observations of kids

I have been in the public schools now for 2 weeks observing. First observation: kids are crazy Second observation: kids will make you crazy if you let them. Third observation: kids are like sharks, they smell fear. SO DON'T be afraid of them, encourage them, help them develop and always remember SMILE! Remember today's choices are tomorrow's consequences! Love to all, I've had the busiest craziest and downright nuttiest day I think ever! Someday I might blog more, but this is just a list of my small observations. Too bad I can't write than in my formal portfolio for class!

Project 365 idea...

Well as life is back to it's busy schedule of school and work (for Gordy) and homework I find it hard to remember the days that have gone by. So while playing around on face book tonight one of my good friends had this cool idea (that she also stole from a friend) posted. It was called project 365, and the basic idea was to take a picture (most commonly of everyday life, which is after all the best sometimes) and document it. I believe I am going to try and start this. I think it would be so cool to take 1 picture a day of something that you want to remember about that day. Anyway, I thought I would share that. I am getting ready for my first certification exams and have been taking classes for computer proficiency training in order to have a computer in my classroom when I graduate. I know I graduate a year from now but I still have so much to do! I don't want to forget anything about this last year of school. I have been so blessed to be able to finish up my degree and I have also met some amazing friends along the way! Love to all, hope your're having an amazing week!

First Day of school

So today was Parker's first day of "school". He was pretty excited, I must admit I was a little sad to see him go. I don't usually drop him off on his first day, I am usually in school too. But for some reason this year he started a day before me so I got to take him! He was sad until he saw some old friends from last year and he kissed me goodbye, waved and grabbed the little girls hand and walked right in. It was nice to see him go on so easily, but a little hard for me hah. As you can see from the pictures he has moved on up in class so he now needs a nap mat. (Which he was VERY excited about!)He also got a new lunch box to take (which he was quite proud of!) We had such a great summer together, we got to spend an entire 2 months together, Which has never happened! We had SOOO much fun and it makes me almost want to cry to think it is all over! Love to all, hope everyone has a great week!

we're there!

Well, I have good news! Parker is officially potty trained! He even sleeps in big boy undies for his nap!! The only time we have a pull up on him is at night. YEAH for us!!! I am so glad that he finally gave in and just started to use the potty. We have moved the changing table out and have placed some table and chairs in his room (cars, who would've guessed). He LOVES it!! He sits in there and colors and plays play doh for hours on end...which is nice for me. He has also dubbed the other chair "his Abbie's" since we just got it they haven't been able to come over for her to sit in her new chair. And, he also got a new bed that's a car, it's way too cool, or at least he thinks so.In other sad news, our first fish....has gone to a better, well different place. I tried to clean the water out for him and he met his demise soon thereafter. It was sad, but I think I was more upset than Parker was. We have a new fishy now that is black and has appropriately been named "Red". Who knows what goes on in a 2 year olds brain? Anyway, love to all we are trying to enjoy the rest of our freedom these next couple of weeks!

Correction...

I feel that I might have been a bit misleading in my previous post on the potty training issues at hand. Yes, it is true that we have started potty training but it is not true that he will go to the potty everytime by himself, or that he will tell me when he needs to go potty. He has had a few accidents and he waits to be smelly all throughout his nap instead of just using the potty for that. BUT I am not giving up, after all Rome was not built in a day and my amazing awesome man of God won't be molded into that in a day either :) When Ed used to say the best thing you can do as a parent is be consistent and determined I never really knew that that meant...until now. Here is a fun swimming picture, has nothing to do with this blog really but I thought it was cute. When you tell him to smile he does a crooked smile, it's funny. love to all!

our new pet

We are now proud fish owners! Parker is (for the most part) potty trained. This does not mean however that we still don't ask him every 30 minutes or so if he needs to go potty. But I feel that the major trauma of potty training is over. Thank you God!! Everyone have a great week, we're still enjoying our summer fun! Meet Nemo, Kitty Cat or Mr. Fishy...depending on who he is telling the story to.

How has this been done for centuries?

Potty training....ugh! I have promised Parker a goldfish when he is successful at this potty training bit. I must say this morning when I told him it was time to start he was rebellious and non cooperative to say the least. (this is mildly putting it because at one point I was pulling him on the floor towards the bathroom with him dragging his bike and something else along with him in order to try and stop me.) I quickly gave that idea up, sat down with my coffee and prayed a bit. Afterwards I realized that small trinkets and stickers would not do with this kid. I was going to have to up it a notch. For the past few months he has been begging Gordy and I for a fish (no, really BEGGING for one, yesterday he even had enough sense to bring along money he found at home in order to try and con me into getting him one...I usually tell him that we don't want to waste money on them.) So, upon thinking of this I calmly went to the garage and got down a bubblegum machine that is actually a fish tank. (Thanks Lynn!!) Parker and I set it up together and he is excitedly using the bathroom (almost) each and every time he needs to. Tomorrow we are moving to big boy undies (he is also excited about this.) So I am attempting to get him regularly going (every 30 minutes, set on a timer as advised) so that he will be ready for his big boy undies tomorrow. (And the Lord willing a goldfish soon, because that would mean we've done it!) I do have to say I never imagined this fish thing would work as well as it has so far. I guess my big lesson here is that sometimes you need to calm down, step back and talk to God about the situation. I always try and fix it my own way, of course it never works! Everyone have a lovely 4Th of July and a great safe weekend!