Finally!

Potty trained at last! What do you do when your 31/2 year old REFUSES to go to the bathroom?. . . Bribery! We have had a Batman Sword perched by the bathroom just in case Cole decided he was actually going to pee in the potty. Don't get me wrong, he did try. But apparently suffered from a severe case of stage fright.

Wednesday I decide that no bladder, no matter how shy, can withstand Capri Suns and chocolate milk. So Cole drank to his hearts content and, eventually, the stage fright was overcome!!! Thats all it took - for #1 at least. #2 was a whole different problem . . . . and a different bribe.

Todd promised Cole cowboy boots. Cole decided that cowboy boots just weren't good enough, but "Dark Bador" boots would be great! (translation: black cowboy boots = Darth Vardor boots.) Eventually, he earned those too. Isn't his outfit the best? He hasn't taken off his Dark Bador boot since.

Way to go Cole!

Four Stars!!!!

Tonight at dinner:

"This is good!"

"I want to eat this for breakfast, and lunch, AND dinner."

"I'm going to eat it all gone."

Whaaaat?! Do my ears deceive me? Am I dreaming? Could it possibly be true? All children happily eating the SAME dinner? And actually ENJOYING it!

And they said it couldn't be done. I . . . . . am AWESOME.

I'll provide the recipe for this four star dinner but remember. . . *results may vary.
(having probs with the blog. I'll post it soon!)

Down and Derby

Wow look at Todd's...oops I mean Brigham's cool car! It was Brigham's idea after all to paint it camouflage. Todd... err... Brigham put a lot of time into it and we all had a blast at the Pine Wood Derby. Way to go Bub for bringing home the Most Patriotic Car award (and Todd)!

One Good Thing

Buzz is away. This means breakfast for dinner (my silver lining). The kids and I LOVE this. Todd. . . does not. Although he would NEVER complain about anything I made for dinner, he prefers breakfast for breakfast. It's not about eating it for me. It's the ease in making it, and having all the kids happy in one shot - a rarity in our home.




Lovie, I would gladly choose having you home every night over breakfast for dinner any day. I miss you.

Evidence of Children

Dents in the wall.

Dirty fingerprints on the doors.

Our fancy homemade "no soliciting" sign.
(Complements of Brigham)
Yes, that is Scotch tape holding it up.

The ubiquitous crayon marks.

Oh how I yearn for an ultra clean house, that actually stays clean for longer than 15 minutes. Sometimes I feel frustrated with my lack of time to get past the de-cluttering, straightening, putting away, picking up, that I can't get actual cleaning done. Then I realize that the messes, fingerprints, toys, and clutter aren't always going to be there.

And I feel a little sad.

One day my house will be clean. I mean really clean. And there will be no kids to plaster there sweet little sticky fingers all over my doors... or windows... or couches... or walls (need I go on?). Then my frustration turns to sentiment. And I'm happy with where I am right now... with a home full of 5 little (big) mess makers. A home full of life. Full of noise. Full of chaos. Full of laughter. Full of love.

I'm Grateful

Just a few of the things I've been feeling especially GRATEFUL for lately;

5 beautiful, spirited, HEALTHY, children.

A husband that works harder to SUCCEED than anyone I know.

My home - it may have DIRTY floors, but at least it doesn't have DIRT floors.

Family members that follow the promptings of the SPIRIT.

Friends. Friends that LISTEN.

The COMPASSION of strangers.

Discovering what my NEEDS really are.

The REALIZATION that it took trying times to be TRULY grateful for these things.

Just A Moment

It started with two kids in the tub. Cole was telling me who in our family were girls and who were boys. He had it all down.

"Mally's a girl and Haydyn."
"What am I?" I ask.
"A girl." He says.
"What are you?"
"I a boy."
"What about Brig and Quin?"
"Dey are boys yike me."
"What about Dad?" (still baiting)
"He a Dad."
"But is Dad a boy or a girl?" I ask again.
"He a Dad."
Apparently all the kids are boys and girls, and I am a girl. But Dad is a Dad, Nana is "just a Nana", and Grandma is "just a Grandma."

While Haydyn and Cole where in the bath together Cole decided to get a mouth full of water and spit it right in Haydyns face. Just as I was about to get mad (ahem) Hayden burst out laughing. This of course only fueled the spitting. Hayden was belly laughing with all her might. It was definitely a "dear diary" moment. But of course by the time I thought about getting my camera the fun was over.