well, to get to Disney World, we have to go eat lunch at the airport, use an automatic flushing potty there because that's all airports have, get on an airplane (**eyes are looking excited here**), and then fly for 3 hours. That's like six Mickey Mouse Clubhouse shows... Then we get off the plane at another airport and go potty in an automatic flusher there because that's all they have and get on a bus to our hotel."
Dylan - "We get to go on a bus???? Logan did you hear that? A bus?"
Now who would think a boy that LOVES the airport and picking up Grandparents there would be excited about a freakin' bus? Hey, whatever. He's seeing the picture now.
Lunch is over. He decides he wants to go to the Lakeline Mall potties by the food court. They have recently been remodeled too, but he being the 3 year old he is thinks that they don't have automatic flushers. He was wrong, but this time after I pulled his pants down and sat him on the potty, he didn't scream as much as I pointed out that the red light flashes to show it knows he's there and then when we get off it goes off and then flushes.
We walk out of the stall and there is a Grandmother there. She looks at us coming out of the stall and says, "I had to see this." I guess she wanted to see who it was. Anyway, she actually was supportive, which as most of you moms know that random Grandmas are usually not nice. They come up and ask, "What's wrong , little boy?" like you are abusing them. I shared the next week trip and she understood and was asking me how I got him potty trained as her daughter has a 2 1/2 year old and is trying before new baby comes. Yeah, don't think that is going to work out as I'm sure the older one will revert for a little while, but I'm not telling supportive Grandma that! She likes me and I'm getting discouraged and feeling bad mom. Its one of those things where you see this was a mistake to start, but you have to follow through or it will bite you next time.
I'm not sure what to do from here, but I know that we have to solve this somehow. Luckily the family bathroom right next to the women's where we were was magically unoccupied. I asked him if he wanted to see if they had automatic flushers. I mean it was 2 hours since he had told me he needed to go. He says yes.
Now here is something exciting. No, its not that there were normal flushers. Although, as I write this, I'm thinking maybe I went a little overboard on the we must do it thing. Anyway, I felt so close so I kept chugging on. What was exciting?
"MOMMY, THERE'S A LITTLE POTTY! IT HAS AUTOMATIC FLUSHER TOO!"
So I think to myself. Logan has got to be getting bored and is smiling at the little potty because I have to admit, it is cute. I see an opportunity.
"Logan, would you like to sit on the potty?"
Now what 18 month old who has seen his brother sitting on 3 different potties over the course of 2 hours wouldn't want to? So I hear a yes from him and take off his diaper and sit him on the potty. He was so proud of himself. I'm cheering him on and saying yeah Logan. Guess what? The potty didn't flush until after Logan got off. What a great demonstration even if there was no tinkle from him.
So I ask Dylan if we wants to get on it. We bargin over a smoothie. Usually, we get a small smoothie split in 2 glasses and I share the boys, alternating drinks. He asks for 3 smoothies this time and I say sure. I'm desperate. What is 4 extra bucks? He says yes. We get on and I'm talking him through it. Logan is trying to play with the flusher light as I am batting his hand away.
"Make it yellow. Make it yellow. You can do it."
I can see Dylan relaxing. No screaming this time and he starts going! YEAH!
"Keep it up! Keep it up! Yeah! You are doing it!"
Then I see the light stop flashing. Oh crap! The potty is going to...
FLUSH!
Dylan jumps up. I'm thinking. Oh, Logan, why?????? But Dylan doesn't get upset because I start jumping up and down.
"Oh you did it! You were so brave!!! Yeah, Dylan! We can do this at the airport."
He's jumping up and down with his undies and pants around his ankles. All is good. We call Grandmommy while we are in the bathroom and she gets all excited. She has been getting updates per bathroom and at lunch all morning so she appreciates it.
Thank you ,God! My child went in the automatic potty and doesn't hate me!
Now I just feel like we need to find some more automatic potties - one for each day - so that we can keep this new found skill up.
So I brought it on myself, but better now than next week I suppose.
Anyway, we go get the pictures and play with the bead table and other toys there. We go to Stride Rite and get Logan some new sandals because the hand me down sandals from Dylan were too little and then Dylan announces, "I need to potty." No biggie, we go to the newly remodeled Lakeline Mall bathrooms and, UH OH, they have redone everything in nice tile and it is so super shiny.
