Work for Change

This summer is about change. One big change, really. It is time to potty train the stubborn, blond, curly-headed child. Paul is out of town for 4 weeks teaching in exotic, far away places, so Lily and I are tackling what may be the most challenging part of parenting so far - the potty. I will admit that this is totally parent driven. This little girl would happily continue relieving her self in her diaper until she could no longer be classified as a little girl. I, on the other hand, am tired of changing, and more importantly, BUYING diapers.

So far we have managed to get some pee in the little musical potty. Of course, in order to accomplish this feat, the orchestral waste collection device was placed in front of a never ending stream of Nick Jr. and Disney movies. She also has a small table, tons of crayons and coloring books, and a never ending supply of apple juice. The reward right now is one silly band per pee. We have had a few accidents. It usually goes like this -

Lily - "Uh-oh"

Me - Do you need to use the potty?"

Lily - "No"

Me - "Are you peeing in your panties right now?"

Lily - "No" (as the pee is running down her leg)

Lily - "I need dry panties"

This may be a long process...

Sum, Sum Summertime

We are now about halfway through the summer, although we really have just about a month of time off left. June brought about the end of the school year for Paul and I and a trip to Dallas for Paul's Orff course at SMU. While he slaved away in the Texas heat, working hard for the money, the rest of us went to the beach. Karen, Luke, Abby and Nana were with us, and it was the first time the girls saw the beach. I do believe that Lily is hooked. Annie was less impressed, but she might just need another trip to win her over. We are all back in Denver now, and settling in for the rest of our time off. Annie is getting bigger all the time - not surprising, and Lily just keeps getting smarter. She regularly reveals to the world just how much Nick Jr. we let her watch by quoting different characters or listing all the shows that she knows. Will that win us any parenting awards?

Lily and Abby playing on a sand bar

Happy 4th of July!

So darn cute

Beach baby!

Ready for her Miss America debut!