My Soon-To-Be Kindergartner

The other day was Mason's Kindergarten Round-Up at the school. That morning he woke me up and said very matter-of-factly, "Mom, today is my Kindergarten Round-Up because I'm starting school in the Fall!!" To which Josh says, "Mason, do you even know what Kindergarten Round-Up means?" Mason replies, "Yes, it's where you round-up all the kindergartners." Duh! So later that afternoon we get to the school and he goes off and takes a little test, which he did very well, while I filled out all the paperwork. We planned on attending the round-up right around Katelyn and Emma's lunch time so we could then go and each lunch with them. So Mason and Riley were so excited to bring their lunch boxes and eat lunch with the girls in the cafeteria. That was a real treat for them, and the girls.

Then yesterday we went to get Mason's last set of shots. Or as Mason says his "Kindergarten shots." He also had his 5-year check up. Mason has been preparing and gearing up for this day for awhile now. He was so ready to be brave and not cry. He was actually smiling as we entered the doctor's office. The time had come and he laid back on the table and proceeded to get 4 shots in his legs. I held his hands and told him it was okay to cry. But he didn't shed one tear. He was so brave and wanted so badly to be able to show me how tough he was. I just hugged him so tight and told him how proud of him I was and what a big boy he was. As we left the doctor's office he couldn't wait to call Josh and tell him that he didn't cry. I just love my little boy and am so proud of him. But I would have been just as proud even if he had cried. He has such a big heart and such a strong desire to be a good boy. He is really such a smart, loving, and for the most part well-behaved kid. He is going to be a great Kindergartner and will no doubt continue to make his parents so proud.

My Little Baker

Yesterday Emma asked if she could please help Josh make some brownines. Josh agreed, and we soon see Emma running to her bedroom. She quickly came running back up the stairs with her apron and an impromtu chef's hat she quickly made out of paper and stapeled together. (She's our creative one.) She then ran to a kitchen drawer and pulled out some hot pads, one on each hand, and exclaimed she was ready to get started. Wow! I hope her enthusiasm for baking lasts...

Potty Training

So I've been a little stressed about the fact that there is a really good chance Riley won't be potty-trained before the new baby comes. I've never had 2 kids in diapers at the same time. The other kids were pretty easy to train--compared to Riley. Up until last week she wouldn't even sit on the toilet. She even would start to speak another language when we would bring it up, or she would change the subject. And she can be bribed with nothing. But after church this last Sunday, she suddenly said she had to go potty. So we raced her to the toilet, Sunday dress and all. But nothing. Then yesterday during a scout meeting at my house, with 5 other women here, Riley came running through the living room stark naked yelling she had to go #2. She really never does this, and I love how she chooses to do this while I have a room full of company--great. So I run her to the bathroom--but nothing...again. But I just remind myself that this is progress. She is at least trying. And maybe, just maybe, she'll have it down in 2 months before her little brother comes. Wishful thinking??

Happy 30th!

Just wanted to wish my sister Teri a Happy 30th Birthday!! Hope you have a great day!

Happy Birthday Mason!

Friday the 13th was Mason's 5th birthday. We celebrated by taking him and some of his friends to Leo's. They played, ate pizza and cake, a good time was had by all. Mason decided he really wanted a Transformer cake this year. I pride myself that I always (almost always) make my kids birthday cakes. I am no means good at it, but it does taste better than store bought and I have fun doing it. So this year's Transformer cake was a bit of challenge but it turned out okay. Mason was thrilled with it and that made me happy. I can't believe my little boy is 5 and will be starting Kindergarten in fall. There's nothing quite like a little boy and am so happy to be giving him a little brother. They will be great friends. Mason is such a joy to have in our home, and we love him very much!

Riley upset that all the presents and attention weren't for her.

Riley Strikes Again

By 9:30 this morning I was ready to call it a day. This morning while I was on the phone, Riley came up to me and actually told me she had to go potty. What?? Did I hear you right? This never happens! She's never even set her little tush on the potty chair. I was on a phone call I couldn't get off of, so I tried to be very excited while still on the phone and walked her to the bathroom. Of course, I should have known it had to be fluke, once we got there, she wasn't havin' it. Now THIS is the Riley I know. So I let her keep her diaper off thinking maybe she will change her mind. (When I'm enthralled in a phone call, sometimes I don't think clearly.) So 5 minutes go by and I walk in the office and Riley is standing on the desk, naked from the waist down mind you, and had peed all over the desk. And all of it's surroundings. At that moment is was time to end my phone conversation and deal with the mess. As I am carrying her dripping legs to the bathroom to clean her up in the tub, I find yet another mess. Shampoo bottle #2 had been squeezed all over in and around the tub. Now if you've read my previous post from yesterday, you'd see why this is so upsetting! This is the shampoo that I just bought yesterday, brand new, never been used, and is now completely empty. So now in addition to cleaning up the pee covered desk and Riley, I now have a tub FULL of shampoo to clean out. And no I don't have any pictures of my morning, this time is wasn't so cute.

My Troublemaker

This is what happens when Riley is in the other room for more than 5 minutes...and it's quiet. She decided to dump half a bottle of shampoo all over her hair and rub it into her hands and clothes. I asked what she was doing, and she just looks at me with that mischievous smile like, "What? I'm just cleaning up a bit."