Unassisted

Bryce and I have been in potty training negotiations for several months. I ask him if he is ready and he politely tells me, “No”.

Surprisingly, his interest has been piqued as I have withheld sugary treats from him throughout the week. He has obliged with “tinkles” here and there on the big boy potty – in exchange for Smarties and Tootsie Pops.

 

I haven’t been terribly consistent with it – due to a busy schedule and lots or running around town.

Potty training and errands do not mix.

Today Bryce went to Preschool registration and fell in love. While we were there – I told him that if he wanted to come to school there – then he would have to be potty trained. He said, “Okay mama. I’ll do it.”

Little did I know…but he meant it.

After tucking the kids in for bed – we sat watching The Bachelor (blushing). We saw Bryce sneak by our room covered with his Toy Story blanket. We chuckled and let him pass – thinking he was sneaking to get a toy or something. He came into our room several minutes later and said his hands were dirty – so he washed them and was sent back to bed.

Bradley came running in shortly thereafter and screamed, “Bryce said he just pooped on the toilet!”

As appropriate, Bryce had gone in to brag to his older brother and sister.

We all rushed in and found it was true!!! The evidence was there (he didn’t flush)…he had wiped on his own and everything. There was a little bit of a poopy mess on the toilet from his dismount…but other than that- PERFECTION!!! I double checked the diaper – to make sure he hadn’t just “transferred” the poop from diaper to toilet….but alas – it was clean!!!

The entire family erupted into cheers, clapping, and screams as he galloped around in pride.

After being put back to bed again – Tom went to check on him one last time and discovered him with three yogurts – with three spoons – all lined up in a row in front of his bed. He had yogurt all over his face. He told Daddy that it was his treat for pooping on the potty.

We are SO proud of him – and I am so relieved that he did this on his own and it won’t be a battle!!!!

I snuck in one last time to take a victory picture.

Doesn’t he look older already? I can’t believe they are ALL going to be out of diapers!

A new chapter is beginning! Hallelujah!

12 years ago, I would NEVER have believed that I could get SO excited about feces.

Brothas From Another Motha Party

For Bradley’s “friend party” – he wanted to invite Colin and Connor to sleep over. They are practically brothers, so it was almost as if it was another family party.

After a big, delicious breakfast…they spent the day playing outside…getting extra stinky. WOW…did the party smell good!

He was still adorable – all hot and sweaty.

In the morning, the rest of the “family” showed up…the sisters, Kess and Rhiannon, but they weren’t stinky.

It was so great to have such a low key party – with people you are 100% comfortable around. Nothing like effortless friends.

You don’t even have to take your pajamas off for your party.

And his real sister was there. His brother was there in spirit….he was cranky and finding solace from Nick Jr. in the other room.

Bradley wanted a Lego Party…so we obliged.

Cute Lego candles…

 

Darling Lego Cake (from our favorite bakery)

And a Lego Balloon…

with lots of Lego Presents…

And then it was time for another birthday wish…

 

 

HE HUFFED…

AND HE PUFFED…

AND HE PUFFED HARDER…

AND HE SPIT (always remove top layer of frosting before eating a child’s birthday cake)

AND HE BLEW WHILE PLUGGING HIS NOSE (as not to let ANY air escape)

Until he FINALLY had all of the candles blown out. (see exhaustion)

And then he bashfully hid from the cheers that erupted.

He requested steak and potatoes for dinner that night…he had to milk this birthday thing as long as he could.

He spent the rest of the night playing Legos with his Daddy.

All of his dreams had come true.

Bradley- Chapter 6

With another year under his belt, Bradley is proud to now be able to say, “I’m six”.

He endured his Sunday birthday with such grace…it was impressive. I am not a fan of having my birthday on Sunday.

His “Angel” came over for a visit after church…bearing the most incredible gifts. Bradley has loved her since he was a toddler. Even though her name is “Anne”…he has always called her Angel…probably because she is one. 

Bradley hit the jackpot with a vest, magnifying glass, compass, D clips, binoculars, notebook and pen, and bug catching vacuum. Anne’s son Jacob was just as excited about it as Bradley was (see picture).

Jacob wanted to model everything for Bradley (in his footed pajamas).

Bradley adores Jacob. It’s so sweet that a teenager takes the time to make him feel so special.

After the visit…our family party began.

