Going strong

Well we have been going strong for what: two weeks now? We are having lots of fun. We've visited the butterfly garden, the water fountain pad in Navarre, jumped at the bounce house, and spent lots of time in the pool. Caleb has had two swim lessons so far and he is doing well. Hopefully it won't be long and he'll be swimming laps. ;)
Riley gave us and herself a scare and fell in the pool. Amazing that five adults were right there and yet none of us saw her fall off the step. We were too busy shooting water guns. She was only done a matter of seconds, we assume. The scariest part was she never even tried to fight to swim; she just floated face down. I think she was too stunned to do anything. However, the good news is it only took two or three more swim times and she seems to be over her fear. Yesterday, she was having a blast jumping from the side in a ring and arm floaties. It really has been a great summer; we are really over the baby stage and going out to do things is becoming easier and more fun. They are playing well together, and apart. I forgot that we are reading lots of books thanks to our libraries great summer reading program for all kids. It has been fun to be forced to read a variety of books instead of just dinosaur and farm animals. Caleb is realizing there are other stories out there besides cars, trucks, dinosaurs (the regular boy stuff).

Well, got to go get to work; grading began today, so until later - beat the heat and have fun. We will.

sheree

Uninspired entry (aka, couldn't think of a title)

So, today I stayed home with Riley. It was a nice change. Of course, she was sick and took two naps before lunch, with lots of lazy time in between, so it is no indication of a normal day at home. It's over though, in case you were wondering. We picked Caleb up from school; Riley took another short nap, but no such luck for Caleb. He isn't interested today. When he figured out that we wouldn't be going to church tonight, any chance of a nap was out the window. He always asks if we are "going anywhere tonight?" If we are, he'll nap without much debate; but if we are not, the battle begins. And let me add, that boy is talented. I can lie with him for an hour and he will not fall asleep. I, usually, okay always, do. But when I awake, he is sure to let me know he hasn't and won't be going to sleep. So, I give up. As long as he gives in on days when we have to go out in the evenings, I guess I'm okay. Who am I kidding? I really don't have much of a choice now do I? :)

Well, grading begins tomorrow, so chaos will ensue. My laptop battery is dead, so that is sure to be a challenge - what did I do before the laptop anyway? I am so spoiled by carrying it around while I grade: I can sit in Caleb's room while they play or try to nap (yeah right, as I mentioned above). I can sit outside while they play, but starting tomorrow, the challenge begins. I do enjoy grading, but the logistics are always a challenge: concentrating and getting in a certain number of hours with two children is difficult.

School is wrapping up: we are finished with all major programs, downhill slide if I may.

Spring is heating up to summer, and with gas prices what they are I guess I better get used to a dirty floor. We'll be in the sprinkler a lot this summer ( the back door opens to the living room which is laminate flooring). Every piece of grass, sand (dirt in other states), and dust ends up everywhere.

I am really not complaining, just preparing myself mentally so that I don't have to complain later. :)

Well, it's been fun . . . but the dishes to need to be unloaded and the clothes do need to be put up, oh, then there are the kids who are unsupervised in front of the television.

So, until later . . .
smile
sheree

Just updating, nothing profound

Just an update; I am kind of tired, so I won't be typing long, or correctly. Riley is still doing well with potty training. She has things backwards: she holds in when she is wearing a pull up and pees everywhere in panties. Maybe she just likes to see me cleaning. Who knows. We traveled to Baton Rouge this weekend for my mom's 50th birthday and my neice, Kylee's, first birthday. We had fun. Bryan has been in Atlanta, so I decided to stay an extra night in BR. This weekend is the women's conference, I am really excited. We've had a busy couple of weeks at school and the busyness won't end for another week or two. Then we are just about done, so I am wiped out.

Well, just wanted to update. Kids are napping, so I better go do some work. I'll write something more profound another day. Until then, my thought for the day (really a Bible thought). Every time you begin to worry, pray. So, don't worry, pray. Then rest in His promises.

Love ya, sheree

Going well . . . only time will tell

Going well for sure, but the "only time will tell," that was intended only for rhyming sake.

