Another out of order post

In case you didn't notice, there's another new post under an older one. Look for "Hooray for Underpants" on August 14th.

More Florida Pictures

Hi - I posted more Florida pictures, but since I started the post a while ago (a bit delayed by potty training), they are before some of my more recent posts. Scroll down to July 26th - you'll find them there.

Hooray for Underpants!!

Well, Brock and Kyle have crossed another item off on the list of "Things to do to become an official big boy!!" - potty training. We started last Friday, and I'm happy to report that by this Saturday, I could confidently say that "We're there!!!". It was a long road (figuratively speaking:), and in the middle of the messes, I had my doubts, but they persevered and conquered. We tried the 3 day potty training method, and even though it took longer than 3 days (which I hear is quite normal), it was a good method to follow. It has definitely taught the boys how to listen to their bodies. I never could have imagined how grateful I would be to have a main level with all hardwood and tile flooring and because of that, my home survived the experience in pretty good shape:). The method encourages lots and rewards and praise, and the boys loved it. Tonight before bed when I was snuggling with Brock, I asked him if he liked being such a big boy who goes on the big potty. He responded with "I like the big potty, I like big boy underpants, I like stickers, I like everything!". Here are some pics of my big boys:

Brotherly love - awwwwww!

Showin' off our big boy underpants - we have Mickey, Elmo, Thomas, Lighting McQueen and all of their friends. What 2 year old boy wouldn't want to be part of that!?!?!?!

"See my belly button?"

There were many rewards along the way - coloring books, play dough, stickers, gummy bears, M&M's, glow in the dark necklaces (which were used as glow in the dark hoops to roll on the driveway and throw in the air late one evening - typical boys:), bouncy balls, and tools (these boys love to "fix"things and tools were just up their alley), and the final reward was to go and pick out a balloon. We went on Thursday night as things were progressing pretty well by then, and the boys had a blast shopping for their balloons. Here they are at the store, probably trying to talk us into buying all of them instead of just one a piece:). Thank goodness for Dollar Tree. The rewards would have broke us if not for that place!!

Celebrating their "big boy status"!

Home with their balloons.

Kyle, of course, chose a balloon with balls on it. A funny from the potty training files: each time Kyle would toot on the potty, he would scrunch up his nose and say emphatically "sompin' stinks!". I would gently remind him that it was probably his toot, to which he would reply "Oh.". After thinking about it, we realized that the scent and thickness of his diapers had probably hidden most of the odor of his toots before, and this was a totally new experience for him. Too funny!!

Brock chose the funny face. We passed the time of our 3+ days at home partly by watching "Elmo's Potty Time". I can probably quote the whole movie by heart, but I'll spare you all but our favorite line of our favorite song "Accidents happen, that's what they say- accidents happen, night or day - accidents happen, when we're awake or we're nappin', accidents happen, and that's okay!". This has been our motto around here this past week and a half, but if things continue as they are, we're going to be searching for a new motto - maybe we could try "Hooray for Underpants!!".

Brock-love :)

So, any of you who know us well, know that Brock loves his Momma - a lot. Kyle is a Daddy's boy, and Brock is a Mommy's boy. It kind of works out:).

The boys have been on a kick of wanting to sleep with all of their animals in the bed with them - especially Brock. We've had to put a limit on the number of critters that he shares his bed with, but some nights he bargins for how many will make it into sleep with him. Here was a conversation that occurred last week as I was putting the boys to bed:

Brock: "Can I have the Moose in my bed with me?"
Mommy: "No, honey. You already have enough friends in bed with you tonight."
B: "Can I have the Monkey in bed with me?"
M: "No, not tonight."
B: "Can I have the lion in bed with me?"
M: "No, honey, you have enough animals."
B: "Can I have you in bed with me??" with a smile and his most pleading voice.

That boy does love to snuggle with his Momma, and she's really okay with this - most of the time:).