Potty Training!!

No pictures. How boring. His cute little bum in undies is pretty adorable.

Keith is a rock star. Just sayin'. After One week of wearing underwear he goes 3-4 hours just fine, and even wore the under wear to church without a hitch. Last night he was fussing in the night so I went to see what was up. He asked me if he had a diaper on. I said yes. So he asked if he could pee in it. I said he could, unless he wanted me to take him to the bathroom. He said no, he would go in his diaper (all of this half asleep). He relaxed, and went back to sleep. So hey! It woke him up! Awesome!

I'm not pushing and there have been a couple days that he has wanted to wear a diaper for awhile to have a break (I can imagine this training stuff is stressful for a kid), which he can whenever he wants. He does request to use the bathroom on his own, but if he goes awhile without asking then I take him. Today it had been probably nearly 5 hours since I had taken him (errands and birdhouse painting and such) so I sent him to the bathroom, stopped to talk to Belle, and followed him. By the time I got there he was standing next to the toilet with a super sad look on his face, all wet. "I sorry Mommy". Oh. sweetie. We gave him a bath and that was that. He just didn't quite make it.

All in all I am super proud of him. The neighbor boy has even taught him a few essentials. Like how to go outside, on a tree. The other day he went 3 times outside the little stinker. I am trying to tell him to come in. Unfortunately, as it has been discussed before, our only trees are out front. And the 3rd time he had an audience. The neighbor to his wife while watching out the window: "Come look at this! You've got to see this!!" And them cracking up about it. They are great people with a good sense of humor, so they just laughed. But really...I saw it too. From about the point he had his pants down. I just calmly went over and helped him pull them up, gently reminding him that's it's better to use the toilet. The neighbors at this point opened their window and laughed with me. "Hey, Mom, the underwear is dry and the tree is happy!" she laughs. Oh, BOY.

I let the kids use acrylic paint today. Yes I am crazy. No we didn't have any major issues (for once). Belle bought, with her own money in nickles, dimes, and pennies, two wooden birdhouses from JoAnn's (the small ones--with my 40% coupon they were .60 each). One for herself, and one for her brother. So we painted them. Tomorrow when we hang them in the tree out front I'll try to take a picture to share.

I had fun with them, and it was so cute for Belle to put her stuff up on the counter at the store and pull out this wad of change from her "purse" and have me help her count it. "how much did she say, Mom?" And so sweet that she was willing to get one for her brother, too. It was so priceless.

She now wants birds to move in to the birdhouses. I explained that it's fall, the birds aren't really looking for houses--but if they don't they will be cute decorations and we can try again in the spring. "How can a birdhouse be a decoration, Mom?" Because they will look pretty. I doubt they are big enough for any birds to LIVE in, but next time we're out we might buy some birdseed to lure them in for a visit. :)

The tease

 

We are still getting to know Keith, and we are quickly learning that he is a big tease. He is always asking us "Is that funny?" and saying things like "Am I funny Bella? Laugh, Bella, Laugh."

The fam

 

Here we are!

One petal at a time

 

SO here's pretty Belle, being the flower girl, one petal at a time. It was precious.

 

Beautiful girl

 

One of the most famous/favorite pictures of my Mom as a little girl is taken about half a mile or less from where this picture is taken. At about age two. Sitting on a horse. I. love. it.
Ok so, my Mom's horse didn't have a saddle and was a small colt sitting on the ground. But who cares? I am so grateful for my heritage, and for the beautiful place we have to celebrate it.

 

How cute it that??

Stay tuned for wedding, vacation, etc. Lots of great stuff going on around here!!

 

 

 

So we had a great family reunion two weekends ago. Despite a few mishaps. Including this one. Car broken down in Fillmore. We had some really great 'tender mercies' to get us all home, and the car repaired. This semi with car carrier pulled in to the gas station across the street as we were trying to decide what to do, and my father-in-law walked over there and asked him which direction he was going and if he could take our car. How awesome!! David rode with him, and Mark and Deborah drove several extra hours in an already long day to get us home. And of course, the awesome D.H. who fixed the car.
Thanks everyone! We feel very blessed!

Snow in July??

 

Belle dress up in shorts and T-shirts all during Feb. pretending it was summer. Now she's in THIS on July 30. She "shoveled" the sidewalk down about five houses, me following her all the way, then she couldn't make it back without taking it off. She was too hot. imagine that!

