Splash!

Erin has always been known for making a splash wherever she goes, but yesterday, she really did! It was warm, and we decided it would be fun to blow up Erin's little pool and let her play in it on our back patio (10x10 cement slab off of our kitchen). This was fun, I put my suit on, Erin was splashing around, and we all were enjoying the sun. However, it was soon apparent, that Erin was too big for her pool, and we were definitely much too big. Since it was Father's Day, and we didn't really do much on that end, we decided to go to WalMart and find a bigger pool, that we could all use. The one we found is just perfect for the patio, allows Erin to really move around, and David and I can both fit in it too ... at the same time! Erin is overjoyed, and we are looking forward to cooling off in it too! We also had to get Erin a new swim suit, as she is too big for the one she used last year -- a friend who stopped by said it looks like a rainbow threw up on her new suit ... it's very colorful, and she picked it herself! We will have lots of fun, and hopefully Erin will learn to float this summer! Hope you have a great week, and enjoy your life!

It finally happened

Well, I've been dreading this day for a long time ... the moment every parent hopes to escape, but few really do ... the dreaded "pant-pooping in a public place."

We took Erin to the park tonight, and she was playing nicely with some kids, I was visiting with a very nice woman and hoping to book her for a facial, because I was enjoying her company so much!

Then I saw it, a look of horror on Erin's face as she stood atop the firetruck on the playground. The panic struck, and she tried to decide whether to get down or stay and finish the job. This decision took too long, and although she tried, she just couldn't hold it in any longer. Thankfully, we recognized this agonized look, and took her to the bathroom, where she finished her business.

I didn't realize we didn't conclude all business in the bathroom, until trying to help her pull her panties back up -- they were not cooperating so well. Those panties went in the trash, in case you were frightened or just wondering, and needless to say, our park trip was cut short, as Erin needed a bath, not just from the extremely muddy conditions at the playground, but ... poor girl, now the memory/story will haunt her for the rest of her days :)

A good lesson learned here in Lawrence today ... "You can't hold it forever!" Have a great day!

Another exciting day in Mary Kay!

I am so excited to announce yet another team member on my quickly-growing Mary Kay team! Brandy B. came with me to a guest event last evening, and is now excited about the new possibilities awaiting her as she embarks on the journey of ownng her own business! She is a beautiful woman who has a heart of service. Although I have not known her long, I am excited for our friendship to grow, as she is such a sweetheart, and I know that God brought her across my path for a reason!

So, welcome to the team, Brandy! We are excited to go back on target for that 2005 Red Pontiac Vibe this month, and see if we can't just wrap the whole thing in one month! Wouldn't that be something?! I read about a girl who achieved her car from her FIRST class ... wow! Anyway, as God has planned, we will move with Him!

Erin

Wow, I had hoped that parenting would not be this frustrating until Erin was a teen ... however, this is not our luck! This week has been kinda horendous, as Erin has decided that as she is almost 3, she needs to revisit every boundary known to her and see if it is still in place. Therefore, we are back to needing almost an hour to get to sleep at naptime, throwing screaming fits, hitting, throwing objects, yelling/talking back to adults, eating food off the floor (this is my fault for not sweeping after every meal). Those are just a few treats we've been experiencing. Another one, and you'll be able to attest to this if you've called me or I've called you in the past week or so, is Erin's ability to know exactly when I am on the phone, and producing a scream that is just the frequency to really grate on the nerves of everyone within three rooms of her, and within probably about 6 feet of the phone of the person who I am trying to dialog with in a semi-civilized manner. That one has been really special. She has been whiny, demanding, naughty, and devious all week. Any suggestions?? She has had several spankings this week (which seem to be working a bit more since she's only wearing panties these days), lots of toys have been in time-out for an afternoon, and today at naptime, I took away her "blue softee pillow", which really did make a big impact. She went to sleep after that! I've taken away priveledges, put her in time-out, and anything else I can imagine. Again, any suggestions?

For those of you who enjoy her antics, I'd love to invite you to come enjoy her for a day -- I need some quiet!

We love her. We are trying to cherish these times, and probalby failing miserably, but we do thank God for the gift of Erin!

This is a later addition ... we also know that throwing candy away makes a big blip on Erin's radar, resulting in tears and yelling ...

"We never, ever, ever throw candy in the trashcan, okay Daddy?!" Oh the humanity!