Desperate cry for help!!

Help me please!!!!
If anyone has the trick for getting an almost 3 year old boy potty trained, I will pay top dollar!!! If I have to clean up poo from a little bum and pair of underwear one more time, I don't know if I will have a child left to potty train!!!
Last night I was going to the bathroom myself, then Darin yelled for my help. Spencer had no underwear on-he had previously wet them, then came walking into the living room to hand Darin a big poo he had done....gross....what the heck do I do?
I am such a basket case about this. I get so angry and Spencer sees it, so I know that doesn't help. I have this false thinking that how well my child is potty trained is a result of how good of a mother I am. I am failing miserably with potty training, so therefore I currently feel extremely low on the mothering scale.
So why on earth do I take this so personal? I hear of all these other children who are younger than Spence and already potty trained. 2 year olds who are just barely talking are potty trained...where do I go wrong? Why is my child so resistant to peeing and pooping on the toilet? Can he not feel it, does he not care? ARG ARG ARG!!!
Any ideas are greatly appreciated!!

Home Sweet Home!

We are home from our trip to Utah and this time a lot more than others it was really good to arrive home. Flying with 3 children has its special challenges-especially when one of the carseats is forgotten at security on the first flight the day we left-a story for another day. We learned many lessons on this trip which I will share on future posts. I have loved reading everyones posts of the last week since my sister in law does not have the internet at her house....yes, there are people who are fine without it. We felt a little out of touch because we did't watch much tv, read any newspapers, or have the internet. Now we get to catch up!! I read the paper at breakfast and luch today and it was great!! Darin sat tonight and read the front page of all the papers from the last week since he forgot to cancel it. Ah, how we take the paper for granted.

Lots of pics and fun stories to come!!

A great getaway weekend

Hershey PA!!

Darin had to work in Harrisburg PA, which isn't too far from Hershey, so we decided to join him for a long weekend. We love to go to Hershey and Lancaster, but this time we added some new fun things to our list. We of course went to Chocolate World and and did the tour a couple times. Who can resist singing cows and some chocolate at the end. Not to mention the smell of chocolate while on the ride. They were giving out "Bliss" at the end, which were just that!!

This time we decided to try th 3D show they have. It was really good-we liked it. The kids loved glasses. The good thing was that even if they didn't wear the glasses, they were entertained. At times it was a little loud for Jordan, and if she was a little taller she wouldn't have been happy about the puffs of air at your feet, but over all they loved it. I would recommend it.

How many people would it take to finish this chocolate bar?

We added Hershe Gardens to our trip this time. Highly recommended. The plants and flowers are beautiful, and it sits up on a bit hill overlooking Hershey Park. You can hear the screams as people go on the roller coasters.

The best part is the children's garden. There were tons of little activities for the kids, and they especially loved the butterfly house. There were lots of butterflies to see up close so everyone loved it. One lady had a few land on her and kids thought it was really cool. Another nice thing about Hershey Gardes was a really nice little picnic area outside the entrance. We had a nice picnic lunch. I would really recommend this place if you take a trip to Hershey.

More Late Breaking News

WOW-what a day-can I take anymore? First Jordan goes under the water and now here's the news flash: Spencer pooped on the potty!!!!Yeah!! It was so exciting for us all and he was so proud of himself. I guess it helped to have him running around naked on the bottom and reading books to him on the toilet. It took a little while, before dinner and after, but he did it and earned his reward- a little dinosaur figurine. Spencer only has had on 1 pair of underwear all day-what an accomplishment!! He is happily playing and mommy is happily typing!!

To top it all off I get to go to enrichment tonight-what a great day!!!

Late Breaking News!!!!!

Today I have has such a proud mommy moment!!! I am so excited to share that Jordan will now go under water!!!! Woo Hoo!! She has been very hesitant all summer and has been in swimming lessons the last 3 weeks. I kept trying to get her to use her friend's goggles, and try to go under, but she refused. Today Jordan finally just made the decision to do it! ( I guess this is a pattern that is forming with her-things have to be in her own time...not mine:) Yikes:(

Well, thank you Giant Grocery Store! We went this morning to get a few groceries. I decided to check their seasonal section and they had one pair of purple goggles so we got them. Spencer got some really cute ones with little sharks on them.

On the way to the pool, Jordan told me she was going to go under the water today. We got there and had to wait for her lesson because of a junior swim meet. So we hit the baby pool. We were there less than 5 minutes and she was a changed child....thanks to the magic purple goggles.

Here's how she started: Have to look in the water first.
progressing along-she figured out to hold her nose. What a proud gal-thanks magic purple goggles!! We love you!!
She is completely under the water.....huge, huge, major accomplishment!!

