Lucky Strike!

Yesterday Noah and I did something new. We went bowling. They actually have little kid bowling, how cute is that? The lanes are shortened, with bumpers of course, and the balls are miniature bowling balls. We joined some of our neighborhood pals and Noah had a blast. He announced on the way home that he really thought we should "go bowling again tomorrow!" Here are a few cute pics....

Hannah and Noah wait anxiously to see how many pins Hannah will knock over.

Abigail wants to know when it will be her turn!

Clayton and Hannah ham it up for the camera while waiting for Ann Connolly to bowl.

Noah's bowling form? Questionable to be sure. He went with the overhead throw, which, when using a bowling ball, is a little on the dangerous side. Good thing the balls where small!

Boot Camp

So up until now this has pretty much been our only use for underwear...

....wearing them as a fancy head decoration. But this week we entered potty training boot camp and have been using our underwear in a proper manner.

We have been trying off and on for several months to get Noah potty trained but our little boy has the hardest head in the world and has brutally rebuffed all our efforts. So, I told him Okay, we will play hardball then!

Starting Monday morning we switched to underwear and I informed him that was it! No diapers, no pull-ups (except when sleeping of course) - we were going cold turkey. I would like to say that I had some sort of master plan for this but I would be lying. I have been flying by the seat of my pants with this whole potty training thing. I haven't felt so unsure of myself as a mother since Noah was a newborn. I mean, the most advice I can get from anybody is, Oh, just be patient and consistent or They'll let you know when they're ready. Well, thank you very much (not) but if I wait until Noah tells me he is ready, he will be on his way to college. He hates change and he hates having to stop what he is doing to have to go to the bathroom, hence his desire to just stay in diapers. He considers them more convenient.

Well, much to his disappointment the diapers are gone. Although, I do think he is coming around on the underwear, especially the Thomas ones. He has been doing pretty well too. A few accidents here and there. Day 2 was our breaking point. He totally tested my resolve by informing that he would rather piss himself (my words, not his) than go to the potty. I will just pee my pants Mama, and you can get me new underwear. He said this calmly and matter of factly and I went downstairs and cried. I mean, how to you motivate someone with that kind of attitude? Thankfully, I think he was just testing me to see if I would cave and pull the diapers back out. I did not.

So, today has been the best day yet. He has voluntarily peed on his own three times this morning and I am hopeful that this means he has finally accepted the underwear as part of his life!

**PS - i realize that there are no spaces between my paragraphs - it won't let me fix them and i am getting frustrated so you can just read it like it is!

"Fly Snuka!"

Over the weekend our friends the Bedenbaughs came from St. Louis for a visit. We haven't seen Jeremy and Amy for almost two years and we hadn't yet meant their newest addition Baby Sam. (Sadly, 3 year old Jude was at his Grandma's house and couldn't come be Noah's playmate. We wish he could have come but we do understand how the Grandmas get about seeing their grandchildren!)

We had a great time visiting and catching up over wine and cigars and Noah had a great time learning wrestling moves from Mr. Jeremy. His favorite was the move that Jeremy told him was based on Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. Basically you start out with a jump...

Followed by landing on top of your opponent, who then gives the "double pump"....

And sends you flying through the air to crash on the couch!

It was quite the hit, and Noah spent the whole weekend begging Jeremy to play his new favorite game, "Fly Snuka".

We also spent some time at the beach. We drove out to Morris Island Lighthouse (yes, Jeremy it was worth the drive!) and wandered on the beach at sunset. It was really beautiful and we lamented the fact that we hadn't thought to bring the wine with us to the beach! Noah had a great time running around in the waves and Sam enjoyed being there, despite not being a fan of the wind.

And look, you can even do Fly Snuka at the beach!

We left as it was getting dark - and Noah was getting cranky - but I couldn't pass up taking a picture with this guy on the way out.

Sadly Noah missed out on all the Mr T action as he was completely passed out.

We were sad to see the weekend be over - thanks Bedenbaughs, for making the trip to see us. We had a blast! See you in Memphis for the half!