Remember how Marin learned to walk?
This is basically how she learns everything -- sitting up, crawling, eating with a spoon, using the potty -- by doing it over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over....
She's learning to use the potty this week, in much the same fashion -- by doing it over and over and over and over and over and over.... Potty, wipe, flush, wash hands. Potty, wipe, flush, wash hands. Potty, wipe, flush, wash hands. We set a timer, not to remind her to go before she has an accident. No, she has to wait for the timer before she gets to go again.
The first day in training we were home all day and she went into the bathroom every time the timer went off. Sometimes more often because she would sneak into the bathroom and I wouldn't know it until she called me to help wipe. It was an exhausting day.
Yesterday I braved the children's museum with the girls (Marin in pull-ups, not actual panties - I'm no dummy) and, at least while distracted by all the activities, Marin only had to go to the bathroom once while there. Whew!
Silje is a little put-out that she doesn't get M&Ms when she pees ... in her diaper. And she wants pull-ups ... to pee in. But she'll get there soon enough. Right now it's enough that we've halved the number of diapers we're using. Woo Hoo!!!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Ailey's 1st Day of Kindergarten
Ailey and I went to her first day of Kindergarten today. The first day of school was a sort of "orientation" for the Kindergarten kids and parents, and only lasted an hour. There was no bus today (which Ailey was NOT happy about). Ailey drew a picture at her seat while the teacher filled all of us parents in on the routine and gave out a lot of paperwork. We made Ailey's nametag/bus badge, which she will wear for 2 weeks so the teacher can learn names.
Then we came home. Pretty uneventful for a first day!
Tomorrow is the REAL first day. Ailey will ride the bus (assuming she is willing once she sees all those other kids in the seats and realizes she has to sit with someone she doesn't know). I won't drop her off in her classroom like I have been doing in preschool for the past two years, but will wait at the bus stop to greet her home. It's a little nerve-wracking for me, I wonder what is going on in Ailey's head with all this new stuff!
Ailey's teacher seems like a good one. She is apparently "sought after" at Ailey's school, has been teaching for many years in Kindergarten, and Ailey likes her already. It should be a fun and interesting year!
We got to see Parker this morning before his first day at another school.
The crew (by age, no less!) before waving good-bye to Ailey and Parker.
Then we came home. Pretty uneventful for a first day!
Tomorrow is the REAL first day. Ailey will ride the bus (assuming she is willing once she sees all those other kids in the seats and realizes she has to sit with someone she doesn't know). I won't drop her off in her classroom like I have been doing in preschool for the past two years, but will wait at the bus stop to greet her home. It's a little nerve-wracking for me, I wonder what is going on in Ailey's head with all this new stuff!
Ailey's teacher seems like a good one. She is apparently "sought after" at Ailey's school, has been teaching for many years in Kindergarten, and Ailey likes her already. It should be a fun and interesting year!
We got to see Parker this morning before his first day at another school.
The crew (by age, no less!) before waving good-bye to Ailey and Parker.
Now let's see if I can get a picture of Ailey boarding the bus tomorrow....
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sum Sum Summertime! (August)
Nice summer weather continued into August. LOTS of swinging going on in the backyard.
Ailey practiced her soccer kick.
And helmets were worn often while biking.
After one fun day outside, the girls and cousin Luke got tossed into the bathtub before bedtime.
Arts and crafts time.
Ailey took swim lessons for six weeks.
Marin and Silje watched a few of the classes.
We did end up with a few HOT days and brought out the sprinkler. (The pool didn't go over well with Marin and Silje -- maybe next year.)
Lunch break.
And back to the sprinklers.
We went to the sprinkler park with some friends one morning. Ailey loved it.
Puzzle time! Ailey was so cold after the sprinkler park that, despite the 78 degree house (I think it was low-80s outside), she put on long pants and sleeves.
Soccer lessons through July and August.
"Kids love soccer!"
In the past week the weather has cooled off some and the backyard has been a little quieter. Today, the last day of August, could easily be called a "Blustery Day" with rain and wind, and it's cold. Silje came up with this indoor activity to help pass the morning....
Ailey practiced her soccer kick.
And helmets were worn often while biking.
After one fun day outside, the girls and cousin Luke got tossed into the bathtub before bedtime.
Arts and crafts time.
Ailey took swim lessons for six weeks.
Marin and Silje watched a few of the classes.
