How to Potty Train a Grizzly Bear

'No. 1'
Step one: Bribery with chocolate. 

'No. 2'
Step one:  Sense when the bear has to make a stink.
Step two:  Capture bear.
Step three: Escort bear to what the humans call a 'toilet.'
Step four: Distract bear from noticing the human contraption it is sitting on. (This may last anywhere from 10-45 minutes).
Step five (the mistake): Believe the bear does not have any 'movement' and set it free.
Step six:  Notice bear is missing. Go on bear hunt. You will find a big one. A big stinky one.
Step seven:  Reassess bear potty training plan.

The Hair

This is the first time I've seen Haddie with bed head. Wish I could show a 360 degree view! 

Haddie

Haddie will be two in one month! Can't believe it, she doesn't seem that old. 

Haddie is constantly copying her sisters every move and word, although her speech is still a lot of jibberish that only a few of us can translate. 

When she's not copying, she's destructing something, harassing the dog, putting [other people's] hats, coats and shoes on, or, most likely, picking fights with Stella. 

Stella

Little Stella Jo is in her fourth month of preschool. There were a few rocky months in which she (and me, too) had trouble separating at drop off time. Tears were shed and she didn't want to go back. I almost pulled her out, but then things started to turn around and now 'school' is the highlight of her week. 

We have said that Stella is going to be our forever co-dependent child, probably calling her dad to help her put gas in her car when she's older. She is very resistant to change of any type. Which is why I was so surprised to see her eager to pick out her clothes for preschool by herself and dress herself with no assistance from me. Here she is in the track suit she picked out for today.

Sami Skates!

I finally put Sami in ice skating lessons. Feels like something I should have done before kindergarten, but first grade isn't too far off. I remember trying to teach her at age 3 1/2, just at the small rink by the school. I hadn't been on skates myself and was pregnant with Stella. Needless to say, we didn't go back after that first day.

Today was the last day of Beginner Level ice skating and Sami passed with flying colors. On to Level one! 

Shopping trip fun

Stella, Haddie and I had to make a Target run this morning after Sami went to school.

Haddie did some version of this (mostly screaming, didn't sound much like crying) the entire time. You know how you feel like everyone around you is watching and judging and criticizing?  Ya, me too. 

Back-to-School Night!

Sami had Back-to-School Night tonight, met her teacher, found her locker, and is ready to start FIRST GRADE on Thursday! 

Things I've learned as a mom

In no particular order (and to be continuously updated):

1. Spill-proof sippy cups are not spill proof after being in the hands of a toddler for 5 seconds.

2. Doing a thorough, on-the-knees, deep clean of the bathroom usually means that within 24 hours someone will pee, poop and/or puke on the floor.

3. If my house is 'clean,' it is from 10pm-6am. 

Mommy's WHAT?!

This beautiful, big eyed little lady is so misunderstood. The most recent misunderstanding:

At the table yesterday Stella started repeatedly saying 'Mommy dumb.' I let it go the first few times because I don't deny it. But she kept saying it so matter of factly and she got frustrated as she said it. I was hurt. My TWO-year-old thinks I am dumb. I started saying 'no, Stella, not nice' and she would repeat while nodding her head and pointing at me 'yah, mommy dumb.' I was so offended, I didn't know how to handle it. She kept pointing at me and saying it. This kid has many expressions to go with her words and she was giving me the 'I am right!' expression as she said this.

Did I mention I was hurt? I sat there chewing my gum trying to figure out how to handle this (I am dumb, after all), when I realized I was chewing gum!!!! Mommy gum! Not dumb! (Well, that can be argued, but let's focus on the fact that my two-year-old does not yet think so).

In Loving Memory

My Darling Keurig,

It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to you. You did so much for me, I don't know where to even begin. You saw me through sleepless nights, lifted me up during early (and I mean EARLY) mornings. For most of our time together, I couldn't have you all that I wanted. My bosom belonged to another. I felt awful, wanted you more at that time than I let on. I started seeing the signs that you were giving up on me long ago and I ignored them, too tired to put any effort into you. And I know I wasn't the only one who enjoyed your company. There was another who used you; pushed you to your limits, demanding more and more. Then I did the same. I lost respect for who you really were, a single cup kinda brewer. I wanted a full pot and I tried to change you, always asking for more. Then you started giving me less and less until you couldn't take it anymore.

In the week since you've been gone, my life has been a mess. I'm not thinking rationally. I dropped my phone in my bowl of cereal, sent my child to school without lunch, and more. I doze off randomly and think of you often.

I went through the stages:
Denial: I kept trying to get something from you, even though you didn't respond.
Anger: I got violent. I hit you, repeatedly. I thought I would bring you back.
Bargaining: I begged you to come back. Promised that I would take care of you.
Depression: I was so sad. Still am.
Acceptance: today I pulled the plug. It wasn't easy, but I did it.

I went out and got a coffee pot today. One that can handle my needs. I hope you understand; I had to move on.

You were truly a gift, and I will never forget you.

All my love,

Kate