Still on the Potty Training Attack

Yes, we are still working on potty training... working being the key word.  I certainly wouldn't say we are "trained" but at least I feel things moving back in the right direction.  If you are getting to the "potty training" stage with your little boy, here are some things I have found helpful:

1.  This is the most wonderfully helpful potty training blog I have ever read.  It's sweet and to the point, yet seems to be working wonderfully.  http://toilettraining4toddlers.blogspot.com/

2.  Go straight to "big boy" training underwear.  Gerber makes some great ones!  Pull-Ups are too confusing for toddlers, too much like a diaper and no 'consequence' for having an accident. 



3.  Elmo's Potty Time DVD!  Graham watches this at least 10 times a day and is really learning from it. 



3.  Some great potty training books to read while 'waiting' to go potty.  Here are some of our favorites:





4.  Stickers!  Make a chart or let them decorate their potty seat, but stickers are key to the training process.



5.  M&Ms!  Don't know why, but they seem to work every time.

So those would be my grand suggestions, now let's just keep our fingers crossed that we can stay "trained" for some amount of time without a relapse  :)

Break Out Your Dancing Shoes, Wedding Season Has Begun

Many of you know this, but Tim and I are practically professional wedding 'go-ers!'  Since meeting Tim in 2003, we have been to countless weddings... like 11 our first summer together, countless.  Don't get me wrong, we love a good wedding and have yet to go to anyone's wedding where fun wasn't had, but the sheer number we go to every summer is just crazy. 

Each fall when we are traveling home from the last one we  say "I bet this is the last round and next summer we won't get invited to any."  Hasn't happened yet  :)  But I'm sure the day will come when everyone we know is married off, well most everyone anyway... we know a few bachelors that may remain forever.  But I'm sure on that day a little part of me will miss the crazy traveling, partying and horrendously long recovery that entails our friend's weddings. 

This weekend marks the first of 5 weddings for this season, or at least those are the ones we know about, there are always those couple random relatives etc that sneak in there to push the number closer to 10  :)  This summer also marks some special weddings as 2 of my best friends from college, Raschele and Lisa, are getting married.  So raise your glasses to the Brides and Grooms of 2010 because wedding season has begun!

Here is one of my favorite pictures from our wedding... can't believe it's been almost 5 years already!

[caption id="attachment_305" align="aligncenter" width="470" caption="Our First Dance as Mr & Mrs Ahlers!"][/caption]

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day!  We are so blessed to be having an absolutely gorgeous spring, so I plan to spend the afternoon outside soaking up some rays and thoroughly enjoying the great outdoors!  Hope you do the same.  Here are some pictures of our spring so far:

Music with Nancy

Last summer I signed Graham up for a music class called "Music with Nancy."  It's a toddler class offered through the Coralville Rec Center and it's fairly inexpensive so I figure if Graham didn't like it, no biggy.  Initially Graham would just sit on my lap during class, he never participated, yet as soon as we'd get in the car to head home he'd start blabbing on and on about Miss Nancy this and Miss Nancy that.  

After the summer session I debated whether or not to sign Graham up for any more classes, but I assumed since Graham talks about Miss Nancy all week and since he repeats all the things she does in class at home that he must like it, even though he doesn't really seem to be engaged during class.  So I signed up for 3 fall classes and then this spring 2 more classes.  

I am happy to report that after 6 months of Music with Nancy, Graham is finally starting to get the drift  :)  Just in the last 3 weeks Graham has started participating and engaging with the other kids in class.  Here are some of Graham's favorite parts of music class: 

[caption id="attachment_270" align="aligncenter" width="376" caption="Shake, shake, shake the parachute"][/caption]

 

Getting an Instrument

See Mom, this is how you play it!

Shaking his sillies out

 

  

 

 

Going to Watch the Hawkeyes Play "Down, Set, Hut"

Last Saturday was Iowa's Spring Football Game  (Go Hawks and bring on the football season!)  Since it's free to the public, we thought what better chance for Graham to get to "go" to a Hawkeye football game?  Apparently this is what every parent in the Iowa City area thought because there were loads of kids there including 5 families we hang out with regularly.  Graham was in HEAVEN!  He got to see the Hawkeyes and Herky (or Turkey as Graham insists on calling him) and all his little buddies were there.  The weather was gorgeous, but the "game" or scrimmage left a little to be desired.  Either way, the kids had a blast, the adults chatted and everyone had a great afternoon filled with snacks, football and fun!  How we managed to overlook this tailgating opportunity this year is a mystery.  Next year we for sure throwing a tailgate for this bad boy!  

