Why is it the only time your kids do a thorough teeth brushing, including flossing and mouth wash, and lasting ten times longer than normal, is when you are running fifteen minutes late and must get out the door?
Have a wonderful weekend!
Category Archives: family
Potty Training – Done!
We are done potty training!
And by we I mean WE.
It was certainly a team effort made only possibly by Caroline finally deciding to GO in the potty all the time.
Plus a little trip I took.
And when did she decide to do this?
About 15 minutes after I boarded a plane to Chicago.
When I came back from my sisters’ shower I asked Derek how potty training had gone.
“No accidents. She just walked into the bathroom anytime she needed to and went.”
“You mean TODAY she pooped on the potty?”
“No, since the moment you left she went in the potty every time.”
Now, I’m not going to lie. While this was great news I was a bit annoyed that he hadn’t dealt with any dirty underwear issues. I mean, I had been nearly losing my mind with frustration FOR MONTHS.
Whoever said girls were easier than boys to potty train was lying. My boys were super simple compared to this stubborn little one.
But I have found the silver lining in my husband’s success.
From now on with every BIG issue with Caroline faces…I will be taking a trip.
I think my husband has proven himself worthy of solving the big issues.
Apparently, just his presence makes things happen.
Clothes shopping for high school….I’ll take a trip to San Diego.
The teenage girls are mean talk…I’ll take a trip to New York City, a trip to Charlotte, and a trip to Miami (those girls are mean after all and I bet she’ll need more than one talk with that).
Your curfew is earlier than your friends…I’ll take a trip to Nashville.
And for the really big issues?
Get that passport ready because we’re talking international trips.
Yes, this is a good plan I think.
After all, if my husband can solve the potty training issue with one trip to Chicago, imagine all he’s capable of solving if I’m gone for a week.
Keeping Up With Her Boys
Caroline had a break through moment this weekend.
As we were driving to a pool with my parents, the boys were excited to remember that this pool had a diving board. They discussed going off the board and what kind of dives they would be attempting.
Walking into the pool with Caroline, I casually mentioned, “Do you think you are going to go off the diving board.”
A resounding, “Yes,” was the answer.
If her boys were going on the diving board, then so was she.
And that’s all she did for the next 3 hours.
That is, besides the 35 minutes she spent eating the largest ice cream cone known to man.
Many people asked and we’re surprised when I said, “She’s three.”
And, yes, I’m absolutely thinking she’ll be ready for the 3 meter springboard in Rio 2016.
New Orleans Mini Vacation
We were supposed to be at a 3 day soccer tournament this weekend but sadly it was cancelled.
And by sadly, I mean YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!
So instead of sweating all day long watching kids run back and forth, we decided to sweat all day long while eating beignets, crawfish, and shrimp po-boys.
Definitely a better option.
So as you read this we are on our way back from visiting New Orleans and headed directly on our way to a week straight of Lean Cuisines.
A Stroke of Luck
Whew.
Did you hear that?
That sound was my whole body exhaling.
Truth be told I’ve been holding my breath for the last five years.
We’ve reached a milestone around here and it’s reason for us to celebrate.
My husband had a stroke at the age of 34 exactly five years ago.
Whenever he talks to doctors they ask, “So when exactly did you have this stroke?”
My husband hums and haws and mentions something about late 2008.
I allow him to finish and then say, “It was August 2, 2007. It happened around 9:30 AM. I was wearing a black skirt and green skirt when I got the call. I had a two year old and a five year old at the time.”
My mom noted about the upcoming anniversary, “It’s just gone by so fast.”
No, it hasn’t.
For me, I remember everything – from getting the call, calling the babysitter, crying to my dad on the phone, to waiting around for more tests and doctors visits.
In the last five years we have visited more “ologists” than I care to remember.
With every migraine headache Derek had, I tried not to panic.
But…now that my husband has reached the five year milestone I feel like I can breathe a little easier.
We’re here today with big smiles on our face and feelings of being tremendously lucky. We are thankful for every day we have together and feel tremendously blessed in our life.
