White Christmas.... or at least a white living room!

So here we go again... just when you thought all was safe and you have made it through the early toddler stage where you can be a bit more laid back and you don't have to watch every move your child makes, they surprise you. 

I was getting ready for the day, checking work emails and getting ready to get dressed, when I hear lots of laughter coming from the living room. Silly me. I was under the impression that laughter when two kids are involved means happy play and no fights to break up, so I have more minutes to get ready. NOPE.

I round the corner of my bedroom where I get a full view of my living room. What was once a larger purple rug and leather furniture had turned into a "snow" filled room. Jackson had the baby powder (which was left out by Allen.. enough said on that note) and was throwing the baby powder all around the room. While his lovely big sister was next to him with her magic wand exclaiming with glee "Abracadabra let there be snow!" Since Jackson must have thought he was her fairy godmother, he granted her wish.... ALL OVER THE LIVING ROOM!

To be truthfully honest I had to hide my laughter cause it was a very cute sight to see. After all they were being imaginative. It was just a mental note to not let my guard down - they seem to always get into something! 

Poop or Mustard?

So today was another crazy day in my mom/worker life. I had a meeting that needed to be moved up. I told the mom that I would have my kids with me, so let's make it a quick meeting at Starbucks. It was about lunch time, so I drove through Wendys to get them some food and keep them busy for at least a little while. 

We snagged two tables outside so that the kids could have one table and I could have my meeting at the other. I set them up with their food, ketchup, drinks and then crayons, coloring books, and puzzles for when their food was done. It was a perfect set up. So I thought...

Jack starts screaming that he has to pee. I turn around to see some mustard liquid dripping off his chair. I gasp and jump up. The mom from my meeting was helping her son with some math problems, so I don't think she caught on right away - or if she did, she didn't add to my embarrassment. I grab the kid and run. I really didn't have a plan. I just knew to get him out of there. I yell for Mason and Avery to follow me. I head to the car. I clean what I can from his back, but to take off his pants and underwear, would have been a long process, so I just left him in it. (I know, Mom of the Year award goes to me, again!) 

I buckle him in his seat and hurry Mason and Avery into the car. I thought about leaving, but then remembered that my computer bag and lots of important information was still left in Starbucks. I notice an open parking space right next to our two tables... Thanks God... so I move the car to them. I tell Mason that he's in charge (he loves this) and I go and finish my meeting. Thankfully for the next 20 minutes Avery and Mason keep Jack busy enough that he doesn't remember about the poop in his underwear. 

After my meeting is over, I clean up what I can of the gross mustard mess off the chair and floor. I can't fully clean the liquid off the wicker chair, despite how hard I try and then put a note in the back of my brain to make sure I look where I sit from now on cause I can't be the only one this has happened to. I gather all our belongings and rush home to bath the child.

I sit and reflect about what happened a few hours ago and wonder if the mom and her boys realized what was happening. I wonder how I would feel in the same position. Totally grossed out, that is for sure. I hope for their sake, they thought it was just mustard from the burger leaking onto the floor! 

Potty training made easy

So I know that my putting this in writing may back fire on me, but I can't resit the urge to tell the world how awesome my two year old has been doing with potty training. I never expected to start training this soon. In fact, my plan was to wait until Christmas break, when Allen and I would be home and our lives would be a little less chaotic. That way we could train the little man together with little interruptions. Well, for the past few months he's been wanting to wear big boy underwear. He also has shown the signs of telling us when he has gone and gagging at his own poop. 

One day I thought, what the heck? Let's try it. It was last Monday and I put him in underwear. The day went horrible. I set my timer for every 20 minutes and he never made it to the potty. I adjusted my timer to 10 minutes and he never made it to the potty. In fact, he would sit there every 10 minutes and nothing would happen. Then at minute 14 he would pee on the floor! 

By the end of the day I had used every towel in our home and every underwear this kid had and no success. 

