Big Changes

Big changes are on the way around here. Well, about 5 months away...but getting closer every day. Presley is super excited about becoming a BIG SISTER in April of next year.

We are so excited about this new adventure and I am excited and feel very blessed to be pregnant again. It's different the second time around, in a good way! My worries & anxiety are not completely gone, but I think I have been slightly calmer during these first 14 weeks than I was last time.....just knowing that my body can do this. This time I know from experience that, yes, it is all worth it. This time I am going to savor these moments and not rush it because now I know how quickly life passes by.

Lots going on this week with Fall Festival and Halloween on Thursday. Crossing my fingers that little lady wants to wear her costume. Checking back in later this week with pics of my cute little owl!!

3 Days of Potty Training Thoughts

Honestly, when I heard you could potty train a toddler in 3 days, I didn't really believe it, but I was willing to give it a go. We have been so impressed with how quickly and easily Miss P caught on.  A little potty training journal........

Day 1 Thoughts

• Started at 6:00 am. As the book instructed, we went straight to big girl panties. We went to the mall the day before and stocked up, I let her pick them out so she was very excited about it!
• I encouraged her to drink fluids all day----she even got juice, which is not a daily thing with us. 
• Had a total of 5 accidents in day one. Not too bad. 
• I decided to continue to use pull ups at nap and night time. I think when she starts waking up dry repeatedly, we will completely retire that. She did have a 2 hour dry nap, so I think that's a good sign.
• Instead of asking "Do you have to teetee?" you should say, "Don't for get to tell us if you have to go teetee and we will run to the potty."
• I like how the book made a point of discouraging going to the potty to 'try,' they need to learn to go to the potty when they have to go. This method definitely teaches that
• We used lots of positive reinforcement! She gets 2 mini M&M's after each successful potty trip and lots of hugs, "I'm proud of yous," and high fives!

Day 2 Thoughts

• I am too exhausted to even think. No, seriously, my child was so eager to continue training that she woke up at 5:20. The sun wasn't even up!
• I am thinking that this was WAY too easy. We have had zero accidents today. I am so surprised, and I don't want to speak too soon, but I think she is catching on.

Day 3 Thoughts

• I am so glad that we decided to go this route for potty training.
• Another day with ZERO accidents. Amazing!
• We even left the house today. I ran a quick errand and went for an hour walk---all with big girl panties on.

I hope that this sticks because there is no way I am going back! We get a little diaper break, what a treat! I would recommend following the steps in Lora Jensen's book 3 Day Potty Training to anyone who has a toddler who is ready to train.

This was such a fun weekend, but I have to say I am glad it is coming to an end. Potty Training is exhausting!

Potty Boot Camp

What are you doing this weekend? I bet it is not as exciting as Potty Boot Camp! We are jumping in with two feet, committing to being 'homebound' for 3 days straight and we are going to get this girl out of diapers forever.

It all began about 3 weeks ago when we noticed that P was showing an increasing interest in the potty and her teachers suggested that we get started and they would help along while she is at school. My thought was, well these ladies have potty trained far more children than I have, so why not?! Week one was great---she was so successful at school, but at home not so much. I contribute it to inconsistency on our part (oops). Week two and three were not so good. Famous words became, "no peepee potty, I play." However, at home she has been doing okay.

We all know that I am impatient and I am thinking, how long can this game go on? Months before she is actually trained? Thanks, but no thanks.

So here I sit, reading this book, and plotting our plan of attack. The first thing I leaned from 3 Day Potty Training is that you should never begin without a definite plan. Well that was mistake number one!

Starting fresh bright and early Saturday morning! It will be a weekend of football, potty, lots of liquids, and probably several loads of laundry. Are you jealous?

And this is how she feels about it. Not really, she's super excited to be a 'big girl!'

Reporting back Monday night!

Miss P turns Two

I think I've avoided this post because I still can not believe I have a two year old. An official toddler-in her 'terrible twos.' Oh, wait, she just told me "no, mama" followed by "hush, mommy" a record 15 times this afternoon. I take that back, I do believe I have a two year old.

Her party turned out perfect in every way and she was just the center of attention all day---all week long for that matter. We do birthday weeks around here! She soaked it up and completely understood that it was her "happy day." (as she called it)

I guess our theme this year was 'fish/pool' (I am not really a theme girl---I prefer color pallets) All the snacks were in fish bowls, I had blue jello in individual cups, and a cute little hand print activity for the little ones.

Details:

Food table. We had grilled hot dogs and some east snacks. Glad to say I did not spend hours in the kitchen preparing food this year! Oh, and that banner is reused from last year.

