Potty Party

We have had a number of "Potty Parties" in the S house the past couple days. Sloan is being potty trained and doing AWESOME!!! Don't get me wrong she has sat on the potty a few times over the past three or four months, but never showed an interest. After talking, Janelle and I decided this would be the week for no diapers around the house. I think I feared the worst, because Q was so easy and going potty on a regular basis around 18 months. Not to mention, up to this point Sloan definitely wanted nothing to do with it.

Man has she proved me wrong! Yesterday was the first day. She went potty with me as soon as I got here (my bladder is always ready to burst after the drive up). The diaper came off and didn't go back on until nap/bedtime. She had only one accident but otherwise went on the potty when she needed to go. Yes people, she knew when she had to go and would run in without any reminders. Only exception to that was before and after nap, as well as before we left the house for whatever reason... getting the routine started now, just like with Quinton for those particular times of day. Today Sloan did even better!!! Yes, there were still a couple accidents, one with the #2, but she realized she was going and rushed to the pot to finish. Today I only asked her once to go try.

The best part about Sloan going potty is how excited she gets. You can see in her eyes how proud she is of herself. Just sitting there concentrating and serious. Then once she feels herself going Sloan's face lights up. A big cheesy grin spreads across her face followed by "Yaaaaaay!" Sloan loves to wipe herself. She'll tell us "My do" every time she wants to do something for herself. Afterward a special treat (not every time) as a reward. I know I tell her multiple times throughout the day, as do mom and dad, how proud we are of her, but seeing her react to her own accomplishments makes this milestone that much better!

Quinton is also very proud of his sister. I think at first he was just excited to get a special treat too, for her accomplishment, but now he enjoys the celebration itself. He has been very supportive and helpful these past couple days. Holding a door, running upstairs to grab a new pair of pants, even helping Sloan wash her hands (explaining step by step how and why we wash the way we do) after the deed is done! Check out proud Big Bother below with his super cool summer haircut :)

I am so proud of both kids and their accomplishments. Once Quinton gets another one or two checked off his summer list (yes, he has a list of some major things he wants to learn this summer), there will be a post, probably a long one, to share with you all.

Quinton's Scavenger Hunt

Last week Quinton and I set out on a scavenger hunt to help familiarize ourselves with the new neighborhood. Many of the items were similar to the ones I had the kids do over Easter, but I changed some of the items and added a few new items as well. We headed out early Thursday morning to begin our hunt and make our way to the library (about a mile away). Sloan was strapped in the stroller and Q walked with me as we kept our eyes peeled for different things. Quinton got to take all the pictures proving we had indeed found each item. There are two items we did not get pictures of. A tree house was one. There is one less than a block from his house but we never walked in that direction with camera in hand to take a pic. The other was Something Star Wars that didn't belong to Q. A library book was the item of choice but again a picture was never taken.

Here is a slide show of Q's Scavenger Hunt. Enjoy!! :)

Customize a photo slideshow

Driving in My Car

For the second week in a row during story time at the library the kids and I sang and danced to the song "Driving in My Car." It is such a cute song that has fun actions. You may have seen Ralph on Disney singing between shows, on Sesame Street, or other kid friendly channels. His newest CD is called "Ralph's World" which has this very song on it.


What made this song even more fun this week was that the kids were heading to Morton in the afternoon. Sloan was singing it not long after she got up from her nap. Of course we changed the lyrics "Driving all the way to Minneapolis" to "Driving all the way to Morton, IL." The song was fitting for our day. I heard Q singing it as he was getting buckled into his seat, just before I pulled away in my own car. To be honest the song was stuck in my head almost the whole way home. That's for 2 1/2 hours!!! So if you need any new kid friendly CDs for the car I highly suggest any of the Ralph's World discs. There are nine different ones to choose from :)

Click here to listen to a segment of the song. Scroll down until you find the title "Drivin' in My Car." Unfortunately, I could not find a youtube video or the whole song :(

Cosley Zoo

Today the kiddos and I headed over to Cosley Zoo. It is a lot like Wild Life Prairie Park, similar animals. Only this place is a lot smaller. No trails, train or playground equipment. It is free to get in and the kids enjoyed the educational caboose as well as seeing all the animals. Especially the new baby lambs and goats, which were two weeks old and younger.

One of the first exhibits we looked at was the Red Tailed Hawk. We got to watch one take a bath in the little pond. It was font and center only a few feet away, which made it more exciting for the kids. Later in the day Sloan was trying to tell her mom about it. We had previously been talking about the lambs.

"Bath. Takin' bath" Sloan says.
"The lambs were sun bathing" She nods.
"Bath. Ducks swimmin' bath"
"The ducks were swimming?" She nods then quickly shakes her head no.
"Ducks. Bath. Funny" as Sloan bounces her arms around and makes a face. That's when it clicked for me.
"The hawk was taking a bath wasn't he. Then he fluffed is feathers to dry off" Sloan laughs. "Yeah. Fluff" She imitates what she saw and giggles.

The things kids think of. Who knew talking about the lambs would make her think of the hawk. Obviously that "funny bird" made quite the impression on her today!

You Wanna Piece of Me?

Just want to say that the new Almond Joy Pieces are to die for!!! They are Almond Joys but in M&M for. Let me just tell you, these little bits of chocolaty coconut goodness, really hit the spot for "The Monthly Cravings" if you know what I'm saying ladies?! I discovered them over Easter weekend :) There are four different flavors to choose from... check 'em out below! Anywho, thought I'd share my yummy new discovery.