Why the uh oh? They replaced the old potties with automatic flushers. One look at those things and Dylan is always like , "I don't need to go." What to do? What to do?
Wait! Sears has potties! Let's try those. On the way there I ask a worker where they are located. Dylan says something about automatic potty and the lady pipes up quite proudly, "We have those here." Can I get a break here????? Dylan decides that he has to see for himself and I'm prepping him by saying, "If we don't potty here we don't get to eat at the mall. We are going home." We go to the bathroom and indeed there are automatic flushers. He's a no go.
So we go back to Sears Automotive to pick up my car as it was over the 45 minute limit. Guess what I forgot? My car always requires some fancy, weird oil filter that either takes extra time to find or they have to get it delivered from Advanced Auto Parts (I asked the guy where it comes from today.). Needless to say, the car was not ready so now we definitely cannot go back home.
I decide that the mission of the day is to get the boy on the automatic potty and "Make it yellow." Now why did I bring this on myself? Sounds stupid, I know, but we are going to Disney World next week. How does that relate? You have to go on an airplane, which means you are in airports, which ALL have automatic flushers. If we were doing a quick Midland flight (55 minutes), no biggie. However, since we are going to be doing an almost 3 hour flight we need to conquer this. I need to not have the accident on the plane because he thinks he can go on there and realizes that even Mommy is a bit scared of that potty.
So, I say, "Let's go back to Sears' potty and try. We have to. We have no car and we can't eat until you potty. " Whiny crying starts. So I force him on the potty. Actually pick him up and pull his pants down and hold him on the potty, tinkle down. Usually, I'm not a make you do it person, but Dylan actually does respond well to that every once in awhile. Some things you just don't get a choice in. Plus, would I rather do this at Sears and ruin a morning or in the airport and ruin his first airplane experience?
Now I hear a lady walk in. Great. Dylan is screaming, crying and I'm talking him through it. Yes, she thinks its abuse I'm sure. Embarrassment, but she leaves before seeing my face. Of course Logan is chilling outside the stall in the stroller so I am recognizable.
No tinkle yet so we stop. Good try, good sitting on the potty, etc comes from me and Dylan calms down. He says he's hungry and I say, its not lunch yet and we can't get pretzel sticks until we potty. He decides to try the other Lakeline Mall potty that we went too after we go outside and hang out because I don't want an accident on Sears floor. I'm pretty frustrated by this point, but remember my parenting class (a church MOM time thing which is fabulous) and how we talked about anger. I'm keeping it in for now.
We go to the other potties. Same thing. Crying, but we sit there. I give up for a bit and decide its lunch time. We eat. I come up with a new plan and tell him the secret we have been keeping.
"Now Dylan I want you to know that Mommy isn't trying to be mean by making you tinkle in the automatic flushers. I know it is scary, but I need you to be brave and start using them because you know how we are going to Disney World next week?"
Dylan - "Yes."
"Well, to get to Disney World, we have to go eat lunch at the airport, use an automatic flushing potty there because that's all airports have, get on an airplane (**eyes are looking excited here**), and then fly for 3 hours. That's like six Mickey Mouse Clubhouse shows... Then we get off the plane at another airport and go potty in an automatic flusher there because that's all they have and get on a bus to our hotel."
Dylan - "We get to go on a bus???? Logan did you hear that? A bus?"
Now who would think a boy that LOVES the airport and picking up Grandparents there would be excited about a freakin' bus? Hey, whatever. He's seeing the picture now.
Lunch is over. He decides he wants to go to the Lakeline Mall potties by the food court. They have recently been remodeled too, but he being the 3 year old he is thinks that they don't have automatic flushers. He was wrong, but this time after I pulled his pants down and sat him on the potty, he didn't scream as much as I pointed out that the red light flashes to show it knows he's there and then when we get off it goes off and then flushes.
We walk out of the stall and there is a Grandmother there. She looks at us coming out of the stall and says, "I had to see this." I guess she wanted to see who it was. Anyway, she actually was supportive, which as most of you moms know that random Grandmas are usually not nice. They come up and ask, "What's wrong , little boy?" like you are abusing them. I shared the next week trip and she understood and was asking me how I got him potty trained as her daughter has a 2 1/2 year old and is trying before new baby comes. Yeah, don't think that is going to work out as I'm sure the older one will revert for a little while, but I'm not telling supportive Grandma that! She likes me and I'm getting discouraged and feeling bad mom. Its one of those things where you see this was a mistake to start, but you have to follow through or it will bite you next time.
