Potty Training 101

Well, we decided it was time...time for us to get a small raise...time for O to get some cool Thomas underwear...time for us to ditch the diaper bag.  We have officially completed the journey and O is diaper free!!

Several weeks before Thanksgiving, we decided it was time to tackle what we thought would be a very arduous task.  O had been expressing interest in using the potty himself from time to time, so we felt like we needed to take advantage of his interest and go for the goal.  We had tried it several times before, but he wasn't ready...he fought us and did not want to get on the potty....we didn't want to push it and it be a negative experience for him, so we waited for a time that we knew he was ready.  We told him once he got fully potty trained, we would buy him a truck or tractor of his choosing.  We found a neat potty training chart online and he proudly placed the stickers along the path until it was completed.

Since O did not realize he had to go potty until it was too late, I knew I had to be the one proactively asking.  Rather than he resenting and getting angry at me making him try to use the potty, I set a timer and every 45 minutes or so, we would go sit and try to use it.  He was very willing and got excited when the timer went off.  He was so proud of himself when he actually went in the potty.  The first two days, we had a few accidents, but much less than we expected.  By the third day, we were down to no accidents.  From then on, it was only a few accidents here and there.  After the first week, he was telling me when he needed to go potty and the timer went bye-bye.  Once the potty training chart was completed, we got him a big truck, wrapped it up, and left it on top of the potty.  We told him the potty fairy left it for him.  We were so proud of how well he caught on and how easy of a transition this ended up being.  He's really becoming such a big boy!

FOL Thanksgiving Feast

Each year O's preschool has a Thanksgiving Feast and all of the classes get to come together and enjoy the delicious meal.

Each class has a different theme and O's class made cute Indian hats to wear.  At each one's place at the table, there was a miniature tee-pee.  Brent was able to slip out of work and join the fun which just made O's day.

We are thankful for O's preschool and the great experiences he has there.

Random November Happenings

November was a busy month for us getting ready for Thanksgiving and trying to squeeze all of the extra events in during month as well.  O and I had a lot of special quality time where we worked on different projects and enjoyed hanging out together.

We also got to go to a cool birthday party for his friend Blaze.  They had a mad scientist at the party and the kids got to participate in the experiments.  O was a little unsure at first since several of them involved lighting things on fire.  He warmed up though and enjoyed the party very much.

We really enjoyed these fun times and are now looking forward to Christmas.

Musical Chair-a-thon

Every year, Owen's preschool has a musical chair-a-thon that helps raise money for various events throughout the year.  The kids go in with their classes and play musical chairs. This year was so much different than last.last year where the kids had NO idea what was going on....they wouldn't even get out of their chair! ha!  This year, most of the kids kinda got the concept and would walk around the chairs...when the music turned off, some would race to a seat while others were still trying to dance to the music...too funny! Owen had a great time! Can't wait to do it again next year!

Owen is still in the game....

having a good time

Luckily at the end they were all winners!!! They all get to pick something out of the prize box, which makes them all happy campers!!!

Happy Halloween!

By the time Halloween actually rolled around, we had already had a lot of practice at the whole trick or treating routine.  After Brent got home from work, O got all geared up in his train conductor costume and out the door we went.

We decided to stay in our neighborhood and just walk around, rather than having to drive somewhere.  We have LOTS of kids that trick or treat in our neighborhood.

We didn't hand out candy this year since we were out with O.  In the past, each year we have so many kids coming to our house, we always ran out of candy and had to go to plan B - cut off the front porch light!

We went through our neighborhood for about an hour or so and then we all headed to Chick-fil-A for a late dinner.  O had a ball and was very excited to get his own candy.  However, we went to this one house and the man dressed up on the front porch jumped out and scared O.  He dropped his candy bucket and started crying.  It didn't last long and he didn't get scared any more.  It was a night full of fun!

Trunk or Treat

We enjoyed Trunk or Treat at O's preschool again this year. This is the first year he really got into the candy and was very protective and proud of his treat. So glad he has so much fun.

FOL Halloween Party

Owen's preschool had their Halloween party the Wednesday before Halloween. This year, given O's slight obsession with trains, we decided he would enjoy being a train conductor. We bought his some striped bib overalls, borrowed a hat, and used a red bandana. 

He looked so cute and he really enjoyed dressing up in his costume. He put his train whistle he got at Day out with Thomas at Tweetsie in his pocket and he was all set. You could hear him saying "all aboard". It was too cute.

The party was at 10:00. so afterwards, he left with me.  Instead of going home we decided to head to the Farmer's Market to check out the pumpkin house and grab a pumpkin. The weather was gorgeous!!  What a perfect day to take advange of these few far in between perfect fall days!

Owen had a great time!