Tuesday rolled around and it bible study, so we were training only 1/2 day today. I thought to myself that I would try again after naptime. One success! Yippee! 

Wednesday was another home day and he did great again. By lunch time he was telling me he had to go. This was amazing. Both of the other kids NEVER told me they had to go until they were closer to 3. I went to bed proud and happy for my little guy! 

Thursday he was with a friend of mine because I had work meetings to deal with. I put him in a pull-up and was doubtful he would have success being with a new potty. But he did! He stayed dry all day and told her every time he had to go! 

Wonderful. We are now a week into training and that little guy can pee standing up and when he sits, he doesn't even use the potty seat anymore. Today we went to Target with underwear! I brought along all my out and about "potty training" supplies. A backpack of changes of clothes and a large beach towel to sop up any pee that might occur from the Target cart. I didn't need any of it. Of course, we were in the toy aisle when he grabs his private region and says he had to go. All four of us and the Target cart ran to the other end of the store to make it to the potty in time! WE MADE IT! 

This new transition is so exciting to me. No more diapers for our family. WOW... I haven't been able to say that for 6 years. I may take this extra money and get a massage! A small reward for potty training three kids.... in my opinion! 

What is heaven like?

We have this book called "What is heaven like." It's about a little boy who's grandfather just died. He goes about his day asking his sister, the dentist, the librarian, his teacher, etc. if heaven would have this or that. It's a very cute story and the kids love listening to it. 

Tonight it brought up a very deep sadness that creeps up from time to time within me. My grandfather passed away 7 years ago right around this time. It was a quick battle with cancer, that left us sleeping by his feet when he passed one night. He was such a fun man and I miss him dearly. I especially miss him when I see my grandma with my kids. He would have had so much fun with them. He loved to roll around on the floor with my brother and I. He loved reading us books and playing games with us. 

As we were reading tonight, Mason whispers to Avery that this book makes him sad cause he thinks about Mommy's grandpa. So sweet. That boy is always looking out for me.

Mason asked what would happen if after we were in heaven if we died. He wanted to know if life started all over again. Would we get to go back into a mommy's tummy and be born into Earth again? Oh wow... the deep thoughts of a five year old. I explained to him the best I could that there would be no dying in heaven - just good times and happy thoughts. 

It's great to know that God promises us eternal life in heaven with Him. I was thankful for that reminder tonight and to be able to share a piece of that with a 5, 3 and 2 year old.

Halloween with the Neuenschwander kids

Halloween was interesting this year. Lots of running around and lots of people. Both of these things are not favorites for my kids... for me either! They were mostly excited to wear their costumes... but would probably have been fine getting a few pieces of candy from some friends and passing out the rest at home. I will have to remember that for next year. Our stop this year was my parent's church, Christ Church of the Valley in San Dimas. They do an annual trunk or treat. All the cars pull into the parking lot, open up their trunks and pass out candy. We got their early to beat the rush. We went down a few very unorganized aisles and came across a few dogs. WHY oh WHY would you bring your dog trick or treating? At that point we lost Jackson to Papa's arms where he was not coming down. Avery, who had already been timid to begin with, was very aggressively gripping my hand. Mason, who can't really see out of his spider man mask, is clueless about what is happening around him. I try and force Avery to say "Trick or Treat" and "thank you," like we have practiced several times prior to this social experience, but she refuses. So now, she is done. We finish the aisle we are on so the boys can fill up their candy bags and head over to the bounce houses. Here is where my kids let loose. They were no longer forced into a situation that made them uncomfortable - they were able to run around and be kids. 

I realized that sometimes I have to remember how I feel in uncomfortable situations. I hate Disneyland or Costco on crowded days. I don't like being around a lot of people I don't know. So I could relate to how Avery was feeling. Next year, we will try something more low key. After all, the huge bucket of candy that was the result of the night is just going to get thrown away by the end of the week.