 Fruit kabobs are such a hit with kids---and adults really. The marshmallows are a nice surprise!

 Cake Balls by Eggleston's Edibles

 Homemade cake by myself. I wanted it simple, and fluffy.

 Monogrammed romper from Smocked Auctions. It just so happened to go with the colors perfectly.

 Presley's BFF, Lola.

 Make a wish!

 Handprint fishies. Her swimsuit was too cute, it had an embroidered pink fish on it.

She applauded every gift. I'd say she was impressed!!

I can hardly wait to celebrate this girl for many years to come. She is our most precious blessing & I am lucky to be her mama. Next year though, I think we are doing an easy birthday. But----I said that last year too.

Where did September go?

There is no way it is already September 24th. That was the fastest month yet! This is truly the longest stretch I have gone between blog post. So much has happened since my last time to write----lots of adjusting and settling in. We had a rocky start at P's new school, but that was to be expected with her age. She is thriving now---really, she is doing so well. We are surprised at all she has learned so far. Her vocabulary has probably doubled, she names all her colors and is sorting by color, and she sings the ABC's. Seriously, I have been teaching her these things for a year and all the sudden---a few weeks in preschool and she's got it.

Anyway, we also had a big party! TWO!! That one will get an entire post to itself. It was too much fun!

Any a couple random pictures to wrap up this random entry. That just sums me up lately!!

We have faith in our team!!!

Lille lady her first week at school.

Cheek to Cheek with MiMi & Aunt TiTi

First school artwork!!! Slightly proud artist.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow is a day that I am looking forward to and dreading at the same time. 

I have been a teacher for 5 years now and every year I get so 'Christmas morning excited' about Meet the Teacher. It's a big event! I love meeting my students for the first time. Shaking their hands, saying, "Welcome to 3rd grade," showing them the classroom where they will spend their day over the next 9 months. I am so proud of this classroom. It is the classroom where they will work hard and have fun, where they will laugh and grow and learn and explore. Where they will make new friends and learn valuable lessons that they may remember for a lifetime. It is the classroom where they will feel loved, supported, and at home----always.

I don't meet my new students until next Friday. 

Tomorrow isn't about me being a teacher. It is about me being a mommy. Tomorrow, I meet my daughter's very first teacher. We have Meet the Teacher at her new pre-school tomorrow. I am so eager for her to discover all the magical moments that her classroom holds. I want her to feel secure there and be able to thrive in the environment she is in. I hope that she adores her teachers and that her teachers love and cherish her as much as I do my students each year.  I have full confidence that she is going to enjoy being at school each day and begin to look forward to the structure and activities that it provides. I am beyond excited for her opportunity to be in such an amazing place.

She is so ready for this. I don't know if I am, but she definitely is.

She is so lucky, but her teacher-------her teacher is even luckier. I know, because I too, am a teacher and I know just how she feels. Lucky. To have a classroom full of brand new smiles, brand new ideas, brand new voices........a brand new start. That's blessed.

Hung these babies today in my new classroom. Love seeing my past students, they have a special place in my heart---especially now that I have moved schools and will not get to keep up with them.

Playing Catch Up

Wow! Has it really been over a month since I last sat down to type out a post? According, to blogger-YES, but I am in denial. I am also in denial that in just 2 short weeks, I have to go back to my second job. As excited as I am about all these new adventures that will arise this school year, I am a little nervous.

Gosh, have we been busy!! The only way I know how to catch up is to do one gigantic photo post.

Here we go-

We celebrated Spence & his dad's birthdays and went to the beach. It was P's first time. She held a hermit crab and played in the sand and the waves.

We found this chic booster seat at our favorite resale shop. It is called a sweet seat.Not putting away the high chair just yet, but it's handy to bring along when we are not eating at home.

We celebrated our country-----Red, white, and Blue

We painted our nails in observance of the 4th.

Daddy threw Presley in the air----over and over and over again.

Aunt Laura came from Alaska and we made several visits to see Granny while she was recovering in the rehab center. Glad to say she is home and continuing to get stronger!

P did this at least a hundred times. Girl is full of wonderings!

We decked out the BOB with accessories.Cup holders, phone pocket, and snack tray.

Laughed with Aunt Sissy! P has started to call her "SSSSSSSS"

Drove the golf cart {with supervision of Great Daddo}

Rode the paddle boat

Ate too many chips and queso. Oh, and P met 3 more of her second cousins from North Carolina.

Floated in the lake for hours. I am sure thankful she loves the water.

Organized and packed away more baby clothes in space bags.

