What The...? Wednesday

Denise at There's Always Room For One More has made up her own daily themes this week. Today is What The...? Wednesday.

Here's by take on her theme:

Budget bunk beds?

After my description of Logan's favorite getup in another post, I got a couple requests for photos. This pic is a slight variation on the original.
And for the record, Logan doesn't actually use a pacifier; that's part of the costume
Who knew coffee sleeves could double as upper arm bands and bangle bracelets?
Butting heads? (And those are bubbles floating in the air...)
Thanks for letting me play along Denise!

Random Tip #48

If the front of your shirt ends up covered in poop while you are out in public and you have made the unfortunate decision not to carry spare clothes with you at all times, simply fold the bottom of your shirt up. This protects anything your shirt may touch from becoming contaminated and makes a daring fashion statement. (Maybe the half-shirt will make a comeback for chubby mamas?)

This tip sponsored by Logan!

(And if you'd like to hear more about the delightful event that left me covered in poop you can read this week's Not Me Monday post.)

It's official...I'm a bag lady!

Alicia at More Than Words had a cute tag/post that I thought I'd take advantage of. You are supposed to post about your purse. And since for the first time in nearly 4 years I'm actually carrying a purse and not at diaper bag, I was excited to actually show it off.

Here are the rules!
1) Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids. I want to know what you carried today.

2) If there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I’d love to hear it. (And you're supposed to say how much you paid for it, but I'm not sure that bit of info is all that interesting.)

3) Tag some chicks. And link back to this post so people know why the heck you’re showing everyone your diaper bag/non-diaper bag.

So here goes:

This is the purse I bought myself for Christmas. It's big enough to schlep some kid stuff but doesn't resemble a diaperbag (or at least I hope not). It' a nice durable canvas in a slightly olive color so it hides my kiddos' dirty grubby handprints dirt. And it's hard to tell from the photo but there is a large stitchwork design on the front so it has a bit of character. And to top it off it was 60% off which is key because I'm cheap.

Then I realized I wasn't being completely honest and should fess up. So I zoomed out with my camera to show you this:

This is the other bag I carry (in addition to the above purse) when I'm with the two little people who require tons of stuff kids. In this bag you will find several pairs of Logan's underwear and pants, extra socks and shoes, plastic bags (to carry peed on clothes), drinks and maybe a snack or two. And in fact, there is so little stuff in my actual purse, I've been know to take out my wallet and put in this canvas tote.

Then I realized I still wasn't be 100% truthful. So I zoomed out a bit more with my camera to show you this:

This is the third bag I sometimes carry. It's the overflow bag from bag #2 so it has sweatshirts, matchbox cars and who knows what else has fallen to the bottom.

And I swear, that's all the bags I carry!

If you are reading this and want to play along, consider yourself tagged!

"Not me!" Monday

So, the MOTYs have asked for further proof of my exemplary mothering to be considered for the annual Mama of the Year Awards. (Apparently someone is running a smear campaign against me!) I provided them with the following list of things I'd never ever do in order to show them that I'm the best candidate for this completely fictional prestigious award:

I did NOT make my youngest stand in the restroom at In 'n Out while I paced back and forth wringing my hands freaking out and trying to figure out what to do because I had his poop all down the front of my shirt and he had his poop completely covering his lower half.

I did NOT actually consider asking an employee for a large garbage bag so I could wrap Logan up and take him home nekked from the waist down and covered in poop.

Instead, I did NOT give him a sponge bath in the sink at the restaurant because that would have been totally inappropriate and disgusting. I would NOT have done this even if there was a ridiculous amount of poop to come out of my small son and I could not figure out any other way to get us home.

I do NOT frequently walk around in my bra and pants in the morning while getting everyone else ready. I do NOT duck and run to my bedroom when I realize that my neighbor's window (the one that looks directly into my kitchen) is open.

I did NOT laugh hysterically when Jack asked if we were having an earthquake when in reality it was just my husband's crazy dancing that was shaking the whole house.