Freebies!!! Round 2

I have received more freebies in the mail last week. Check them out! I'm telling you I love these sites: Hip2Save.com and Shop4Freebies.com

Seriously, who wouldn't want Puffs tissues sample pack to keep in you purse or diaper bag especially with seasonal allergies in full swing?! Or a big pack of gum for the avid gum chewer? My picky puppy that get bored with food so easily is loving the new mixes she gets a time or two each week, thanks to more dog food samples. Yes, folks, that is a sticker for pets to put on the window in case God forbid, a fire would occur. Breath Right strips for Matt who has always wondered if they actually work. As well a few other things as you can see.

Whether these freebies are products I already use or new ones I'd like to try, I am lovin' it!

Easter Fun

Easter was definitely a weekend event. My mom, brother and niece cam into town for a few days which made the weekend even better!!!

We started the festivities on Friday. Our good friends in D-town invited us (mainly the kids) over for an Easter Egg Hunt. There were about 10 kids total ranging in age 15 months to 10 years old. All the kiddos had a blast! They got candy and $$ money $$. And when I say money I don't me a few measly coins here and there I am talking $5 in a single egg!! There were multiple money eggs so you can just imagine. Hailey, Logan and Jayd had a ball. Meeting a few new friends and chowing down on sugar! Thank You, Kim and Jeff, for such a great Easter Event!

Saturday the kids did a scavenger hunt that I put together. Each child got to use a digital camera to take pics of the items on the list. They had 45 minutes to find as many items as they could. We split up one child, one dog (my babies needed walked) to a group and went separate ways. I mean we didn't want to see 3 pictures of the same thing. All three found everything they needed. Mainly because I took things from around our neighborhood. Jayden ran into a snag. Grammy's camera didn't take the majority of the pictures, so I had to take her out again to retake them. She was not a happy camper. Matt made a slideshow of their images and we viewed them together Sunday to decide the winners. All kids got a participation prize which was a poster/paint set. Grand prize went to Hailey for finding all the items and finishing first. We had a "Most Creative" prize, but ended up flipping a coin to see whether Logan or Jayden got it. All three of them had some very creative pictures. I had just as much fun on the scavenger hunt as the kids did. I even changed some of the items on the list so Q can do one in his new neighborhood. I figure this is a great way to explore the area and meet new friends. Had the weather cooperated this week we would have already done it, but this will be an activity for next weekend instead!



We also died eggs Saturday night. I had the regular dying kit where you drop the egg in the dye, but I also got this new Egg Spinner. You place the egg in it, drop 5-7 drops of color on it and spin away. The eggs end up having a marbled look to them. The kids really enjoyed this and I think I like it better just from a clean up point of view. I even hit the after Easter sale at Walmart and got another one for next year 75% off. Now we have two spinners, so no waiting to take turns!

Easter Sunday, we had another egg hunt in our backyard for the kids and they each got multiple baskets of goodies (dad, G-ma & G-pa R, Us & Grammy). You would have thought it was Christmas with all the stuff they got! We enjoyed watching the scavenger hunt results together as well as the movie "Where the Wild Things Are." We also celebrated my little brother and I's birthdays. Billy is now 16! I feel old :( My baby's growing up.

The Big Move

It has been one wild and crazy 10 days! Between the S family moving, family in town, Easter (and all egg hunts, dying, and food that goes with it), and celebrating two birthdays (brother and I) it has literally been CRAZY!!!! Hence my gap in blogs.

Last week started out with CC being in town helping care for the kids as mom and dad closed on the new house. We made sure to allow every ounce of Q's time left in central Illinois, to be shared with family and friends. He and his cousin Max went to play with Ms. Angie one last time. It was just the two boys and they had a blast. Ms. Angie let them do whatever they wanted... that's a big deal for these little guys. Between cannon balls on the pirate ship, making the biggest fort EVER, running, jumping, playing tag and who knows what else many memories and smiles were made. Of course Q and Sloan played with their cousins and the rest of the neighborhood kids they had become friends with over their two month stay at Papa's. Even Madison, their old neighbor in Peoria, came into town to play!

Tuesday after going to the soccer forum to play and run off some steam, we had a special lunch at Steak n Shake. Bet you can't guess what Q ordered? What do all kids want every day, three times a day?!? Mac and Cheese!!! Don't forget his favorite a vanilla shake :) After Sloan's nap and a little playtime outside we loaded up into the car and headed north. The drive is about 2 1/2 hours. Sloan did quite well and Q fell asleep for most of the drive. We were all excited to see the new house. The movers got everything unloaded in just one day. I couldn't believe it! To make the day extra special for Q he got to have a second vanilla shake for dinner!!

A lot of unpacking got done last week and over the weekend... Easter weekend I might add :) The S family cranked it out and are well on their way to getting settled. Obviously there are still some things that need to get unpacked and organized, but for everyday function the house great. We are all ready to for more new adventures that this new home will bring!

As for this week, Q started school on Monday. He only goes three days a week instead of five like he was doing before. He seems to be adjusting well. Q likes his teachers, classmates, PE (yes this preschool actually has a PE class, Music, etc. The letter of the week is 'W' which has included making Wind Catchers, Wacky Wednesday (Wear wacky clothes, hair, shoes... you name it!) and on Friday he is to bring something that starts with the letter for a mystery box. The plan is to check out the library and go to story time tomorrow. Janelle has even set up a play date for Friday afternoon with a little guy who likes Star Wars! Like I said, Q is adjusting well. He has been all smiles and very insistent about playing with his neighbor in the evening. Insistent or obsessive?!??? Either word will work :)

So far it has been a good couple weeks. I plan to post Easter and Birthday blogs next :)