Potty Boot Camp: Day 8

Wow-A week ago I was posting an entry in tears and now I'm beaming with pride. Potty training has gone really, really great. The girls are doing so well in going to the potty all by themselves. I just can't believe they learned this so quickly and that I was so afraid life would be over as I knew it. We've been out of the house 4 times now with not a single accident either. Tomorrow I'm going to be really risky and take them to the square to romp in the leaves. We've been learning about how trees grow in our preschool lessons so now is the perfect time to get out and enjoy the fall weather. If any of you are interested in the program I am using to potty train the twins please visit this website. I can't believe I have just blogged 4 times about potty training!! So just in case there’s one remaining reader who didn’t completely abandon ship after reading the word potty, or panties, or accidents in any of the posts, I won’t delve into it any deeper. Too bad you won't be seeing any more pictures like this floating around here.

Yes, things quickley fell apart around here after seeing this.

I'm glad to tell you we've cleaned up our act! Good thing you all have me to police these kinds of antics. It's hard work you know. I shall now take a deep breath for tommorow they will shout "Let the chaos ensue!"

Good night!

Freeman Farms

We went to the "punkin barn" on Sunday...

with our good friends The Williams.

The kids had a good time playing in the pumpkin patch, riding the train, eating roasted corn on the cob and playing with baby animals.

It's never easy getting great pictures of these two little pumpkins. They are always going in 49 different directions. Good thing I took about 120 pictures. Maybe I'll find enough to pull together a cute digi-layout for all of you blog readers.

Enjoy this great fall weather!

Potty Boot Camp Day 3

I'm sure I've made you all a bit crazy with the potty training talk lately so I promise this will be the last post I make on the subject...for a while...

We had another good day. It is really beginning to "click" with the girls and I can't be more proud of them. I realize we still have a lot to work on but that's ok. We'll take this one day at a time just like everything else. Daddy gets to be involved tomorrow and I get a little (well-deserved) break to go grocery shopping. Yay! Diapers won't be on that list!

Thanks again for putting up with all this potty talk! Your reward...some photos as promised:

Day 1

During breakfast:
Mommy: Today is going to be a big day for you girls. You are going to be big girls and wear big girl underwear. No more diapers...diapers are for babies.
Abby: No mommy, I stay your yitty bitty baby...pleeeeeeez.
Mommy: Peaches, you will always be my "yitty bitty baby" but you can't wear diapers forever.
Abby: Okay mama (pouty lip out)
Mommy: (to herself) That was easy.

Aubrey: I can wear Tinkerbell panties now? (her favorite and she's been waiting a long time to get to wear them)

Mommy: what you think this is some kind of trick?

What?! Do you see what I see? The kid goes for the Hello Kitty panties? After days of "I wanna wear Tinkerbell"

Yes, that's it, the left foot goes in the left hole, good, now the right foot goes in the right hole, perfect...

now up you go! Total panties (Oh gracious! ~ I've been watching way too much Upside Down Show, shoot me now!)

Mama, are you serious?

Day 3

Oh yeah, stickers, candy and charts! Oh my!

They're great for counting lessons too!

Amen...and good night!

Potty Boot Camp Day 2

Today potty boot camp went much better for all of us! I am so proud of our girls.
We only had a few accidents today so I think it is beginning to click. *sigh
Both girls woke from their naps dry as can be! Abby even went to the bathroom all by herself as I was tending to Bree. Bree also had a fairly successful day but she has yet to tell me she has to go unless I remind her. So we will focus more on that tomorrow.
As for nighttime ~ Bree had a “dry” night with only one visit to the bathroom…yay. Abby had just one accident so I was pleased (I was prepared for 10!) and I’m hopeful for a dry night from both girls tonight. Tomorrow will be our third day of potty boot camp (the program I'm following is a 3-day program) so hopefully both will have even more success! I realize we have a lot to learn yet but it feels so good to see the girls achievements and NO MORE DIAPERS!
But for now, I’m going to try to get some much needed cleaning done around the house before I collapse into bed. I’ll try to post some pictures soon, just haven’t had time…

Potty Boot Camp Day 1

Today the chinobillies entered potty boot camp. The girls were issued big girl panties this morning after breakfast and all the diapers were removed from the house and the diaper bag. Considering this was the first day of being out of diapers the girls did really well although every single pair of underwear in the drawer has been soiled (no joke!)
Bree was off to a great start and made it to the potty every time until after her nap then she had only a few accidents. I think she was on an M&M and sticker high for most of the day. That type of reward system definitely works for her.
Poor Abby didn’t fair so well today. I’m fairly convinced that she is desensitized to being wet because wetting her panties didn’t seem to faze her. By the end of the day though she was feeling very defeated by all the praise Bree got and my heart is broken for her. I need to come up with something that will really speak her language. I would really love to see what you all think might help her.
I keep reminding myself this was our first day of potty boot camp and we are all learning something new. I will keep my chin up and do whatever it takes to see these girls to potty victory.
I plan on posting again every evening...that is if I don't collapse into bed first.

Soft Molasses Cookies

½ c butter, softened
½ c solid vegetable shortening (not margarine)
1½ c sugar
½ c molasses
2 eggs, lightly beaten
4 c flour
½ tsp salt
2¼ tsp baking soda
2¼ tsp ground ginger
1½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp ground cinnamon



1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, shortening and sugar until light colored and fluffy.
2. Beat in molasses and eggs; set mixture aside.
3. In another large bowl combine flour, salt, baking soda, ginger, cloves and cinnamon. Blend thoroughly with wire whisk.
4. Gradually mix flour mixture into creamed ingredients until dough is blended and smooth.
5. Roll dough into 1½” balls.
6. Dip tops in granulated sugar.
7. Place 2½” apart on greased cookie sheet.
8. Bake at 350° for 11 minutes. Do not over bake.
9. Cool on wire rack. Store in tightly covered container to maintain softness.

Yield: About 3 dozen cookies.

So how was your weekend?

Ours was a tiny bit emotional as our girls transitioned into "big-girl" beds. I don't want to jinx it but...so far so good. Next step...hmm...not sure...getting rid of the pacifiers or potty training...
Oh what is a girl to do? OOOhh OOOhh I know. I let you all decide! I have added a poll on the right side of the screen. PLEASE cast your vote so I don't have to decide. It's just too hard. And by the way, no one has called me on that potion for keeping little girls babies yet either. What the heck? We're in a crisis here folks, they are growing up waaay too fast.

I turn my back for two stinkin' seconds

And this is what happens. Geesh!

Thank goodness for washable crayons...

Last Year's Pumpkin Patch

It's hard to believe that it's been a year since we visited the pumpkin patch. It's also hard to believe that the girls were EVER that small and chubby.
As always you can click on the image to view a larger picture and be able to read the journaling.

My Parents

My parents, on their wedding day, posing with my dad's parents.

October 1, 1972.

Mom and dad are celebrating 36 years of marriage today. Not many people can say their parents are still married to each other. In school my friends used to say: "I wish I had parents like yours." I would roll my eyes and grumble something like “if you only knew…” I didn’t know how good I had it!
So Mom and Dad ~
Thank you for taking marriage and family seriously.
Thank you for choosing to love one another when it wasn’t always easy.
Thank you for always being there for us.
Thank you for teaching us right from wrong.
Thank you for putting family first.
Thank you for having big and generous hearts.
Thank you for being unselfish and giving.
Thank you for giving your energy, your skills and your time.

Thank you God, for blessing us with very special parents.

I love you mom and dad! Happy Anniversary!