When my boys were insisting that they wouldn't take a bath (because it was hair-washing day), I did NOT give them the option of getting hosed off outside. When Logan tried to call my bluff, I did NOT actually start hosing him off on the back porch before he decided he wanted warmer bath water.

I did NOT...oh, wait I can't tell you that one. It was something I actually did do! ;)

For more "Not Me!" Monday posts visit MckMama's site.

100 Things About Me - Installment #1

I enjoy reading bloggers' 100-things-about-me posts. However, by the 32nd thing I usually have forgotten who's blog I'm reading. (Who am I kidding? By #11 I've forgotten!)
I thought it might be fun to try and write one but in the interest of anybody-who-might-actually-read-its sanity I was thoughtful enough to break up the list. In 10 easy installments you can learn everything you ever wanted to know, didn't want to know and could careless about regarding me.

I think it's customary to do this list as your 100th post. My 10th and last installment will be my 100th post (if I can remember).

1. I have ridiculously small feet. In length my feet are a children's size 2 1/2. Honestly, its a miracle I don't fall over.

2. I have ridiculously wide feet.

3. Which is why I ALWAYS wear flip-flops.

4. So it's a good thing I live in sunny Southern California.

5. I hate bats.

6. I secretly love my Honda Odyssey minivan.

7. I not so secretly love my husband.

8. I have to sleep in a bra. (TMI?)

9. I secretly play with my boys' Legos.

10. I've swum with sharks in Belize.

100 Things About Me

In honor of my 100th post, I put together a list of 100, mostly quirky, things about me. In it's original form, it was 10 installments. The final installment was my 100th post, published on April 9, 2009. Here, I have recompiled the list and sorted it into a couple of different categories.

Here you can learn everything you ever wanted to know, didn't want to know and could careless about regarding me.


Regarding my feet:
1. I have ridiculously small feet. In length my feet are a children's size 2 1/2. Honestly, its a miracle I don't fall over.
2. I have ridiculously wide feet.
3. Which is why I ALWAYS wear flip-flops.
4. So it's a good thing I live in sunny Southern California.
75. One of my toes doesn't touch the ground so I only leave a four-toe footprint.


Regarding my mind and the rest of my body:
29. I have a congenital heart defect.
38. I am directionally challenged.
54. I had laser eye surgery several years ago...
55. And can't imagine my life without it.
60. I have a horrible memory.
65. I have asthma.
71. I am a world class procrastinator.
76. I wish I liked to exercise.
78. I inherited my blue eyes from both my grandmothers.
85. I'm all about efficiency (cost efficiency, time efficiency, etc.).


Regarding my husband, Scott:
7. I not so secretly love my husband.
77. I am so thankful that my family eats dinner together every night.
91. My husband and I were best friends...
92. And then roommates...
93. Before we were ever a couple.


Regarding Jack and Logan:
9. I secretly play with my boys' Legos.
16. I think Matchbox cars are one of the best inventions of the 20th century.
21. Nothing makes me happier than my two boys being sweet to each other.
37. I love the smell of sunscreen on the warm shoulders of my nearly-nekked babies.
44. The piece of furniture that I've racked up the most hours in is probably the huge wingback leather rocking chair in my boys' room.
52. I was in labor for 65 hours with Jack.
53. Luckily, Logan's labor was much shorter.
58. I wish I had more time (and more agreeable subjects) to study photography.
61. The only lullaby I sing the boys is Slumber Boat.
81. My sons are 15 months apart to the day.
87. I taught both my boys some sign language when they were little. I still use the sign for "potty" when I don't want to embarrass them (or myself).
90. I "wore" both my boys when they were babies (and I still wear Logan sometimes when he's sick). I plan on being cremated with my sling.


