I'm a big girl now!!!

Labor Day, Addison decided to wear her panties. We've tried before, and she will and then she won't. She knew what was involved with going potty...just didn't seem to want to do it yet. One thing I learned from potty training Jackson was that the old adage that when they are ready, they will do it was totally true. We took the same approach with Addie and just followed her lead. Every morning, I (or whoever was getting her dressed) would ask if she wanted to put on her under wear. She had been saying no...very vehemently actually. So I was surprised to come home from my sister's to discover her in undies. Not only was she in undies, but she had only had one accident! WOOHOO!!! We had pee-pee dances, and parties going on all the time. She (and Jackson too) got her M&M when she went pee-pee on the potty (2 for poop). She has only had a handful of accidents!!! I AM NO LONGER BUYING DIAPERS!!! She is still in pull ups at night, we're not quite there yet...but I'll take the day time any day! She is showing off her mad skills here!!!! 

Imagination button

Last night, I was getting Jackson out of the bath. He turned around and touched his bottom. He then looked at me, and said that was his imagination button and proceeded to spin around and become a police officer. I sooo tried not to crack up, but it was impossible. He pushed it a few more times and changed into different things thanks to the imagination button. Wouldn't it be nice for us all to have an imagination button???

(Boat + River)+(Sand+Water) = Family Fun

Now that the sweltering heat of the summer has cooled down (ok, what that really means is that it's not 120 anymore...only 105), we decided to hit the river again. Hopefully we will get in at least one more Sunday before it cools down too much for me to be splashed. We go on Sundays because all the crazies who come from out of town are on their way home, which means the river is almost empty. There is nothing like taking the boat out over water that looks just like glass. It's gorgeous, and so peaceful...the wind in your face!!! 

Jackson loves to sit with Dave when we go. He likes to practice driving, and let's face it...what four year old doesn't love to be behind the wheel?? I know mine will take any chance he can get to try! Addison, on the other hand, is partial to moving all over the boat (which drives me crazy). I feel safe on the water, but I still prefer to have the kids sitting down...in one place, with my hand secure around the loop of their life jacket. I was able to capture Addie for a fun picture of us.

Since Dave isn't wake boarding this summer, we tried to find a beach where we could have lunch. We usually end up on an "island" in the middle of the river...but today, the water level was so high, there weren't any islands to be found. Dave found a great beach though, that the kids loved. It was off a bit, so the kids played in and out of the water...only problem...ANTS (can't find them when we need them...but they are always there when we don't).

I've decided I don't have enough pictures of myself...not for me, but one day...my kiddos need to see me, their mom (not just envision their mom behind the camera), so I'm working on it. This is my self-portrait on the beach...not too bad :)

After searching for rocks and sea shells for awhile, we decided it was time to make a sand castle. Dave started digging the moat...everyone else starting piling and digging. We had a great time, and can't wait to do it again!!!

Gotta love fun in the sun...but I am most definitely ready for the sun to set a little and for it to get cooler. Last night was the first night I have been able to sit outside comfortably after dinner while the kids play...it's coming, I know it is!!!

All grown up!!!

This was taken last weekend at my sister's house.
We were there for her baby shower, and my brother flew down to help with the yard. 

I can't believe we're as old as we are...way to go mom and dad!!! I hope that Dave and I do just as good of a job parenting for Jackson and Addison as you did for us three. I know your anniversary is to celebrate you and your marriage, but you and your marriage has been an example to me, and I know to Tara and Trav. Thank you for all you have provided us. It is a privilege and honor to be your daughter!!! 

We loved our horny toads

We definitely loved our horny toads. Yes, you'll notice love is in the past tense. Labor day weekend, Franklin died...and last weekend Weifel died. I know, sad day. Everything I read online about horny toads warned that they are the "hardest reptiles to keep alive," and they weren't kidding.

Our issue was the ants. Yes, those pesky little red things. Not only were they not just any ants, they had to be harvester ants (who knew that reptiles could be picky eaters?) Here's our ant adventure...we found them on-line out of Utah. The first batch went well. They hibernated nicely in the fridge and didn't "come back to life" until the lid was nice and secured on the cage. The second batch got here ok, but was mistakenly thrown out because it was thought to be the first batch. The third batch sat in our mail box all afternoon, and those poor ants baked to death. By this time, the horny toads were pretty weak. Dave and the kids took to collecting ants from our yard, but that wasn't enough. The fourth batch arrived too late for Franklin, and Weifel was pretty much done.

Now, it didn't help that you couldn't just put the ants in there. No, it could only be a few at a time because these ants bite. And they bite hard! When I went to feed the toads as soon as the second batch arrived, I was distracted (we were having the high school teachers up that afternoon for a luau, so I just needed to feed and move on to the next 10 things on my list). Note to self: don't feed toads when you are distracted. I just put some in there...bad idea. When I went to check on them a few minutes later, they were being eaten alive...literally. I watched them try to shake them off...a futile effort. I ran out to Dave and told him if we didn't do something, they would not make it. My idea was to take the toads out, put them in the fridge and let the ants ball up and fall off. Dave looked at me as if I was insane. (Ok, maybe putting the toads in the fridge was a bad idea, but how else was I supposed to get the ants off?) He went inside, and I guess he scraped them off. Poor guys, they made it through that one...but I think the combo of the ant bites, and then the food shortage was too much.

The kids took their toad loss very well. Next, we will definitely go with something that is a little easier to take care of. Sorry Franklin and Weifel...we loved you!!!!