I'm not sure what to do from here, but I know that we have to solve this somehow. Luckily the family bathroom right next to the women's where we were was magically unoccupied. I asked him if he wanted to see if they had automatic flushers. I mean it was 2 hours since he had told me he needed to go. He says yes.
Now here is something exciting. No, its not that there were normal flushers. Although, as I write this, I'm thinking maybe I went a little overboard on the we must do it thing. Anyway, I felt so close so I kept chugging on. What was exciting?
"MOMMY, THERE'S A LITTLE POTTY! IT HAS AUTOMATIC FLUSHER TOO!"
So I think to myself. Logan has got to be getting bored and is smiling at the little potty because I have to admit, it is cute. I see an opportunity.
"Logan, would you like to sit on the potty?"
Now what 18 month old who has seen his brother sitting on 3 different potties over the course of 2 hours wouldn't want to? So I hear a yes from him and take off his diaper and sit him on the potty. He was so proud of himself. I'm cheering him on and saying yeah Logan. Guess what? The potty didn't flush until after Logan got off. What a great demonstration even if there was no tinkle from him.
So I ask Dylan if we wants to get on it. We bargin over a smoothie. Usually, we get a small smoothie split in 2 glasses and I share the boys, alternating drinks. He asks for 3 smoothies this time and I say sure. I'm desperate. What is 4 extra bucks? He says yes. We get on and I'm talking him through it. Logan is trying to play with the flusher light as I am batting his hand away.
"Make it yellow. Make it yellow. You can do it."
I can see Dylan relaxing. No screaming this time and he starts going! YEAH!
"Keep it up! Keep it up! Yeah! You are doing it!"
Then I see the light stop flashing. Oh crap! The potty is going to...
FLUSH!
Dylan jumps up. I'm thinking. Oh, Logan, why?????? But Dylan doesn't get upset because I start jumping up and down.
"Oh you did it! You were so brave!!! Yeah, Dylan! We can do this at the airport."
He's jumping up and down with his undies and pants around his ankles. All is good. We call Grandmommy while we are in the bathroom and she gets all excited. She has been getting updates per bathroom and at lunch all morning so she appreciates it.
Thank you ,God! My child went in the automatic potty and doesn't hate me!
Now I just feel like we need to find some more automatic potties - one for each day - so that we can keep this new found skill up.
So I brought it on myself, but better now than next week I suppose.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
I am officially a Soccer Mom
Ahhh...Thursday practices and Saturday games. Every Saturday. What's with that? I'm sooo not ready for it I have found out. Too much commitment. Lucky for me Dylan isn't into it as much as we thought he would be. Also, 3 year old soccer is not what I expected.
He loved the first practice. Kicked the ball, talked to the coach. Better than Josie who was digging a hole in the field or the twins who just stood there and held hands the whole time. Not as into it as Ryan, the coach's son, who is almost 4 and weighs 50 pounds. Yes he almost double Dylan's weight. Although, we found out he does have his flaws. He clocked a kid at the second game on accident, kind of. He should play basketball because that is what he guards like. He's nice though and he and Dylan like to make faces at each other and play.
There is also Gage. The second game he was the only kid playing. Literally. They called the game when no one else would come on the field from our team. He was speed demon and kicking the ball in the goal constantly. He hasn't performed quite at that level since, but still is the major player on the team. His mom bribes him with Skittles.
I'm getting ahead of myself. The team name is "The Soccer Balls." It took us a few weeks to stop laughing every time it was said. My favorite is the team huddle..."Go SOCCER BALLS!" One of the girls came up with it. Now that I think of it, I haven't seen her in awhile. She is the one with the pink soccer ball, sun glasses and shoes and she is a blond. It cracks me up. So cute. She even has pink shin guards. I'm telling you, its the white blond hair that does it though. But like I said, I haven't seen her too much lately. I wonder if she quit.
