SLACKER

I've had this slideshow sitting in my projects folder for a VERY long time now, but I figured it's never too late to share! So...enjoy! I will be making an updated one soon...after these darn midterms. Thank you for checking this out!

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=809ed451e91879ee89c399&skin_id=1702&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

Can you say Potty Trained?!

I can't believe that after 3 failed attempts, my oldest baby is now potty trained! We have had success with both 1 and 2 on the potty chair. We have had success with leaving the house and going in public restrooms. We have even had success with waking up to go potty and then going back to sleep! It is amazing how fast it goes once kids understand the purpose or concept! Now don't get me wrong, we still have accidents because she hasn't graduated into telling us when she needs to go (except for the wake-ups), but they don't happen often. When an accident happens, it is usually because we weren't paying attention to the last time she went. We are so proud of our BIG (little) girl. She loves to decide which panties to wear...Oh the choices: Hello Kitty, Minnie Mouse, polka dots, stripes, stars, mermaids, pineapples, watermelons, and more!

The best part of the story is how we broke through with our many successes. One day, Chuck E. Cheese called Maysie and told her that he really wanted to see her. He personally invited her to his place under one condition. He told her that if she went pee-pee on the potty she could go see him and tell him in person. So, it took about 3 days of trying and a couple more encouraging phone calls from the mouse himself...and Voila`! The cutest part was that each time he called, Maysie would say, "Okay Chuck E., I go pee-pee on the potty and come see you!" Then she would run to her potty, sit down, and W-A-I-T...for soooooo long with no pee-pee. So, when she finally went on the 3rd day, the whole house celebrated!!! We waved bye-bye to her pee-pee (flushed the toilet), washed our hands, got ready (still celebrating), and left for Chuck E. Cheese right away! We waited to see Chuck E. when we were done playing and she told him the great news. He gave her a high five and a thumbs up! What an experience...tune in next year when Mylie becomes part of the Potty Club!

P.S. To continue our success, we did use a little old fashioned bribery. Each time Maysie went pee-pee (or poo-poo) on the potty, she'd get to visit the treasure basket to take ONE toy. The funny thing is that after a couple days, I wouldn't pull it out unless she reminded me. Eventually she forgot all about it and it still has toys!! I guess she is content with the praise and accomplishment! Plus, there are SO many steps to remember when using the potty!

I'm over it! I think!

I did it! I am going public!!! My blog readers keep forgetting their log-in information. So, just to make life easier, here I go...PUBLIC! Plus, it is easier for the Aussie's to view our family! I am having an anxiety attack as I am doing this! Ahhhhh!

My LiTtLe PaStRy ChEfS

Yesterday, My friend Andrea, her son Justin, Maysie, Mylie, and I went to Little Pastry Chefs. It was so much fun!! Justin and Maysie had a blast rolling sugar cookie dough, cutting out shapes of their choice, and frosting and decorating cupcakes and cookies. Justin and I had fun throwing flour on to the table (like the bakers do on Cake Boss-my new favorite show) while Maysie licked up frosting. Andrea was busy keeping Mylie occupied. She gave her several cookie cutters to play with, helped her lick up frosting, frosted a cupcake for her, and even chased her around the shop!!! (Thank you, Andrea!) It was a bummer that we saw the highchair (with safety straps) after we were finished!! Mylie had so much fun gobbling up her orange cupcake. The best part...was that it wasn't my kitchen (or Andrea's kitchen) that needed to be cleaned up after we were finished! We will definitely be back. The staff was so nice, too. Here are some of the pictures I managed to take amidst all the chaos. (Really though, there wasn't much chaos...just a lot of fun!)

This is the before pic... (Mylie, Maysie, and Justin) Notice they are squeaky clean!!
Mylie didn't know what was going on. One thing she did know was that her cupcake was too yummy! She went to town...as you can see on her face!!! I love these kinds of pictures.
My little decorator is hard at work! She liked decorating and then dipping her finger for a taste. It is so funny to watch a two year old lick her lips!!! Yes...that is flour all over her shirt. And yes, that is a pigtail. I can put her hair in two pigtails now! I love it.
Here are Maysie's finished cupcakes. Don't they look YUM-YUM-YUMMY?!?!?! It was funny because we cut sugar cookies first. While they were cooking, the kids decorated their cupcakes. Maysie unwrapped her cupcake and took a big bite. She had no idea we were going to decorate it! She caught on real quick!

NaP TiMe!

Oh my goodness! This story is such a miracle, I have to share! So, as you might know, Maysie just slept in her toddler bed for the first time last night. At nap time, I was worried because she usually plays in her crib for a short time before falling asleep. So, when I put her down for a nap, it seemed like she was going to stay (we won't mention that I bribed her with a mini sprinkle cupcake when she woke up). Sure enough, she comes strolling out 3 minutes later. I hold my ground and do not give in to the puppy dog eyes and polite "PLEEEEEEZE!" Lo and behold, about 2 hours later, she said, "Mommy, Mommy....I night-night! I want go night-night!" Then, she takes off running to her bedroom! I follow her, help her into bed, give her a kiss, and promise her the cupcake when she wakes up. That sweet, darling, precious, little girl fell asleep for 4 HOURS!!!!! I could not believe it! I almost went and woke her up. I think I'm getting off the hook with this one since potty training has been such a disaster.

Here's my little toddler with plenty of sweet & sticky kisses to give.

BiG GirL BeD!

Yesterday, Mike & I decided it was time to turn Maysie's crib into a toddler bed a.k.a. Big Girl Bed!!! She was so excited . Here is a picture of her testing it out. Notice that Mickey is still her bedtime pal!! (He is no longer known as Tee-Tee.)
So, she totally went to bed like a big girl. I was excited to read her a book while laying in bed with her! Then, we kissed, said, "I love you SO much" & "Night-Night," and she fell asleep! I was expecting her to get up and start playing in her room. So far, the transition has been easy. (We haven't taken a NAP yet, though.) Anyways, I woke up around 4 am (with Mylie) and Maysie's door was opened. Strange. Neither Mike or I opened it. That only leaves one other person. But, that person was sound asleep in her bed...like a big girl. Well, at about 5:30 am, Maysie came strolling in to our bedroom with Mickey, her blankie, and her pillow. I picked her up, she laid down next to me, and fell asleep until 7:15 am. Not a word said. Too Cute! It is amazing how something so little can be such a big event! My life has been so much more fun just watching my little angels grow up! Here is a picture of Maysie passed out in her bed.

Silly Face! Kissy Face!

I caught Mylie trying to make silly noises. I am so glad I had the camera ready to capture a memory that might have been forgotten!