A Hiking We Will Go

Justin had the morning off to day so we headed off to Palmer Park for a nice family hike. We have been wanting to do this for a while and I am glad we finally got to it. The boys were so excited to go hiking in the woods. At first we had to keep getting on them for running ahead of us, but then we all had a nice hike through the woods. Carter loved seeing a cactus and then would point them out whenever we saw another one (which were a lot) by yelling "Look! Cactees!". Tyler liked finding butterflies and bike tracks (which he thought were snake prints) along the trail. Tyler got tired sooner, but Carter could have gone all day if we let him. I shouldn't be surprised as he is the one always wanting to go on walks. Once we were done with our hike we went and played on the playground a little bit before having a picnic lunch. After a stop for some ice cream on the way home (a prize for Carter's potty chart) the boys had great nap and are still talking about our hike. What a great morning!

The Things They Say

Here are just a few examples of the conversations going around our house these days:

• Tyler is getting very ready for preschool. On our way into church today we saw a school bus. Tyler then informed me that "we still need to get my supplies for school right mommy? And I need to get my haircut. I also need to go to the doctors and make sure I am ok. I almost forgot about that one mommy."
• The other night Justin was tucking the boys into bed. They were talking about them growing up and getting bigger. Tyler asked about his toys getting bigger with him. Justin explained that he would get new bigger as he got bigger. Like instead of his ride on car he would get a real car. Tyler then worried that "the toys would break the roof of the house".
• This one really isn't a conversation, but cute nonetheless. Carter is doing great at home potty training but not wanting to go at church. I think it has more to do with stopping playing than anything else. The other day the finally convinced him to go if they brought his fairy dress up skirt to the bathroom with him. Today it was a car (at least he isn't always dressing up).
• Along the dress up lines, Carter finds any of my shoes (although he seems to go for sandals the most) and he puts them on. Then he tells me he has his"dancing shoes" on.

Potty Training Update

We have had our good days and out bad days. On Saturday Carter was just being stubborn. I would put him on the potty and we would sit there for 10-15 minutes just for him to get off and have an accident 5 minutes late. So we made him a potty chart and on Sunday he was perfect - not a single accident even when we were out and about. Today I had to work so we went to church. He was acting stubborn all morning nut only had one accident and one success. He is also waking up dry in the morning and after nap. I am very optimistic that he is going to get this down in no time as long as his stubbornness doesn't get in the way.

I have a lot more to catch up on - the boys have the greatest conversations these days. Hopefully I can get to them (and still remember them) this week!

Third Time has to be a Charm

For the third and FINAL time, we are potty training Carter. We were talking about it at dinner last night (we were going to start this morning) and he decided he wanted to wear big boy pants NOW. So we head upstairs, put his underwear on and haven't looked back. Since he did so well last time I am thinking this should be fairly easy. He had one accident last night, but then stayed dry in the car as we drove around for an hour or so. Today no accidents at all and he wanted to stay in his big boys pants during nap, so hopefully this will go well. He isn't telling me when he has to go but I have noticed that times that I insist he at least tries and he fights me on it are the times he really doesn't need to go. So I am thinking he gets it. Either way we are sticking it out this time - no turning back no matter what happens.

Building Away

I love watching Tyler play lately. He creates such stories and now acts them out. The other day I caught him downstairs playing with his Little People Circus. He drug out all his animals to be in the circus, then all of his people who were watching the circus. He also had a parking lot with every car or truck we own lined up and some on a road leaving the circus. He then made the animals put on a little show.

Today he was playing with his Lincoln Logs. Usually Justin and I help him build the houses up but since he didn't ask for my help today I let him go and just watched. He made himself a little farm. He out the windows and doors on and even put the animals inside. The best part was listening to him as he was building. He was acting out the part of the builder. He would say things like "and the window should go here ok?" Once he put the horses in the barn he became the farmer and was talking about the horses - all of this to himself. When I took the picture he let me know that he wasn't done yet and told me it still needed the roof. He is going to finish it after nap time. I LOVE that he can play so well by himself and that he was such a great imagination.

Sweet Boy

Carter has always been one to be sensitive of others. He always asks nicely for things and usually doesn't have issues sharing. He will also say sorry, even if he isn't the one who should be saying it. The other night at dinner had to be one of the sweetest things I have seen. Tyler was having a hard time with using proper manners at the table. Once he finally was able to sit with us, he ate a piece of bread and then wanted more. He told him that he had to eat his courtesy bites of his ravioli before having another slice of bread. Carter then asked for a slice of bread and since he had cleared his plate we gave him one. Carter picked up his piece and set it on Tyler's plate. Because Tyler still hadn't even taken one bite of his dinner I took the bread away. Carter started crying immediately. He just wanted Tyler to be able to have a piece of bread. He sat there upset until Tyler finally ate his bites so he could give it to him. I hope Carter never loses his generosity and love toward others.

Congrats Lindsay and Randy!

On Sunday Justin and I went up to Denver to celebrate Lindsay and Randy getting married while Nana watched the boys. I am told they were great for Nana, which is always music to my ears. We had a great time at the reception catching up with old friends and having a fun night out. Justin picked out my dress and shoes himself and I even got my hair done!! Thanks for watching them Nana so we could have a night out!