Potty Time

(Claire on the first day of potty training)

On July 6th we started the process of potty training Claire. I think she has been ready for awhile but I was waiting until all of our summer vacations were over. I wanted to make sure we had no where to go for a few days. I have to admit I did not have a plan on how I was going to go about this. We bought pull ups just in case but I wasn't sure I was wanting to use them. A friend of mine suggested for me to put Claire in big girl underwear and go with it. That is what we did. The night before the big day Claire and I went to Wal-Mart all by ourselves for her to pick out her first big girl panties. Claire was super excited about going on the big girl potty! There was no problem getting her on it, I rarely had to ask if she needed to go the first day because she was so excited to do it all by herself. I am sure the M&M candy incentive helped also, 2 for going pee pee and 4 for going poo poo. (I apologize for the potty talk but this is a post about the potty) I did end up putting pull ups on her at nap time and at night. We were not putting a diaper on again and we haven't. (It was so wonderful the first time we didn't have to buy diapers for her and Quinn!!! What a great feeling!) We had a few accidents but by the fourth day she was doing really well. She even did well when we went out on Saturday and even at church on Sunday. By the third or fourth day I wouldn't let her wear a pull up for naps. I crossed my fingers and was prepared for her to wake up with a wet bed. So far that has not happened. She kept wanting a pull up at night and after much convincing a week after we started we put her to bed at night with big girl panties. She did awesome and was so proud of herself the next day. She hasn't looked back and has done really well. We have had a few accidents since then but I am very impressed with my big girl. She never ceases to amaze me and like I have said so many times I don't give her enough credit. She does so well with every new milestone. I am one proud mommy. Plus I have a little more money in my pocket from not having to buy diapers!!!

Day of Art

Today we made our way to the Philbrook Museum of Art for their free family day. This was our first time going and we had a really good time. The girls were able to do art projects and they even had fun going through and looking at the art. We did not get through all the rooms of art so Jared and I are looking forward to next month already. The girls were given an art supply carrying case that they bring back each month and then they will get new art supplies. The case came with a sketch pad, pencil, eraser, and crayons. FOR FREE! They have free family day when they have these projects for the kids on the 2nd Saturday of each month. They also have storytime, a children's theatre, and this month had a scavenger hunt for kids older than mine. If you have not been to the Philbrook you must. The gardens are beautiful! I think we will enjoy them more when it is not 107 degrees outside. I, of course, tried to take pictures of the girls. It was so hot that they did not want to participate in any photo shoot. No worries...I did manage to get a few. ;)

 Making pinwheels.

 Claire obviously did not want to take a picture.

 Pinwheels

 Claire's collage.

 Quinn's very first painting. (Watercolor)

 The gardens are beautiful!

So I figured that since we were at an art museum I would try to be artsy with my photography. This is the best I could do. Jared said it would make a good wallpaper on the computer. I am not sure if he was serious or not. :)

All about Quinn.

Little Miss Quinn will be 16 months old this weekend. It is hard to believe. We had her 15 month well check today and I have much awaited stats. She is 32.2 inches tall (88%) and weighs 21 lbs 8 oz. (24%) She received her vaccinations as well, she is such a brave little girl and didn't cry too long. I however, was crying on the inside. I don't think it will ever get easier for me. She is a big talker and knows quite a few words and she tries to repeat everything. My favorite words to hear her say are blanket and sticker. She is walking very steady by now and sometimes too fast. She can walk backwards and tries to jump. Which means her knees bend and un-bend. Her feet never leave the ground. She loves to sing. She does not know the words, as Claire says, but she knows the tunes of songs and a couple of words here and there. She really enjoys dancing too. If music comes on her arms start swaying. Her favorite things are her baby, Minnie mouse, and her blanket. She sleeps with them at night and carries them around during the day. She is quite the ornery little munchkin. She is into everything and everything must go in her mouth!! She is a very loud child and likes to squeal and talk and cry loudly. It is obvious she is Jared and my daughter for sure. She is messy and couldn't care less if she is dirty. (not at all like Claire) There is not a meal that she eats that at some point her hands are not in her hair with food all over them. It makes meal time interesting! She loves to cuddle and she gives the BEST hugs and wet kisses. It melts my heart every time she says I love you. My favorite part of the day is when she first wakes up in the morning. She is in her crib saying mommy, mommy, moooooommmmmmmyyyyyy and as I walk into her room she smiles that scrunched nose grin and then stands up and starts jumping in her crib. I love it, perfect way to start the day! She may keep me on my toes but I wouldn't want it any other way.   