Olympic Story – John Orozco
I’m a sucker for a good Olympics story.
A story of struggling, a story of adversity, a story of conquering.
John Orozco, an Olympic gymnast from the Bronx, has such a story.
John’s dad saw a flyer for free lessons and jumped at the chance for his 7 year old to participate.
Once Orozco reached a certain level and needed more intensive coaching, the entire family worked at the gym since they were unable to afford it.
When the family would travel to away meets, they would cram John’s mattress into the back and sleep in the car.
Now when you see his mom and dad in the stands in London you just feel the overwhelming pride they have for their son.
I came across this music video starring John and wanted to share it with you.
I’m a fan of the music and of the athlete.
Is there a special Olympic athlete you’re cheering on this year?
Felt Garland
For my sister’s baby shower I created 2 felt garlands to help spread the colors around the room. It was my first time to create these but it certainly won’t be my last.
Since turquoise and hot pink were the colors of the shower I used those but also added a bit of yellow and white to make it more interesting. All of the felt (except for the turquoise) was the hard felt that is not floppy.
I grabbed 3 spice jars from the pantry and traced their tops in order to create circles. I used 3 different size circles for this garland.
I then cut out my circles and sewed them together with my machine. Sewing them together was by far the easiest part of this project.
Here’s one of the garlands at the shower (my sister is preparing for major renovations so hence the paint samples everywhere).
I really loved these and think they would be so fun across a nursery, a play room, or even a classroom. I’ll definitely be making a few more for different occasions.
For the shower’s food flags, go here.
For additional photos of the shower, go here.
I’m Back
I’ve been missing from here for the last several days since I was furiously preparing for my sister Amanda’s baby shower.
I was in charge of decorations so I’ll be sure to share that with you soon.
I left on Thursday night and flew back on the 7:20 am flight on Sunday. Early flights always seem like a good idea until the night before.
So I’m tired and plan on settling into bed early but I wanted to leave you with a few shots from the weekend.
and what did my baby prediction test say the little one will be?
though most people still believe it’s a little boy 🙂
Hope you are having a wonderful Monday 🙂
Sleeping in a Fort
Summer time around here means lots of fort building.
The last one they built with their Dad. He added some great modifications which kept the tent up through a few wrestling episodes.
They have loved it!
For the past 3 nights all three kids have slept in the fort together.
They love having books read to them in there and being together.
One of my favorite parts of them sleeping in the fort is the giggling and conversations that come from there.
The only negative has been that they tend to fall asleep a little later than normal and all get up at the same time.
But to me there’s no bigger comfort in knowing they are all together.
And sleeping on top of each other and not on me 🙂
***Update: The kids have added a trench to their fort. They created it from toy boxes and chairs. They are now officially pretending to be in the French Resistance Army. They are wearing winter hats and mittens – I guess this happens when you have a 10 year old who loves reading about World Wars***
Look Here!
Things intelligent adults say to try and make kids smile in a picture:
Look here!
Hey! Hey!! Hey!
La la la la la la la la la
Grown up people yelling, flailing body parts, making faces, all to get a child to look at them.
Really foolish but for some reason it’s parenting skill #1,542 that you must have.
Taking pictures with one child can be challenging.
Throw in a few more kids and you’ve got yourself a real party.
We attempted this impossible feat when we were in Florida a few weeks ago.
I now present to you, “The Cousin Pictures: A Contrast in Feelings.”
The following two pictures are an ode to their love of animals.
Ahhhhhhh! So close. Three children looking, two children pointing out passing adults who might be willing to rescue them and take them away from these awful adults who keep yelling at them.
Oh no, the tables have turned, now it’s only two who are looking and the littlest one thinks everyone is crazy.
I think these are my favorites.
I call them, “A Portrait of Misery Meets Joy.”
A mercy peek to see if there’s been a change.
Is his misery making her happy? We might have some issues in a few years.
And sadly this is the best of them…
Two kids smiling at the camera, one smiling at the other, a happy baby, and a gorilla.
***Free Slurpee Day is tomorrow (Wed) at 7 – Eleven from 11 am – 7 am ******