Potty Training Fun, Day 2

I am pleased to say that today was a very encouraging day in the potty training realm. The little fellow is already showing much better control, and seems to be catching on to the concept. His sweet voice crying out, "I go POTTY!" and "I tell MOMMY!" does a lot to lighten the mood and remind me of what a treasure he is, even when we must face unpleasant tasks together.

While I have been concentrating on this effort with Master, Miss has had some special bonding time with Daddy. Yesterday, they went to the Children's Museum in St. Paul (one of her absolute favorite destinations) and out to lunch. Today, she provided valuable assistance with lawn mowing and flower watering before Daddy had to depart for work. She has now launched into her role of head cheerleader for her brother's potty progress, and is very sweetly hugging and kissing him whenever he is successful.

This, of course, may be due to the fact that I have allowed her to participate in Master's M&M rewards for a job well done. Hmmmmm.

California

We've been back from California for over a week, and I am only now catching my breath enough to sit down and write a post. It was a fun trip, though I always feel like I need another vacation by the time we survive the plane trip back to Minneapolis. The kiddos were over-tired, and Miss was overly-nervous about every bump and jiggle on the plane. I must have said "It's okay" 500,000 times in that three hour period.

In order to add to the fun of our mundane life, I have decided to begin the potty training process with Master, so that he *might* have a clue about using the toilet before baby #3's arrival. So far, so horrible. He has no idea what I am asking him to do, and is horrified by having accidents. I loathe potty training. It will go down in my parenting memory as the worst of experiences. It must be done, but I *so* just wish that they could figure it out without my assistance. Oh well, as my grandmother used to say, "Wish in one hand and spit in the other and see which one gets full first."

Here are some pictures of happier times -- our trip to Southern Cal. We met new little cousin D, celebrated cousin L's birthday, and spent a lot of good time with our parents and siblings.