Sunday, October 25, 2009

The Joy of Potty Training

We have been potty-training ESK lately. It's been a slow and annoying process, but we are finally seeing some progress. She rarely has a soiled diaper anymore and maybe next week we'll try some real big-girl underpants on her... In the meantime, she is quite proud of herself when she poops in the potty. She always checks out what she's left behind and will describe what it looks like. "It looks like...

- a hot dog! (understandable)
- daddy & ESK! (big piece & little piece)
- a monkey! (???)
- ELMO! (???)

We tell her that once she consistently poops and pees in the potty, she will become a real princess. Did I tell you she's on a really big princess kick these days?

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Any Given Sunday

A typical Sunday afternoon in our house. Dad is getting them started early...

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Bad Mommy & Fall Traditions

ESK has been attending pre-pre-school for two half-days a week since the beginning of September. She goes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Every time I pick her up after school, she is happy and tuckered out. Meanwhile, I get to run errands with just one child instead of two. It's a win-win.

Today, I knew I was going to be running late (thanks to a snafu with a bicycle pump at REI... long story) so I called and let the school know. I got there at 1:11 p.m. and there wasn't a soul in the parking lot. Gulp.

Sure enough, ESK was the last kiddo there and was being led out by the director. And ESK was in tears. She must have thought I had forgotten about her. I felt terrible. The director told me she tried to calm herself down (so proud of her!), but wouldn't let the director near her to comfort her.

To make up for it, we went to the closest grocery store and got some ice cream and a balloon. I let her hold the cone all by herself and make a mess eating it. Her tears were quickly forgotten.

Nevertheless, I will never be late again.

Solo @ the Pumpkin Patch
We've been having some gorgeous fall weather here in Portland -- perfectly blue skies, chilly, crisp air, and glorious warm sun! We took advantage of the autumn day and went to the pumpkin patch.

It took forever to get out of the house and by the time we got to the farm, it was almost lunch time. ESK was already cranky because she was hungry, and I knew it was only a matter of time before she got tired. So, we rushed through lunch of hot dogs and veggie booty (not the most nutritious) and I wrangled her over to the hayride area. On the bumpy hayride, ESK was already starting to get delirious and forgot to use her inside voice in all her excitement. The family next to us didn't approve and I noticed they sat far away from us on the ride back, even though ESK and their little boy were getting along famously.

At the actual pumpkin patch, ESK ran around for a bit before picking a pumpkin. All of a sudden, she bent over and started looking uncomfortable. Of course, she is having a really big poop. And now that it is out, she wanted me to change her. But I can see the hayride tractor starting to loop back and I didn't want to miss our ride, so I told her to be patient. That didn't go over well. Extreme whiny-ness ensues.

There were no major mishaps, but I don't think I'll ever go to a pumpkin patch by myself again. Here are some photos of the day:

Running to pick a pumpkin

Found one!

Starting to get delirious...

I'm tired and have poop in my pants.