Just a Little Post About Potty Training

I just wanted to talk a little about my potty training experience. I had no idea what to expect going into potty training twins. I thought about doing one at a time, but I figured they could encourage each other if I did them together. I wasn't sure if they were ready, but one day it just popped into my head to give it a try. I asked them if they wanted to do it and they were enthusiastic about it. We already had underwear on hand, so we got them on with no expectation about the day. I kept encouraging them to sit on their little potties, throughout the day. Bella only had one accident and even went #2. But Tristan wasn't getting it. He would sit and then come in the living room and squeal "I'm peeing!" all over the place. Aren't little boys so fun? No dribbling down the leg in one spot, spraying the whole room. Anyway, I asked him if he wanted to use diapers again and he refused. He wanted to keep doing it with Bella. So, we have done many loads of laundry, cleaned up many accidents, but he has finally been getting it. It has been 2 weeks now and he has been keeping dry all day for many days this week. Once I started with them, there was no going back. So I just had to stick to it. Bella has had a few setbacks but has come back strong. I would almost say they are day trained. We can go places without accidents and Tristan seems to have finally mastered #2 after 2 weeks. I am so proud of all the hard work they are putting into it. The only reward system I have used is a small piece of candy after #2. But they mainly just do it for the sense of accomplishment. The only one who really expects it is Lilly because they all get a piece when one goes, so they can cheer each other on. I'm not a potty training expert, I just go with the flow (no pun intended, hehe). Every child, in my experience, is different and ready at different times and it just seemed to work out right now, with lots of praise, dancing and encouragement. Oh, and lots of patience.

Lilly is 5!

Just wanted to add a little post about my first born. I can't believe how fast these years have passed by. But I love each stage with this beautiful girl and watching her learn and grow. Her personality sparkles and everyone falls in love with her. It's amazing to see this strong connection she forms with so many people. I'm sure she will touch many more hearts in her life and I look forward to watching all the good she contributes to this world.

Lilly's First New Years Eve

We let Lilly stay up till midnight this year. To celebrate, I blew up balloons with different things to do. Then she popped one each hour. We watched a movie, baked brownies, had a glow party with light up balls, played a game, made noise makers, painted each other's nails, and at midnight we made a lot of noise and toasted the New Year. She had a blast and so did I. I love doing these simple yet memorable things with my kids.

Fun at Christmastime

We did many fun things this last Christmastime. Including baking gingerbread men, making candy houses, seeing the live nativity and Santa, making cinnamon ornaments, making paper snowflakes, and going on the mini van express to look at lights. This was a fun time for our family with lots of smiles and laughter and joy. But we also focused on Christ everyday by reading the many nativity books we own.

Elf on the Shelf

We added a new tradition this year. The kids loved this and I had fun with it, too. We named our elf Jingle. He took our Santa letters to the North Pole, pranked Lilly on her birthday, and even caught our colds. They all thought it was hilarious when he gave them Rudolf noses.

Lilly's 5th Birthday Party

I know I go a BIT overboard when in comes to throwing my kids birthday parties, but I just can't help myself. And this is such a big age and her first party with friends she made all on her own. We chose an art party theme because she is our little artist. I made all the kids a smock to wear and we had lots of fun activities. First they colored on sandpaper and then we transferred their drawing onto T-shirts. They also made colored pasta necklaces (which I colored myself, so fun). And decorated their own cupcakes. They also played pin the paint brush on the artist, which was Lilly's idea. And painted with edible paint. All the kids had a blast and I had fun planning it. A mom stayed the whole time and said I was going to put all their parties to shame. Sorry :). Lilly and I made play doh and molded crayons for the favors. And I made pretzel crayons and marshmallow pops dipped in crushed skittles powder. They were so yummy. Lilly and my niece and I also made all the decorations.

This is the Pinterest page I pinned all my party inspirations and ideas.

Family Pictures 2012

Our Gorgeous Lilly

Our Sweet Bella

Halloween 2012

On Halloween, Lilly was able to dress up for school. While she was there, I took Bella and Tristan to story time at the library. I love my library's story times and this one was extra fun for Halloween with spooky stories, everyone dressed up and a craft and trick or treating and a costume parade around the library.

That night we had another little party for dinner at my sister's new home. Then we trick or treated around her new neighborhood.