On turning 30

I turned 30 this year!! I made a big fuss about getting "old", and used the excuse to get a hair make-over. But really?
I'm fine with it.
20's were great with so many good memories. struggles and heartaches? yes. But also growing, learning, loving, laughing, living. And I don't expect 30's will be any different. And I'm excited for what they might bring. I KNOW I'm more wise now than I was at 20, so hopefully I am learning and growing and fulfilling the purpose of our life here on earth.
I've come to the conclusion that every stage of life is great. I have loved every stage my kids have gone through, each one they are learning something different, doing different tricks "Look Mommy I am tricky", and I don't think that changes as we are adults. We are still all learning something different, and in different stages and phases. And that's what life is about. So here's to 30 more adventure filled years! LIFE IS GOOD!!

THOMAS!

Yes, this blog is my family's travel log. It's my life.
We saw/rode Thomas the Train in May. The kids enjoyed it. I may just order one of those blog book things, so even if this is over 6 weeks old, I'm posting it anyway:). I actually would like to get into digi scrapbooking. My kids don't even have baby books. I want them to have them for all the memories! This fall--that's the goal: the kids scrapbooks. Anyway, back to Thomas: The train ride was, well, short--we plan to head back to Heber to go a little farther next time. The kids didn't seem to notice that the Thomas didn't actually pull the train cars. It took us a long time to convince Keith to sit in the passenger car. He wanted to be the engineer in Thomas and refused to sit down. He was disappointed by that, but I think he still enjoyed it after we got him distracted.

Oldie but goodie

I feel I must back track and post some pictures of Belle's birthday. We had an outing to the zoo on the 3rd, and then a party with extended family on her birthday. I'm not going to caption these pics, just throwing them out there.

Oh, she's got us

I have been trying to help Isabelle and Keith work out their problems with each other without stepping in to referee all the time. So in one such case, when Belle was coming to me because Keith was or wasn't doing something she thought he should be, I started the dialogue of "Can you think of something that might solve this problem? Let's think, what can you do--because it's not Mommy's problem." sort of thing. Belle's response: "But Mom, he's YOUR child, NOT mine".


While declaring at the swimming pool she was never going to go home, but live a the pool forever, David asked her what she would do in the winter and the water is frozen. "Ice skate" witty little stinker. At four it's funny. At fourteen? I guess we'll have to wait and see!

 

CrAzY Summer Days!

But also lots of fun summer days!!
Monday:
5K run, parade, BBQ, fireworks










Tuesday:
start swimming lessons, zoo with cousins






Wednesday:
swimming lessons, stay at pool for 4 hours, picnic at Liberty park with Mommy's cousins

Thursday:
swimming lessons, stay for 1 hour at pool after, 5 piano students, laundry,etc.

Friday:
swimming lessons, stay at pool for 2 1/2 hours after, errands, family movie night

I guess I quit taking pictures after Tuesday, I'll have to get some of Wednesday from you, Milly. We are tired. Just a little. and staying home for the next two days (except for church).

MORE quotables

Belle coming in from outside with a skinned knee. "Look, Buggie I'm bleeding!" Keith: "WOW!"

Keith carrying a cup of water outside in the rain: "Look, it's raining into my cup. It's giving me more water...betuze I not have enough."

On Laman and Lemuel trying to throw Nephi into the sea: "Those guys not throw me into the sea, betuze I sitting here by Mom."

He won Belle in a race (eating race) and cheered and clapped tons for himself. Then a round for Belle (because she won, too), then one for me(not sure what I did to deserve it).

If he has to repeat anything he says, like if I have to ask him to repeat himself because I didn't understand it...it adds "I said" on the end. For example: I need a drink, I said"

He has a pair of PJ's with a big firetruck on the front and some city buildings stitched into the background. So, instantly after pulling the shirt down..."Look! Some Townzes!"

The AIR SHOW

We had a fun time at the Chino Air Show with the Keslers! David is in heaven with the old warbirds. Loves them so much he said he gets a burning feeling in his chest when they fly by. hehehe. Keith Loved the "doctocile" mouths that were painted on a few, and Belle liked her cotton candy. That night as she was going to sleep she asked "Are they going to do the air show again tomorrow?" ..."Yes"...Her: "are we going to go?" Daddy: "No, tomorrow we are going to church." Belle: "Phewww!"
Here's the pics:

Quotables

Keith has been saying some awesome things lately. So here it goes.

