Potty Training Time!

I had a big agenda of items I wanted to accomplish while Jeff was away and potty training Ryan was one of them. He starts school in a few weeks and will need to be out of his diaper by then, so I realized I just needed to buckle down and have a potty day. We used stickers every time he sat on the potty and the big prize at the end of the day was he got to watch Chuggington. Lily was my helper with the stickers and would give him some options, let him choose, then ask if he wanted to put it on the paper or have her. Ryan went pee in the potty probably ten times and had only one accident. He even told me once he had to go. I set the timer for 20 minutes so we were on and off that potty all day long.

In other big news, Lily learned to ride a bike all by herself! We got her a balance bike and she went on it three days. But Tuesday, she went on it a few times then I gave her the bike and off she went! She even learned how to start out all by herself, I was so proud of her. Such freedom to be able to be able to ride.

Max dove into the slide and once he got to the bottom he came right back up the stairs and did it again. 

She can ride!

Ryan is an adventurous climber!

Ja, Laura, and family came back through Windsor on their drive home from Utah. The kids have so much fun together and played and played out in the back. They did a "show" to the song "Firework" and ate brownies and ice cream for Ryan's birthday.

The next day the girls put on a fashion/dance show and we went to the library for a petting zoo and pony rides, which the kids loved. It was so fun to see them again after less than a week!

Laura said she tried to get a picture of Anna and Ryan like this a couple years ago and the big sisters photo bombed that picture too. 

Max has started to take steps this week, which is a big deal since he has not shown interest in walking much. I just love how amazing fasting and praying is.

Ryan has had some ups and downs with potty training, but on Saturday he asked to go one time and did a poo poo in the toilet! Every other time he went it was because I told him it was time to try, but he didn't have an accident so that was great. On Friday I was pretty fed up with cleaning up pee from clothes and carpet and chairs and wanting to give up on it all, but I was given the gift of an accident free day the next day.

Saturday we spent the day in Westminster, which was so fun since I haven't been there in a long time. We went to attend Lisa's bridal shower, put on by Nick's aunts. They were so nice and did a great job and it was great. Lily was so thoughtful and noticed if someone was hot she'd offer them her fan. Or she saw that Sandy didn't have a fork so she got her one. After going to bathroom she told me all about it and where the garbage was located because it was hard to see. She helped Lisa with the presents and it's nice being alone with her in public settings (when I can focus on her rather than chasing Ryan or Max) because she is just a delight. She was eager to meet Nick's little 4-year old sister and wanted to become friends. I just love her and feel such a joy that I get to be her mom. Lisa and Nick together will make a powerful couple and do much good in the world. I just felt that as I spoke to them and heard all the wonderful things happening to the people around them as they see the spirit in their lives, especially Nick as he is embracing the church again. It's very cool to see.

We celebrated Ryan's birthday with cake and presents. Ryan is such a funny boy with an infectious laugh. Once you get him going on something funny he can't stop laughing. He likes being silly and speaking nonsense words. He was happy to be celebrated again and of course loved opening gifts. His favorite gifts were some little cars...that boy loves cars! I just love the things he says and how he says them, I wish I could record him talking all the time because it's so cute. And Max took some more steps tonight so I'm just going to keep praying it continues!

Ryan got to pick out his present at the toy store from Granny Dot. This turned out to be the best present because it entertained cousins (of all ages) for a full week!

Lily and I decorated this box and it became a space ship. We cut a hole and the kids loved poking their head through. 

On Sunday the kids did amazing at church, I was really surprised and felt very, very blessed. We lasted all through sacrament! I pretty much spent the next two hours in the hall, but I figure that's the typical Sunday for the next three months.