[caption id="attachment_281" align="aligncenter" width="376" caption="Graham figured it was safe to let Daddy give "Turkey" a high five, but he wanted no part of it :)"]

 

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[caption id="attachment_282" align="alignleft" width="197" caption="The snacks mommy brought were a big hit!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_284" align="alignright" width="197" caption="Kinda hard to look up into the sun Dad, but you get the drift."][/caption]

25 Things about Me

A sneak-peak into the complex web that make up Kate:

1. I am addicted to Mt. Dew, no matter what I do, I can't seem to stop the craving.  I must have at least one a week.


2. I hate birds, ALL birds.  They just totally creep me out and add that to my horrible seagull experiences, you can pretty much strike birds out of my vocabulary.


3. I love being pregnant!  It's the only time in my life when I am not the least bit self-conscious about how I look, not to mention it means that within 9 months I will get to hold and love a baby unconditionally... added bonus!


4. I am a brunette, but I truly believe blonde hair fits my personality better.


5. I love, love, love, college football.  The Hawkeyes are my team, but I could tailgate and watch college football anywhere on Earth and be in complete Heaven.


6. I WILL NOT eat corn dogs.  I am not a picky eater, but I draw the line at corn dogs.


7. I someday want to be "in shape" enough to be able to teach aerobics classes... got a way to go on that front.


8. I am a complete control freak!  It was kind of rough typing that out, but it is the truth and knowing that has helped me try to tone it down when possible.


9. One of my favorite things is fresh, clean sheets on the bed.  So don't be trying to come to bed dirty on laundry day, you will be asked to sleep on the floor!


10. I am a firm believer in a woman's right... to birth control, to choose, and to control her own life.  That being said, if you smart enough to know your rights, then you are smart enough to act responsibly in all you do!


11. I think I may have missed my calling as an event planner, but I wouldn't trade any career for the one I have now.


12. I need to work on my listening skills.  I often talk to break silence, when time is all that was really needed.


13. I am one of the least political people on the planet.  True, I have strong opinions on many political issues, but I just don't have the wear-with-all to argue about it 'til death.


14. I spent 31 days in Australia in high school and have been to Mexico 3 times.  I hope to travel more, because there is a lot left I need to see.


15. I am the worst speller!  I CAN NOT live without spell check, the world would think I was a complete idiot  :)


16. I would like take photography lessons someday, because I truly believe pictures are worth a thousand words and in a family of talkers such as mine, that means a lot!


17. While I like to ski, I would take a beach over the slopes any day.  I love the smell of salt water, the feeling of sand, the excitement of snorkeling, the rush of surfing and of course the look of being tan.


18. I find pride in "fixing" things myself.  Whether it's the ever running toilet, the non-working vacuum or just a loose screw, knowing I figured out how to fix the issue makes me smile.


19. I have live in 7 cities in 4 states: Madison, WI, Green Bay, WI, Macon GA, Germantown TN, Cedar Rapids, IA, LaCrosse, WI, and Iowa City/ North Liberty, IA.


20. I am NOT good with foreign language.  I can read about 10 phrases in French and say about 3 in Spanish, none of which are at all useful in everyday life  :)


21. After becoming a parent, I am ever increasingly more thankful of all my parents have done and still do for me.


22. I am a science nerd.  I have a Biology degree and have always been fascinated with plants, animals, medicine and the art of the living thing.  Need something dissected, I'm your gal!


23. I love to get my hair cut.  You may never see me with long hair, simply because I love going to get it cut so much and you clearly can't have long hair if you are getting it chopped off all the dang time.


24. I envy people with a maid... don't we all!  I adore having a spotless house, I'm not sure anything bring me more peace.  But let's be realistic, even super woman couldn't keep a totally clean house with a 2-year-old and a dog.


25. I love being a mom.  Even as much as I love Tim (endlessly), nothing can or ever will give me greater joy than being a mom!

Update on the Crazy Neighbors

Mr. Garage Stander is still-a-standin' with his dogs so vigilantly at his feet.  No change in appearance yet, however I must believe he is going to realize the weather change soon and lose the coat as least.  You could possibly bear the heat in flannel pajama pants, but I'm guessing that coat will have to go.

The Mr. and Mrs. Hermit are apparently about to pop baby Hermit #2 any day now.  I happened to be on the deck when she popped her head out to yell at their, still nameless, dog.  Here's to hoping we learn at least the gender of that little one before age 2.

And yes, crazy cat lady did come over to chat me up again yesterday afternoon... big surprise one of her cats is missing.  There was of course the added plug that her daughter would again, love to watch Graham anytime we needed her to, with supervision from the crazy cat lady herself.  Really, do I look like I am ever going to take you up on that offer?  (Tim just walked away  :)  )  We just might stop going in the front yard all together, it's truly not worth the conversations I must have with that woman.