Potty Training

I decided to give potty training another try on Tuesday. I prepared myself for a long and painful process since our other three attempts were unsuccessful. She started "school" in the fall and will be 3 in October, so I knew it had to be done. Much to my surprise and elation, after only one accident, she went on her training potty five times on Monday! Yesterday she had a couple of accidents, but then she was successful for the rest of the day. Last night, at 7:00 (which is bedtime for us), she ran to her little potty and started saying "Oh no! Oh no!" She sat down and got a really funny look on her face. I went over to look and see what was going on. In addition to going pee-pee, she had made a nice little deposit. Our deal was that if she went #2 in the potty, she would get ice cream. So, we loaded everyone up in their pajamas and went to Beth Marie's ice cream parlor. She got a kid's chocolate Sunday with marshmallow sauce. I am so thankful and excited for this new stage.

Ice cream celebration at Beth Marie's. Our friend Jessi was able to join us.

Woolite Pet Carpet Cleaner also works well for two-year-old's.

Abigail felt that Mimi Jerry was also ready to be potty trained. He is also making great process.

This is Abigail on her Elmo Potty. I took the batteries out so he doesn't say something every time she sits down on it, bumps it, or I trip over it.

Mimi's Wedding

This weekend Amanda got married. She is a good friend and has been living in our garage "apartment" for the past couple of years. My children adore her and refer to her as "Mimi". Below are a few pictures from her wedding. We love you, Mimi and Uncle Dan! Hope you are having fun in Hawaii.

swimming

Last Saturday we decided to go swimming at a friend's pool across town. We had a great time. Here is our video debut....

Abigail gravitated towards the small "beach" area to play in the sand. I think we have a future engineer on our hands.

Micah loved splashing in the water, but was a little tired by this point. He fell asleep about five minutes later and took a nap on a beach towel under our umbrella.

cold front

Today our high temperature was only 85, and it was partly cloudy. We celebrated by going outside to play.

ripe cherry tomatoes from the garden


micah reluctantly showing off his first tooth


abigail building a sand castle


lori and micah studying math together.

Lori teaches math overseas and is home for the summer. She came over to brush up on her geometry before she heads back for the school year.

fermentation

one gallon jug


"pump", tubing, cork, fermentation lock


After the foaming stopped, I siphoned the juice from the trash can into the gallon jug. I corked it and inserted the fermentation lock. I got these supplies from a wine making supply store for about $8. In four months, I repeat the above process (apparently this is called "racking"). Then I wait four more months and it should be wine. Homemade wine for Valentine's Day.

Red, Red, Wine

Fresh Grapes


Smashing (just hands, no feet)


The Must (wine term for the freshly smashed grapes)


Three Days Later...


Foaming Fermentation


...to be continued...

Garden Update

Gene has been hard at work in the garden. His flowers are blooming and are beautiful. Meanwhile, I have been tending to my garden. It looks like everything is doing well so far.