Potty Training

I've heard that girls are easier to potty train than boys -- I'm a believer!

Here she is in her training underwear being pumped full of liquid.

We did potty training boot camp all day Thursday (nearly 20 changes of clothes) and Friday (around 10 accidents). Everyday since then, she has only had one accident per day.

On Saturday I started giving m-n-ms as a reward. She was so upset when she realized that I wasn't going to give her one unless she performed. She turned on the drama big time complete with huge alligator tears falling into the toilet. I tried to capture the drama on film, but she was only pouting by the time I got back with my camera. :)

Last night was the first time she verbalized that she needed to go potty. Prior to that she would grab her crotch and look at me in distress. I am SO proud of my BIG girl!! And am looking forward to only buying diapers for night time!

Pumpkin Patch

Today we went to the pumpkin patch/corn maze that is located within walking distance of our house--behind the farm stand that we went to this summer. It began to drizzle as soon as we walked out the door to go. Ugh! Everyone was a muddy mess by the time we returned, but we tried to make the best of it. (By the way, this was my sweet girl's first outing in underwear. She did great! Pictures of potty training coming soon.)

Kellen's favorite activity was the hay ride.

True to form, Kellen wasn't so sure about the hay bale climbing. But it made for some cute pictures of my cautious boy.

Scarecrow Take ONE:

Take TWO:

Let's try something different. Take THREE:

Oh well, we tried. :)

Daddy Days

Thanks for praying! We went our separate ways and all had a great weekend. I came home physically very tired, but spiritually refreshed and encouraged. The women at our church are wonderful and I feel blessed to have been able to spend the weekend getting to know them.

Here are some pics of the kids looking at Union Pacific Trains before heading to Bass Pro Shop with their Daddy on Saturday. From what I hear, they had an uneventful fun weekend.


When I got home, Anna came running toward me, for what I thought was going to be a happy homecoming hug. Nope, she ran right past me giggling. When I turned around and put my arms out to pick her up, she gave me a high five instead. Haha! I guess I should schedule a week long vacation next time. ;)

Do Not Be Anxious About Anything!

I'm leaving the kids with Tandon tonight to go to a Women's Retreat with our church. It's the first time I've left my children over night. The control freak in me became super worried last night about both the little things (Will T remember to change Anna's diaper?) and the big things (What if he loses one of them in the store?). I got all worked up!

Then I began to realize that the real issue is not that I don't trust my husband (I do, it's just all those unknowns); but that the real issue is, by worrying, I am not trusting God. He is sovereign! Nothing that happens this weekend will be a mistake. Once I worked it all out in my head--my heart began to have peace. I am leaving my children with their father who loves them VERY much. But, more importantly, I am leaving my family with God the Father who loves them even more. Feel free to pray for my little family this weekend as we part ways for a little over 24 hours.

I anticipate flowers and kissing of feet upon my return Saturday evening. ;o)

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27

Children's Museum

We went to the Children's Museum with our new friends--Claire, Leah and their mommy--today. How fun is it to live in a city with a Children's Museum?!? These are horrible pictures because I took them with my phone, sorry. Next time I'll try to remember my camera.

Claire and Kellen

All Four Kids in front of the dinosaur exhibit--not looking--we tried.

Kellen and Anna face painting

Kellen tells me his favorite thing about today was the ball area, but in reality, I think it was the dinosaurs. The various slides were Anna's favorite--she could climb and slide ALL day long.

What a fun day! Looking forward to many more play dates with these sweet girls!

These Are a Few of His Favorite Things

Football with Daddy

However, he doesn't quite understand all the rules. Just prior to getting tackled, Kellen will throw the ball away, touch the ground, and yell, 'Touch Down.'

Preschool--at home

In August, I became nostalgic about not going back to school (and we still hadn't decided on a church, thus no friends or prospects for friends at that point), so to fill our time I decided I would start doing informal preschool with Kellen. He LOVES it! And begs me to keep teaching him after each session. I never wanted to be the teacher-mom who pushed education on her kids, but he is catching on super quickly and enjoying every minute of it. If we keep going at this pace he will totally be reading before Kindergarten. Here he is in his Mouse Mask for letter M.

Bike Riding

Moving to Omaha put a damper on Kellen's bike riding. Our cautious little man took a long time getting used to the hills and uneven sidewalk. But the last 3 weeks he has turned over a new leaf--still a cautious leaf, but he has been all over our neighborhood with no tears. This past weekend he took his first big spill and skinned up his face, knee, and elbow. Here's a picture of his face a few days after the fact. The fall put a damper on his confidence while going around the block, but he still asks to ride up and down our street.

Cowboys

This was Kellen's pose for 1.5 hrs while he and Daddy watched a cowboy movie. Since then, I randomly have a galloping cowboy ride through my house shooting the bad guys.

First Day Photos

First Day of BSF

First Day of Pioneer's Club--This picture was taken the next day, because K wore his 'Skipper' shirt to Pioneer's Club, to bed, and all the next day. Silly kid!