Super Saturdays

Today's only item of business is the deserved mention of Max's status as an underwear wearing citizen.  With one official accident to his name (mentioned in the previous post) there are definitely some pros, to waiting on potty training.  I have never even had to ask, "Do you need to go?"  He does all that deciding himself. The extra months of diaper changing may even be worth the absence of the potty paranoia many parents carry as they take their newly trained child in public.

Now I will really enjoy my 30-something day vacation from diapers.


On to topic at hand, the last four Saturday's have been part predictable and part spontaneous; a perfect recipe for tradition-building and memory-making.

Back when we introduced the ticket system, which we use during the week, we also introduced a new Saturday regime.  Each Saturday morning we list all the jobs that need to be done on the white board and then set about getting them done and marking them off.  After all the jobs are complete, we sit down for a "fancy" breakfast.  And here's where my under-achieving really pays off: when your children are used to cold cereal or instant oatmeal each morning, one only has to throw hot muffins and scrambled eggs on the table to make it "fancy".  Bacon always makes it extra special too.

But the promise of the food keeps little (and big) bodies motivated to get the jobs done.

And then, as it has turned out, Dan has had some outing planned for the rest of the afternoon.  First was the zoo, then the RV show, and last week was a train ride to Denton for pizza and ice cream.

We love that Grandma has been able to accompany us.

The train is always exciting for the kids.

In fact, almost exactly a year ago was our maiden ride.  Kind of fun to compare the then and now.

Then (January 2012)

Now (January 2013)

Then

Now (Ava even has on the same jacket)

We stopped at the "cowboy store".

 And I had to restrain myself from buying the cutest infant-size cowhide chaps.  It wasn't as hard as I thought once I saw the $299 price tag.

And for the first time in my life, I really wanted some boots.

They were also more than I expected to pay, but if I ever decide to indulge, this is where I'm heading.

We hit the pizza place and the old time ice cream shop/soda fountain, and wrapped up another great Saturday.

Actually, Dan and I had one more stop at our friends' murder mystery party.  Dan was Hal Fyre, the reverend of his own Las Vegas Wedding Chapel and I was Dee Vorst, the ex-wife of the murdered casino owner.

In case you were worried, we were both innocent.



This past Saturday, after our clean-up and store bought donuts, but before our evening trip to Babe's for my birthday dinner, we went to the Arbor Hills Nature Reserve, which Dan had discovered one really busy day at work this week, when he was perusing the internet. Grandma and Grandpa were able to come this time.

 I even have a version of this picture with myself included.  Unfortunately week 35 brought with it, the dreaded Pregnant Face so this is the only one I'm posting.

 We expected some whining and some carrying of a certain 50 lb 3 yr old,

 but our expectations were blown away, as each child walked on their own two feet and seemed delighted to see what was around each bend.


The "castle" lookout was an exciting destination

and the dog and after dog we passed on their walks, were perfect excuses for a rest and a pet.

And then at the end of our big walk, stumbling on this place was a happy surprise.

 The kids played here, the way kids were meant to play, for 45 minutes and would have stayed longer if we'd let them.

But the Froggy Potty back at home was calling, or at least we knew he would be soon.

The kids were happily exhausted and as we drove home, I reminded Dan that he had set quite the precedent and I can't wait to see what he comes up with for next week!