Opus 265 - She Did It!

I decided to let Lissa dictate the potty training thing. She kept telling me when she needed to go so we went to Walmart today and the kids picked out potty chairs. We came home, set them up, and naturally the kids wanted to sit on them (they're new and exciting!) - fully clothed at first. After awhile Lissa wanted to take off her diaper, so I let her try it out. Naturally, Joshua had to do it too :) After a little while we put their diapers back on. But then Lissa came up to me and said "Poop, poop." So we gave it another shot and she went potty on her big girl potty! I'm absolutely shocked! I really didn't think she would do it, I really thought it would take a long time. Now, of course, I'm skeptical and figure it'll be awhile before it happens again, but I guess we'll see. Silly little girl.

Opus 264 - No Way

So the strangest thing happened the other day. Lissa was walking funny; on a whim I asked her, "Lissa, do you need to go potty?" She immediately ran to the bathroom. So I took her diaper and pants off and held her on the potty. Joshua stood nearby screaming because he was jealous :) So after a little bit, Jason did the same thing with Joshua. Naturally, Lissa stood nearby screaming because she wanted back on. After Jason put Joshua's diaper back on, he looked in and noticed that one of the kids had gone to the bathroom! Of course we don't know which one since it was so loud.

Then today Lissa started walking funny again, so once again I asked her if she needed to go potty and she ran to the bathroom. This time Joshua didn't notice, so I'm positive nothing happened.

So I started thinking about these two instances today and started wondering if Lissa really is ready to potty train. I've come to the conclusion that she is not. She hasn't told me she needs to go - I asked her both times - and I'm not even sure if she ever has gone on the potty. Plus, she doesn't seem to ever have any long dry periods. Besides, she's not even two and I'm not ready to deal with everything that comes with potty training. We haven't even got the toddler bed thing done yet for goodness sake!

I think she thinks this is just a fun game to play. So I've decided I won't ask her again; I'll wait until she tells me she needs to go. Hopefully that doesn't happen for another 6-12 months :)

Okay you moms who have potty trained - Do you think I'm right? She's not ready yet, right???

*********************************UPDATE*******************************

Twice in the 12 hours since I wrote the above post Lissa has come up to me saying, "Poop, poop." I've checked her out and she's not poopy, then a minute later she comes back and she's got a poopy diaper!

Opus 263 - Christmas

We had a very nice Christmas day. It was wonderful to stay home and relax all day. Lissa really got into the unwrapping thing. Joshua wasn't too interested - he just wanted to play with each new toy. The kids particularly enjoyed a visit from Uncle Matt, Uncle David, Aunt Emily, and Grandma and Grandpa Smith.

Digging into their first presents - books from Grandma and Grandpa Camacho. After opening them, they didn't want to stop reading to open the next gift. Cuties.

Gotta give 'em the music toy :)

Joshua received two Lightning McQueen cars and a truck. This kid is in car heaven. He keeps running around the house with his cars/truck saying, "Speed." So cute. I really need to get it on video. He says "car" at least once every 3-5 minutes.

Lissa and her Cocoa Set

Having some yummy cocoa at their new table (the funny thing is that it was Joshua who pulled out the cocoa set today, put it on the table, and started playing - Lissa joined him after a little while).

Coloring at their table - I love this table, the crayon comes off with just a baby wipe! Ikea rocks!

Reading on their new couch

Aunt Emily opening her present from us

Joshua showing off his Cars plate that Aunt Lissa gave him - our only problem is that he doesn't like any food covering Lightning or Mater :)

Lissa and her Princess plate from Aunt Lissa

Opus 262 - Lissa Funnies

Here are a few of Lissa's recent funnies:

She loves to put on her boots (and hide from the camera)

She also loves to read the Sneetches (Yes! S-N-double E-T-C-H-E-S, Sneetches)

Lissa also loves to say a few particular words for us

Opus 261 - Temple Square

We finally made it out to Temple Square to see the lights. The kids LOVED the "train" ride* - they kept saying "Choo Choo" over and over. Joshua especially loved looking out at the cars. Both kids really enjoyed the lights as well. They kept saying "more, more, more." They don't like to keep their gloves on, so we had to wrap them in blankets just to keep their hands warm (it was a very cold night). Unfortunately, Joshua kept trying to point at things, which would cause his hands to come out of the blanket. The only way we could keep his hands in was to tell him to fold his arms. It worked like a charm. I'm sure we sounded a little funny walking around Temple Square saying, "Joshua, fold your arms" every five minutes!

Joshua pointing:

Don't they look so cute and little??
These are my attempts at taking pictures of the kids on the "train" - it wasn't easy since I was holding one kid and the ride wasn't very smooth :)

*It wasn't really a train, it was Trax.

Opus 260 - Catch

Jason has been teaching the kids to catch balls. As you can tell from these short video clips, they still need some work :) BTW, yes, they're dressed up in BYU gear because this was taken on the day of the bowl game. Oh, and yes, they're playing with a BYU football and BYU volleyball. I guess you'd say we're fans.

Joshua was laughing too much to play catch...

Opus 259 - Toddler Awards 2009

In the category Most Mischievous Toddler 2009,
the award goes to...
(drum roll)
Lissa Smith!

Seriously, this cute little stinker could easily win the award. Today, during "nap time," she emptied the two lower drawers of her dresser. I put all of the clothes in the hall and put her back in bed. When I went back a few minutes later, she was sitting in the bottom drawer of her dresser - thank goodness the dresser is secured to the wall! I would have taken pictures (because as mischievous as it was, she was dang cute in there), but I was trying to teach a piano lesson at the time. My poor student was very patient with me as I ran upstairs twice to take care of Little Miss Mischievous 2009.

Opus 258 - Christmas Goodies

The kids and I put together a gingerbread house on Wednesday. I say "put together" because it was one of those pre-made kits. Lissa and Joshua LOVED putting the candy on. It was quite an adventure and our house doesn't look very pretty, but at least the kids had fun :)

Notice the missing wall and crooked roof. I had a very difficult time holding the walls and roof in place, while simultaneously trying to keep two 1-year olds from knocking them down.






Last night and this afternoon we made some sugar cookies. Lissa and Joshua got to decorate them. Since sprinkles were the easiest thing for them to do and since we only have green sprinkles, every cookie, no matter the shape, has green sprinkles :) Once again, they aren't beautiful, but the kids had a blast.

(Yes, those are cars. Do you really think I could make cookies and
NOT make some shaped like cars??)

Opus 257 - Cars

Dear Disney/Pixar,

I am desperately trying to find a Lightning McQueen car for my almost 2 year old son for Christmas. Why do you not sell Lightning McQueen cars for 2 year old boys? Why are all of them for children 3 and older? You have got to know that there are little 2 year old boys all across the world who are in love with Lightning McQueen - why don't you make cars that are safe for them? I know, I know, you have the plush cars for those kids, but those cars can't move - they can't be pushed around like every little boy loves to do; so very uncool. Please, please, please make a Lightning McQueen car that is safe for a 2 year old... could you do that REALLY fast too??

Sincerely,

A Frustrated Mama