polkadotglasses

Attention:
Please change your bookmark for this blog. I have switched it to the following:
http://polkadotglasses.blogspot.com/

(http://polkadotglasses.blogspot.com) in case the link doesn’t work.

I switched because this host wasn’t allowing me to add pictures and change up the backgrounds, etc.

Thanks!

Little Ian has done a great job using his new little Froggy Potty. I’m so thrilled! He has done lots of #1 in his new potty - but has disappeared into a dark corner for his number two’s.
He seems excited about his progress and his siblings have been so sweet and encouraging too.
I am really starting to feel optimistic that I might not have to celebrate my “10th anniversary of continuously changing diapers” — I just have to get Ian potty trained by March 25th.
If he doesn’t cooperate, that’s ok… but it is an exciting prospect…

I am proud to announce that we have a frog in the kids’ bathroom - a frog potty that is!
Ian finally decided he was ready to purchase a potty today. He carried it all around Wal-Mart - telling everyone who smiled at him that it was his potty and he was going to poop in it. It was too cute!

The potty itself is really adorable. And it has a little “splash guard” and handles too.

When we got home from the store, Ian pee-pee’d in his new potty! I am so proud of him.

However, his enthusiasm is already starting to wane… “Don’t want to use the potty” and “Potty’s so boring” have been muttered several times.

You would think that by this time I would be an “expert” on potty training - but I’m definitely not. I’m trying hard to be encouraging and not overbearing - but it’s hard. I am so ready to NOT change diapers…. after all, that 10 year diaper changing anniversary arrives on March 25th….

I’m enjoying the free cup of coffee I got at Panera Bread this morning… hazelnut… MMMMMMM.
I think I’m going to take the kids to the beach this afternoon since they get out of school early and there’s a cold front approaching. Yesterday was beautiful and today is supposed to be nice too. It’s been almost 2 weeks since we went to the beach and I miss it. After all that’s why we hauled ourselves across the country to move here….

(Did that title get your attention????)
Sorry, couldn’t resist…
I have always been famous for my “Hile Piles - especially in my closets. I just can’t seem to keep my closets picked up and organized. I am going to try to change that….
Yesterday I cleaned out the boys’ closet and my closet too. Today it’s on to Sofie’s closet. It has been tons of work, but the results are amazing! I can actually see the clothes that I have. Conner can actually find a clean pair of shorts on his own now! YIPPEEE!
In the boys’ closet, I pulled out the clothes that are too little for Conner and put them in a box to save for Ian to wear in a few years. I also pulled out the clothes that Ian has outgrown to donate to charity. Conner and Ian also now have a light saber station in their closet where they can always grab a weapon for a battle.
In my closet, I pulled out tons of clothes and even a few purses to donate to charity as well. I know that I will have a pretty big pile from Sofie’s closet as well. She was a bit miffed that her closet wasn’t done first, but is excited about seeing the results this afternoon. She has done an excellent job keeping her room picked up and actually makes her own bed first thing every morning - unprompted!!

I am once again feeling a bit lost in terms of goals and plans… I know I want to be more organized. I am proud of how I am doing better keeping up with the housework. But for some reason, my “goals” seem to be revolving around materialistic things that involve money…

I want:
manicures every week
new furniture
new dishes
new make-up
to go to Egypt NOW
a new car
new high heels
frilly fancy underwear sets
Godiva chocolate truffles
new clothes for everyone in my family
that nose job that my parents offered me when I turned 18
a house with a massive gourmet kitchen…

Of course there is no way I can afford ANY of these things right now or in the near future…
I’m not sure where I caught this case of the “I want’s”… but it’s frustrating. I’m usually not so materialistic - yes, I like nice things - but I’m not usually overwhelmed with so many silly wishes/desires… Maybe it’s because the big “4-0″ is fast approaching…

Little Ian is growing and changing. On Saturday afternoon he participated in the “Kidz ‘N Power” safety seminar at the Taekwondo school. He sat on the floor with Conner and Sofie and the other kids there to watch the video. I sat in a chair in the parents area. Ian sat quietly and did all of the stuff the kids were supposed to do. Then it was time to go outside to practice self defense kicks and punches. UH OH… grass! Ian HATES grass - or at least he used to.

He ran all around on the grass having a great time kicking and punching the mats. The instructors and other parents got a huge kick out of watching him do his thing. (He was the youngest participant by far.) When the session ended, little Ian hit the panic button about the grass and I had to carry him up to the sidewalk. I guess when he started thinking about the grass it freaked him out a bit.

Yesterday at church Ian made some more progress. He actually interacted a lot with the teachers and even did the craft. He ran all around the playground - on the grass!!! When it was time to go back in to the class, he went right in with the teacher into the bathroom to wash his hands - he didn’t wait for me or even look around to see me. I think we’re making progress to where he can go in by himself and I can actually go to church.

While Sofie and I were watching TV together last night I recalled how much she has always loved Ian. When my belly started getting big with him, she just became super attached to “her baby”. When I would arrive back home from running an errand, she would run to me and hug my tummy, saying, “My baby’s home.” She didn’t give a rip that I was home - just that her baby was back. She still can’t enough of Ian - she drives him nuts by always getting into his space trying to hug him - but her love for him has always been there.

Well, my positive outlook/attitude did suffer a slump this week. But, it’s starting to replenish and renew. Some family members got some outstandingly wonderful news yesterday, and I hope Tim and I can keep the ball rolling in a positive/happy direction. We’re working on it…

It’s going to be a busy weekend - Taekwondo for Conner and Sofie this afternoon and in the morning - and then they go back to the Taekwondo school Saturday afternoon for a “Safe Kids” seminar. Then we’ll go to church Sunday - and then it will be back to the weekday routine.

Thankfully, the meds seem to have gotten Conner’s asthma under control. I still can’t believe how cold it is here right now (frost the past two mornings) and how pollen is extremely high in January — just wacky, wacky….

Ian is now into taking off his pants when we’re home and running around in his pull-up. Of course, he still shows no interest at all in using the potty. He is going to be a toughie…

Have a marvelous weekend!

PS— Dear Readers: Don’t be afraid to leave comments. I know you’re out there…

That’s right… we actually had frost on the cars and on the ground this morning as temps dropped to 29 degrees!!! This is supposed to be sunny, warm Florida, people! What happened??? Of course, the weather people are saying that this is the coldest weather Florida has seen since the 1980’s… woo-hoo (NOT).

Thankfully, Conner is feeling better and was able to go back to school today. Ian is still a little snotty - but is hanging in there. Tough as nails Sofie is doing great.

Gotta brag on my students… Conner brought home straight A’s on his report card and Sofie made excellent marks and even improved in 3 key areas.

We’re getting geared up for visits from Megan and her girls and then from Nana! YEAH!!!

Well… gotta run…

Sorry folks…

my brain is just full of mush today….

Why is it that…

… the left sock that your daughter wants to wear falls behind the dryer as you’re rushing to get everyone out the door?

… the cinnamon rolls that everyone is anxiously waiting for inexplicably burn on the bottom?

… all three of your kids have some sort of crisis at the same time?

… every bill you have is due at the same time leaving you with no money for quite a stretch of time?

… you pick the shortest check out line at Wal-Mart only to discover that Cashier Betty moves at the speed of a snail?

… you settle in to take a nap on a Sunday afternoon only to become engrossed in a stupid reality show?

… people on HGTV’s “House Hunters” show always say, “This would be perfect for entertaining.”

… kids always want to eat their food super-duper fast?

… people let the door to the movie theatre slam in your face?

… kids are so good at video games?

These are just a few of the weird ponderings that are clouding my tired mind today.

…