Speaking of quitters, there is Ian. He wouldn't go out on the field at all. Never, ever. Not at practice or at the games. Okay, maybe once or twice, but not enough for me to remember specific instances. His Dad seemed pretty disappointed that he wouldn't go out on the field. There was the illusion of pressure from him, but the silent kind. Anyway, Ian's mom finally told the coach that she wouldn't be bringing him back because he screamed and cried every time soccer was mentioned. Gotta be too much pressure at home for that to happen because my kid doesn't love it, but he's not screaming and crying about it.
So you are wondering where does Dylan fit in...Besides clock-guys-on-the-other-team Ryan, Dylan has a mix of all the other kids. I'll give you more info on that later. Since I don't update my blog too much I have to keep you in suspense. Be waiting on pins and needles for the first game blog coming soon!
He loved the first practice. Kicked the ball, talked to the coach. Better than Josie who was digging a hole in the field or the twins who just stood there and held hands the whole time. Not as into it as Ryan, the coach's son, who is almost 4 and weighs 50 pounds. Yes he almost double Dylan's weight. Although, we found out he does have his flaws. He clocked a kid at the second game on accident, kind of. He should play basketball because that is what he guards like. He's nice though and he and Dylan like to make faces at each other and play.
There is also Gage. The second game he was the only kid playing. Literally. They called the game when no one else would come on the field from our team. He was speed demon and kicking the ball in the goal constantly. He hasn't performed quite at that level since, but still is the major player on the team. His mom bribes him with Skittles.
I'm getting ahead of myself. The team name is "The Soccer Balls." It took us a few weeks to stop laughing every time it was said. My favorite is the team huddle..."Go SOCCER BALLS!" One of the girls came up with it. Now that I think of it, I haven't seen her in awhile. She is the one with the pink soccer ball, sun glasses and shoes and she is a blond. It cracks me up. So cute. She even has pink shin guards. I'm telling you, its the white blond hair that does it though. But like I said, I haven't seen her too much lately. I wonder if she quit.
Speaking of quitters, there is Ian. He wouldn't go out on the field at all. Never, ever. Not at practice or at the games. Okay, maybe once or twice, but not enough for me to remember specific instances. His Dad seemed pretty disappointed that he wouldn't go out on the field. There was the illusion of pressure from him, but the silent kind. Anyway, Ian's mom finally told the coach that she wouldn't be bringing him back because he screamed and cried every time soccer was mentioned. Gotta be too much pressure at home for that to happen because my kid doesn't love it, but he's not screaming and crying about it.
So you are wondering where does Dylan fit in...Besides clock-guys-on-the-other-team Ryan, Dylan has a mix of all the other kids. I'll give you more info on that later. Since I don't update my blog too much I have to keep you in suspense. Be waiting on pins and needles for the first game blog coming soon!
Update for the last couple of weeks
Random Stuff
It took me 14 days to settle into 31, but I think I'm there now so I can blog a bit! The birthday itself was uneventful. My children didn't even know it was my birthday until Greg got home and told him. I was really craving some artichoke and spinich dip from Cheddar's so we went and ate there. I passed on the actual meal as I wanted the Cookie Monster at the end. Yum!
That sounds super good right now, but since I can't leave sleeping kids at home I won't go and get one. Plus, I'm trying to eat a little healthier. I do have high cholesterol. How old of me! However, I haven't been too good about things lately so I thought I would try today. So far its going well and everyone knows how much I love cheese.
A weird thing happened last night; a dream actually. I haven't been sleeping too good lately because of the extra belly flab going on right now so I wake up more and remember my dreams. Last night I had two random appearances in my dream from two of my mom's old teacher friends. Dolores, who my mom just recently told me had Alzheimer's, so I get why she was there, and Sharon. Weird thing about Sharon is that she has been dead for probably over 5 years or more. Very strange. I forget what we were talking about, but they totally looked the same. Its weird how you cannot see someone for 10 years or more, but remember what they look like exactly.
Boy Update
Main thing is we've been having nap issues. Not hard core ones, but for me any problems are an issue. Twice last week Dylan asked, "Why do we have to take naps? I don't want to go to sleep." So we busted out the nap fairy again. The nap fairy is courtesy of my friend Kelly. Its a great idea. If you go to sleep, the nap fairy might come. So far, miss fairy has come every day and brought a toy or a lollipop. If its not a lollipop Dylan gets a little upset, but he doesn't need one every day! One day when the nap fairy left a lollipop for Dylan, he remarked that she didn't leave anything for Logan. Ooops! Silly nap fairy. Luckily, the nap fairy made a stealth delivery to Logan's baby gate in front of his bed room right when he woke up and before Dylan could get there.
