potty training, take 2

I am calling today the first official day of potty training for Buddy.  I bought him some big boy underwear earlier this summer, and within 5 minutes he had peed in them.  Tried another pair, that one didn't last long, either.  So I decided that neither of us was ready, in spite of the fact that in November he asked to go potty at rest stops on our way to and from our house hunting trips.  I wasn't ready for potty training in the midst of packing to move then.  I am sure it's gross and lazy to some, but he has worn diapers his whole life, so why rush it?


But he has been waking up dry, sitting on the potty willingly with increased frequency for even longer than that, and he's going to preschool in less than a month and is supposed to be potty trained by then.  Yesterday he asked to wear his Thomas the Train underwear.  He has been keeping his pull ups dry longer the last week or so, so I told him that he can wear them if he is ready to be a big boy and keep them dry.  "Ok. I a big boy."

8:30 am.... after breakfast pull up was wet because I didn't set him on the potty when we awoke. Bad Mama.  Whatever... decided since we were waiting on the gutter guy (who never showed up) today was as good as any to try to be consistent.  So, every 30 minutes to an hour after that point, he sat on the potty.  He even told me he needed to go once, and his pants were still dry.  The only times we changed his underwear were 1) when he decided he wanted to wear James instead of Thomas 2) when I put him in his swim diaper for the pool, just in case and 3) when we got back from the pool.  Oh and 4, I put him in another pull up for night time because I am lazy and mornings are rough.  I think I might follow a friend's advice and buy a toy he really wants, and tell him if he can keep doing such a good job he can have it before his birthday.

As previously mentioned in social media, I hereby declare day 1 of potty training a huge success.  Way to go little Buddy!!!

summer fun

We are really enjoying our new home and neighborhood this summer. When we lived near Nashville, we paid HOA fees and got nothing but rules.  No amenities of any kind, they couldn't even help get street lights turned on on our street after the developer went bankrupt.  I digress, this is about my kids.

Last Fall and Winter, we looked at around 50 houses in the quest for our new home.  The one we bought is huge, if I have not mentioned that fact already.  Not a mansion, I suppose, but huge.  I would not want any larger unless I could afford housekeeping help.  It has everything we had on our wish list, and then some.  I really cannot believe how blessed we are.  Even with the issues we've encountered, well... those could have happened anywhere.  There's room for guests, so come visit. (Please call first.) :)

One of the aspects we're enjoying the most is our neighborhood pool.  Hannah is meeting some of the other kids who she may pass in the hallways at school, I am meeting other Moms, and it's just plain fun until it's time to pack up and leave and the kids protest.

I intended on putting the kids in swimming lessons, but did not do it.  So Hannah has been swimming with arm floaties all summer.  Brandon typically swims with floaties on his arms and a tube raft around his waist.  He has no fear.  The first time there without Daddy, B jumped right in before I got the floaties on.  (We put them on at home or in the parking lot now.) Hannah, for the most part, has been unreceptive to me wanting to teach her to swim.  (No surprise there, she doesn't usually want me to teach her to read or write, either.)

About a week or so ago, she watched a video of her cousin swimming.  A couple of days ago, she met a 2nd grade girl at the pool, who was swimming without flotation help.  Tonight, she declared that she would swim without floaties.

And she did.  She pulled her goggles over her eyes, held her nose, closed her mouth, and completely immersed herself under the water.  She swam to me or to the wall or steps several times, 6-10 feet.

it's hot, mom!

I am so proud of her.  When we returned home, she said she wants a swimming lesson on how to swim with her head out of the water tomorrow.

The pics are from a previous day, I did not have my camera with me tonight.