attempt #2

Today I finally am attempting Jack's second try at potty training. We are going comando style. I tried the parties. I tried the charts and the games and movies. I heard all the "we got him/her trained in one day with this technique" - and well, we gave up. So I decided to take my sister-in-law Ali's advice and went cold turkey - no more diapers, no training pants - just letting him be naked as a jaybird.

Surprisingly thus far, it's worked. At lease the art of going #1 has.

And thanks to Aunt Jennie - we have this killer hand drawn story about "the magical poo party" that Jack can't seem to get enough and makes me read over and over again.

So with all fingers, eyes and toes crossed, I am waiting to see what happens.

If it doesn't work - does anyone know if I can just send him somewhere to be trained? If dogs do it - why not little boys?

by some miracle

It is by some cosmic alignment that I was able to see 2 movies in 2 days. I am recommending both, and if you don't like Away We Go - I don't think we should be friends anymore - so let me know: (p.s stay long enough in the credits to hear Orange Sky by Alexi Murdoch - such a great song.)

new library picks

I am always happy suprised by what I pick out at the library each time we go. Most of the time I am just trying to keep the Cashman from tearing out pages of every piece of public property he can get his hands on, while following after Jack as he grabs book after book, reads a little, then leaves it on the floor to find the next book.

So mostly my visits to the library consist of me grabbing what the librarians put on the top shelves and anything I randomly grab out from the rows as I pass by. Usually it is the style of illustrations that cause me to pick one over another - and this last trip I found some gems.

The real winner was In the Town All Year Round by Rotraut Susanne Berner. It is a "where's waldo" themed book - but better and probably for younger kids. Each of the seasons have people to look for as they go about town. The illustrations are great - and Ryan was happily amused to find a scene with 2 little kids laughing at a portrait of a naked woman in an art museum - so if that is enough to upset the balance in good parenting, maybe stay away. But Jack loves it - and spends hours looking for each of the characters.


Next was a book by Philip Yates called Ten Little Mummies. I loved it because of the illustrations by G.Brian Karas - they are kind of childish and almost sloppy - but very cute. I also liked the idea of taking the stories of the ten little monkies jumping on the bed - and reinventing it. The story line is adorable - and my favorite spread is of one of the mummies getting carried off by a falcon.

Then last but not least, was Jack's Rabbit by Yvonne Jagtenberg. The illustrations in this book are wicked. I guess there are several similar books by this author (Jack's Kite, The First Day of School) - so I will have to check out more. But next time you are at the local library - check this one out. There is a spread where he is talking to a man who is painting the beach, and I just love how the real beach is completely in line with the painting - or the illustration of the gold fish in the pet store, or the jet zooming past the sand dunes of rabbits - and I know it is the inner art nerd in me, but I thought this book was the coolest.

daydreaming

I just loved this.

the bests of summer

Best thing about summer #1: peas in the pod.

the good and the bad

Downside to all this rain: my poor roses have been beat to hell.

Upside to having my roses get pounded: I get to cut more then usual to bring in the house because they are sagging on the bush. I even got ultra matchy-matchy and made a vase to compliment my pink antique chairs.

Downside to bringing in lots of roses: Discovering you have also brought in a nest of spiders that are suddenly taking over your kitchen, living room and everywhere else you have placed a vase of flowers.

Upside to having a spider attack: nothing.

a good cause

Three of our most favorite people and friends, Jill, Jamie and Kimi, have joined The Relay for Life, a community event where teams camp overnight and take turns walking or running to raise money to help fight cancer and support programs that help cancer patients and the research that goes towards finding a cure.

The American Cancer Society holds this event all over the US to help bring communities together by celebrating the lives of those who have battled cancer, lost loved ones who have, or those who continue to fight against the disease. Jamie and Jill will be walking, running, donating in honor of their father, and Kimi will be honoring her mother - both whom have passed away from their own battles with cancer.

They have been holding garage sales and other such events to raise money and reach their goal. It is a great cause - You can donate money, walk to support, walk and donate money - or participate in any of the events they will have tonight and tomorrow morning at the walk. The relay is being held down town at This is the Place Heritage Park from 6pm Friday night to 6pm Saturday night.

If you wish to donate or find out more information on the event, you can click here.