Sittin' Pretty

Because it was a tiresome day with sick little boys and we're all a little bit exhausted, here's one little picture of my sweet boys just playing at the table. Aw.

On the Pot

I have two little boys who looooove their potties. Really and truly. Yea and verily. The moment they see the pots, they start tugging on their pants. (Yes, we do remove their clothes when they go, I just didn't want to post of picture of it. I no dum dum). We're not trying anything dramatic, just getting them used to the idea of using a toilet. They have a turn before bathtime each night and they usually insist on a visit before naptime.

The very first attempt, Dash tinkled in his potty and we were tickled pink. Liam wanted nothing to do with it and clung to us in desperation. A few nights later, the tables turned and Liam sat on his pot for minutes on end while Dash ran away. Then we promised him a sticker for trying to sit and, just like that, potties were magical. Since then, there's been nary a complaint.

We've had several successful tinkles over the last month, even a few days where BOTH boys went, and they get a kick out of dumping the bucket into the toilet and flushing it away. I must admit, however, that more pee ends up on the floor since the boys make the most their nekked freedom and run around the bathroom like wild men. Small steps, right?

Sometimes a boy just needs his dad

Gifts Now!

Since we're going to be with extended family for Christmas, we wanted to do our own little gift exchange between the four of us. And if we're going to do it early, why wait longer than we have to?! Because, seriously, the hardest thing about Christmas is waiting to give your kids all their awesome new toys. This whole last week, all the toys in the living room seemed so boring. So on Saturday, we celebrated our own pre-Christmas morning.

These cars are the far and away biggest hit. We had them sitting out under the tree and it was love at first sight. You see, they have buttons that spit out music and cause the lights to flicker and the wheels to spin. Instant love. They wouldn't even think of setting them down for their breakfast of blueberries and cheerios (I've never been one for fancy breakfasts...). Yes, they may part ways for a spell, but only after hauling them around for a half hour. Oh my, when I wouldn't let them take the cars into their crib for nap time... it wasn't a pretty sight.

This little race ramp was our most highly anticipated gift. Cars, speed, fun, dual mode... winner of a toy! And luckily, the boys agreed.

I'm most happy it's something they can play with together and not fight over it. Well, at least not yet.

It's really easy to set off the noise mechanism, so I'm real glad to get that thing out of our closet. Vroom vroom vroom egh

AND it fits matchbox cars, score.

Liam and Dash now have a bigger collection of puzzles, of which they never tire.

Love me some Melissa & Doug.

Somehow Dash and Liam found out about a book about MAPS by KEN JENNINGS and kept it a secret from their dad until it was time for Christmas presents. Smart sons, they know their daddy.

Our kids are proud new owners of some excellent bouncing balls.

Can't bite through them, doesn't hurt when they hit you in the face!

The kiddos were so prodigious with their wrapping paper removal, they just had to help their mommy with her gifts.

The kiddos certainly enjoyed mommy's shiny new pots and pans! (So does mommy!) Once I put the cookware in their cupboard, the boys kept opening the door and flopping on their belly to get a good look.

These blocks make an excellent stepstool. Not exactly what I intended it for but ....whatever.

Liam and Dash were expert Mr. Potatohead-ers. In a Picasso sort of sense.

And just so you know, the feet can NOT be stored within the potato. Let me just ask, where are you going to store them? Huh? Where, Hasbro?

Already indoctrinating them into following in their father's footsteps. That's what Christmas is all about!