Had a few playdates with Presley's BFF, Lola

             Added to the toy cabinet. Six learning boxes and a big bag of extra large legos.                                                       

 

Celebrated the engagement of Zach and Felicia. They are getting married May 2014!

Had an awesome time with family at the beach

Presley met the newest family member----baby Ahrens. She fell in love!

Rode our bikes.

Just finished a sleepover and pool play date with these sweet girls. Nothing better than time with her cousins.

No wonder I haven't had time to write.

Keeping busy

If you've read one post on my blog, you probably get the idea that I'm a lover of all things routine and on schedule. It just makes me tick. Well, summer is giving me a run for my money. Do not misread, I am absolutely loving every second of every day, but sometimes I want to build a white board in my living room and post our objectives and our daily schedule. I guess it's my teacher blood. 

I have taken full advantage of keeping P busy. She really wants to help me with every thing I'm doing. This morning I needed to unload the dishwasher and I put her in charge of matching her cups and lids, then putting them in the basket. Her task kept her busy just long enough so that I could get everything put away without tripping over a little toddler. Talk about proud of herself!!! Wonder what other chores I can start teaching her?

                                              

On the topic of schedules and the fact that our tot will turn two in less than 3 months, I checked out a new read at the library this week. I read the Happiest Baby and learned a lot from it before P was born, so when i spotted the Happiest Toddler, i didn't hesitate to pick it up. It has been just as interesting and gives lots of unique ideas about communicating with your toddler in an effective way. I actually wish I would have read it a while ago. Dr. Karp definitely makes some good points and helps you remember that they are only 2 years old. Hope it helps us through the 'stages' that are on the horizon-----or the "mine" stage, which is occurring at this very moment. Everything is "mine," and by that I mean everything is Presley's.

 

                                         

The hubs and I celebrated three blissful years of marriage last week. We enjoyed dinner and drinks and just had such a great time together! I cherish those dates with him more and more as our lives seem to pass by with the speed of light. 

                           

           Off to prep dinner---one of these days I will share all these new recipes I've been trying!

                                

Summer Love

Well, I officially made it through my fifth year as a third grade teacher, even packed up my classroom and moved to a new school in a new district. Hooray for making a change! I am beyond excited about a new opportunity. Spence is settling in to his new position and really enjoying it--even with the added stress. No better guy to handle it.  There have been so many changes around our household over the last month or so and I think that is why I have been so non existent on the blog. No more excuses--I have a lot of extra time on my hands now that Summer is here. It is already flying by and I am trying to take in every minute with Miss P. There will never be another Summer like this one!

In our first week we have.....

Swam at MiMi's pool

{That is a Puddle Jumper floatie---I highly recommend it, if you are in the market for a floatie}

Check Amazon for cuter colors--orange was our only choice at the pool store. sad.

Visited a Spray Park

Organized mommy's jewelry in a place where little Miss can not reach

{shelf from Hobby Lobby}

 

Shared a grilled cheese, poolside

My project list is long! I am finding that making time for projects is more difficult with an {almost} two year old. I am determined though to get two pieces of furniture sanded and painted, a closet organized, a shutterfly book finished and ordered, a dress sewn----oh wait, I have to learn to sew first.

Have a great day! We are off to the museum and then to gymnastics later. {Post about that coming soon}

There's an app for that

We have an ipad {like everyone else in the world} and our toddler is very interested in the ipad. We have animal sound games and a few others that we have downloaded to use on long car rides or when nothing else seems interesting. We don't use it as a toy or a babysitter by any means, but miss P enjoys playing with it as much as Mommy does.  Anyway, I could go on and on about technology and this generation of kids, but I will spare you today.

I always said I would never put my kid in front of an ipad at the dinner table. No, this family won't do that. This family, we will talk to each other. We will talk about our day and things going on in the world. Well, in a moment of weakness, I stuck that ipad in my purse before we left for dinner Saturday night. But here is why-two words- ENDLESS ALPHABET. My favorite app for toddlers and pre-school kids. Really though, some of my 3rd graders could learn something from this one. It is the cutest app that has a variety of vocabulary words, the letter scatter when these funny little monsters run across the screen. When you touch a letter, it repeats the sound as you drag it to the right spot. When you get all the letters in place, they play a cute animation to teach the definition. Just after about five times, Miss P was able to drag the letter to the correct places. She might not understand any of the words yet or that the letters all have different sounds, but her little brain is just absorbing.  I love it! This app meets my standards----even for use in a restaurant or a stroller. Although I do not promote the use of apple products during family meals, I do believe it is okay to whip it out during those last 15 minutes while waiting for the check.

Growing that vocabulary. One 10 letter word at a time.