Category Archives: parenting

Potty Training – Done!

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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.

The Man, The Manager, & Grampa

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My three year old has developed an odd little skill over the last two weeks.

Whenever I ask her to do something she does not want to do, she refers to,  “the man.”

 

For example,”Caroline, it’s time to leave the toy store and go home.”

“No, the man said we can’t leave.”

“Caroline, it’s time to take your shower.”

“No, the man said to not take a shower.”

 

After a week, things took a slight turn.

“Caroline, it’s time to get out of the pool.”

“No, the manager said we need to be in.”

“Caroline, you need to eat your tortilla.”

“No, Grampa says to not eat the tortilla.”

 

This is happening ALL OF THE TIME.

She’s either become a pathological liar or developed a questionable life skill.

I’m thinking of taking up this skill as well.

 

“Ma’m, I need you to move your car from the fire lane.”

“No, the man says I can’t.”

“Miss, could you please ask your daughter to stop taking the clothes off the shelf.”

“No, the manager said she could.”

“Mom, can you read me one more story tonight?”

“No, Grampa says I can’t.”

Olympic Story – John Orozco

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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?

Short

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Andrew had a friend spending the night so of course it involved a trip to the pool before bedtime.

Hey, this ain’t my first time at the rodeo people.

I know how to tucker those kiddos out.

No one is staying up late in this house, at least not on my watch.

So, as we were walking to the pool, Caroline kept saying, “Leo, you’re short, like me.”

She said it not just once, probably ten times.

I think she was just thrilled to have someone close in size.

And in fairness to Caroline, he was only about a head taller than her.

I finally had to tell her to stop talking about it since Leo could have been developing a complex with the way she was badgering him, “You’re tiny. You’re little like me.”

All was fine for awhile.

As I was handing the kids their homemade pizza and watermelon slices, Leo walked to our table and said, “This table is dirty. These chairs are dirty.”

I looked at him, looked at the table, looked at the chair…

And said, “Caroline, what were you saying about Leo being small?”

The Socks Debate

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After scouring the area for a pair of Wonder Woman boots for Caroline, I finally found some at a consignment store.

Since they are black I will have to paint them but I’m happy since the fit is good.

While I don’t mind shopping at consignment stores, the shoes can give me the willies.

Dried stranger sweat tends to do that to me.

So each time we tried on another pair of boots I would say, “Caroline, leave your socks on.”

She promptly told me, “No, Wonder Woman doesn’t wear socks.”

Breathing deeply I would reiterate each time that she needed to keep her socks on.

We persevered though and finally found the perfect pair.

As we were driving home, Alex asked Caroline what else she needed for her costume.

She must have had our previous conversation on her mind because she said, “Wonder Woman doesn’t need socks.”

And yes, she occasionally refers to herself as Wonder Woman in the first person.

I said, “I think she does wear socks.”

“No she doesn’t.”

Alex asked her, “Does Wonder Woman fly?”

“Yes but she doesn’t need socks.”

I responded, “I think she wears the socks underneath her boots.”

Exasperated she let out a sigh and said, “No. She doesn’t wear socks. It’s not on the super hero show.”

I couldn’t let it rest, “Maybe you just can’t see them.”

“WONDER WOMAN DOESN’T WEAR SOCKS!”

I’m still not convinced.

Can you imagine with all the running around Wonder Woman does how sweaty her feet must get without socks?

Instead of her lasso and cuffs, she could use her stinky feet to fight for justice.

1:15 Appointment

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My husband is so funny.

I called him the other day and asked if he could meet me to watch our three kids for my 1:30 dentist appointment.

He said, “Sure, I’ll see you there at 1:15.”

Ha!

Buddy, if we come flying into that parking lot by 1:29 it will be a miracle.

Did you dress up and get your free meal today at Chick-Fil-A ?

Word has it that our family is going as “Super Cows.”

I’ll take pictures and share soon.

Have a great weekend!

Pioneer Camp

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My 7 year old is attending pioneer camp at a local farm and museum.

Everyday he comes home from camp saying, “I love this camp. I’m so glad I have 3 more days of camp.”

From what he’s told me it sounds like a wonderful camp – playing stick ball, walking in the creek, making quesadillas over an open flame, as well as many other activities.

I think the people who created this camp are brilliant, but it’s not because of the stick ball or walking in the creek or even cooking over a camp fire.

This has been my conversation with Andrew every day after camp:

What did you do at camp today Andrew?

Monday: “Today we played with water guns and also cleaned out the sheep area.”

Tuesday: “Today we went into the pioneer school and also cleaned out the chicken coop.”

Wednesday: “Today we went on a hike and also cleaned out the donkey stall.”

Are you noticing a theme?

The people who run this camp have hit the jackpot.

Do they have to clean up after the animals for 10 weeks of the summer?

Heck no! Get those city kids to do all the cleaning and washing – they’ll think it’s fun.

I’m thinking of running a camp over at my house next summer.

Just imagine, the kids could go home saying, “Today at camp we went swimming and then scrubbed the floors.”

“Today at camp we went to a movie and then washed the windows.”

“Today we did arts and crafts and then washed Mrs. Mac’s car.”

Yes, I think I’ll start creating the flyer right now.

 

***Tomorrow is dress like a cow day at Chick-Fi-A – check their website for details ***

Sleeping in a Fort

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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!

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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 ******

Actually

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It’s always both startling and exciting when your little one uses new grown up words.

Yesterday as I was trying to get everyone into their respective rooms for quiet time my 3 year old and I had this conversation.

‘Caroline, it’s time to go to your room for some quiet time.’

‘Well, actually, I’m playing now.’

‘Yes, I can see you’re playing but right now it’s time to go to your room.’

‘Well, actually, I have five more minutes to play.’

‘No, it’s time to go to your room. Where’s your underwear?’

‘I took them off.’

‘We need to find them and put them on.’

‘Well, actually, I don’t need them.’

‘Yes, you do need them to cover up your little bum.’

‘Well, actually I have a big bum.’

‘You have a big bum?’

‘Yes. I have a big bum just like you.’

I pondered her statement for a moment and decided,

Well, actually, I’ll take that comparison as a compliment. You get 5 more minutes of playtime.