Potty Training, yep its that time.

Well, we entered the realm of potty training a few weeks ago.  I found out about a 3 day potty training boot camp from another multiple blogger.  The concept of this program is you stop using diapers completely, you actually have the kids throw them out.  After you have the kids throw their diapers out you immediately place them in undies (Thomas the Train, Hello Kitty, and Princesses at our house).  To say that Rian and I were a little apprehensive and skeptical would be an understatement.

So on April 21 at 8am, we had the Critters toss out the remaining diapers in the house and we went cold-turkey.  We repeated the following phrase at least a thousand times over the next three days, 'let mommy and daddy know when you have to go potty.'  According to the program you are not supposed to ask them if they have to go potty, you must ask them to tell you when they have to go.  It apparently helps them recognize their body signals.  I was prepared for poop and urine to be everywhere, constant sheet changes, and no sleep.  To Rian and my surprise we only had to clean up a handful of accidents on the floor, changed the sheets four times and got six full hours of sleep the first night.  The Critters actually seemed to get the gist of the program by the second day. 

When a child successfully utilizes the toilet the parent is supposed to vocally celebrate this achievement.  Well, I think I took it a little too far with Carson.  As most of you know, she does not really care for loud noises.  She was the first to successfully deposit poop in the toilet and I got a little over exuberant with my 'touchdown celebration.'  I went a little too Ickey Woods and Terrell Owens rather than just giving the football to the ref and settling for a chest bump.  Luckily, it did not permanently scar CarCar and we were able to move on.  The Critters have been diaper free since April 21st.

While I am singing the praises of this program, I don't want you to think that there hasn't been accidents, bumps in the road, and some regression.  Luckily, the program helps you address these situations when they occur.  So this multiple family give the 3 day potty training boot camp two big thumbs up.

Chris

FSU Spring Game 2012

After the park and a non-existent nap Rian, the Critters and I headed over to Doak to watch the spring game. We felt like high rollas as our friends were able to get box seats for us. We met up with Katie, Campbell, and Colin at the tailgating lot. We found out later that we could have parked a lot closer, oh well. We met up with Mike and headed to the box. The food was included in the ticket price which was awesome, even more awesome, the kids were free.

Not much to say about the spring game, its a glorified scrimmage, but the atmosphere up in the box was great. The Critters did great too. All of them paid attention to at least part of the game. They even made it to the end of the game, around 7:30pm. Right before we left Haddie decided that she wanted to go explore a little. She headed over to the 'Old School' box (think Potbellies for all of you FSU alumni), chocked full of college kids dancing and proceeded to head right to the dance floor and shook her stuff. I really think I am going to have to keep a close eye on that one. The college kids loved her, she definitely stole the show as only Haddie can. It was a great first football game experience for the Critters (don't get used to the box, the next time we go we will be out with the masses). I do think that we will wait one more season before we take they to a game in the stands.

Here are some shots from the game:

Rian, Bro-man, and beer.

Haddie.

The girls.

Haddie scrutinizing the red zone performance.

This box was literally right on the 50 yard line.

Game action.

On the way back to the car. This is the best shot we could get at the Sod Cemetery. (L to R: Haddie, Campbell, Colin (behind the balloon), CarCar, and Brother)

For the Leparulo's.

Chris

Saturday Morning with Dad

The Critters and I headed over to the Southwood park last Saturday to run out some energy. Rian had a meeting most of Saturday and the kids and I needed to get out of the house. We packed up, headed to Starbucks (for me of course), and were off. Southwood seems to be the only outside place that I can effectively manage the Critters by myself. The park is set back far enough from a road or parking lot that the Critters can run free and I won't have a panic attack.

What was going to be a half-hour visit turned into an hour and a half. We were all over the place, the playground, the paths, the bridge, the pond, the huge running field. Wouldn't you know it even after all of that exercise they didn't take a nap before the FSU Spring football game. We had a great time and much to Rian's chagrin (she didn't learn about it until after the fact) the Critters ran around barefoot most of the time. I kind of shocked myself that I was okay with them and no shoes, for as much as I hate wearing shoes, I am usually a control freak about it with them.

Here are some shots from our morning:

'The Kitty'

These two seem to pair up more times than not.

Carson loves to ride this horse.

Rian says this looks like it was taken in the eighties. How very Farrah of Haddie.

Brother wasn't waiting on anyone. He was well on his way to the bridge.

The bridge. They needed to check out the water level. It was very low if you care.

And their off.........

Hadley guarding the bags, from who I'm not sure.

CarCar toes in motion.

Bro' toes in the grass. This is a big deal.

Gathering up the things.

Hadley looking for the alligator.

Trying to have her brother spot it. (don't worry I don't think there was one there.)

Chris

Happy Birthday Momma!

Happy Birthday Momma! 29 and still hangin'.

Chris

CarCar's Newest BooBoo

CarCar sliced her leg open @ pre-school today and had to get four five stitches. She was a super trooper, though.

Chris

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter y'all.

We headed down to Orlando on Thursday to celebrate Easter and Rian's birthday. Friday and Saturday were pretty low key, except for the sunburn that everyone, even the Critters got on Saturday at the beach.

Everyone headed to church for breakfast before the 9:30 service. I must say it is rather nice being able to fully pay attention in church and not worry about one of the Critters climbing under a chair or up a window. After the service the real fun began, picture time. I am sure you all know how cooperative three 2 1/2 year olds are with pictures. So after some unsuccessful tries we let them shed their shoes and run around a little bit in hopes of wearing them down. It kinda worked. I got some good candid pictures and a few okay family shots.

After church and a nap we headed over to Grandma Kate's for Easter dinner and an Easter egg hunt. The Critters (and adults) had a great time finding eggs. Dinner was great and we even had some red velvet cake for Rian's birthday.

Here are some shots from Easter:

Haddie stopping to smell the flowers.

CarCar checking out the fragrance.

Brother headed over to see what all the fuss was about.

Brother checking out the scenery.

Haddie flashing a grin.

CarCar not flashing a grin.

The Critters and Grandmas.

The Fam.

Shoeless Haddie running out some energy.

CarCar and her Hello Kitty marshmallow lollipop.

All Brother wanted to do was bite the ears off a chocolate bunny. I hope I don't have to be worried.

CarCar taking a big bite.

CarCar showing the damage.

Haddie with her bunny cookie.

Dying Easter eggs.

CarCar getting into it. (Brother had no interest in dying eggs.)

Easter egg hunt.

CarCar found one! Actually by the end she found a ton.

Haddie discovered one!

Brother racing to grab one.

Chris

Easter CarCar

CarCar @ Easter breakfast. Yes, she is eating a Peep, it was after her meal.

CarCar's first pair of Jack Rogers. Just like momma.

Chris