There's no stopping her now!!
And last but not least-swimming in the big pool!!

Jordan-you are amazing and mommy is so proud of you!!

Playing Catch up

I have been really behind in posting about the kiddies. I am not the best at my journal right now, so I figure that this blog will serve as a sort of journal of the kiddies activities. I love the fact that I can get it printed at the end of the year as well. I can say I am doing family history-preserving precious memories. Here are some recent memories we have had in our house.

Do you ever buy the big tub of cookie dough from Costco? My fridge lock no longer keeps Spencer out of the fridge. The following pic are from what happens when Landon is sleeping and I try to take a quick nap.



My question was "who's idea was it" and of course Jordan says Spencer but look at this face:
Yummy!!!

Here are a few recent happenings for Landon

He had his first real "boo boo." Darin came into my primary class after church last week and handed me a very groggy little boy saying "I return him to you in slightly damaged condition." I guess he took a spill in the foyer and hit the bottom part of one of the end tables. Good thing was that he slept through the rest of church.
Landon discovered a love of popsicles. He can eat the little tiny ones-which incidentally if you haven't tried them, the are awesome!! He is sitting on a kids picnic table we recently got, which I put together!!
Ah, what summer would be complete without some wonderful corn on the cob!!
Interesting way to eat it!

Cheap entertainment

So I bought some tape at the dollar store a few weeks ago. I opened it and quickly found out why it was sold at the dollar store. Not that great.



When the kiddies started playing with it, I figured "only 1.00 for a little entertainment and the tape is really yucky, no big deal." Landon started it, then it moved along to Spencer and Jordan. The first picture is actually the culmination of all the excitement!! Landon started it out by himself.
Spencer was next with Jordan's help.
Last but not least, Jordan with Spencer's help.

Lesson: if you need cheap entertainment, there are lots of inexpensive options at the dollar store. The new one in the Rose Hill Shopping Center is really nice-huge improvement from the previous location!!

"Something got on me"

I was happily eating breakfast with Spencer and Landon this morning, when I was heard Jordan walking down the steps. These were the first words out of her mouth:

"Something got on me."

I then saw the beautiful artwork Jordan did after we put her to bed last night. This was our big mistake:we close the door and let her play until she goes to sleep. I am baffled as to when she actually got the marker. I thought it was hidden from her. Anyway, we were watching Wipe Out (which is hysterical) on the main level for an hour, then were on the lowest level setting our new Wii up. We hadn't heard anything, so we assumed she was asleep. We checked on her before we went to bed at 10:00 and the little stinker had locked her door. I haven't found anything small enough to fit in the lock on her door....

So anyhow when I saw her this morning I remained calm-which is an accomplishment for me, and asked her for the marker. I instantly knew which marker she used because it was wide writing. She took me to her room and I saw the rest of her late night escapades.

Here is one wall, which you can see has been a victim multiple times now.

My sweet little artist!
Pay special attention to the detail on the knees.
A wide view of her canvas.

When I showed my friend Jill these pictures, this is the one which made her say "sweet." My neighbor came over and I showed her. Her comment was "they are all smiling." Again, notice the knees!! Jordan's instrument of choice.

Our bedtime theory has been that as long as she stays in her room and doesn't bother us, we are ok. Guess that has been proven an incorrect theory! I am also blank as to what sort of discipline to use here. I will take everything out of her room, except the huge book shelf full of books, and see what happens. Is it mean to take away the doll she sleeps with everynight? Poor thing also got some risidual marker on her from Jordan cuddling her.

I told my neighbor Kelly that I was going to take her doorknob off and turn it around. She asked me if Jordan could figure out to lock it on the outside then close it. Didn't think of that. I guess the doorknob needs to come off...Or maybe I could just check on her more. Novel idea. Do they make sleeping pills for 5 year olds?

We were going to wait until next year to do a big room switch-put the boys in her room, Jordan in the little room and paint it then, but I feel a little um, um, is there a nicer way to say "white trash" with the coloring all over the walls. May have to paint......

Closure

Warning: This blog entry is more for me and my mental status than a usual "this is what we have been doing entry" so read with your mind open!

I have been stewing over something for a couple days, and I figured the best way to get over it is to write about it and what better place than my blog. (Since I am not doing well in the journal area) Hopefully it will help.

Because of unfortunate circumstances, that I didn't forsee, Jordan and I were not able to have what I would call a proper goodbye with Ryann and her family before they left for England. I have been so emotional about this and wonder why. I have been thinking about it and wondering why it was so important to me-why I am not taking it well. Ryann was the one leaving the country and all of her friends behind am I having such a pity party for myself? That is a problem.

