Well...we gave up.
Jude is stubborn and potty training while a four year old is running around too is insane.
We put him back in diapers this past month.
However... I think we are ready to start again.
During this break from PT, Jude has become way more vocal and can readily say diaper, potty, and pee. Now, he often will say potty right after he pees in his diaper. We also picked up a travel potty on sale so that we have a spare one in the car.
We picked up pull-up diapers tonight at the store and are practicing pulling them up and down. So, perhaps, this week, we will attempt no diapers.
Keeping our fingers crossed that our little dude can become a big boy dude!
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Summer Swimming
Shelly, Rick, and Ciearra came to visit us for a weekend. It is really great to be so close to family that we can just bips over to see each other for a day or two. Tam and Jude were so excited to see them! The downside was that it rained, and rained, and rained on Friday and Saturday. This totally ruined the plan to go the beach or blueberry picking. Luckily the kiddos didn't mind just playing with each other and all the toys and books for chunks of time (with minimal fighting). We did get out for a while to show the family downtown Vermilion. It was Christmas in July, so many of the little shops had sales. I totally let the kids have fun...flavored popcorn at the farmer's market, sugar candy at the candy store, late night watching movies. It was great.
On Sunday, we found the local community pool. Back in Grand Rapids, we visited a few of the huge pool facilities and the splash pads...but now we are in a smaller town. The weather was warm so we suited everyone up and headed for the water. The beach was out because of the storms the previous day. To our delight, the pool was a decent size and not crowded at all...and it was salt water! The shallow end was only a little over a foot deep, so Jude could touch the bottom. Everyone went in, but Ciearra threw a fit and sat in a chair for a chunk of the time. We put arm floaters on Jude, but just let Tam have at it in the shallow end. I was fully prepared for Jude to throw a fit, especially since he has only recently sort-of enjoyed going into Lake Erie while being held in our arms. But, that stinker, surprised us and LOVED the water. By the end of the swim time, he was jumping into our arms from the side and bobbing around on his own. His grin stretched completely from ear to ear. Tam loves the water and had no problem swimming around in the water...well, kind-of swimming...he isn't quite coordinating the kicking and the scooping but he tried when we reminded him. He also jumped in from the side of the pool into deeper water. He attempted to jump off the dive board, but stalled on the edge. Maybe next time. Brian's grin was also huge because he was so proud of his boys and how well they behaved in the water. I swear his chest was so puffed up with pride :-) If we can swing it, I would really like to get both boys into swim lessons when possible at the YMCA.
Overall, it was a blast. One of the nicest things Shelly commented on was how great it was to all be sitting around the table just chattin' and chillin' and laughing. I agree. It was awesome to just to hang out as a family.
Can't wait for the Reunion coming up in a few weeks.
On Sunday, we found the local community pool. Back in Grand Rapids, we visited a few of the huge pool facilities and the splash pads...but now we are in a smaller town. The weather was warm so we suited everyone up and headed for the water. The beach was out because of the storms the previous day. To our delight, the pool was a decent size and not crowded at all...and it was salt water! The shallow end was only a little over a foot deep, so Jude could touch the bottom. Everyone went in, but Ciearra threw a fit and sat in a chair for a chunk of the time. We put arm floaters on Jude, but just let Tam have at it in the shallow end. I was fully prepared for Jude to throw a fit, especially since he has only recently sort-of enjoyed going into Lake Erie while being held in our arms. But, that stinker, surprised us and LOVED the water. By the end of the swim time, he was jumping into our arms from the side and bobbing around on his own. His grin stretched completely from ear to ear. Tam loves the water and had no problem swimming around in the water...well, kind-of swimming...he isn't quite coordinating the kicking and the scooping but he tried when we reminded him. He also jumped in from the side of the pool into deeper water. He attempted to jump off the dive board, but stalled on the edge. Maybe next time. Brian's grin was also huge because he was so proud of his boys and how well they behaved in the water. I swear his chest was so puffed up with pride :-) If we can swing it, I would really like to get both boys into swim lessons when possible at the YMCA.
Overall, it was a blast. One of the nicest things Shelly commented on was how great it was to all be sitting around the table just chattin' and chillin' and laughing. I agree. It was awesome to just to hang out as a family.
Can't wait for the Reunion coming up in a few weeks.
Someone got a haircut . . .
So a few weeks ago I buzzed down the boys' hair for the summer...
Someone else in the house decided that they needed a haircut too...
One more hint... This person decided to trim as short as it has ever been in a bazillion years...
Yep...