Regarding travel:
10. I've swum with sharks in Belize.
15. I've never giggled as hard as when I zorbed in New Zealand.
25. I thought I lost my eyesight while snorkling in the Cook Islands. (Read the story here.)
40. I've been taken OUT of a Vietnamese hospital by ambulance. (Read the story here.)
45. I love to travel to exotic places because...
46. I love to soak up different sounds, tastes, smells, customs, art.
50. I've slept under the stars on the sands of the Sahara.
51. I have petted a rhino on the Kenyan savanna.
59. I totaled a moped on the island of Naxos and luckily walked away without any major injuries.
66. I lived in Salzburg, Austria for several months.
72. I have hiked the world's most beautiful trek, the Milford Track; 35 miles in New Zealand.
83. In Guatemala, I've climbed Temple IV and the Pyramid of the Lost World at the Tikal ruins.
95. I have chewed on cinnamon bark straight from a tree in Zanzibar.


Regarding sleep:
8. I have to sleep in a bra. (TMI?)
22. I love my bed.
23. I love to sleep.
24. I love pajamas. (Are you sensing a theme?)
30. My husband and I sleep European style (no flat sheet or blanket, just a fitted sheet and a duvet). (TMI?)


Regarding animals:
5. I hate bats.
31. We have a cute mutt named Marley...
32. Whom I wish didn't drive me so insane.
88. I'm not afraid of snakes, spiders or sharks.
89. But I'm terrified of bats because one flew into my hair in the Philippines when I was little.


Regarding books, music, movies and TV:
11. I cry when I hear patriotic music.
12. I wish Gilmore Girls never went off air.
39. Oh, The Places You'll Go is my favorite book.
42. The Goonies might just be my favorite movie of all time.
43. I love to read books.
70. I watch TV every night to unwind.


Regarding food:
18. I am a vegetarian...
19. And have been since I was 8 years old.
20. Chili's makes the best veggie burgers, in my opinion.
26. Coke Zero is my drink of choice.
28. Kiwi makes my lips and tongue go numb.
36. I love potatoes.
56. I don't like the taste of coffee...
57. Or beer.
79. I love, love, love Mexican food.
84. I scream for ice cream.
86. I could eat air-popped popcorn for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
94. I have to have something sweet to eat in the evening.


Regarding my previous life:
33. In a previous life, I worked in advertising.
67. I was a practicing Buddhist for a year...
68. But in typical fashion, I rarely stick with anything.
82. When I was young, I wanted to be a Navy Blue Angel when I grew up.
96. In a previous life, I used to go the movies a lot.
97. I was born in California...
98. And though I grew up living in various places...
99. I always considered myself a California girl.


Regarding everything else:
6. I secretly love my Honda Odyssey minivan.
13. I wear t-shirts...
14. And capri pants everyday.
17. I've been skydiving.
27. My parents are my greatest role models.
34. I had a younger brother...
35. Who I miss very much.
41. I can't stand cleaning my kitchen. If I never saw it again, I'd be perfectly happy.
47. I rarely wear makeup because I usually forget.
48. I never wear perfume because I always forget.
49. I've been know to crochet but can only do blankets and scarves.
62. I hate to admit that I'm not a very good friend.
63. Being a military brat, I prided myself on being able to make friends easily as a kid.
64. But I'm not very good at maintaining the relationships that I form.
69. If I do say so myself, I'm a great party-planner.
73. I'm very organized but...
74. My house is messy.
80. Though she isn't born yet (or even conceived), I think of our daughter everyday.
100. I can't believe that I stuck with blogging long enough to make it to my 100th post.


These were the original 10 installments:
Installment #1
Installment #2
Installment #3
Installment #4
Follow-up to questions from #3 and #4
Installment #5
Installment #6
Installment #7
Installment #8
Installment #9
Installment #10

Random Tip #28

After putting your child in a white shirt (which you rarely do because that would be extremely foolish) and he spills thick dark purple acia berry juice all down the front and you try all the stain removal tricks you know over the course of several days to no avail, simply splash more thick dark acia berry juice on the back of the shirt and sleeves and tell all your friends you got it at that trendy kid's boutique where all the celebrities shop.

