Potty Talk

For the third time I am cursing the potty!! We have begun my least favorite part of parenting, hands down, nothing compares to potty training (well I haven't experienced my three teenage daughters yet but...)!! I detest it, I can't hardly get up the stomach for it this time. I have to keep reminding myself that this is the last one, we can do it! And yet I am still hesitant. But a time had been set, my foot drawn in the sand- "After our spring break trip we are going to potty train Eva" I had said. OK, so I started yesterday, three days behind schedule, but the bribery has been purchasedthe chart has been made
and it has begun.
This is a look at my life for the next two weeks at least(cross my fingers and say a prayer!) It was nice that she started this happy!!It didn't last. Yesterday wasn't a disaster but it wasn't great. That girl is a camel!! We took the "diapies" away yesterday morning and sat on the potty every hour (each time crying for her diapies), she even held it all the way through the shopping trip- until 2:00pm in which we took a break for a late lunch- and she wet on the chair! We had a talk about it and she proceeded to hold it until I was occupied with making dinner, she peed on the floor. Again we talked about where it belongs. Positive side is that she HATED it all over her legs. Negative side, now she had to bathe and I had to mop the floor and wash wet clothes. Lucky for me she hasn't even tried the other end yet. Have I said how much I HATE this process!!

Today has been more of the sameOH WAIT, hold your hats- breaking news!!!! While typing this, Eva yelled at me saying she had wet. I jumped up and sprinted only to find her sitting on her potty and SUCCESS!!! By golly she did it!!!!Chocolates all around and stickers placed, hopefully this is a corner turned, although really, I know it's just the beginning... Yes I am a potty prisoner in my own home, we won't be out much for a while, my apologies to all the neighbors who have to watch her bare bum run around outside on occasion- we can't stay inside ALL day!!!

Spring Break Continues

Despite the cold weather of last week, we continued to find fun things to do during our Spring Break:

On Tuesday we met the Mickelson's at the pool and spent the afternoon swimming while it poured rain outside! Most of the time was spent with Brooklyn and Abby making a train from the noodles and giving rides around the pool.On Wednesday we decided to meet the very same Mickelson clan at the movies to see the one and only Monster's VS. Aliens in 3D. Paul even joined us and while it was snowing outside, we were blown away by the movie- very cute and fun, but the 3D was spectacular! As soon as Liv put on her glasses she started reaching out to grab things and Eva put hers on, got scared that everything was right there, took them off and wouldn't put them on for the remainder of the film!!

Thursday we awoke to a foot of snow outside, but we didn't let that keep us from packing our bags, pillows, tents, and coats and making our way south to what we hoped would be warmer weather with my family! Alas the storm followed us and that first night I nearly lost all my toes and the next day was overcast, chilly and windy. This weather did nix my plans to go on a 37 mile bike ride with my brother Kelly across some magnificent landscapes, but we made the best of it and drove ourselves over to Arches National Park instead.
We first had lunch at a picnic area in which everyone got in the mood for climbing!Next we made our way up the trail to see Delicate Arch. Paul had never been there, well neither had Abby for that matter!! It is such a breathtaking structure and I was glad they were able to see it. When later asked what his favorite part of the trip was, Paul said this was by far!!We also took a short hike over to see some Native American Petroglyphs.Then we went over and saw one of the double arches. This hike was even more child friendly so Liv and Eva joined us- we had a great time, and again, so magnificent!

That night we had a BBQ and roasted marshmallows and enjoyed some smores- some of us had more than others, OK I did!!!Saturday morning we awoke to clear blue sky's and no wind, so we made our way to Goblin Valley. Now this is a place that I have been to several times as a child and teenager and I have such fond memories, I couldn't wait to let my girls experience how fun it is. If you have never been it is a 1 mile deep 3 miles wide valley of sand formations that they let all the children climb on and in and explore to their hearts content. I wish I had taken a panoramic view, but I didn't, so these close ups will have to do!!Despite losing Abby in the maze after only 5 min. and finding her quite shaken, we all had a great time and it was perfect weather. Thanks Cory, Jill, Kelly, Bethany, Mom, Aunt Marsha, and the kids for making the trip so fun!

