Month: June 2011

I entered into potty training not really expecting it to happen. I always said I’d wait for him to ask to be potty trained – thinking around age 3. But then he got bigger and the cloth diapers were getting a little tight with some of his clothes. He was also leaking through quite a bit, which is annoying. I didn’t want to switch to disposable diapers, but it was getting really old having to change him every 1-2 hours. I thought we’d give it a try, but realistically we would still have to use diapers for outings, playdates, church, the gym, naps, and nighttime (i.e. most of the time).
Alex has amazed me! With the only incentive being allowed to flush the potty, he has quickly figured it all out. Last Sunday he wore his last diaper outside the house. I was still putting him in a diaper for naps and night. On Sunday I told him not to use his diaper and he hasn’t since. Today we gave those diapers up too. Last night I did my final wash/dry/fold of cloth diapers.
Our biggest struggle now is getting Alex to tell someone he needs to go versus someone having to ask him.
Is it bad that I’m not quite sure I was ready for this (or all of the public restrooms we have been visiting)?

When do you have too many bath toys?

Alex and I both wanted to go to the pool and Alex was ready an hour before they opened. As we were walking out the door, he suddenly said, “Hat. No burn.” and ran off. He was quickly back wearing his hard hat. I have no idea where his idea came from. We haven’t worn a hat all summer. The pool was great and not too crowded. We ran into some friends from MDO and had a great two hours.

After nap we ran to the gym and then played outside. We are finally having warm, non-rainy days!

We didn’t see Abram most of the day, but he ran over for a quick visit while we were painting.

I hosted a Lill party a few weeks ago and my bag arrived today!

Today we experienced Cedarburg’s Strawberry Festival.

While I had a Strawberry lemonade (yum!), Alex and Wade had cold desserts.

Abram brought over his new ball to play with Alex. The problem is Abram understands the game “catch” and wants to play. Alex thinks it’s fun to throw the ball in random directions:

I am attempting potty training for Alex. The past few weeks Alex has been spending his “home” time in just a long shirt. He is consistently telling me when he has to go to the bathroom. Today we started really focusing on it and purposefully spending most of the day at home. Here’s hoping we’ll be diaper free soon!

Last week (while Judy and Jerry were visiting) I was cleaning up Alex’s room and found a quarter on his train table. I got his train bank (thanks Kate!) off a shelf and showed him how to put the money in. By the end of the week he had $2.75. What a great idea to learn about a bank when the grandparents are in town!

I’m not sure it was really warm enough for the pool today, but Amber and I were determined to go! The water was heated and the boys had a great time.

After the pool we ended up at our house for lunch and a little playing. The boys wanted to build towers and Alex kept trying to steal Abram’s firemen.

Most of a day with Abram is never enough so we got everyone together for Tosa Tonight. I don’t have a picture of this, but it took 2 wagons to get the boys and all our food and gear to Hart park. Tony and Riley looked so unencumbered with just a backpack. There were a few rain showers and cool wind, but we had a great time!

Someday I’m sure Tabit and Madison will love Alex in return. Thankfully, right now they are very tolerant.

Alex requested a flower as we were sitting outside waiting for Daddy. I happily picked him one and then he started crying, “Put it back”. He wasn’t satisfied when I told him we couldn’t put it back and kept trying to do it himself.

We started the morning with a family breakfast and presents for the Dads:

We had custard for dinner on the front steps. Before we were done, Alex had had a conversation with Phoenix through his window (look close to see him through the screen in the second picture below) and Abram through his. It didn’t take long before all the neighbors were outside for playing. I love our neighborhood!

Alex spent the entire morning at the park with Granny and Pop. After a long nap, for everybody, we ventured to Hart Fest at Hart Park.

After dinner Pop showed Alex an awesome new toy (adult assistance required). As soon as you open the door of the outhouse it explodes:

Today we introduced Granny, Pop, and Aunt Emmy to the Milwaukee Zoo. Alex was really only interested in the train, but we managed to make the loop too.

Then guess what we had for a snack after nap?

Granny, Pop, Aunt Emmy, and Alex returned from their trip to Door County. From the pictures, it looks like everyone had a great time.

Alex has spent the last few days with his grandparents in Door County and I have been home alone. I knew I needed a project and decided to refinish the church pew that sits in my upstairs hallway. It’s from my childhood church and has always been on my list of “someday projects”.
Before and Current (it may take a while to finish detail sanding and staining):

And me doing the work:

I cleaned out my purse today and found six toy cars. I am definitely the mom of a two year old little boy.

And I wish I had a pair like this…

I went to pepper the corn tonight and the top fell off the shaker. I had used a measuring spoon and taken the top off moments before.

I scraped out the top layer of corn and hoped for the best. It was insanely spicy. The funny part here is it didn’t occur to me to just rinse the corn.

Alex woke up a little earlier than planned from his nap. The result was he got to help me clean – which he loves:

Alex is so lucky to have a neighborhood of little boys. He played with Riley this morning and Phoenix this afternoon.

Alex and I spent the entire day together – just the two of us. We spent a good part of the morning playing with play dough. (In the third picture, Alex requested a pumpkin. Then he further explained that I needed to roll the balls. Being such a smart mother, I realized he meant snowman.)

Later in the day we played outside and Alex wanted to smell the flowers:

Alex loves to wait on the front porch for Daddy to come home from work. Today was a little cool so we waited inside (and played with the door).

Alex loves his “wuvies”.

We spent all day in the water! We started out at the pool (which was MUCH more crowded today). Alex loved the water playground and spent most of the morning “manning” the water gun. (I didn’t chance getting close enough with my camera for a picture of that.)

We got home with a little time before nap. I blew up Alex’s giraffe pool for the first time this year.

After a 4 hour nap, Abram came over and the boys quickly ended up in the pool.