This tip sponsored by Jack!

Our secret recipe

My husband and I have been having rough mornings with the kiddos. So for the third weekend in a row we dusted off this well-loved sure-to-please recipe.

First, add sunscreen to the bare warm sun-kissed shoulders of your nearly nekked babies. (Is there any better smell in all the world than warm sunscreened baby skin?)
Add a healthy dose of fresh salt air.
Mix with the cry of seagulls, the crash of waves and the giggles of two young boys.
Sprinkle profusely with sand.
Let everything heat naturally in the warm sun.

And voila! This is the finished result:


I thought that this was a secret family recipe but I've seen lots of others making it with success too. I guess since it's already out there, feel free to share it with others.

"Not me!" Monday

So, I've been out shopping for my gown to wear to the MOTYs. You know...the MOTYs are the annual Mama of the Year Awards. I heard through the grapevine that I'm a shoo in. It's a good thing I didn't do any of the following or I could be out of the running for this completely fictional prestigious award:

Every single day at 5PM, I do NOT think to myself "what the heck is for dinner tonight?" I am much more organized than that. I do NOT alternate standing in front of the fridge and pantry, while scratching my head.

When my nearly 4 year old said I could pick what we watched on TV, I did NOT say Desperate Housewives.

I do NOT groan and pout and drag my butt into my room to wake Logan from his nap at 4 every day. I do NOT wonder whether it's worth destroying his schedule just so I can have a couple more quiet minutes.

I do NOT think that Nesquik is the 7th food group. But if I did, I would NOT make myself feel less guilty by rationalizing that it's okay because we buy the no-sugar-added version and equate it to a kids multi-vitamin.

I do NOT regularly forget to give my kids their vitamins. I do NOT think to myself "thank goodness that the boys drink enough Nesquik to get their daily nutrition!"

I did NOT laugh out loud at my youngest son as he strolled by me wearing his latest odd getup which consisted of 2 Coffee Bean cup sleeves as arm bands, a construction helmet, a oven mitt and 2 of my husbands socks pulled all the way up his skinny little legs to his crotch.

For more "Not Me!" Monday posts visit MckMama's site.

I'd like to thank...

I've won my first award! This is so timely because I've been getting ready for the MOTYs (the annual and fictional prestigious Mama of the Year Awards). I know it was a bit presumptuous to have writen my acceptance speech already but with a few tweaks I can use it for my One Lovely Blog Award.

I'd like to thank my husband, Scott, without whom I'd be single. I'd like to thank my parents without whom I'd not be alive. I'd like to thank Denise, at There's Always Room For One More, without whom I'd not have this award. And I'd like to thank all the little people. Well, especially two little people, Jack and Logan, without whom I'd have nothing to write about.

Shoot...they've cued the "get-the-heck-off-the-stage" music. Wait a sec, that's just my husband having a fit of hysterics. Moving right along...

The One Lovely Blog Award is given to those whose blog is entertaining and fun to read... one you get excited about when you notice a new entry! I am giving this award to:

1. A Family is Forever written by Kristin: Kristen's blog is about her busy life as a mom to two teenagers and two younger kiddos. I almost feel bad passing this award to her as she just recently had to pass on another award. But I like her blog so much that I could justify making more work for her.

2. Top Notch Swill crafted by Lisa (and various guest writers): Lisa and her friends know how to craft a well-written post. Always honest and often humorous, their blog is a great read. Lisa has another blog, A Motherlode, in which she uses her writing talent to talk about daily life with her husband and their 4 children.

3. He & Me + 3 by Mimi: Not only do I enjoy reading her Friday jokes and about her three kids but if there were an award to bloggers who give the most comment love, she'd be a shue in. I always enjoy hearing from Mimi whether its in my comment box or on her blog.

