Oh, the fun we have!

I love staying home again. I forgot, sort of, how much I like being home with a toddler during the day. Maybe it's because I know she is my last two year old. Maybe, it's because this last year was so stressful, and took me away from home more than I liked. Whatever the reason, I am enjoying everyday with my little Ella Mae.

Hide-N-Seek

Mr. Potato Head Time!

Ft. Worth children's and Science Museum

I have had the most fun playing hide-and-seek, and twirling with her as she spins in one of her many princess dresses. I never know from one minute to the next which princess she will be. She bounces from Sofia, to Sleeping Beauty, to Cinderella, to Belle, and on and on. Last week we went to the Ft. Worth Science and Children's Museum with some friends of ours. We had so much fun, and she took an awesome nap afterward!

I love that every day is a new adventure for her. This week I pulled out the bucket of bubbles that I bought on dirt cheap clearance back in September. I kinda stuck them in my closet and forgot about them. I found them the other day, and we had a great time making a big bubbly mess.
I can't wait to see what we will do next week.

Bubble Blowing

The awesome bubble kit I got on major clearance

The New and Improved Carmella Mae (potty training in one day)

I am completely amazed at how well Carmella has done this week at potty training, and it is all due to this book, Potty Training in Less than a Day, by Nathan H. Azrin.  Follow the link to the Good Reads review of this book.

 My big girl.

I've know for a while that Carmella was ready to join the ranks of the toilet users, but with my crazy school life, and with her going to babysitters four days a week, I felt like I should wait until school was over. So I spent weeks psyching myself up for what was to come, telling myself every time I bought diapers that this was coming, so get ready! Santa brought her training underwear in her stocking, and the week after Christmas we hit it and hit it hard. I made the customary "Potty Chart" complete with smiley face and star stickers. Monday morning we began. We talked about going on the potty, we sat on the potty. We sang songs, and read books while sitting on the potty waiting for the big Moment. After one week of doing this everyday, we had exactly four stickers on our chart. She was defiant, resistant, and just plain angry at me for making her do this.

Now, let's step back a moment. In another house-- the house of my friend, Nicole -- potty training began for her two year old during the same week.  I watched with amazement, and I will admit, some envy as she was posting on Facebook about how well her daughter was doing.  After only three days, they were ready to go out into the world with her new potty skills, and she had only had one accident while trying to get on the potty. She just didn't make it in time.  I couldn't believe it!  How is this even possible? Nicole kindly let me in on her little secret:  the book, Potty Training in Less Than a Day.

She lent it to me on Sunday.  I read the entire thing Sunday night.  Monday morning I was out gathering my supplies of treats and candies, as well as a lot of drinks I know Carmella likes. I think Jason and the girls were a little jealous they weren't potty training when they saw all the spoils I had brought home.

Tuesday morning at 8:00, we began. The book recommended a quiet house free from distractions, so it was good that school started for the others that day. After all the girls were off at school, I set everything up in the kitchen, and I spent the day with Carmella.  Just the two of us.  She taught her dolly to go potty. She scolded the dolly when she had an "accident".

 Her baby she named Ella Mae.

 She loved getting her treats for having dry pants, and she was so excited to drink her root beer, and Kool-aide. We went through the steps over and over again. When she wet her pants, I took her through the steps just like the book explains. She didn't like it, but she understood it. By 2:00 she was refusing the drinks I was pushing on her. I thought, "Oh no! She's on to me!" She actually started getting tired of the candy, and we had to switch to pickles as her reward toward the end, but by 5:00, when Jason got home, this girl was potty trained. I could hardly believe it. Jason was speechless as he watched her walk over to her potty by herself, pull down her undies, do her business, wipe, pull up her own undies, and dispose of the pee in the toilet.

 The potty spot.

 This was all done by herself, with no assistance from me at all. He could not believe what he was seeing, I could hardly contain my excitement! She has continued to do this all week without even one accident. She has even been getting up from her naps dry, and has been using the potty after she wakes up in the morning.

 Our arsenal of undies.

 Taking care of her business!