Coming in from outside: "Mom, I need a bag" Me: "Why" Him: "because there is a butterfly, and Bella is going to capure it."

Waling down the curb: "Mom, see this line, it means I am a tricky."

Me, asking him NOT to do something. Him: "Why not?"

Him, being a brother and picking on Belle. Me, asking him to apologize and be nice. Him: "I will put a happy face on Bella" he goes over, and uses a motion to put something on her mouth. Awesome. Next time he was crying I tried the trick on him. "Do you want me to put a happy face on you?" "Zeah" So I did the same motion. He immediately stopped crying and said, tearily.."Thanks".

As we are jogging down the road: "Look, I see a Robin. Look, Mom, Look, I see some pretty flowers. They are purple. Look, I see popcorn. Look, I see a puppy. Look, I see some mailboxes, Look I see....." constant. Once when we were on a walk he saw a girl in really short shorts. "Look Mom, that guy not wearing any pants. Look, Mom, Look." I repeated this story enough time to friends that about a week later he was quoting himself. David said "Look" and he said "that guy not wearing any pants." HILARIOUS.

David giving the kids a bath: "Who wants to be washed first?" Keith: "You, Daddy--Hop in!"

He can't say "K" or "Th". so his name? Keith? "TEE". He more frequently calls himself "Buggie"...and called me that today at lunch. "Look, Mom, you are having pizza just like me. Are you Buggie? (big grin and giggle). Mom, you are Buggie."

Belle always calls me Mommy or Momma. With Keith it's just Mom.

Arghhh....there were more, I KNOW IT. but I'm having a brain cramp. If I remember them later I'll post some more.

ONE FOR THE BOOKS

I have had a lot of little crazy moments with these two kids, and some grand adventures--like stranded in Phoenix for 24 hours*--but today, well, this is one for the books. I'm still not sure what I think about it, I'm laughing--yet--
Maybe I should explain.

This afternoon while the kids were playing outside I was trying to get some work done on my course mentioned in the last post. I was moving right along, I was in a spot where I could hear the playing going on and keep tabs on the kids, and things were great. Until Belle RUSHES in exclaiming excitedly "Buggie pooped outside!" and other talking that was too fast and excited to make out. Me, still very calm..."ok, I'll bring him in and change his diaper."
Now I can't recall all the conversation that went on at this point, it was all very fast and mangled and Belle to worked up to get it out without stuttering...
But I soon came to realize he had not pooped in his diaper. Nope. The pants and the diaper were strewn across the front lawn. (YES people. This is happening in my FRONT lawn. To imagine the neighbors peeking out their windows to this scene makes me laugh, shutter, and cry all in the same 10 seconds). And my sweet little two year old Keith standing naked from the waist down on my front porch. With ample evidence of the deed just done on the lawn sticking to his rear end. The parking strip between the sidewalk and the road to be exact.

Pause for dramatic affect.

"I peed on the lawn" my boy says to me. Nice. Very Nice.

After the initial shock of the situation wore off, and the obvious cleaning up of boy and yard that needed done, I thought it must be time to potty train the boy. If he is going to start removing his clothing and going in random places...well, this is not to be tolerated. He does actually use the toilet frequently, but I have not been pushing the issue. Well. I thought I was going to have to bite the bullet and start training him. Then I learned the REST of the story.

Keith was not the only one going on the lawn. You see, this park strip is the only place on the property where there happens to be a tree. And Belle, after camping or some such thing last summer, got the idea stuck in her head that in an emergency, pee by a tree. PLAYING OUTSIDE SIX FEET FROM YOUR FRONT DOOR IS NOT AN EMERGENCY GREAT ENOUGH TO PEE BY A TREE!! Especially one that can be seen by, well, EVERYONE in the neighborhood. I laugh, I shutter, I cry. Innocent Keith quite simple only wanted to do what his big sister was doing. And she helped him remove the diaper. I'm pretty sure she didn't expect what followed, so other than good talking too about coming inside to use the toilet, we are going to let it go there.

Now, do you agree? Certainly one for the books!!!

*being stranded in Phoenix is not so bad when there are AWESOME people to rescue you!! Thanks again rescuers!