Potty Training 101

Note: We should have started in remedial potty training, I think.

Also note: This girl is DYING to wear “big gurl panteeees.”

Me: Why did you wet your pull-up? You can't wear big girl panties if you don't tell mommy you have to go potty.

EB: Ohhh man! Do I have to?

EB-ism

Maybe my title is better described as “EB 101.”

Friday evening during an INTENSE session of “Mr. Potato Head” playing, we had the following discussion:

ME: You just gave him two noses, silly.
EB: I did not. That’s not two noses.
ME: Oh, if it isn’t two noses, what is that?
(I promise you on my whole wide life the next line is what my ears heard and I’m REAL sure is what fell from the lips of a babe)

EB: That’s a bra…..

I have NO idea…. I gasped for air from laughing so hard and immediately snapped a photo and sent it to her daddy, who was working, with a short and simple explanation, “She says this is a bra….”

Photo evidence:

OR..... maybe that was just a sign of how she felt and what our weekend would become as we all fell victim to her crud. And, honestly, I kinda feel like this is a self portrait today..."bra" and all.

A tradition

I was thinking about this post and realized that I have several “traditions” with my grandparents. I LOVE that. They are some of my most favorite people (and not because I act like I’m their age 99% of the time either). One of the longest standing traditions is our annual circus date-Every year. Opening night. Written in red on the calendar. I have NO idea how long they’ve been taking me, but it seems close to forever. Even though last year was EB’s first time to be included, this year was REALLY her first time. Does that make sense? Of course not. She got it this year. Mezmerized.In a timely manner, her school focused on the circus all week long. So, to say she was geared up by Saturday would be a slight understatement. Evidently each age class did a “circus parade” throughout the week because she could NOT wait for the “parade” at the real circus?! I hope it met her expectations because I’m still a little confused as to what exactly that means. Evie is a HUGE fan of elephants (as every good Bama girl should be). So, that’s a given. However, she told me she was scared of clowns and was very worried they would be at the circus. Well…..hmmm. Afterwards, she had the following account of her experience:

Me: EB, what was your MOST favorite thing?
EB: THE CLOWNS! They were so funny.
Me: Really? Wow. What about the elephants?
EB: They are too big.

Hmmm..... I may agree.

And, then, she put on a show of her own....
To be continued…

Obedience

(until there's time to catch up)

It’s a big deal to me. Had the privilege (and I do mean that word….regardless of my mood and temper at the moment) lately of teaching a two year old obedience…and its importance?Is it a big deal that EB climbed the stairs [albeit safely] when she KNEW that it was against the rules? Probably not. However, it is important to me to discipline her as we travel further down this little road of life together. It is SO important to me that she LOVE the Lord her God with all of her heart, soul and mind, be respectful to/of others, that she loves all people, etc. etc. etc…. For me, obedience is a key ingredient in the overall picture. Geez, it can be so hard. The first time I saw her sitting in timeout at school, it BROKE my heart…She wasn’t being “obedient” to her precious teachers. I may or may not have shed a tear. There are times, I will admit, that right smack dab in the middle of a tense moment, she shoots me a look, kills me with her honesty, or diverts her eyes SO severely that I just laugh… I do not recommend it. A look into a likely conversation (a minor infraction):

The scene: After climbing the stairs while I was getting dinner ready and Jason was changing clothes:


Me: EB, please come here right now (after hearing her jumping on the trampoline from upstairs)!
EB: (timidly walking to the top of the stairs) Hey mommy.
Me: EB, did mommy or daddy help you up the stairs?
EB: [emphatically] THEY.DID.NOT. (as if it was our wrongdoing and not hers)

Hey…at least she’s honest. Well, for today.

I would like to pick God’s brain for about five minutes…You know, like a Barbara Walters interview. I have to think as He ordered EB’s steps and the plan for her life He laughed REALLY hard thinking of us [and her] as she entered the twos-oh the looks we get…ohhh, the facial expressions of Evie Black. I’m grateful that He trusts me to train her up in the way she should go (although, I’m pretty sure I fail MISERABLY on an hourly basis)…I’m grateful that I have been entrusted with her life (THANK GOODNESS I have Jason Black by my side).. I am just plain grateful, but wow….the challenge….and patience, but OHHH the unconditional love (on His part and ours)!

What to do when you're iced in?

All of this, of course! We got to spend two lovely days last week "iced" in...all together. It was trying for a child who would LIVE, SLEEP and EAT outside if I would simply allow her.

Calendar girl

My car said 22 degrees this morning. I’m gonna branch out and say I trust what she tells me. With that being said, you can imagine my shock when I had an email from Zulily (PSA: You should REALLY check it out if you have wee ones. They have AWESOME sales. Santa found it to be QUITE resourceful) at the crack of dawn with bathing suits on sale. GASP! I have on like three layers as my whole body is contorted over my heater…how can I look at bathing suits?

To be QUITE honest, blog readers, I’m thankful EB has such a cute belly and squeezable thighs (still! Thank goodness) because she’s about the only Black that I want to see in an itsy bitsy teeny weenie yellow polka dot bikini at this point in the year. So, while I won’t allow myself to peruse the bathing suit section just yet, I had NO problem plucking one right off their sale page for $12. She is one step closer to a beach chair, umbrella…and a frosty [V8 Splash] toddler toddy wouldn't you say?!

Fa la la la la

Here it is 2011 and I’m discussing Christmas.

To be brief, I’ll tell you this: 1. We had the best day, despite changing some traditions. 2. Evie was a BLAST. 3. We had a “white” Christmas. 4. We got to spend LOTS of time together over some MUCH needed vacation days.

For time sake, here ya go....a recap in pictures. In NO particular order:

Millie made the situation better....Nothing a few beads and.......an Artic Cat can't fix. If only I (and my garage)was kidding.

That's my girl! I love a rule follower. Get that helmet, girl.

Lock up your sons, it may be a LONG summer.

"Did you tell my mom about these...."

Getting ready for those visions of sugar plums to dance in her head....

Claysus the Elf came to help out Jolly ol' Saint Nick... I thought stuff was pre-tested in Santa's workshop ahead of time?

Allow me to interrupt this post….. This was a GREAT investment, moms out there. Evie LOVES this contraption (as do my GROWN neighbors and brother, but that’s another story). Hey, don’t EVEN worry about not having space for it because it’s running RIGHT through the middle of my living room. We won't be making the cover of Pottery Barn any time in 2011.

A southern girl has to love her elephants! ROLL TIDE!

Merry Christmas from the Blacks! Hope your CHRISTmas season was full of all things precious and dear in your life!