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)?
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!
I am expanding my comfort zone. Today we experimented with sidewalk paint.
I hosted a Lill party a few weeks ago and my bag arrived today!
Today we experienced Cedarburg’s Strawberry Festival.
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!
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.
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):
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.)
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.