 

Bradley’s dinner of choice was served: grilled steak, mashed potatoes, and peas & carrots.

He opened his gifts…

and was then led, blindfolded, to discover his gift of all gifts…

His escalade.

 

He has begged for a Power wheels for 2 years. It wasn’t until we found one for 50% off…that his wish was granted. He scored with this one…has a REAL AM/FM radio in it.

Immediately after his birthday – it looked like THIS outside. 

The Escalade wasn’t gonna be rollin’ anytime soon….but he was still thrilled.

We topped the night off with a big chocolate cake…with sprinkles.

I am so proud to have him as my little boy. He is a brilliant, kind, funny, and loving. He is the best “first son” I could ever wish for. It’s his birthday…but he is our gift. 

Later that night – I got called out to attend a birth. It was so special to be able to witness the birth of another baby boy– after celebrating the birth of my own. It seems like yesterday that it was me holding the baby in my arms…on Super Bowl Sunday.

Pixie Privates

Orifice Fix

He may be only 3 years old…but he sure is good at entertaining himself.

The snow has gotten to all of us…especially him.

Today he took it upon himself to plug a few of his orifices.

I’m just glad he forgot about the “others”.

Poogloo

17 inches of snow and it’s still falling.

I had mercy on Gracie and dug her out a private restroom since the snow is much taller than she is.

Could YOU go potty while encased in snow? Not me. Would definitely slow the process.

I have appropriately named it the “Poogloo”. Yes…an igloo…for poo.

Don’t you wish you were MY dog? That’s love.

Breaking the Fever

We reached snow day #4 when we determined that it was difficult to find anything “angelic” about our three little snow angels.

Every game had been played, movie had been watched, fort had been built, bird had been photographed, picture had been drawn, DS game had been mastered, book had been read, nap had been taken, multiple baths had been taken and EVERY treat had been eaten.

Cabin fever had been escalated to cabin panic attack and I knew I could no longer be a good mother in the confines of our nest. There was plenty of cleaning to be done…but no drive to do it. Life was quickly spiraling downhill as I found myself content to lay in bed, watching a “Say Yes to the Dress” marathon, WHILE finishing off the bag of mini Reese’s cups…for breakfast...and saying “Yes” to ANYTHING the kids asked. Dangerous waters.

We had physically survived the ice and foot of snow…but with another major snow storm expected next week and more snow days in sight…we knew we had to get the heck out of dodge while the gettin’ was good.

Technically we didn’t “leave” dodge….we just had a change of venue within dodge. It was a winter staycation.

With snow still falling…we packed at record speed and loaded in the truck. We couldn’t escape quickly enough.

One of the lovely things about all of Tommy T’s travels are the massive Hilton points he accumulates. We were able to use some the points to book a two- bedroom suite at Homewood Suites…for free :)

Two rooms were necessary because if we all piled into one room – there would be NOTHING vacation-like about it. Trust me.

We checked in and settled in…and when we could no longer take the barrage of “Can we swim now’s”…we surrendered and suited up.

  

The pool was heavenly - perfectly heated. The hot tub was glorious to soak in…while looking at the snow outside. The palm tree almost convinced me we were somewhere tropical. Almost.

 

One thing I LOVE about Tom – is that he is such a kid in water. Neither of us have ever outgrown our love for the water…and when in a pool TOGETHER…usually put on quite a funny show for onlookers. This time was no exception. We started a massive wave pool with dragging each other by the ankles in a huge circle as fast as we could. And THIS is why we make our boys wear life vests…for when we aren’t looking.

We bathed and jammied while Tommy T went next door to Red Robin to pick up some dinner.

I love these rosy cheeked boys.

Dining.

The kids checkout out “How To Train a Dragon” from the hotel video library and settled in for the night.

Tom and I checked out “The Blind Side” (great movie) – and Tom snuck in some treats for us :)

We checked on the children later that night and all was well….kind of…

They actually let us sleep in. Miracles never cease.

Breakfast at IHOP…

 

Breakfast included a morning serenade by my man. He grows less inhibited every day. The song was nothing though. You should have seen what he did in the pool :) Vaulted.

After breakfast, we went back to the hotel for one more swim…and before we knew it - it was time to go back home.

When we arrived we were pleased to find the cabin fever was gone. Refreshed…Rejuvenated…and Ready for the rest of the snow!

And now….to clean my house…maybe.