4. There is Always Room for One More penned by Denise: Well, I don't really expect Denise to pass this award on yet again since she is the one who so graciously passed it to me just the other day. But her blog (AKA my favorite) about her 6 (yes, really 6!) kids is the epitome of this award. If she hadn't given it to me, I'd be giving it to her. She also has two other blogs, both very heartfelt and poignant; one about the adoption of her daughter from Vietnam at the time that the US Government was ceasing adoptions from that country and one about her husband and his death.

Whew! This award business sure is exhausting!

Good night all and thank you! Thank you!
(Imagine me doing a beauty-pageant-wave with one arm while blowing kisses with my other hand.)

Rock star demands

My boys love music and will often perform for us. Very often their rock concerts are followed by their shouting "Thank you! Thank you very much!" before they throw their guitars into the audience. Scott was wondering what their performance contracts would look like once they become famous rock stars...you know, all the divaish stuff they would demand at each concert.

Jack's demands:

• cold drinks to be served in cup cozies so his hands don't get too cold
  
• lollipops in every size and flavor possible. He'd also like an "assistant" to hold them for him as he doesn't like his hands to get sticky
  
• red Gatorade
  
• blue only plates, bowls and cups
• another "assistant" to hold and comfort Nutmeg (the stuffed cat) who might be sad while Jack is on stage performing

Logan's demands:

• 1 large bag of clementines with two bowls (1 for the rinds and 1 for the sectioned pieces ready to eat)
  
• Herbie Fully Loaded cued up on the portable DVD player to the final race scene
• an "assistant" to build him forts and small spaces that he can squeeze into to calm himself before the big show (the smaller the space, the better!)
• hot chocolate in a sippy cup
• another "assistant" to hand feed him his meals so that he doesn't have to be confined to sitting at a table but can wander around to "create"

How about your kids? What would they insist in their performance contract?

So many lists, so little time...

By reading my blog you'd never know that I majored in Professional Non-Fiction Writing in college. (Yes, that was a real major at my university.) I'm an editor by nature. Give me something already written and I can make it better. But if, I have to start from scratch...forget about it. The only thing I'm proficient at are lists. I love to write lists. I make lists for:

• grocery stores, Costco and Target which I organize by the items' location in the store
• places to travel to someday
• to-do items which I divide into three categories: errands, small things to accomplish at home like phone calls and emails, and larger home projects like organizing the pantry
  
• things around the house to donate
• possible blog posts
  

And, of course, I couldn't resist putting my lists in a list!

Of course...

Of course...of course...of course!
Of course, my first real day of freedom never happened.

Yesterday, I took both boys to school and Logan seemed fine. So after about 15 minutes I left. Ah, freedom! Finally I get that precious 'me' time! Of course, I went grocery shopping. I followed that up with putting away the groceries, of course, and cleaning the very dirty kitchen. All of this good fun was followed by laundry, of course. And then it was time to pick the boys up.

So, today was supposed to be THE DAY. I had gotten some chores out of the way yesterday so that today could be filled with endless 'me' possibilities.

Today I could exercise.*
Today I could get a pedicure.*
Today I could go shopping for some new clothes.*
Today I could get a haircut.*
Today I could read a book on an outside patio while enjoying a way too expensive drink.

Of course, none of those things happened.
Of course, the boys stayed home sick.
Of course!


*I haven't done any of these things in years (well, except the haircut which has been more than 9 months). So, have I painted a pretty good visual of what I must look like? Overweight, scraggly-toed, out-of-date clothed, hippy-haired old me!

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• made his teacher cry because he was so sweet saying "That's okay, Mama. I'll take care of him" when I told him that his younger brother might get sad when I left the classroom
• said "I've got to lay off of the cashews because I'm getting older"
• has me apply his temporary tattoos upside down on his belly so he can see them when he looks down

Which little love bug:

• managed to completely soak my pantleg in pee while sitting 2 inches from the potty
• shouts "Wock 'n Woll" when playing his miniature guitar
• locked my car's steering wheel while pretending to be a race car driver so that I had to have my husband come from work to rescue us

"Not me!" Monday

So, I've been out shopping for my gown to wear to the MOTYs. You know...the MOTYs are the annual Mama of the Year Awards. I heard through the grapevine that I'm a shoo in. It's a good thing I didn't do any of the following or I could be out of the running for this completely fictional prestigious award:

I did NOT do a "happy dance" on the first day back to school.

