Quality Time with Calvin

I didn't realize just how occupied the older kids (aka Lucy and Mackey) were keeping Calvin this summer...until Monday. The closest thing I can approximate his clinginess to is a squid on my face. Except bigger. And MY face.

Poem Written by 9 Year Old Girl Who Lives in My House but Wishes to Remain Anonymous

"Walking under an ice cold sun,

Summer's over, school's begun.

I'll make new friends and say 'hello',

and hope ones not named Pelopoe.

Summer's over, school's beggun.

I'm walking under an ice cold sun."

Countdown Until Taylor Lautner is Legal

Nothing like something a little taudry...
Countdown Until Taylor Lautner is Legal

That Boom Boom Pow

It's official! Calvin is potty-trained!!! Which, for the 2 of you who read this that aren't moms, means he doing double duty in the potty and waking up dry (unless I give him a gallon water before bed or something)!!!! Ok, and, well, technically, wiping is a different story, but hey...

We celebrated by going on a date to Old MacDonald's (which is like kryptonite to me, so you KNOW what a big deal this is), the movies (with an itty bitty stop at Nordstrom's on the way), Yogaliscious, and the maze.

Which isn't to say this kid isn't MILKING his new-found stardom. I swear that kid can smell when to go in for the manipulative kill...and that's why I adore him!!!

It's a Man-Child Miracle

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...(drumroll, please)!
For all of you who have had to listen to me complain that I'm sick of changing the equivalent of an adult's diaper...
You will never guess who potty-trained in a day. Never. Ok. Maybe you will.
Calvin.
The secret? The perfect combination of a rainy day to keep us in and a take no prisoners policy toward diapers. He went straight to an underwear/pull-up policy. He has only had one accident...not including the one when Jon told him to poop in his pull-up. But that's Jon's fault.
He has woken up dry 2 days in a row.
But he's yet to poop. Wish us luck.

Time

It's time to lock-really lock-Calvin out of the bathroom when I'm taking a shower. Ask me how I know? I was getting dressed today, and Calvin came up to me, grabbed my bottom, and told me, "You have a cute bootie."
Uh-oh.

I CANNOT Believe My Kids

The fruit of MY loins? Not with stuff this good.

So, we are completing the 3rd week of our summer vacation. As you can imagine, it has been busy and fun and relaxing and frought with peril. The froughtness with peril came to a proverbial head at our neighborhood pool the other day. We had met the Hawkins there to swim, and my kids just weren't groovin. We had to leave the pool much earlier than anticipated as well as listen to my pontificating on the finer points of civility with the final nail being an early bedtime for all. In the aftermath, our family had a calm discussion about what we can each and all work on to prevent further summertime peril. Up to and including letting my sleep in past 6 am.

Fast forward to the next day. I woke up (early) to them telling me that they were going to let me sleep in. Ok. 9 am I roll back out of bed. Nice. As were pulling out of the garage, I commented about how we'd forgotten family prayer that morning. Lucy says: "We didn't! Mackey and I had our own morning prayer and read in the scriptures together this morning." Me (cough...sputter). Lucy: "We figured out Operation Truce and how we can get along better and help you more." Me (more cough and sputter). So far, so good. Squabbles are handled more efficiently and calmly. There has been a better spirit in our home. Wow. All I can say is "Wow".

Which brings me to my next bragging point. Mackey lost his first tooth tonight with a babysitter while Jon and I were out on a date! She texted me about the whole thing! So we got home, and Jon went up to make sure the toothfairy was alive and kickin (nod, nod, wink, wink)...and lo and behold, of her own accord, LUCY HAD PUT $2.50 UNDER HIS PILLOW. What?! What to my wondering eyes should appear but a brother and sister who've grown to endear. Lucy is a sweet girl, with a 3rd grade big sister streak, but that has GOT to be the most tender thing I've ever seen. I am just so proud of them!!!