Dating & miss mommy

I'm happy to tell you Brian and I are dating again. haha, yes, yes, it's easy to forgot how that's done... or rather, make it a priority in the budget when factoring a babysitter these days. However, we finally made it happen- and thank goodness! It was a blast!

We went swing dancing in town (actually at a house) hosted by the swing club here and they taught a lesson for free and everything. Some of our friends came too. We helped do some teaching while rotating partners. It was small, but fun to be a part of. It's fun to dance with Brian and I was impressed how well he did even though we're both quite rusty. Thanks for the good time, babe! ;-)

The following day we went to the temple where volunteers from church did babysitting. Another sweet date. It really meant a lot to me for them to make the trip down and volunteer to watch our kids. It's hard to get to the temple as often as we'd like and actually attend simultaneously. Huge blessing.

Oh yeah- and here's cute Avery for you coming home from the temple:

A: "Fun at da temple." [I had fun at the temple]

"Great!"

A: "Sad too."

"Why is that, Avery?" [expecting to hear how we had to pry her away from Aladdin.]

A: "miss mommy."

Have I told you how much I love my kids?

$20 Tomato

I'm proud to say it was delicious! This is the first tomato picked from our very own garden. I took very great care not to pick it too early; it's a pricey one. Considering the amount of money we've invested in our garden, and the only thing that grew were the tomatoes, they are very precious. Someday I/we hope to get better at this stuff! I'm proud of our very first garden nonetheless.

Square One

Potty training. It should be a foul word. I'm no longer soliciting advice about it because, I think I'll just go crazy.

We've been through a plethora of tactics, none of which have succeeded. Some have helped, none have completed the job. We started roughly 6 months ago. Two weeks ago we gave up diapers for what I thought was for good. I stayed home 3 days straight to nail down the concept, having her go potty often (not waiting an hour between). She did well as long as I told her to go, otherwise we could expect an accident. This isn't bad for learning, but she hasn't improved for 2 weeks. It is necessary for her to learn to tell us when her body needs to go.

We've about resorted to punishing her, but I don't feel that will do the trick at all. It has to be her will. So, we decided to give her the choice: underwear or diapers? She chose diapers. So here we are again. Square one.

I'd like to let her lead from here on out. No coaxing from me. When she's ready to go potty or wear underwear, she will be the initiator. It will be hard for me to stop reminding her, but it's like kicking a dead door nail; she's not taking it upon herself to learn. I really just hope she will want this by the time she's 4.

Dear, sweet Avery. We really do love her to pieces, just can't stand to potty train her anymore. I just hope putting her back in diapers won't make me just as irritable again for other reasons. :-/ Sorry to vent guys!

Ma-ma

Aspen starting saying ma-ma 3 days ago! It's always a "mah mah mah" when she's fussing and sad, but I love it! She can sit up by herself now, with only occasional tips. She can prop herself up on her arms and tuck her legs under her (not simultaneously). She has begun going to sleep by 8 or 9 (instead of 10 or 11) and only wakes up once (at 2 am)... twice she has slept all through the night. Rock on, little baby! Love this kid to pieces!!!!!! She is such a sweet and happy baby.

Charmer

Avery: Mommy, hurt-a-arm?

Mom: Yeah, mommy has an owie.

Avery: (gently clasping my arm) Kiss-a-better?

Avery is such a sweet girl. She is polite, kind, and affectionate. She is fun and gets excited for things like: friends over, pee in the potty, candy, swimming, Aspen waking up, watching Dora or Elmo. Last night she went to mutual (church) with dad and cute-ed on him the whole time. She was very obedient, kindly asking to play with a ball or hold a drink instead of fussing for it. She even asked to go potty when she needed. That girl is a true charmer; dad was certainly won over.

I took the girls out for a bike ride for the first time this summer and for Aspen's first ever. All went well and I look forward to getting more exercise like this!

Baby Boo

I ran across these recent pictures of Aspen. I've got a lotta love for that baby.

Avery getting Aspen to giggle with splashes!

Defeated

I can't remember the last time I had a day like this, but all I feel is defeated. It's been rough.

Avery locked herself in the car. I allowed her to play with my keys while I talked to a neighbor. Big mistake. I didn't panic until after 5 minutes of coaxing her into pushing the lock button UP not down to no avail. I called Brian a few times with no answer. In panic of a smoldering child inside my car, I called the locksmith. Immediately after, Brian called and told me to look for the spare key while he borrowed a co-worker's car to drive home. I found the key. Called the locksmith not to come. That was scary.

I completely missed my visiting teaching appointment without knowing.

The kids and I drove 45 minutes to Lowe's in the truck. Can you guess what happened? Locked the keys in the car upon arrival! (At least this time no child in the car.) Locksmith came in 25 minutes. $30 fee.

Spent goo-gobs of time in Lowe's returning things and picking up stuff. Thankfully, my kids were champs through it all and Avery did not wet her pants (we visited the potty twice and I nursed Aspen once... this is what takes the extra time and effort). The huge downer was they had no decent closet doors in stock that I came to pick up. I hate spending all the money on gas taking the truck and for no good reason. I wanted to cry. I think I did.

Well, it's still only 3 p.m. and I have a house to clean. Hopefully better luck the rest of the day. These things should cheer me up: Watching Burn Notice tonight with Brian and setting out the large rug I picked up at Lowe's for the living room. I also enjoyed having my two sweet kids beside me in the truck while I drove home (no airbags). Aspen sucking on a carrot, Avery eating a sandwich, and the sky was warm gray with a sweet oncoming rain.