First Glimpse of Spring

Spring Break

So I know it's been like forever since I've posted.  And my track record for the year so far isn't much better.  I guess I've kinda had writers' block maybe?  Just not too much that's post worthy on the brain these days.  I guess because besides the normal wife/teacher/mama stuff that keeps me busy enough already my life could be summed up in two not so simple words:  potty training.

We tried the boot camp method.  Notsomuch.  But I must say that slow and steady is winning this race.  Though sometimes it seems a tad bit more slow than steady.  Kendall pretty much wears her big girl panties at home with little problems.  We've started the incentive chart while continuing the Skittles for away from home. Slow. Steady. Mommy Kendall can do this.

So anyway.  We've been "Sping Bake"ing it around here this past week as Kendall would tell you.  And I planned a few little activities for us both to break up the 24/7 potty-on-the-mind schedule around here.

Monday Kendall painted at her easel.

Kendall:  Mommy, take my picture by easel.
Mommy (poised and ready):  Ok, say cheese!
Kendall:  Ta-da! (arms spread out)

Showing off her pig tails...

Tuesday we made blueberry oatmeal pancakes (compliments of foodallergymama.com) that are eggless and delicious!  One of her favorite books among many now is If You Give a Pig a Pancake, so this was really cool.

And Kendall was chillin' out in her "bathtub" while reading a magazine.  Every month (or so) I have a "sensory tub" full of stuff to play with.  I got the idea from a preschool curriculum website.  For January it was packing peanuts.  We've made countless snow cakes, snow muffins and snow soups.  But lately she thought up alternate ideas for it.

But seeing that it's now SPRING break, I thought it was time to get rid of the snow.  So we moved on to colored rice.  (Kindergarten teacher tip #247:  Uncooked pasta and rice can be colored by soaking overnight in rubbing alcohol and food coloring, then laid out to dry on a towel to sun dry. Don't use water as it'll make them soggy.) Kendall enjoyed scooping and pouring this as well.

(Please disregard the nosy poodle.  And the Elmo potty in the background and the bottom-less toddler.  Gotta have quick reaction times these days.)

Wednesday was a blast though I have no pictures to show for it. We had a play date with some sweet friends.

Thursday Papa and Gigi took Kendall out to lunch and to the park.  Kendall loved strolling Cousin Lleyton up the hill, though she was much appreciative of a little uumph from Papa.

Kendall loved throwing the rocks off the bridge and into the water almost as much as she enjoyed the Mexican lunch! 

And now it's Friday, though today has been pretty normal and non-spring-breakish.  Poor Kendall was officially diagnosed with seasonal, environmental allergies.  Well, duh.  Genetically she had no hope since just about every member in all our families is a fellow sufferer.  This morning was spend in the doctor's office. So we're switching meds to see if it'll bring her relief from this nasty pollen season.

So there's a wrap up on our week.  Lovin' it.

Crazy

Ok.  Here's what's crazy.  Two weeks ago we have our fingers crossed for snow.  Half the city is shutting down.  Sheer panic and anticipation (depends if you're a school kid or a government worker) fills the streets.  Walmart sells out of milk and bread.

This week?  It's ALMOST warm enough to bust out the swim suits. 

Instead, Kendall and Mommy sport sunglasses while soaking in some much needed vitamin D in the backyard, since, after all, "Mommy, the sun makes my eyes huwt.  I need my sun gasses." Diamond studded of course.

Miss Greenthumb

How to plant flowers, toddler style:

First, help Mommy dig the weeds out the neglected flower bed. Make sure Mommy gives you your own shovel.

Next, tap the sides of the garbage just like Mommy. Dump a little dirt in as well. If any weeds make their way into the garbage, carefully fish them out and put them back in the flower bed.

(Oh, and keep your sun hat on your head. Not sure how it helps the flowers, but Mommy will insist on it. A princess hat works best. But remember to pull it off every so often to make sure Mommy sees the princesses. Be sure to put it back on when she gives you the "Mommy look".)

Next, remove any dirt that may get on your shovel. Also, flail your arms and whine if any dirt gets on your arms or shirt. This helps the dirt come off when Mommy stops her gardening to brush it off.

The next part, actually putting the little marigolds from Walmart into the dirt, is a little boring. Take a break to chase the dog around the yard. Make sure you have a tennis ball and a gardening glove to throw into the blow up pool so the dog can jump in after them. For an even bigger effect, fill the pool with water before hand. Wish I had thought of that, but maybe next time.

Pay careful attention for Mommy to get water from the faucet to water the flowers. Drop what you are doing and run full speed. Grab the bucket and insist on doing it yourself. But don't bang the flowers with it or Mommy will take it away. If this occurs, throw a fit.

Go back to the faucet for a refill. Remember to get some for the dog, too. She also likes to play in water.

Finally, splash in the water and have fun.

And enjoy all the hard work Mommy did so you can have beautiful flowers to look at and take care of this summer. (And pray you didn't inherit your Mommy's brown thumb. Not sure about that since her thumb nor mine is brown, but I heard her say that before.)

Lastly, explain to Daddy that, yes, it was necessary to plant flowers this year so that you can learn to take care of the beautiful flowers that God gave us.