We did end up with a few HOT days and brought out the sprinkler. (The pool didn't go over well with Marin and Silje -- maybe next year.)
Lunch break.
And back to the sprinklers.
We went to the sprinkler park with some friends one morning. Ailey loved it.
Puzzle time! Ailey was so cold after the sprinkler park that, despite the 78 degree house (I think it was low-80s outside), she put on long pants and sleeves.
Soccer lessons through July and August.
"Kids love soccer!"
In the past week the weather has cooled off some and the backyard has been a little quieter. Today, the last day of August, could easily be called a "Blustery Day" with rain and wind, and it's cold. Silje came up with this indoor activity to help pass the morning....
This afternoon is Ailey's "Back to School" event and meeting her teacher, tomorrow the first day of school! Fall is beginning.
Summertime Summertime ... (July)
June's weather was absolutely abysmal. Summer didn't offically start until July. But start it did, and it has been beautiful. Only a couple of really hot spells (and none nearly as long as last summer's heat tidal-wave), not much rain, and lots of opportunity to take advantage of the backyard.
Here are some pictures from July. If these pictures were a true sampling of how much time was spent in the backyard there would be 100 more pictures. But backyard play just became part of the daily routine -- nothing to grab the camera for. I liked it that way.
Marin and Silje are always this affectionate. Really.
When we got home from MN at the beginning of July, we found that a bird had made her nest and laid eggs in one of our flower baskets. We took good care of them and checked on them often. They flew off quickly once they hatched!
We took a few trips to Ailey's elementary school over the summer to ride bikes and check out the playground.
Andy climbed all the way to the top of the wall!
Marin giving a boost.
Ice cream cones in the backyard. "Cheers!"
We had a BBQ with Andy's family while his aunt and her two kids were visiting from the east coast. Here are Andy's parents and his Grandma Elsie, with two of Andy's cousins, and his sister's three kids. Quite the crew!
Cousin Aaliyah giving Marin kisses.
Here are some pictures from July. If these pictures were a true sampling of how much time was spent in the backyard there would be 100 more pictures. But backyard play just became part of the daily routine -- nothing to grab the camera for. I liked it that way.
Marin and Silje are always this affectionate. Really.
When we got home from MN at the beginning of July, we found that a bird had made her nest and laid eggs in one of our flower baskets. We took good care of them and checked on them often. They flew off quickly once they hatched!
We took a few trips to Ailey's elementary school over the summer to ride bikes and check out the playground.
Andy climbed all the way to the top of the wall!
Marin giving a boost.
Ice cream cones in the backyard. "Cheers!"
We had a BBQ with Andy's family while his aunt and her two kids were visiting from the east coast. Here are Andy's parents and his Grandma Elsie, with two of Andy's cousins, and his sister's three kids. Quite the crew!
Cousin Aaliyah giving Marin kisses.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Ailey's Day
Ailey starts school on Wednesday -- Kindergarten. She'll be attending half-day mornings. So far she's excited about school and about riding the bus.
Today was our last "free" day before school starts, so I let Ailey choose what to do this morning. After realizing the museum is closed on Mondays (and the subsequent several minutes of melt-down), she got excited about a ferry ride. The weather cooperated with us even though rain was predicted.
The plan was to walk on the ferry, get off on the other side and right back on the same boat. Round-trip. But one of the ferry workers mentioned the park on the other side, so we decided to check it out.
On the boat
Today was our last "free" day before school starts, so I let Ailey choose what to do this morning. After realizing the museum is closed on Mondays (and the subsequent several minutes of melt-down), she got excited about a ferry ride. The weather cooperated with us even though rain was predicted.
The plan was to walk on the ferry, get off on the other side and right back on the same boat. Round-trip. But one of the ferry workers mentioned the park on the other side, so we decided to check it out.
On the boat
The "park" on the other side was more of a sand dune with supplied sand toys and a couple picnic tables. The girls did have fun.
Ailey "planted" a tree
Ailey's second choice (or 3rd, since the museum was discounted), was to get out the art box. Marin and Silje participated as well, and got to paint with watercolor paints for the first time too.
.JPG)
Ailey "planted" a tree
Ailey's second choice (or 3rd, since the museum was discounted), was to get out the art box. Marin and Silje participated as well, and got to paint with watercolor paints for the first time too.
.JPG)
It definitely feels like summer is over. Most of the kids in our area have another week before school starts, but I'm ok with the end. And excited to start something new - Mom of a Kindergartener!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)