No Accidents!

Sylvie has been working for a few months on getting through an entire day with no accidents in big girl underwear with no pull-ups. We have tried many methods. For months now, the first thing she screams at me when I pick her up from school is, "I WENT POO POO"! After about 5 bags of M&Ms, Dora Underwear, Princess Underwear and Princess Pull-Ups, running to resaurant bathrooms, cleaning up pee at the thomas the train set in barnes and noble, cleaning up pee on the couch, cleaning up pee from my Parents Couch, and a few accidents next the toilet (so close!) we finally made it through.

She finally did it on Saturday. It was a group effort - my parents had her most of the day - and with constant reminders, she finally was so proud and got what she had been working for.....a set of Cinderella magnets. Woo Hoo! After her bath, we had a mini ceremony to mark the occaision....

Beaming with Pride!

Seven Months Man

He looks a bit like a man with his hair combed to the side and the bitty sneakers. His current hobbies are razzberrys and sitting up. He constantly has his mouth open on the off chance that someone will stick some food in it. He is very proud to be sitting up and, as you can see here, he is training for his next big ascent...crawling.

Push ups

Scissors meets Pillowcase :(

Why didn't we learn the first time? Today Sylvie took her scissors, which have only recently been given back to her after the cutting her hair incident, and went to work!

While I was gone and Vicki was doing something with Leo - can't wait what cause I wasn't here - Sylvie cut up the cover of the book I am reading. It was on my bed stand which means she was in my bed when she did it. Now I can't hand it off or resell it or even give it to goodwill.

Then, as Vicki was making our bed (bless the Lord above) she discovered that Sylvie had also cut into a pillowcase. This was a pillow case that was given to me by my grandmother.

Sylvie was sent to her room for a while where she proceeded to try on all of her shoes - no skin off her back. Then I went in to talk to her about why that wasn't right, I started crying because it was my grandmother's pillow case and she is old and not the same and it is sad. The drama of everday life here.

Mother's Helpers 2006

There are a few things right now that are getting me through the day. Right around three I am wondering what it will be that will carry me accross the afternoon chasm. These are them - sometimes all three in one day - pure heaven.

1. My famous Mint water
I take some of the mint leaves that I grow in a pot outback, rustle 'em up a bit but don't tear em, put them in a ceramic pitcher with some cut up lemons (no seeds - that makes it bitter), pour hot water over it and let it steep for a while. Later on - with some ice. It defines refreshment.

2. A handful of Kristen's Seventies-Style Granola:
preheat oven to 250
mix the following in a big-ass bowl
6 cups oats
2/3 cup coconut flakes (the big ones)
1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup flax seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/3 cup all bran cereal

heat on med til bubbly
1 cup honey
3/4 cup canola oil
1 tsp vanilla
(I add some fresh grated nutmeg)

Pur hot, wet mixture over dry mixture until thoroughly coated. Spread coated mixture on two baking sheets with edges. Put in oven for about 2 hours, stirring and switching racks every 30 minutes. Let cool and pour into air-tight container to enjoy.

3. Sitting Sylvie in front of her favorite movie "Sleeping Beauty"
Shut up, she loves it.

Baby Sauce

Sylvie calls Leo's food jars "baby sauce" I realize that no one will love these photos as much as I do

but look at the personality that is coming through...

Palm Springs

I am going to Palm Springs in October with 3 of my best friends from College and I am so thrilled.

Phyllis will be there too!