Thursday we ventured out to the school for a little while for mom to get ahead on some work. Then we ventured on over to Chick-Fil-A. Riley did excellent. No accidents until yesterday evening at grandma's house, after I had called my mom to brag and bragged to Bryan's parents. That's likely right?

Today she has done great. We went to the library and she went potty there. So, I feel good about her progress. I am sure we are not in the clear for a long time, but I am happy about our work. Next week will be a big test as we go back to school. I am not sure what will happen then, but I'll let you know.

Well, we are hoping to have a garage sale tomorrow, if the weather cooperates. So, until later . . . much labeling to do.

sheree

Second day is better than the first day . . . and the third day

Well, yesterday afternoon and evening seemed like a miracle. Riley was sitting at her table in the kitchen, while Bryan and I were each in different rooms. Suddenly, I hear, "Mommy." I then find Riley sitting on her potty chair. On her own initiative, without an accident, she had gone to the bathroom, pulled down her panties and gone poo and pee. I was ecstatic. So, feeling so brave, we took her out to dinner in panties. It was a very slow night at the restaurant, so not to worry. We went to the potty four times. She actually used it twice, the other two were just for fun (it became a game, but being so new at it, I couldn't call her bluff).

However, today is a new day. We have now pooped and peed in panties several times. Still no accidents on carpet, but quite a disappointment after yesterday's success. Actually, she hasn't gone on the potty once today, but I am persevering with yesterday in mind. Today is Wednesday. We return to school on Monday, so we still have time.

Now, to the give the other child his fair share of blog space. Last night I was sitting on the couch working while Bryan sat at the bar working, when I thought I saw a kid walk across the hallway. So, I paused and asked Bryan if he saw someone. A second later, Riley's light came on, then went off, came on, then went off. Now, she can't reach the light without a stool, and I knew I didnt' hear any commotion. So, Bryan darted into the hallway and guided a still asleep Caleb back to his bed. That was our first experience with sleep walking. I am just glad we have a house alarm in case he decides to take his adventure outside one of these nights. I told him about it today, and he thought that was very funny (but of course said he can't remember).

Guess I'll fill you in tomorrow on how it goes this evening. Evenings seem to have gone much better than mornings on both days.

Off to do more laundry (the bathroom rug did get hit today :)

progress

Well, today is one of those days you look back on and think either, "Wow, what in the world was I thinking?" or "Wow, so glad I jumped right into that one."

I officially began potty training Riley today. I was all set to wait until summer when I awoke this morning and thought, "Let's go for it." (We are on Spring Break)Well, by 11AM, I just about gave up. Then she so heavenly wandered into her room and took a nap (Yes, all by herself without any prodding or even knowledge by her mother). So, after nap, we jumped right in again. By the evening, she had realized that panties and the toilet go together and that panties should stay dry. She also went several times this afternoon without an accident. Throughout the day, she ran to the bathroom once on her own (yes, that was a big deal - and although she didn't quite make it, we cheered anyway). Many, many, many other times, she would tell me as she peed that she needed to go potty. But, I considered that good recognition on her part that something wasn't going right. We would dart into the bathroom, leaving wet nasty feet prints all through house. Yes, thank God for laminate flooring, no carpet accidents today.

I must say as proud as I am of her, I am so proud of myself. Not once did I whine, yell, cry, or grumble. I maintained a positive attitude throughout, other than the momentary willingness to quit until summer.

So, day one is over . . . I hope day two brings much success. We are going to go to venture out to a movie and Wal=Mart (planned before potty training entered the picture), but we will make it I am sure (pull up to the rescue probably). I really think she understands the difference.

By the way, I didn't realize how well Caleb would take to potty training. Maybe I should have waited until he was 4 1/2 to train him. He has peed and pooped no less than 10 times today because the candy dispenser is in the bathroom. One for pee, and "two for poo." And he hasn't forgotten once to claim his reward. Once I even told him not right now, because he had just gone, and he actually cried like a broken hearted baby because he said, "But, I went pee pee." The boy usually avoids the bathroom until he has to sprint into it lucky if he doesn't dribble as he is trying to get it out.

So, I didn't know training number two would mean rewarding both children. And wow is that bathroom small with all three of us in there. :)

I am exhausted, so tootleloo for now.
From camp "two for poo,"
sheree

pics from the bug scene