The thing is, as much as I love her new independence and skills, I am surprised at how much stronger our relationship is. Spending the entire day with her was wonderful. She had my undivided attention for the entire day, and she ate it up. Since Tuesday, she and I have played so much more than normal. She is helping me do chores around the house, and helping me cook. She is attached to me in a way she wasn't  before, and she wants little to do with Jason. Normally this would be exhausting to me, but it hasn't been at all. I've been loving the extra time and attention from her too. She is my last, she is my baby, and she is only going to be two for a few more months. I am grateful I have this time to spend with her.

I am so proud of my Carmella Mae, who, by the way, has informed me this week that she wants to be called Ella Mae.

I love my Ella Mae,  Potty training extraordinaire!

December - What a Month!

I think I can safely say this was the busiest, most whirlwind December of my life, thus far. At times I was doubtful I was going to make it out in one piece with my sanity intact, but thanks to a fantastic husband, and my amazing parents, things came together beautifully.

I started the month with finals. As I have for the last five years, but this time it was different. It was my last finals week before graduating. You'd think that would be mean less stress, but with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition, and two makeup test on my mind, along with finishing up an essay for my internship, I was stressed to my limit. I have to admit the ice storm we had and the four days of being trapped in the house, did wonders for me. I really needed that time to slow down, and enjoy some much needed family time.

The next week my parents arrived, and the graduation festivities began! The BFA show reception was rescheduled (due to the ice storms) to the same day as my graduation ceremony. It worked out wonderfully for my folks to be able to do both. It made for a long day, but at the end of it I finally felt complete. Jason and the kids were such troopers. It warmed my heart to see my family smiling and waving as I walked into the arena with the other graduates. I know they are so proud of me, and I think it was important for them to see the end result of all the time I have spent in school these last few years.

The next day we had a graduation open house. Jason helped me to take down all of our usual decorations, and we hung a collection of my art from the classes I've taken. My sweet Sisters-in-law helped out and provided food, and an awesome hot chocolate bar. I had a wonderful time, walking around with family and friends and explaining my work, and why I chose to do some of the work I've done. Conceptual art and post modern art can be kind of crazy and confusing, and it's so much fun to talk about.


That was Sunday. The following day, Monday, began the insane power Christmas shopping with my parents. I had pretty much nothing before that day. I didn't even do Black Friday shopping like I usually do. In one week, and with two trips to Arlington, we got everything for four children, two grandparents, one husband, and me bought, wrapped, and ready for Santa. Amid all that, throw in mini cheesecakes for school teachers (Ivy has no less than seven people who work with her), gingerbread cookie making and decorating, and decorating the house for Christmas. I'm surprised no one died of exhaustion!

Christmas day was perfect! The kids couldn't have been happier. Well, I take that back. Emilie would have been happier with a different pair of boots (which she later got), and Adelaide would have been happier if she could have gotten all her gifts and all her sister's gifts too (but we're working on that). Carmella hasn't taken off her new princess dress and shoes yet, Ivy loves her ponies, and Jason has happily retreated to his new tricked out man-cave in the garage. All the kids are super excited about the new trampoline bed Grandpa got for them. Ours ripped a few months ago, and we hadn't gotten a new one yet. Grandpa couldn't stand it! He is the hero in our house.

I spent the day with Mom. We cooked Christmas dinner together, and made it just like I remember. That was all I needed to have a perfect day. We also spent time putting together the Family calendar I make for her and Dad every year. Thanks to Shutterfly, they should have it just in time for New Years Day!

Mom and Dad went home on Friday, and the house hasn't been the same without them. The kids are missing them big time. Carmella keeps asking where they are. I've been a little lonely without them too, but we are all looking forward to a long visit this summer.

I'm really looking forward to a slower week and new year. Emilie is throwing a New Year's Eve party for some of her church friends. That should be giggly and fun. I'll post pictures of that this week. Other than that we have no plans, and I can't even express how good it feels to say that!

Christmas Lists

 Our children, who normally make sure we know what they would like to find under the tree well in advance Christmas, have not given us even one clue. Very strange indeed! To rectify this problem I have whipped up a little christmas list for them to write on. Since we are stuck inside this weekend, I've decided now is a good time to set them to work.
I've also decided to share the file for anyone who would like to do the same. Just click here and print away!