Chocolate Doughnuts

December 20, 2011
Dear Mrs. Thing 3,
    An important event happened in your husband's life yesterday. He went poop on the potty for the very first time (and hopefully not the last or you probably would not be married today). Of all the Things he held out the longest on going #2 in its proper location. Of course he also potty trained the earliest so I guess you can decide if that makes him the smartest Thing or not.
    After over a month of bribing, nagging and praying last night it finally happened! While riveted to Peek-A-Boo with Big Bird on the computer he announced he needed to go. I immediately stopped cooking dinner and encouraged his endeavor. Thing 2 even wandered in to read him a book to help him along. But as it turns out Thing 3 likes to do his business alone (for which I'm sure you appreciate about him) so alas Thing 2 got kicked out after one story.     
    After a few minutes time – which I think is a record for males of all ages – he announced his success. Thing 2 could not contain his excitement as this meant everyone could finally go out for chocolate doughnuts for dessert. Many friends sent texts of congratulations wishing him well and general thoughts of encouragement for the future of mankind.     
    Some people probably think it strange to write about such uncouth matters – but the more children that I raise the more I realize the true importance of the basic things in life. It is all these little steps of independence that will someday lead him out of my front door as a man and into your life. So don't forget to reward all my efforts with lots of little grandbabies – girl ones! And when it comes time to potty train them I have two words of advice "chocolate doughnuts."

 

It is Always Easier to ask for Forgiveness than Permission

Today:

Thing 1: Mom, can I put stickers all over my kids computer (toy)?
Me: Ummm...sure, why not.
Thing 1: Great, you wanna see it? I already put them on.

Girlfriends

This morning I could just feel it, I needed some good time with a friend. It didn't have to last for hours, just a last minute coffee date would do. Too many days in a row of my normal chores at home had left me lacking luster for another day with my precocious toddler. Luckily another friend had the same need and also a willing husband to take his lunch hour at home with a napping toddler.
As I returned home I felt grateful for that hour. Friendship feeds my heart, refreshes my soul and helps me remember there really is a grown-up behind those mounds of laundry, board books and Elmo videos. Don't get me wrong – I LOVE LOVE LOVE that I get to be home with my kids. I wouldn't change a thing. But I know that in order to do all of that well, I need my girlfriend time too.
    It is all too easy to not send that last minute text or reach out to a friend with a quick phone call. I can easily talk myself out of it some days with my looming to-do list nagging my conscience. But on the days that I go ahead and make that call – even if it is only a few times a month- I'm always glad that I did.
    So today I just want to give a shout out to my girlfriends – Thank YOU! We may grow up- but we never outgrow our need for each other. Thank you, friends, for sharing your lives, love and laughter – it truly feeds my soul and is a gift from above.