Here are my thoughts:

I was really sad on Sunday when I hung up the phone from what would be our last conversation. We were not going to be able to meet at the park on Monday morning. I am a little ashamed to confess that I was a little angry at Ryann's mom at first when Ryann said that it wasn't a good idea to least pop over for 10 minutes Monday morning-especially when I heard that another friend had popped in over the weekend. (Can you say jealousy? Here's where anyone with a psychology background can help with some of my excess baggage) Then I had to smack myself and realize that she (Ryann's Mom) was losing a daughter and 3 grandchildren which probably trumps my 3 and a half years knowing Ryann.

I guess that I have needed to also realize that because a couple friends got to spend more time with Ryann the last week, go out to eat, take pictures, get hugs, etc. they are not any more important than me and my daughter. So she doesn't have a picture giving Emilie a hug goodbye it doesn't make her less of a friend. Timing was ultimately the problem. I also felt guilty for not going to the dinner and for having a neighbor with me when-unbeknownst to me-it would be the last time I saw Ryann. Hindsight is 20/20-right?

Wow I really wrote a lot-but it feels good to get that out. I guess if you all read this I should pay you for your time:)

To the Murphys:

Ryann, I really miss you already. When the phone rang before 8:00 today my first thought was "It's Ryann." No one else called me that early. I already miss our calls to just talk that didn't really result in anything but good chats. Thank you so much for being such a wonderful friend to me the last few years. I think of you often and hope you find friends worthy of you... they will soon find out that you will be so fun to be around and hang out with and a blessing to their lives.

Thank you Terry for sharing Ryann with us. I am sure there were times I drove you nuts with calling so much,etc. Thanks for being willing to watch our kids on short notice many times. You have a wonderful giving heart and are an awesome dad-my kids loved playing with you!

Thank you Emilie for being such a great friend to Jordan. You made her laugh so much and she always had so much fun with you. Jordan could play with you everyday, and still ask to play with you some more!! You are a sweetie and will make lots of friends I am sure. Thank you Maddie as well for being a good friend to Jordan, and Spencer. You are such a sweet, gentle caring little girl and the children around you are lucky. We will miss you all a lot-you too Timmy!!

Well, I feel better now. Life lesson to remember: no matter what-goodbye or no goodbye a friend is always a friend.

Ryann, I love you my friend.

Not for another 10 years....

....do I hope to have to go mattress shopping. Wow, what an experience!! Darin and I decided we needed a new mattress, so off to the store we went. We were greeted by an impecably groomed salesman-which was funny because all his grooming things were on display in the bathroom. He was an interior designer and tried to talk us into upgrading to a king mattress.


Anyhow we got the schpeel-how on earth do you spell that-on the different mattress, differences, etc. He had a pattern of how he was going to take us around and told me to be careful and not get dizzy when I sat on the first one. I was thinking "that is a wierd thing to say."


Well after laying on mattress after mattress for around an hour, I knew why he said that. I was hungry-we hadn't eaten yet, and all of a sudden I was light headed and dizzy. The guy insisted on giving me cookies and kept asking if I wanted a soda as well. He was really nice. Note to self-take a lunch next time you go mattress shopping:)


What was interesting was his the way he took us around, kept taking us back and forth testing the ones we liked to narrow it down. It is weird that ones you first think you like, you don't like after you have layed on them all. We tried the tempurpetic ones-memory foam- and they had one that you could raise and lower with massaging features. I loved it but Darin didn't.


We ended up buying the first one we layed on when we went into the store-before the salesmane got his hands on us!! We could have saved a lot of time, but it was very interesting to see the process and narrow it down.


So after next Saturday hopefully I will be a better rested, less back pain, more cheerful in the morning kind of person!!

We got a new toy!!!

Every since Darin and I went to our friends Brent and Lea's house for a date night and played their Wii, we have thougth it would be so fun to have one. We liked it a lot because it is not the typical video came where you just sit down with a controller and chase something. We had so much fun playing bowling and boxing.

We have been watching to see when stores get them in, but they always put them out Saturday evening and they are gone by Sunday. A couple days ago, Darin told me there would be a box coming and not to open it. He is Mr. Ebay, so I was not surprised to hear a box was coming, but usually I can open it.

So the box came today and when he got home told me to sit down. He said it was my birthday present to him-yes, I typed that correctly-his birthday is the 21st and I always complain that there is nothing for me to ever get him. One year he got a new razor like 2 weeks before his birthday-he said he had to order it that day for a rebate. Very typical around anytime I want to get him a gift.

Well, the box was from CompUSA, so I thought it was some computer thing he got a rebate on. He opened it and I was so excited....a Wii!!!! He randomly went online one day and they had one, then the next day they didn't!!

So Jill and Lea get your gloves ready because now I can practice!!! Next time-Knock Out!!