Quinn saying Jesus loves me. 

Pandamania Songs- Sung by Claire

This year's VBS theme was Panda Mania.  Jared and I helped out with VBS this year so we were able to get a copy of the cd before VBS began. So Claire pretty much knew the songs ahead of time. She was able to learn the motions during bible school and she sings the songs constantly. We still have the cd in the car and listen to it everyday. I tried to download these videos about a month ago but blogger wouldn't let me. So this post is a little out of order from when we actually had VBS. I could not decide which one was the best so I put all of her favorite songs on here. I can't help it, I am a proud mommy and I warned you in the heading of the blog that this is a "brag" blog. ;)                                           

Last trip of the summer.

If it were not for the heat we could say summer is officially over. We have just come home from our last summer get away. We no longer have any fun trips to look forward to. We just got home from Marshfield, MO for our annual get together with Jared's family. We have the best time at Nana's getting to see grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and this year 2nd and 3rd cousins. There were a few young one's this year and all of the parents handled themselves very well,  despite short naps or no naps at all.(I am, of course, talking about the children not having naps not the parents themselves.) The girls had fun playing with cousins in the kiddie pool and getting lots of attention by someone. Claire even put on a mini concert singing her VBS songs. We attended the parade on the 4th. This was the first year Claire was ready to participate. She actually picked up candy and waved to the floats. Quinn sat very content in her stroller watching the floats go by. We always look forward to this time with family every year, it's fun to catch up with everyone and see how much the kiddos have grown. Claire had such a good time that as we were pulling into the driveway she said "I don't want to be at my house. I want to go to Nana's house."   

Nana and 6 of her 9 great-grand children.

The crew

At the parade

CANDY!!!!

Quinn's first lollipop.

More summer fun!

Two summers ago I bought a cheap blow up pool for Claire, I think it cost $5 or less. She had such a good time in it. We did not use it at all last year with Quinn being a new baby. Jared blew it up last night and we ventured into the backyard to swim today. The girls were, as usual, hesitant at first. Quinn sat down way before Claire did but once they were in they enjoyed it. Samson would walk around the pool every once in awhile but mainly stayed in the shade. The best part about playing in the pool was that it wore them out enough that they went down for a nap without any problems. Yeah!

Theft in broad daylight

Can you tell what could be missing from Jared's pick-up? If you guessed tool box, you would be right. Jared was leaving work yesterday when he realized his tool box was gone! Someone or someones (not sure that is a word) stole it from the Tulsa Police Department Forensic Lab parking lot while he was at work. He tried to get camera footage because the parking lot has cameras recording at all times....unfortunately the camera was pointed another direction all day. So there is no idea who could have done it. The latent prints examiner was still at work so they decided to fingerprint Jared's truck. It is a LONG shot but it's nice to have friends that are willing to try. Jared filed a police report but he realizes it is all probably long gone by now. He was bummed it happened but the more he talked about the different tools he had inside it the more upset he got. At this point we are just grateful that they didn't break into the truck or steal the truck itself. Have fun with the jack, tire iron,hitch, and other tools whomever stole Jared's things. At least I now have ideas on what to get him for his birthday, anniversary, and Christmas.
This is a sweat smudge made by the person who stole the tool box.

Finger print examiner dusted the truck for prints.