Potty Training

Aiden is VERY smart. I know all parents think that about their own kids, so I can say that I think he is pretty darn intellegent. He can count to 10 all by himself, he knows all of his letters, and the sound that they make, he knows shapes and colors, and can sing Once there was a Snowman with very little help. He says "suse me" when he burps, and he uses words like cross correctly in a sentence!

So, it may seem a little silly, even a little premature to be posting about potty training right now. Because it is not a completed accomplishment....but it is coming along. I think if Aiden were less active, the whole potty training process would be much easier. We are to the point now where he will be playing and having a fun time, and he will tell me he has to go potty too late....and then we have a mess to clean up!

I have to say.... This is not my favorite part of parenthood!! This is the part that David is glad he gets to be at work during!

I have started a reward system with him, that seems to help. If he goes pee-pee, then he gets to pick one toy out of the potty bucket. If he goes poo-poo, then he gets two toys!

He likes to look at the toys while he is "trying" so that he can narrow down his choice! Most of the time he will sit for about 2 mins and then say, "Mom, its not workin!" The other day he was doing really well, and had gone 2 or 3 times and he told me he needed to go again. He went and got on the potty and about a minute later he said, "Mom, I tink its bwoken!" Haha! I about died laughing!

We are making progress, but it is very slow. Most people say to wait with boys until about 3, so we aren't pushing the process, but if he decides my himself that he needs to go, then he gets a reward.

Aiden likes to wear his James underwear, and when we put them on he says. "Mom, we don't pee on James!" Lets just say that it is a good think that we have LOTS of James underwear, because James ends up wet alot!

This too shall pass, and I will look back at this post and laugh. But for now....it is one of those things that we have not yet conquered!

Mr. Mischief

Aiden is my little charachter! He is ALWAYS finding himself in situations where he just can't contain his creative juices! The other day while Aiden was supposed to be napping, I heard some happy shreaks coming from his bedroom. When I peaked in the door, this is what I saw! Aiden had taken ALL of the wipes out of the wipes container! When I asked him what he was doing, he said. "Mom, wook. Cwoulds faw on my bed! Per fun?" TRANSLATION: "Mom, look. Clouds fall on my bed! Pretty fun?!"

It has become apparent that I cannot take my eyes off of this little man for even 1 second. Today he asked me if he could "cayer a piture." (Color a picture) I got him some paper, and a pen and I went down stairs to change the laundry. Not 5 minutes later, I came upstairs to find this!!!

I gasped and said "Aiden, what did you do?" He smiled and said, "Wook Mom, I drew piture on Aiden!"

His lovely pictures were ALL OVER him! After I took some pictures to document his artistic-ness; I started a bath, and got him undressed. It was also all over his tummy!! I told him that we don't draw on our selves, and he said."Paper all gone!"

Not a day goes by that I don't get a big surprise from my little Aiden!

I love the 4th of July! It is by far my very favorite holiday! I love BBQ's, and the warm weather, and I love being with family and friends. This year, we spent friday night at my moms house. Dougs family has an annual camp out the night before the parade, and they were nice enough to invite us to come! Very early on in the evening, Aiden had a bit of a tumble....and this lovely bruise on his cheek was the result! Thats what happens when you have too many buddies, doing too many things!

Of course, his little tumble didn't keep him from the fun! Aiden LOVES Grandpa Doug, he kept very close tabs on him the whole night! It is no secret why he loves him, Doug is the most patient, kind person to Aiden. He and Aiden have had a special realtionship since Aiden was just a baby. Grandpa helped Aiden roast a marshmellow for s'mores.

With me being the "avid camper" that I am....and the fact that David couldn't spend the night with us....my mom made up her camper for me and Aiden. Aiden was so excited....about this flashlight! He wanted to keep it on all night!

We didn't go to bed until around 11:30, and Aiden stayed up jabbering away to me until almost 12:30! He was thrilled, and too excited to go to sleep!

The next morning, we got up and walked down to the parade. My mom lives just down the street from Walgreens in Rexburg so it is very nice to be so close.

There were a lot of big kids crowded right up in the street, so Aiden needed a little help fighting for the candy!

Later that evening, we had a BBQ with my Dad. Aiden couldn't wait to eat the cupcakes!

Paul and Theresa brought the boys snaps, and they had a great time making them pop together!

The 4th of July is my dads birthday, so every year we do a little birthday party for him at our BBQ. When we were kids, he used to tell us that the parade and fire works were all to celebrate his birthday. Happy Birthday Dad!

We can see the fire works from our house, they are small, but it works. Gunner thouroughly enjoyed all the company, and go so tired. It was a little chilly, so he was spoiled and got to snuggle under the blankets!

Aiden finally decided to snuggle with me......he is already growing out of that! :(

And of course, Aiden had to finish off the night with yet another cupcake!