Happy Father's Day!!!!

What can I say about the man I love...

He is very handsome and our daughter is a pretty version of him.

He is silly and can always make us laugh till our sides hurt.

Is always willing to go out and get sweets on a Saturday morning.

Can guide us and tell great stories.

Is there to give us support and love.

Happy Father's Day to a great daddy and husband.  

Thanks for everything you do for us.  We could not be anymore fortunate.  

The Potty Diaries

Let the training begin!?!?!

With the beginning of summer break, I decided to give the ole potty training thing a try.  Addison has been showing some little signs of being ready:  pulling off diapers, taking her dolls to the potty, and accompanying everyone she knows into the place that use to be a place of solitude.  So on Monday June 1st we went shopping!  We picked out some cute panties with Minnie, Daisy, Tink, and a host of other Disney friends at the store.  Addison had them out of the wrapper before the doors opened as we exited the stores.  I am sure the shoppers at Target, Dicks, and Marshall's wondered, "Why do these parents let this child parade around with such strange toys?"  So with potty waiting at home, stickers in the drawer, a kitchen timer for Addie to "beat", and cute panties to boot, we were ready to begin.  

**Now this is where I want to put in a disclaimer.  I have worked in daycares, talked to enough experienced parents, and have been around enough children to know that potty training is sometimes not the most fun milestone to accomplish.  I am just hoping that Addison is going in the potty by her third birthday.... but please don't hold me to this goal. I am learning plans do not always work out in the whole mommyhood trail I am going down:)

   

Addie modeling her panties.  She is very happy at first.  So happy she had to go show her daddy!

Well after Addie put on her new panties, I set the timer to see how long she could go being dry.  She lasted about 30 minutes keeping Minnie dry and then the training began.  Addie was watching her favorite friend, Tink, when I asked her if Minnie was dry.  She looked up at me with her sweet blue eyes and said, "Yes, momma!"  Not one to believe a two year old, I checked her little tushie to find my child sitting in a puddle of pee.  This is when I knew the fun had just started.  We went to the potty and I tried to explain again the whole idea of a potty.  By the end of the two hour "training session" Minnie, Daisy, Tink, Toodles, Cinderalla, and Ariel all had received a yucky shower to say the least.  I think another case of pampers are in our future. Here's to July 1st... another month older maybe will help?

****Now I want any advice I can get.  Please help me out.  I have helped potty train about ten children in the past, but training your own is just different.  Thanks

What A May!!!!

All I can say is the month of May was a blur of events and I am glad summer vacation is here. Between school, family events, home improvements, and just day to day life, last month was fun but a little bit stressful.  

The highlight of the month was Mother's Day for me.  I always tried to make the day special as a daughter for my mom but since becoming a mother the day has just become so much more.  I love being a mommy to my little girl.  I love seeing the world again through her eyes and discovering the little things in life with her.  We had a lovely day with family and friends.   

Addie Reese and me on my third Mother's Day.

Another May task was filling the flower pots for our front porch.  We definitely have a little green thumb in the making because Addie loves to work outside in the dirt.  We went to Lowe's and she picked out orange and white gerber daisys... already a UT girl and we are so proud!  Addie helped me scoop the dirt into the pots.  I think more hit the ground but it is a start.

Addie helping with Mommy's planter of ivy, impatients, and caladiums. 

The big project for the month of May was my birthday/mother's day present.... the master shower.  After five weeks of demo and hard work by Kyle, our great friend Richard, and Addie, the shower was finished.  I think the final tile count was around 900 pieces.  All I can say is that my husband rocks.  

We obviously do not have problems with child labor laws.  As an educator, I think this is an excellent fine motor skill.

The project completed... what a nice gift.

After all of the work was done around the house, we finally got to have some fun Memorial Day weekend.  We went to the River to visit Nene and Poppy.  This year, in stark contrast to last year, Addie loved riding on the boat.  She even tried to put on her life jacket by herself.  Last year, Addie hated ever single second of the boat ride.  Poppy even let her drive the boat, and honk the horn continuously, even as other boaters stared at us.  Addie spent Saturday night and Sunday night at the river with Nene and Poppy.  Other than being dinner for a few mosquitos, I think she had a blast.  Who wouldn't getting to eat all the ice cream, honey buns, and chicken nuggets they wanted.  But, that is exactly what grandparents are supposed to do.  But Kyle and I were glad to get her back home on Monday.  Boy oh boy, we were bored without her here for two days.