Toddler Painting

His first time ever.

One must focus.

This photo was more toward the beginning of our painting experience, but it really didn't get much messier than this. And we ended up with a lovely colorful bunch of splotches.

Bad weather can inspire all sorts of greatness.

Peeing on the Potty, Advice and Ideas

Today was a very big day, potty-wise.

The little guy said to me, jumping from one foot to the other, "Mama!, I'm about to pee!" So we hightailed it over to the potty and he did just exactly as he had forecast. Wahoooo!!!

Yea, that's the cool guy (greaser for halloween in this pic) who knows where to do his business!

See, we've been doing great on the pooping front for almost a year now, but pee pee had become elusive, frustrating, and very wet.

Here's what we did that I think made the biggest difference: underpants + pants! I've had the underpants for a while, and he's been wearing them at home, but usually with nothing on top, so that when he pees, the floor gets really wet, and he just gets sort of wet. I changed my tactics by fortifying them a little (post on how to do that coming soon!), and then at home I dressed him in the fortified undies with sweatpants over. So for the past week, when he went pee pee he definitely knew it, and it wasn't very much fun. Each time he got wet I told him, "Next time, if you tell me before you pee your pants will stay dry!"

So I'm thinking/hoping/wondering if the concept actually soaked through (ha!). I've definitely learned that all of this is usually two steps forward, one step back, so it sure feels good to make a leap!

For the Love of Organizing

I put my hatred of plastic on hold.

Ta-da!

I first saw (and wanted) these boxes at my friend's Peg's house a few years ago. Peg makes quilts, and she stores her colorful fabric pieces stacked inside like lush Grand Canyon striations. It was the kind of organized chaos that I really love.

3 years later, I bought my own! I ordered them from the Container Store (they are called "deep sweater boxes", in case you must have them too) and now the chaos merely peeks through the plastic's translucency, rather than whopping me over the head. Plus Isaac likes to climb on them.

I say, "Who needs a playgym when you have one at home!?"

I say everyone had benefited.

Doing His Civic Duty

A very focused sign holder.