Potty training #1

Week one of summer and on Monday we started potty training Parker. We’ve been dabbling with it for the last few months but i didn’t have the patience to do it hard core, plus he went to school, and i didn’t want to put that on his lovely teachers. So i stocked up on potty treats and we got serious! 

My sweet boy isn’t requiring candy like his sister did. He is happy with star war stickers:) 

Being outside all day helps with the training, as we are teaching him he can pee in the grass (i always envied boys for this and even attempted to be like my brother and boy cousins in this aspect, resulting in peeing down my leg a few times). 

The first few days he had trouble with #2 but the last two days he has been successful and earned his “potty treats” waiting for his success so he could claim one. He chose his yellow ball, of course.  

Ainsley has been his greatest cheerleader, standing outside the door cheering “go Parker go”! Philip was at work when he earned his first poo/potty treat, but Philip called him and Parker excitedly told him he pooped in the potty, and got his ball. He was very proud. The next day, he chose his Avenger ball (much to Ainsleys dismay). 

At church he told his teacher he needed to pee and went there! We are so proud of you buddy!!! 

End of the Year Recitals

We came back from Jamaica to one crazy week! Sunday was Mother’s Day and Philip had to go back to work. We went to church and then went to Uncle Steve and Aunt Teri’s for a cookout. Somehow he managed to have gifts for me, even though we were gone the week before:) 

Ainsley had her first gymnastics recital which also meant a night of dress rehearsal. She also had graduation from preschool (cue the tears), Parker had his end of year “beach party” and her and Parker both had their spring recitals. Ainsley has had the absolute BEST teachers this year. She really fell in love with both of them, and learned so much. She says she wants to stay in the grey room forever. Parker also fell in love with Mrs Shelley, which we did too when Ainsley had her 3 years ago. 

The recitals were a disaster. Parker decided if he didn’t look out at audience, maybe they didn’t exist, so he stood with his back to us the entire time. He actually ended up in Miss Ellen’s lap. Ainsley got a case of nerves and stood still as a statue with tears in her eyes (it was beyond pitiful). BUT she stayed on stage and at the end received her certificate, which counts for something. 

There was a 2 hour gap between their recitals. We left with Parker and returned with Batman. 

Luckily the kids have family who love them and support them no matter what they do on stage:) 

Saturday morning Ainsley had her gymnastics recital at Transy. We were a little uncertain how it would go, after Friday, but she did so so good! She smiled and had fun and did her routine! She even danced at the finale. When i went to pick her up i told her i was so proud of her and she said “I’m so proud of me too!” We went to HopCat for lunch to celebrate. 

In between we’ve been enjoying being together and getting excited for summer. The kids have been wearing themselves out outside, wanting to sleep in, and living off popsicles :)

Jamaica

Several months ago my friend Erin was planning a surprise trip for her husband Seth’s 40th birthday. She asked us if we wanted to come along. At first we weren’t sure but then decided it would be fun and a nice, short get-away. So we lined up babysitters and booked our trip! 

We flew out super early Tuesday morning, but the lost sleep was worth it to have the afternoon on the beach that day. The bus ride from the airport was 1.5 hours, but we got to see lots of Jamaica which was beautiful. 

We were pretty much bums the rest of the day Tuesday and most of Wednesday. Philip got up early to go diving and i had signed up to go too but when Wednesday rolled around i opted for laziness:) 

Erin and I floated in the ocean and the three of us ventured off grounds for a massage by locals. The “spa” resembled a hut, and i ended up helping my “masseuse” drag a table out of the hut into the shade so i didn’t have to share a tiny room with a stranger already getting her massage. I snapped a picture of the massage table, Lion King towel and all, and could only laugh when i was half naked in the middle of the outdoors. 

We spent the day on the beach, at the pool and had a wonderful dinner. 

Thursday we hung out in the morning and then ventured to Ricks Cafe which is a local restaurant with well known cliff jumping. Philip of course jumped off the highest cliff while Seth and I did the medium sized cliff and Erin jumped off the ladder platform :) 

That night we went to dinner , visited the piano bar which was not great, so we went to the magician show. I got roped into getting on stage where the “magician” did tricks that weren’t really tricks. So while i thought he was doing magic, the audience could see otherwise. Needless to say Seth and Philip were highly entertained. 

Friday we were super “active” and went out sailing, went snorkeling, and took the catamaran around the coast. The first two boats were a lot of fun, however the catamaran ride had rain on us the entire time. We were soaked by the time we stopped at caves to swim around in and then slide down the boats slide. We came back and got even more soaked so we hopped off the boat and ran to the jacuzzi to warm up! 

Saturday morning we had time to get breakfast before the shuttle back to the hotel. The Jamaican coffee was so yummy and we both slept so good there. We were missing our babies though and were ready to get home to see them:) 

and the kids stayed entertained at the airport waiting for us:) 

We really enjoyed some time as a couple. And we really enjoyed sleeping without getting up 4 times in the night. We are so grateful to Nanny, Pop, Auntie Jo and everyone who loved on our kids while we were gone. Apparently Mom was sick but managed to still wrangle our crazy children- and we appreciate you so much! Mom couldn’t get P man out of his new spider man bathing suit all week, but him and Ainsley were happy as they could be.