On Being Potty Trained and Other Atypical Milestones

Before you read, I feel I must make something perfectly clear: I never want to change another diaper for the rest of my life.  Let the record show.

You may continue.

We haven’t bought diapers in the last 12 months.  I’ve been looking forward to being able to say that for about 3.5 years.  I am very happy to have 3 kids using the potty, and proud of them (and Cal and me!) for making the transition.   Diapers are expensive, and when you are buying them times 3, it really puts a dent in the old bank account.  I couldn’t wait to get the “raise” when we could stop buying them.  Not only would we save money, but also time! I’ve done some calculations and figured out that we’ve changed roughly 20,000 diapers in our lifetime.  Just think of all the extra activities we could do not having to change 3 diapers every 3 hours….the possibilities were endless. 

My friends, I failed to consider one important factor in the potty training equation.  We went from 2 people using the toilet to 5 people now utilizing it (3 of which are males with aiming problems).  Remember that raise I thought we’d get by not having to purchase diapers? Yeah, we spend it on toilet paper and bleach.  Remember the time I thought we’d save? It’s now spent cleaning potties and the surrounding floor…and yelling at kids to pee before we leave…and the inevitability that someone will have to move their bowels the moment we are running out the door (because, of course, we are running late). 

It’s a beautiful thing, not having to change diapers, but it’s not as glamorous as I first thought.  Still, I wouldn’t go back to the diaper changing days for anything!

In other updates, we've hit some non-traditional milestones recently.  The very last gate has come down.  We had one lone gate up, blocking off the office/bar area, as you can probably guess why.  It almost became a permanent fixture of the house.  The kids figured out how to open it long ago, but we kept it up as sort of a visual reminder that the area was not for them.  We recently decided that it was time for the gate to come down. We are hoping that they are old enough now to understand to stay away from certain things (or suffer the consequences...hahaha!).  It's so funny what a difference it makes having it gone.  The house seems bigger somehow! They are doing pretty good, and have really only been attracted to the tape dispenser in the room. Everything is covered in tape now.

Also- they had their first Valentine's Day party at school.  Consequently, I have developed a new found disdain for Valentine's Day.  They were to write their names on 16 valentines each.  It was like pulling teeth.  We finished the project with 45 minutes to spare.  On top of that stress, sugar was heaped upon them.  They came home from school with lollipops, cookies, and doughnuts.  I hate to be a party pooper, but....Why????? Why the insanity of this goofy holiday?!?!?  

(okay, temper tantrum over.)    

The forecast is calling for sunny and 60's this weekend, and we are looking forward to getting some fresh air!  Hope you have a great weekend!

We went for a hike

The biker gang back out on the streets of Powell

Poor Huddy, can't catch a break.  He fell down and busted his lip wide open.

Dylan gave Sloane these flowers, and she said they were getting married and he was her prince.  

I lost my mind one day and decided to try and bake some muffins together.  It went better than I expected.  Note: by "baking" I mean dumping things in a bowl from a boxed muffin mixture.

More hiking.  How cool is this shot of Dyl?

When the weather goes from 50s back to 20s you find your own fun.  They painted helmets and shields.