Happy Father's Day to the wonderful fathers in my life!

Happy Birthday Duffy!

It is hard to believe that 3 years have gone by so quickly!  Megan was a little disappointed to not get the bounce house and big party for her birthday that we had been talking about for months, and a little sad that it was so rainy, but she still enjoyed opening her presents and we let her choose her own cake and of course she loved eating it.  Megan is a happy little soul that gets so excited about everything in life.  She has been so much fun to have around.  She makes me laugh all the time. I hope she is always this happy and excited about things as she continues to grow.

Springtime Fun

We have been doing a lot of fun things this spring, but just haven't had time to blog them all. (This post is just for you, Rob.) Here is a sample:
Amelia and Duffy swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's house

A trip to the zoo with our friends, the Dunfords, and Amelia's friend Hallee.
           The spraying elephant - always a favorite.

                   Amelia's and Hallee's ballet recital.

A family trip to Bear Lake.

 

A girls party for some of the cousins planned by Samantha and Grandma Judy. There were aprons, pink lemonade and decorating pinkalicious cupcakes. Poor Amelia was sick in bed and had to miss it so we may have to try again.

New wetsuits for the kids to get ready for boating season to begin - if it would just stop raining.

Swine Flu Blues

Sadly, we have made the decision to cancel this year's Summer Solstice Party on Saturday.  Too many people are nervous to be at our house since we have had swine flu here.  My kids were very upset because this party ranks just below Christmas for their favorite "holiday".  We are looking at other possible dates to reschedule for later in the summer.  We are all doing well at this point and look forward to getting out of the house soon.  Nothing like being cooped up in the summer!  Here's to the longest day of the year.  I hope you all put it to good use!

Seriously??!!

 What a fun start to summer.  Certain members of the Stringham Family have joined the ranks of swine flu sufferers.  I would have at least liked to get a nice trip to Mexico out of the deal!

Could It Be?

There are a just a few things with parenting that if I could hire out, I would in a heart beat.  One of those is potty training. I hate potty training!  I have been dreading potty training Megan.  I have been avoiding it because of a new baby and because she's not yet 3.  But on the other hand, I've been changing so many diapers!!!!  I started feeling a little self-imposed pressure to start the process and made a couple of very feeble, half-hearted attempts with pull-ups that quickly concluded with wet pull-ups.

  After a comment from a friend on how someone else we know potty trains, I decided to just be much more laid back for now and not worry too much about it.  I decided to just offer her the chance to go to the bathroom when she got up or when it was convenient for me.  If she didn't want to do it, no big deal.  If she did, and she was successful, make a big deal about it but don't push it.  Well, last Saturday, I asked her and she wanted to wear underwear.  I didn't think that was such a great idea because I was going to be gone a big part of the day and Shawn was planning to work in the yard all day, but she insisted.  I warned Shawn when I left that he either needed to get her back into a diaper or be very vigilant with her.  When I came back later in the day, Shawn told me Megan needed a "potty treat" because she had gone to the bathroom all on her own -with no accidents. On Sunday, she also insisted on wearing underwear despite my pleading with her to just wear a pull-up to church so I wouldn't have to worry about it.  Again - she did fine with no accidents.  Repeat Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, etc...I think she might be potty trained.

  I hope I'm not tempting fate by writing about it.  I kind of keep waiting for it all to end.  It just seemed too easy.  Shawn attributes it to our fine parenting skills, but I most definitely do not.  Most things that our kids do are probably in spite of us rather than because of us.  Whatever the reason or cause, I'll just be happy to accept it for the gift that it is for as long as it lasts.  (I hope it's permanent!)