Outside Time

The good thing about living in the South is that it warms up pretty early in the year. The bad part is that by the end of the summer it feels like Satan's armpit, but there's nothing we can do about that.

We have been, however, enjoying outside as much as we can before it gets too hot. We bought our house because it's smack in the middle of a half acre. It's not a homestead, but it beats suburban lots. Anyway, we've got a nice sized front and backyard on a quiet cul de sac and we pictured taking strolls with kids and dog in tow, drawing over our long driveway, and eating meals on the patio slab outback.

Those dreams are finally coming to fruition. :) we've been eating out as much as our schedule allows in the evenings and have enjoyed watching the kids play and have fun. I hope the kids look back on this time as fondly as we will.

Zoo Trip

Today we had a zoo outing with our homeschooling group. The group just got started and is relatively small, but will provide some outings and activities with other kids that will be fun. It's mostly Baptists from the same church, with one Pentecostal, and one Catholic, so there's no pressure or signed statements of belief agreements, which is nice.

This morning started out in the 30s, so I wasn't sure if we'd go or not. I decided to go when it got in the upper 40s and bundled the kids up. Took me 15 minutes to get everyone dressed and out the door since they had motivation. It was a miracle. Especially when we left half an hour later than we needed to to make the meet up time since I wasn't sure we'd be going. Thankfully, it warmed up into the 60s, so it was a beautiful day.

It was my first time going to the zoo with all three kids sans B, but the other ladies were amazing to help watch a baby while I took bigger kids to the potty or hold a big kid's hand when it got crowded.

We didn't know until we got there, but it was school day, which meant that a lot of the area schools were there for field trips. So, I guess we fit in in a way, taking our kids on a field trip.

The kids were so well behaved and we had a wonderful time! We even all crammed in on a seat on the train and got to ride around and enjoy the sun and breeze.

We even had a visit from a peacock while I nursed Drum, which really excited the kids.

Once B gets his yearly raise we're planning on getting a membership so we can go more often. It'll pay for itself in three visits, so it'll be worth it. Now that I know I can make the trip with all three (thank you, triple stroller!), I anticipate more visits since it's only a half an hour away.

I Can't Believe It

I had been putting off potty learning with T because it was an awful experience with Auds. She decided to want to use the potty right at the same time her preemie brother was born and needed a lot of attention and extra medical help so it became a battle and she felt the need to purposely mess while T was getting tended to. Even if I showered her with affection, the moment it wasn't on her she would do something to change that. Then we moved and got a dog and added fuel to the fire. My sweet, head-strong love.

I probably could have started with T the same time Drum was born, but I didn't want to do that again. Then I started watching my assistant's little girl and didn't want to add another burden. Then I started homeschooling. You can see the pattern.

Wednesday this past week he looked me square in the eye, squatted down and said "I'm pooping on the rug, not the potty." He was in his diaper, but it was the last straw. If he could do that, he could go in the potty. So, Thursday I just up and decided to help him learn. I downloaded a potty training Elmo app on my phone and we did it. Anytime he had an accident, he would have to clean it up. The first day, he had about 3. One was when we first started, one was in the bathroom while trying to get to the potty, and one started in his sister's room and went down the hall to the bathroom as he tried to make it once it started.

Day two he woke up dry, and he had two accidents that ended as successes. He would start to go a little before he recognized the sensation and would freak out, stop, and run to the bathroom to finish.

Day three he woke up dry. Then he had one accident-turned-success and looked at me in horror as I was working and said," Mama, I'm not supposed to poop in your studio!" I whisked him away and he finished on the potty.

Day four he woke up dry, had no accidents, pooped on the potty, and even made it through a funeral.

I think it's safe to say that he knows how to use the potty! It'll be interesting how we handle church and outings, but I'm sure he'll do well.

I can't believe he isn't in diapers anymore. It took less than a week! I'm elated, and proud, and thanking God because I was expecting it to be a very difficult thing and it was a dream it was so easy.

I only have one boy in diapers now! And he looks so cute strutting around in his superhero underpants.