As for Logan, today we practiced some Super Nanny techniques! ha! He never gets out of his bed when I put him down for a nap, but today since he got up around 8:30 he wasn't as tired as usual. He opened his door and just stood there at the gate. Of course, I'm reading to Dylan into his room and putting him down and I keep telling Dylan, "Stay where you are. Mommy will put him down. Don't talk to him and he'll get that he needs to stay in bed." I hope Dylan doesn't figure out that we use that frame of thought for him too! Anyway, after about 6 times Logan stayed in his bed, moaned a bit and is now napping happily away.
It took me 14 days to settle into 31, but I think I'm there now so I can blog a bit! The birthday itself was uneventful. My children didn't even know it was my birthday until Greg got home and told him. I was really craving some artichoke and spinich dip from Cheddar's so we went and ate there. I passed on the actual meal as I wanted the Cookie Monster at the end. Yum!
That sounds super good right now, but since I can't leave sleeping kids at home I won't go and get one. Plus, I'm trying to eat a little healthier. I do have high cholesterol. How old of me! However, I haven't been too good about things lately so I thought I would try today. So far its going well and everyone knows how much I love cheese.
A weird thing happened last night; a dream actually. I haven't been sleeping too good lately because of the extra belly flab going on right now so I wake up more and remember my dreams. Last night I had two random appearances in my dream from two of my mom's old teacher friends. Dolores, who my mom just recently told me had Alzheimer's, so I get why she was there, and Sharon. Weird thing about Sharon is that she has been dead for probably over 5 years or more. Very strange. I forget what we were talking about, but they totally looked the same. Its weird how you cannot see someone for 10 years or more, but remember what they look like exactly.
Boy Update
Main thing is we've been having nap issues. Not hard core ones, but for me any problems are an issue. Twice last week Dylan asked, "Why do we have to take naps? I don't want to go to sleep." So we busted out the nap fairy again. The nap fairy is courtesy of my friend Kelly. Its a great idea. If you go to sleep, the nap fairy might come. So far, miss fairy has come every day and brought a toy or a lollipop. If its not a lollipop Dylan gets a little upset, but he doesn't need one every day! One day when the nap fairy left a lollipop for Dylan, he remarked that she didn't leave anything for Logan. Ooops! Silly nap fairy. Luckily, the nap fairy made a stealth delivery to Logan's baby gate in front of his bed room right when he woke up and before Dylan could get there.
As for Logan, today we practiced some Super Nanny techniques! ha! He never gets out of his bed when I put him down for a nap, but today since he got up around 8:30 he wasn't as tired as usual. He opened his door and just stood there at the gate. Of course, I'm reading to Dylan into his room and putting him down and I keep telling Dylan, "Stay where you are. Mommy will put him down. Don't talk to him and he'll get that he needs to stay in bed." I hope Dylan doesn't figure out that we use that frame of thought for him too! Anyway, after about 6 times Logan stayed in his bed, moaned a bit and is now napping happily away.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Going Back in Time
I think I'm having an about to be over 30 crisis. How do I know this? 3 words - Sim Theme Park.
Yes, for some reason I got the craving to play Sim Theme Park, a game that I haven't played in years, but still have the cd lurking in the desk somewhere. I found it. Right now it is installing. I'm betting that the 1999 game won't work on Vista. Right now I am about to launch it. Here goes. Oh my gosh, it worked. I was afraid that I would feel really old when it didn't.
I'm off to relive my college/post-college youth (or mid 20s at least). I'll keep you updated!
Yes, for some reason I got the craving to play Sim Theme Park, a game that I haven't played in years, but still have the cd lurking in the desk somewhere. I found it. Right now it is installing. I'm betting that the 1999 game won't work on Vista. Right now I am about to launch it. Here goes. Oh my gosh, it worked. I was afraid that I would feel really old when it didn't.
I'm off to relive my college/post-college youth (or mid 20s at least). I'll keep you updated!
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