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!

A Whole Lot of Poop Talk

So I'm 31 now.  My little party got postponed because my dad got sick, but the kids couldn't let the day pass without singing to me and giving me their presents.

Luke was so proud of these slippers.  I love them because they keep my feet warm but mostly because he picked them himself.

Ava got me a strawberry nightgown, of which I have no picture because I don 't want to injure your retinas.  The ironic part is, she left me this note a few days ago.

Cute is the last word I would use to describe myself right now at 8.5 months pregnant.  But that girl is so sweet she could give you a cavity and I might keep that note forever.


And Max? His present was more than I could have asked for.

He peed on the potty, twice. Of his own volition.  We stopped at the store Tuesday morning to get his requested Star Wars undies.  They didn't have any so he settled for a Justice League pack.  I have bought so many packs of underwear in hopes of enticing him out of his fear of potty training, but even with a drawer full, he just couldn't get over it.

Last Tuesday, the stars aligned, and he told me he needed to go and he did.  He's been in underwear during the day since and he's kept them dry and it's been fantastic.

Except for one little problem.  He won't poop.  At all.  Not in a diaper at night.  Not in the potty.  Not even in his underwear. Until today that is.

He pooped his pants at the arboretum.

We went because the kids were out of school.

 The weather cooperated pretty well

and we walked around,

 had some lunch, and things were just swell.

  After about 2.5 hours post-potty I started to get a little concerned.  Because Max's other stipulation is that he will only go in the "froggy potty" which obviously is only at our house.  Just as I voiced my concern to my mother, I heard him yell, "I spilled in my pants!" The poor Flash underwear had to be sacrificed to the trash but I think it was enough motivation not to desecrate anymore of his beloved super hero underwear.

Luckily I was prepared, I got him cleaned up and we headed home.  Once we'd been home about an hour he told me he needed to go.  And he did! We were so excited! Then he proceeded to poop 8 more times over the course of the next hour and fifteen minutes.   He'd saved it up apparently.  He was so happy with himself he was running around saying things like,

"I'm so proud a youuu!"


"Oh yeah, oh yeah!"


"I'n da man!"

I'm not convinced that we're out of the woods yet, but surely, we're headed in the right direction!

Just Life

Since we've been back from our trip, it seems like I am playing catch up. It took me a while to get all the Christmas decorations put away, but it's done!

I insisted that Dan help me take down the big tree this year considering when I try to lift heavy things I can feel my ab muscles ripping apart.  I think he gained a greater appreciation for me after that experience because I usually do it myself.  

I am nearly 33 weeks along, though this picture is about a week old. 

 Overall, Dan and I agree that this has been my best/easiest (though I would never call it easy) pregnancy.  I am getting anxious and would admittedly love to just call it a wrap, but I am still making it.  I know that wall of "I'm done!" is waiting for me just around the corner, so I am aiming to make the most of what's left before I hit it.

We've been trying out a new system the past week or so.  Saying "new system" sort of implies there was an old system, which would be a lie.  I feel like this idea, came as an answer to my seeking out help for some specific issues with specific kids.

It's not pretty.  I didn't get it off pinterest.  I just made our little chart without too much fanfare, mostly because I didn't want to put a lot of effort into something we'd possibly abandon after a week or two. But so far so good.

Each person has their own pockets where I distribute their day's worth of tickets.  It includes their various chores (usually just one or two per day), their homework and reading assignments (in Luke's case I read to him and he sounds out words as we go along), and their daily allotment of TV/Wii time.  Max has a pocket and tickets, though whether he does them or not varies and I don't really care at this point.  

When I introduced this whole concept to the kids you would have thought I told them we were going to Disney World. They were so excited! After a week, the novelty has worn off some but I think they are really enjoying the structure and the responsibility of it.  I can already see marked improvement in Ava's confidence, and I love that.  And I've also read my scriptures everyday since we've started (that's one of my tickets) and I love the improvement I've felt in my own attitude.

I just have to figure out how to make Luke understand that his wii tickets are optional.  Right now he takes grave responsibility in completing and moving those yellow tickets to the "done" pocket.

We hit the zoo last Saturday and had a great time. Little did we know it would be the last time we'd see the sun for a while.  

Rain kept us inside for a nearly a week, which is a strange occurrence in Texas.

 Luke wore Dan's old hat for hat day at school and exclaimed excitedly as he looked in the mirror,

"I look like a man!"

This Saturday we went to Ft. Worth to the RV show.  It made us look forward to our next camping adventures and we added a pop-up trailer to our wishlist.  

You Know You're Not In Texas Anymore,

 the morning you sit down in the car to see that your water is frozen solid and the car's thermometer reads 13 degrees.

We had a great trip to Utah despite freezing our tails off.

The week leading up to Christmas, all three kids got the flu. We crossed our fingers that the Tamiflu would get everybody all fixed up before our big trip. For the most part it was all behind us by the time we got there.

Also before our trip we passed our 11 year wedding anniversary. It's still awaiting celebration.

We had a successful Christmas morning here at home,

with plenty of smiles and some new toys.

Best overheard conversation of the day was Max pretending on the plane with his two new Darth Vader's.

Darth 1 to Darth 2: What's your name?

Darth 2: Darf. What's your name?

Darth1: My name's Darf, too!

Dan and I agreed that we would not spend much money on ourselves this year.  He had a relatively small wishlist, which he ended up purchasing most of himself, with the kid's toys order from Amazon.  I decided that I only wanted to collect the money he would have spent and any I was gifted towards the purchase of a new lens in a few months.  (When I would have Christmas and birthday money to combine). I even came up with a fantastic plan for myself and made Dan promise that he would not buy me the lens unless I was faithful to the dietary restrictions that keep me well, yet I had shamelessly cheated on since getting pregnant.  I thought I was a genius and not too bad of a wife until Christmas morning when I opened up the lens and realized my dietary motivation had just flown away with Santa's sleigh and my poor husband only got to open some new work clothes and a popcorn popper.

I love you , Dan! And I promise next year, no matter our agreement, I will break the rules and spend your hard earned money on a surprise present for you!

We made a pit stop at Mom and Dad's for a quick breakfast with my sister Chandra's family who had driven into town the night before.

Then off to the airport. And off to Utah!

  Ava was not so happy to sit by a stranger.

 Luke was ecstatic to find that he was not scared of flying as he had dreaded.

And Max, on the other hand, was so scared he buried his face during take-off and never woke up.  Until about 20 minutes before landing, that is.

In Utah, we enjoyed plenty of time with family, including  present opening,

 story reading,

 lego building,

gingerbread decorating,

movie watching,

playing Luke's most favorite Christmas present-- Kirby (with Dan as the ever faithful coach),

 BYU basketball attending,

Angry Bird smashing,

and of course, all day, every day cousin bonding time,

 and one very chilly, very fun afternoon in the snow.

Max spent most of the time crying loudly over the constant falling-off of his mittens.  

He nearly sucked the joy right out of the whole afternoon, until we realized that just as long as Dan would hold him, 

He could be happy.

Luke could have stayed out there all day.  And was the last one who came in, saying, "There was nobody left to play with."

Our snowman attempt  fell apart and the activity digressed into snowman-head catch.

We really did have a fantastic trip.  The kids had fun, slept fairly well. We love being with our family. We made our way home after about 10 days, and all through the plane ride I couldn't help but think how lucky I am to have married into such a good family.

Back in Dallas, these were the faces of a  happy return from a happy trip!