I have NOT resorted to bribery everytime Logan barely glances at the potty.

I have NOT forgotten to have the boys brush their teeth in...well, I'm not sure how long. I would never have NOT done that..."dats 'gusting!" as Logan would say and especially in light of Logan's potty bribery being sugar-based.

I did NOT seriously consider giving Logan a mohawk haircut just to try and offset Jack's insane hair.

I did NOT sit each of my kids in the sink of a public restroom to wash the sand off them as though it were their private bathtub.

I did NOT bribe Jack with a popsicle if he could convince Logan to pee on a tree at the park.

For more "Not Me!" Monday posts visit MckMama's site.

Barely a "bog-wothy" day...

Weekends are funny for us. Usually the best laid and most exciting plans lead to disaster. But if we try to be mellow and stay around the house...bigger disaster.

Today we made it out of the house but kept it simple.

Our first stop was Best Buy. I've been thinking about getting a netbook but haven't seen one in person so I wanted to try one out. Best Buy had a couple but they won't be getting my business. They had them spread throughout the computer department so you couldn't easily comparison shop. How stupid is that?

However, I will be spending our upcoming school vacations and maybe all of summer there. Our Best Buy recently started selling musical instruments and they have a whole room dedicated to... DRUMS! Our boys were in heaven! I figure that I can lug in a mini-fridge and microwave from the appliance department and never need to leave the drum room. The boys should be easily entertained for several weeks.


Note to self: Buy earplugs before next school break

Upon leaving the store, I said, "That was great. That might even have been blog-worthy!" To which Jack (not yet 4 years old) said, "Mama, what's bog-wothy mean?" "Uh...nothing dear." I'm figuring it's too soon in his young life to let him know that I'm just keeping him around as fodder for my blog, right?

From there we headed to a park for a picnic and some much needed active and outdoor time on the playground. Jack's new favorite activity is to jump from high things. Luckily he only does this at the park where he can land in soft sand. Today he asked me to climb the rock wall and jump off with him. "Uh...no thanks, dear." To which he pointed to the airplane overhead and said, "That's higher and you jumped from one of those." Touche.


I should have jumped with him. I'm kind of regretting that I didn't. Instead he got a "Uh...no thanks, dear." Maybe next week...

So what's a guilty mama to do? Buy the kiddos a popsicle of course!

Is it wrong to have a favorite?

I probably shouldn't be saying this. I mean, I feel guilty even admitting it. But I have a favorite. Is that wrong?

No, not a favorite kid! A favorite blog.
I don't remember how I stumbled upon Denise's blog, There's Always Room For One More, or even how long I've been reading it but it's what inspired me to start a blog. I didn't use to read many blogs but after reading every post at There's Always Room For One More I would think to myself, "I've gotta start writing too. If my blog is half as entertaining as hers I"ll be happy."

Denise is a mom to 6 kids ranging in age from 21 to 1 (I think). Her family is a mix of adopted and biological kids (like my own will be someday). Her writing is filled with humor, grace, playfulness and strength. And in honor of her 200th post she is doing a giveaway.

If you don't read it already, I highly recommend it (obviously):

Random Tip #74

Try this handy and easy tip when you run out of your usual hair styling product: Have your child suck on a lollipop until it's good and sticky. Then have them gently dab the lollipop on your head in several areas. Use your hands to arrange your hair in your desired style. Remove your hands quickly as the lollipop juice begins to set. (You wouldn't want your hands to get stuck to your head, now would you?) Repeat as needed.

This tip sponsored by Logan!

Too fast!