Brian decided it was time for a major hair cut. For reference, the last time his hair was this short was way back in 1998 (maybe 1999). He is heading out for job interviews in the upcoming weeks and wanted to trim it up.
I wasn't sure I would like such a drastic change, but we have always said that it is only hair.
I can't believe how much YOUNGER he looks with this haircut, not that he looked old with the long hair. I love how neat and trim it is and his head feels so fuzzy. It is a little longer on top so he can have a few options for gel if he wants. He likes it and has said how much lighter his head feels.
The boys still call him daddy, so I guess it wasn't too much of a drastic change.
Someone else in the house decided that they needed a haircut too...
One more hint... This person decided to trim as short as it has ever been in a bazillion years...
Yep...
Brian decided it was time for a major hair cut. For reference, the last time his hair was this short was way back in 1998 (maybe 1999). He is heading out for job interviews in the upcoming weeks and wanted to trim it up.
I wasn't sure I would like such a drastic change, but we have always said that it is only hair.
I can't believe how much YOUNGER he looks with this haircut, not that he looked old with the long hair. I love how neat and trim it is and his head feels so fuzzy. It is a little longer on top so he can have a few options for gel if he wants. He likes it and has said how much lighter his head feels.
The boys still call him daddy, so I guess it wasn't too much of a drastic change.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Tamlin's Lego Car
Tamlin built a lego duplo car...with a tower of blocks on the back. There were a few random spaces between the blocks.
He explained that the spaces were cubbies...one cubby for his toys, one cubby for food, and one cubby for "grown-up toys." Brian asked him what exactly were grown-up toys...
The reply we got was "I don't know...whatever grown-ups like to play with"
Chuckle...
At least he was thoughtful :-)
He explained that the spaces were cubbies...one cubby for his toys, one cubby for food, and one cubby for "grown-up toys." Brian asked him what exactly were grown-up toys...
The reply we got was "I don't know...whatever grown-ups like to play with"
Chuckle...
At least he was thoughtful :-)
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Blueberry Picking
We went to a local farm and picked blueberries on Saturday morning. The day had started dreary and overcast, but warmed quite a bit by noon. The boys had never been out picking fruit...but they did know that blueberries are good to eat.I pass this particular farm on the way to work and had just noticed that they had opened for the season.
When we arrived, we went and got a bucket to collect our haul. I slathered the boys with sunscreen and we all wore our hats.
Tamlin: What's this, Mom?
Me: These are blueberries growing on the bushes.
Look...the dark blue ones are ripe for picking!
Tam: Hmmm... I'll try this...
Jude: What? What are these? You want me to do what?
Where's my binky?
Tam & Jude: We aren't sure about this...
why are we picking the blueberries again?
Daddy: You pick them so you can eat them!
Yum!
Tamlin: Yum! Blueberries are great!
Here have some, Jude.
Jude: I'm not too sure about this...
Jude: Wait...Yum!
I like blueberries!
Daddy: Let's pick some more over here...
Tam: I've got the bucket!
Jude: Blueberries! Blueberries! Up, Up, Up, Blueberries!
Blueberries!
Blueberries!
Blueberries by the handful!
We ended up with nearly 2pounds worth in our bucket and a score or so in our bellies.
Tamlin already wants to go back again.
Jude was wiped out and fell asleep on the 15minute drive homeward.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Haircuts
It is July.
It is hot.
It is muggy.
The boys' hair is getting long.
And their heads are getting sweaty, especially under hats.
Time for summer haircuts!
Here are the boy's before photos from mid-June...
I had already trimmed Tam's hair in May but it grows like weeds. Jude's hair is so fine and fair that I don't notice as that he needs a trim quite as quickly.
I have found that a sucker is still a great bribe to get the boys to sit still while I buzz their heads with the clippers. I am not a hairdresser, so I just set the clippers and shave it down all over. I think they look so much older when their hair is so short...especially little Jude! He looks like a real little man and not a baby any more! And Tam looks like a little Rascal!
I love my boys :-)
It is hot.
It is muggy.
The boys' hair is getting long.
And their heads are getting sweaty, especially under hats.
Time for summer haircuts!
Here are the boy's before photos from mid-June...
I had already trimmed Tam's hair in May but it grows like weeds. Jude's hair is so fine and fair that I don't notice as that he needs a trim quite as quickly.
I have found that a sucker is still a great bribe to get the boys to sit still while I buzz their heads with the clippers. I am not a hairdresser, so I just set the clippers and shave it down all over. I think they look so much older when their hair is so short...especially little Jude! He looks like a real little man and not a baby any more! And Tam looks like a little Rascal!
I love my boys :-)
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