this week

So, Addison's been doing great with using the potty. She has done AWESOME at school and pretty good at home. I think at home she's tired at the end of the day and just forgets...we'll just keep trying. We're almost there!

Robert leaves on Thursday for Vegas. I think he's excited, but anxious about leaving us behind. He's never been away from Addison for four days, so I'm sure that's going to be hard on him. And her. That's what I'm most nervous about - her asking for Daddy and not being able to fulfill that need. I also don't sleep well when Robert's gone...I seem to notice every single little sound when I'm alone at night. It's always at 2 or 3 AM, too. Then I can't go back to sleep. Wish me luck...

22 days left of school. It's getting tougher. The kids are anxious about summer break, so they tend to act out more. I'm trying to adjust the assignments to things that are a little more predictable (they thrive on sameness)...but it doesn't seem to be helping so far. I have one other project to try next week. It's called Rock & Rap Middle School. Seems like it will be fun, but I'm worried it may be too abstract and different for my babies. We'll see how it goes. I may just do this project with one class.

Addison just turned 28 months old. She's become very rational and easy to reason with. She frequently responds with, "Oh, OK." or "Oh, wow!" when you answer her questions. You can tell she's really processing and understanding what you say. It's amazing to watch. She has also learned to match tones pretty well with music. She's hardly on pitch, but she knows that songs have melodies that go up & down, and she emulates that when she sings songs. I've been impressed so far. Also, I will play a chord on the piano and ask her if it's a happy (Major) or sad (minor) chord and she typically guesses correctly. That girl has an ear...I'm proud. :-)

Love to you all!

updates

YEA! Addison has now had three days of no accidents at school. We had one day where there was three accidents, but she's bounced back! Today they had to change her clothes only because another kid peed on the floor and Addison found it with her shorts. GROSS!

Work is painful lately for me. I am counting down the days until the year is over - 27 tomorrow. There are problems with co-workers and problems with students. I can't wait for summer break. I have never needed it more than I do now.

Robert leaves me on the 30th to go to Vegas with Marcus & Jason. I'm nervous about being alone with Addison for so many days - mainly because I suspect she will really, really miss her Daddy Bear. I'm excited that Robert will get some down town with his friends. He is an amazing husband and father and really deserves a fun vacation to just be himself!

Trevor posted this game on his blog, and I've become addicted...check it out only if you have endless amounts of free time: http://www.addictinggames.com/bubblespinner.html ENJOY!

YEAH Addison!

Addison has really made potty progress this week! She has started using the potty consistently on her own! We are so happy to be nearing the end of potty training!

Today started off as one of the worst days ever with my kids. By 10AM my IA was ready to go home (not that he would, but that's just how awful the kids were). Mostly, the problems stemmed from the field trip we had today...kids who didn't get to go let us konw what they thought about it in the form of verbal lashing & thrown books, chairs, desks, slammed doors, stolen items. It was quite lovely. Then - miraculously - when the field trip kids left, the remaining kids calmed down. It was one of the most productive days ever. They did better a P.E. today than ever before. They completed assignments. They asked nicely to do this or that. They followed directions. Maybe it was the gorgeous weather. Maybe it was the thought of missing another field trip due to sub-standard academic and behavioral performance. Whatever it was, I am so very thankful that it happened. It turned out to be an amazing day.

We had yummy pizza from Paulina's tonight for dinner. Addison didn't really eat. I think she's going through a growth spurt again. She usually stops eating a lot when she's growing. Robert & I thought it was delicious as usual.

potty time

I would like to publicly praise Addison for her outstanding efforts today using the potty! She used the potty consistently with only one accident! I think the pep talks from Nonnie & Helen really helped! Thanks guys!

Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well for Adds at school tomorrow...she wants to wear "big girl pants" all day!

big girl pants, tv

Addison's potty training is progressing nicely. She's been hit or miss at school using the potty, but she keeps trying. She's done really well at home. I think she just gets distracted at school by all her friends and forgets. We bought her big girl pants today. We'll try them out this weekend. Wish us luck.

Very excited that Hell's Kitchen is back on now. Also enjoying American Idol. The guys are out-performing the girls by far this year. We've already got a favorite - Danny Goeke. He's outstanding - good tone, good control, he's a music teacher and church music director in his real life which would seem to give him a slight edge with arrangments later in the competition. His best friend, Jamar something, is also quite good. And there's this Indian guy (who's name I can't remember) who has an amazing voice...nothing at all like you would expect at first glance.

I keep looking forward to my birthday until I realize how old I'll be. Then it doesn't seem so cool anymore.

Thanks to those of you who'd checked out Heather's website and blog. She's had to take them down for legal reasons, but will hopefully get to put them back up before too long.

Welcome to baby Kaitlyn Noel!

This afternoon we got to meet Robert's cousin Alice's new baby girl - Kaitlyn Noel. When Addison saw her initially, she froze and didn't say anything. After being in the room for a minute, Addison said, "Can I touch it?". Hilarious. We practiced saying "baby Kaitlyn" all the way to the hospital. Guess that practice really payed off. :-)

Addison had a birthday party at school today. They had pizza for lunch and we took in cupcakes for snack. But for some reason they were going to do cupcakes at 4pm...so Addison missed them. I picked her up earlier than normal today so that we could go visit baby Kaitlyn. They're going to save them for tomorrow I think...I hope.

One day of school left. Addison will return to school in January as a big girl member of the 2 year old class. Exciting!

Potty training is NOT easy and is NOT fun. Good luck to any of you who have not yet experienced this joy. I'm off to the diaper station now.

North Florida Fair

Today we went to the North Florida fair with my family. We were there for almost four hours! The food was better than I remember from years past. Addison & I ate grilled chicken & french fries which was not too bad, considering. Mom was none to pleased with her pulled pork sandwich, though. Dad bought everyone funnel cakes & fudge - yum! We went on the merry-go-round twice, which Addison loved. She wanted to ride on the pink pony, but both times the pink pony was unavailable. Luckily, she was flexible and compromised on a white pony the first ride, and a brown pony the second time. We played lots of carnival games. Uncle Boy (Hoyt) won Addison a cute purple bear, and Daddy won her a black puppy dog. The dog immediately became her best friend. Sadly, it already has a hole, from which there are Styrofoam beads leaking. While she's sleeping, the dog will be undergoing an operation to repair the damage! Addy's favorite part was the petting zoo. She fed goats with her Uncle Boy (Hoyt). She laughed every time the goat licked her hand. It was hilarious! After all that fun, Addison fell asleep on the way home.



Addison used the potty twice today. She's still inconsistent, but we're working hard at it. Robert & I would love to not change diapers anymore!

Next weekend we plan to go to Bradley's Country Store Days. The weather should be great, and there will be yummy sausages to eat!

Market Days & the Winter Festival are coming the first weekend in December. Really looking forward to both of those. It's unfortunate that they happen on the same weekend...it's a lot to do in two days!

Last but not least, I must make up for not including Amaly's long-awaited return to Tallahassee on my list of reasons why I'm excited for December. So, to add to my previous post:
December 12 - Amaly finally returns! Can't wait to hang out & catch up! (Love you, Amaly!)