We came home to beautiful weather, our trees and flowers in full bloom. Abby and Liv spent all Sunday afternoon in the backyard constructing bouquet'sand I have again fallen into spring fever love- hopefully this time it won't break my heart!!

Holiday weekend

We have been up to some fun things this last weekend- I thought I would share, since I just now downloaded the pics!

Saturday morning we decided to brave the rain and go to the city egg hunt, it was just at the park by our house, so why not! Liv was very excited to participate, Eva had no clue what was going on and Abby took off with a friend and we didn't see her till it was all over, but she was elated with her loot!! I haven't ever done a city hunt before, it was CRAZY and over in about 30 seconds, but good fun.

That evening my niece Tia came over and babysat for us while Paul and I had a date night out- we went to dinner and a movie. A week or so ago we decided that with all the working Paul has been doing that we NEED to do this at least once a month to help us reconnect somewhat. I can't think of a better use of our money than that right now, and we had a great time together. Thanks Tia for your willingness to watch the girls!!

Easter morning was filled with the usual fun of seeing what the Easter Bunny brought. I love these funny sleepyheads!!Then we tried to quickly get dressed in our Easter attire and make it to church, only 15 min. late this year!!! We ended up combining our Primary class with Abby's so we had 13 kids to teach, but it went very well and the kids were great, which was wonderful while we talked about Christ and the Resurrection.

I think that our girls looked great in their dresses this year, we haven't ever done a green and blue scheme before and I really liked it!!Abby took this picture of Paul and I, it turned out pretty good!!

That afternoon we went up to the Davis' for some egg coloring, egg hunt and of course wonderful food and company. The hit of the day for the girls was finding out that the eggs in the hunt had money in them- Grandma Davis is pretty awesome they think!!!! Here are the cousins all playing together, fun times.
This week is Spring Break so yesterday we met some friends over at the Thanksgiving Point Farm and spent the afternoon feeding the animals, having a picnic and of course riding the ponies- well everyone but poor Eva. She was so excited to ride them for the first time until she sat in the saddle and that pony moved!! It was all over after that, but I was proud of her for trying. Liv rode all by herself and Abby got the "Tall Pony" and was overjoyed. As we were leaving they were very happy to spend their Easter money on a toy from the gift shop, so thanks Grandma!!

After that I went out for a bike ride with my sister Shamae, thank goodness it is Spring Break and her kids could watch mine while we went! We would be out again today but it is pouring rain outside and I hope it clears before we leave south for the weekend- everyone cross your fingers for us!!
Hope you all had a great holiday as well.

Never say Never

I am not a pet person, never really have been, never really will be. I grew up with several cats at different stages, as well as my beloved Charlie, a hamster. But after the girls were so interested in watching those silly Sea Monkeys, that Abby bought a couple weeks ago, grow from egg to little squirmy's and being go delighted with them- that is until I left them up in the kitchen window overnight when it decided to drop below freezing and they, well, passed on!! The girls were all so sad, I even think Paul was quite sad to see them go, that I caved and said, despite all my better judgment, "How about we go and pick out some real fish to take care of". I said it off the cuff, not really planning on following through. But then Abby started coming home from school everyday with her practice sentences written, including "I will get a fish." And she kept telling Asher on the way to school that she was going to get one. She was so excited that I couldn't not do it. I mean, it is fish, that is not hard, they don't get hair everywhere, they don't destroy furniture, they don't smell, they don't cost much to feed... OK, OK, OK, I caved!!!

So last night we took them, all smiley faced and bouncing out of their skin, to pick out some fish and here is the joy it produced:

Meet Goldie- Abby's
Chocolate- Liv'sand last but not least Helmet head- Eva's (thanks Paul for suggesting THAT name!)Now Paul has layed down his bet that I have killed them in three weeks time. I keep telling him I had a very happy and cared for Betta fish for 2 years in College- so I say they live at least that long, after all, I am even more responsible now! What time frame do you put your money on before you see the funeral post!!!

Bunch of Scraps

Not much happening this week, it has decided to be winter again so we are all cooped up! I cleaned the house, did a million loads of laundry and then started back into my scrapbooking again- I am so far behind!! Here are a couple for you to enjoy, I can't believe how much Eva has grown since last summer!! Now that these are lined up, it seems I need to brake out of the "Pink and Green" mode!!