My baby's all grown up. It seems like just yesterday I was giving birth to him and in the blink of the eye he has grown into such a mature young man.

Okay, maybe I'm being a bit dramatic. But today was Logan's first day of nursery school.

I guess I should qualify a couple of things:
He's not really our baby in the sense that he is the much younger child in a long line of kids. In reality he's our second and he's only 15 months younger than Jack. In many ways we treat the boys as though they are the same age.
And it wasn't as though I just dropped him off at school and left. At his and Jack's co-op school, parents usually attend for the first two weeks. Because Logan is already very familiar with the school from having attended on my work-days there, I'll probably only stay with him for a week.

Logan hates having his picture taken by the Mamarazzi. This is him on the way to school this morning:

And Scott wanted a photo of him returning home his first day (as we did when Jack started) but when I bring him home he's always asleep. So I tried to get his photo as he left school.
Shoot! That's the wrong son! Let's try again:
Can you see that big grin as he runs away from me and straight for the playground?

And to top off an already pretty good day, today was my first diaperbag-free day. That's right folks...for the first time in nearly 4 years I went out with a purse! I have no need for a diaperbag since none of my babies wear diapers anymore. Hurray!

I should qualify though that I did have to carry two other bags containing: 3 lunches, 3 sweatshirts, 276 changes of clothes for Logan, 4 pounds of playdough (that I made for the school), 1 large Sigg bottle, a SLR camera and a heavy book.

I'm not sure anyone could tell I was carrying a purse underneath all that other stuff but I knew it. Hurray!

"Not me!" Monday

I did NOT mutter my stress/crisis mantra, "I will survive this day. I will survive this day. I will survive this day.", while my children acted like whirling dervishes in the crowded checkout area in T@rget. I did NOT receive alarmed stares from others as they heard me.

I did NOT eat a cookie while looking up info on a weight loss website. I am NOT eating another cookie right now.

I did NOT tell an irrational and sleepy 2 year old that if he didn't use his indoor voice he'd have to go outside. I definitely did NOT do this at 2:30 AM when it was frigid outside. I definitely did NOT go outside with him twice in in the middle of the night an effort to snap him out of his 2 hour long hysterics.

I did NOT sit on my butt and read in bed while Scott took the boys out one morning this week. I would NOT have done that when I had (and still have) 153,872 things I should have been doing.

I did NOT roll my eyes and hang my head in the grocery store while trying to explain to Jack for the 34 time what a demolition derby was (as he recently saw one in a Herbie movie). I did NOT get weird stares from others as I explained that some grownups think crashing their cars is fun but it's not a safe thing to do.

I did NOT let Logan eat yogurt while peeing in an effort to help along our potty training. That would have been disgusting!


For more "Not Me!" Monday posts visit MckMama's site.

Deja Vu

A mere 15 months ago I was potty training Jack. It was the worst month of my life. 2 and 1/2 years old is young for a boy to start potty training but because he was scheduled to start nursery school we had to do it then. To make things more complicated Logan was 15 months old and couldn't figure out what all the fuss was about. He would frequently hang on me while I tried to peel Jack's wet clothes off of him or, worse yet, Logan would walk through Jack's pee puddles. Then I'd have 2 kids to clean up!
So you can imagine how excited I was when I realized that I would need to start potty training Logan after the holidays (as he is scheduled to start school in January). Logan is much less interested in potty training than Jack was. And he could care less if he's soaking wet. So far we are not doing well.

Here are all the essentials that a young boy needs while potty training:

Chart to show progress (or lack thereof):

Stickers for bribery:

M & M's for bribery:

Picture of the play kitchen he'll earn at the completion of his mission:
Small potty:

Family toilet seat and stool:

Fruit loops for target practice:

Bucket to act as a urinal:

Portable DVD player with Herbie Fully Loaded:

Books, pull-back toys and a flashlight to keep him entertained:

Extra underwear:





Here are all the essentials that a mama needs while potty training a young boy: