You're Two!

If you ask her how old she is she says, "CUPCAKES!" I guess I know what kind of birthday treat she wants.

Nature's Calling

Our household has entered the world of potty training yet again. The Girl decided that it was time for the training to begin last week. Yes, she decided and now dictates everyone's bathroom visits including her baby dolls habits. I will say she is very reassuring while you are doing you business, even if the door is closed. It will go something like this...

Are you a big girl/boy, mommy or Elliot (baby #1) or Daddy or Jacob (Amish baby doll) or The Boy or Stella (baby #2), etc. Have to pee pee? Do you need help? Good job, insert name here. You are such a big girl/boy. Now flush.

I guess she is just mimicking what I say. Maybe I need to back off a little. Things so far are going well with the training. We are down to only wearing diapers at bed time. It is so crazy how the switch just turns. The Girl showed no interest and is now going full force. Let it be know that her preferences are different than The Boy's were. She doesn't want to use the training potty, only the big potty. And, of course, she can do it without any help. She won't go if you don't make it seem like it was her idea. And, she has to visit EVERY public bathroom we pass. Here's hoping the novelty goes quickly and that she is trained within the next few weeks.

Kindergarten Is Here

The Boy started Kindergarten this week. The Girl has decided that it is time for her to be potty trained. They grow up so fast and often on their own time schedule. This week has been a sort of evolution of emotions for me. I cannot believe my Little Girl is old enough to be out of diapers, let alone that my Baby Boy is old enough to be a kindergartner.

This summer was one of freedom for me and it went by way too fast. I was just getting used to staying at home and everything has gone and changed on me again. I also didn't think that I would struggle so much with The Boy's journey into elementary school. Up until this summer, he has been in the care of someone else on a daily basis because I worked. How is him going to school all day any different?

All I can say is that I miss him more than I ever thought I would. He is already changing. I am all about gaining independence, but I still like the thought of him wanting to hold my hand and kiss me goodbye. I have a feeling those days may be close to disappearing. I now have to adjust to spending my day with a little one who talks, but often in code and often to her babies and not to me. I wait for 3:45 to come around so I can have a two sided conversation with a five year old. Boy, I need a hobby.

The Great Smokies

The Husband and I were fortunate enough to be able to get away for our first adult only vacation in almost seven years. We went to Asheville, NC and I highly recommend it. It was a great way to celebrate our 10th anniversary. We had so much fun despite missing The Kids soooooooooooooo much. We were gone for four whole days. The highlight of the trip outside of out accommodations (check out the Beaufort House) was our day hike at Mount Mitchell. We were on the top of the highest point East of the Mississippi.

When we showed The Boy the pictures, he said, "You must have been high enough to touch God." I think He touched us.




The Boy also asked The Husband if this rock was heavy. Hee hee!

25 Days, but Whose Counting?

The summer is almost over according to the school system here. The Boy starts Kindergarten in 25 days! I cannot believe five and a half years have passed since God put him in our lives. This week we have turned in paperwork, bought school supplies and have timed the drive to place where The Boy will be going.

Our journey to this point has not been easy. Unlike most school systems, your don't get to attend the public school closest to your house. Instead, you pick two school close to you end of town and two schools in the opposite end of town and the school system assigns you to a school. All in an effort to diversify the schools. Crazy, I know. We were initially assigned to a school 25 miles from our house. Hey, I am all for diversity, but 1 1/2 hours on a bus each way is TOO LONG for a five year old. We went through three different appeals processes prior to being granted a transfer to a school closer our house. We were lucky to get the transfer. Very lucky and relieved.



The Boy couldn't be more excited about being a Kindergartner. We have even made a "Countdown to Kindergarten" poster. Thinking about my little boy going to school makes me happy and unsettled. School is a GIANT life step. So many new influences in his life will appear. He will start making more and more decisions for himself on a daily basis that we as parents aren't aware. Next thing you know, he will be calling from Stanford asking us to put more money in his account so he can study aboard in Fiji.

Yesterday on the way home from somewhere (I honestly can't remember where we were...hmm), this was The Boyism.

"Momma, now that I am using a wallet (this is a velcro "Cars" wallet that he got in his stocking this year or last)will you treat me like an adult."

All in good time kiddo, take it a little slower please.