Jake's 3rd Birthday!

I was going to start the blog on this weeks ago. Yes, weeks. Jake had his last celebration on Sunday. I told myself this year it would be a little more mellow. And I didn't my usual party planning craziness. But... we celebrated the day before his birthday on the 31st (with my parents), day of, at his school (last Friday), and a little barbecue on Sunday. Phew.

I have to say... even though we had several parties, I did manage to keep it low key. I did feel weird not going all out. But, with traveling I just couldn't do it all. Since I had a big birthday for Jake's 2nd birthday, I'll have a big 2nd birthday party for Asher. And then another BIG party at the age of 5? How does that all work? Big parties every year? Let's see how that all turns out. The bigger they get the more activities we have. It gets easier, but busier. ha.

On to the first of his celebrations!

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY FROM YA YA AND POP POP!

Party in Boise!

Then Asher wanted his picture taken in the same spot.

Then smores on his birthday...

It was a good birthday in Boise... all were passed out!

Lastly, cupcakes to celebrate my birthday before we left. Jake thought it was still his birthday. I let him think it. Happy birthday, buddy!

On Friday, September 13th, there was a party for Jake at his school. So, I was able to bring mini cupcakes and sit in his class. I was able to stay for about an hour and help the teacher as well. He was so happy to see me. And I was thrilled to have this special time with him.

When I arrived Jake had a hat, a birthday sticker, and a "leader of the day" sticker. Jake was helping teach all the students colors, shapes, and help organize the classroom. I'm such a proud mom!

Jake of course loved the attention. I love his school so much!

While I went to their recess, the teacher told me that Jake had a best friend. Jake had never mentioned Blake, so this was all new to me. Later when Jake got home, I asked him about Blake. I said, "Jake, is Blake your buddy?" Jake quickly said, "yes, mom! I want to see Blake at school tomorrow!" And then he asked for Blake to come over. Too funny! 

Water table fun at school. Watching Jake run around, smile, laugh, and play with other kids made me so happy. This just confirms how much I LOVE his school. I like all the principles it stands for and all that he is learning. Seeing sheer joy on his face solidifies it. I'm so blessed to be able to go and participate any day of the week. I can't wait to volunteer for all his field trips this year! Who's more excited, right? ;)

The last birthday celebration was a small barbecue at our house... 

It's safe to say my boys have a happy life. 

Enjoy your week!

Are you ready for some football?

WE ARE! We love football season... for me... college football... for Grant... all of it! ;)

Everyone in my house is obsessed with football! My kids love football too! So far I would say it's their favorite sport. I was hoping for a mellow non violent sport like golf... we'll see. ;)

Dylan showed Jake how to tackle... 

Happy Wednesday!

Boise!

Boise is such a great city! I love going to Idaho to visit my family. It's so much slower paced, and easy. People are so friendly where ever you go! Very different from Southern California.

We had a blast as usual, and were VERY sad to leave. Instead of the leaving process getting easier with time (my parents have been in Boise for almost 9 years), it is getting harder. It's getting harder because I'm not only wiping my tears away as we say goodbye, I'm also wiping my sons tears away. Saying good bye is hard. And since we've been home Jake has been asking to go back. EVERYDAY! Even though we are going to see my parents for Thanksgiving, how do I explain that to Jake... everyday? He gets so sad... And I do too. :(

My cousin Bryan is up in Boise now playing professional hockey, so we were able to hang out with Bryan every day as well. So many smart, handsome men in my family. Jake and Asher had so much fun! It was so cool seeing all of these boys play, talk, hang out, and love on each other. I'm so lucky to have them all in my life. 

We went to parks, golf course, new restaurants, old favorite restaurants, barbecued, popcorn movie nights (sorry for all the Peter Pan family), drank wine, watched the kids play golf, soccer, and football. 

My first glass watching the sunset, as the boys were playing football. The weather was perfect! The view is gorge... yea, I had a good time! ;)

Jake and Asher loved playing outside!

Dylan is the best uncle. My kids adore him so much! 

Since Bryan is playing in Boise, he's staying with my parents. The boys got spoiled with attention for their cousin and uncle!

One day I decided to see how Asher's hair would look in pig tails... I think adorable! He didn't agree and yanked them out! ;)

Jake and pop pop always take this same pic!

Football... football... and more football!

Best buds.

Wrestling, football, and Superheros.

We went for sushi, and Asher was totally into it. 

Football at sunset.

We even had the chance to see Dylan play!

The boys loved my dad's golf cart. 

Bubbles...

Stone boys.

My little brother is getting so big! He's 10 now!!

Bry and Ash.

More bubbles... this time with ya ya!

Dylan did everything with the boys. I'm so lucky! Love this.

The girls even got to sneak in a little wine tasting at my fave spot up in the Pacific Northwest. 

Momma and I.

My last day...

This broke my heart. Both boys crying. I was crying. My mom was crying. Asher was crying, because he was stuck in the stroller. ;)

And this trip I got a little smarter. What to do with 2 toddlers on a plane? DVDs, snacks (my core snacks), books, STICKERS (lots and lots!), crayons, cars, and.... LOLLIPOPS! It gets a little sticky with the youngest... so, bring extra wipes! 

Counting down until I see them again... THANKSGIVING! 

Potty Training Success!

I started this blog at week one, but then I was too busy with everything going on to continue the blog. I went into delete what I wrote over 2 weeks ago, but I thought I should keep a little of it. I started my first sentence with this, " I want to start out by saying that this process is quite confusing, tiring, and messy." Thought that was funny looking back. Mainly because I started potty training during a very busy time for Grant at work, and my entire house got sick... Grant even had strep throat! But, now we are pretty much potty trained. It was only tough the first few days... and the process has actually been pretty easy! The only time he wears diapers is at nap time and bedtime. And he fights me to put them on then. He doesn't really pee over nap time, but sometimes he pees during the night. I'll keep the diapers a little longer during rest periods.

Pull ups aren't used. I will be using them on our plane ride soon though... just in case. But, other than that, he tells us when he has to go. Or he'll actually just go to the restroom himself.

Here's what the first week looked like:

Tuesday (1st day), he had 2 accidents at school. I had to go and bring him another change of clothes (on top of the change that's always there). I felt terrible for him that he had accidents, but the teacher assured me how common it was, and that he wasn't even affected by it. When I got to the school he was wearing a pair of My Little Pony shoes (spare from the school). He was cool with it, because they lit up! ;)

Wednesday, we had a super busy day and weren't even home... So, I decided to hold off until Thursday. I'm pretty sure that was a mom fail.

Thursday, we started again. Jake had no accidents. He held his pee for the 3 hours he was at school. On the way home I put him in a pull up, and when we got home he peed in it before I could take it off. hmm. Then the rest of the day (not including nap or bedtime), he was only in underwear. He LOVES to wear underwear, and LOVES to sit on the toilet, but no actual pee in the toilet as of yet. He had accidents in his underwear.

Friday - Sunday, Jake started peeing and pooping in the toilet. Lots of M&M's and new, cool, big boy underwear!! Grant had strep throat so the potty training was all up to me. But, we made it through!

Last week, Jake went to the potty 2 times each day he was at school, and had no accidents. I had pull ups (over his underwear) on car rides, and at restaurants. And he went to the bathroom on his own.

This week, he's going to the bathroom on his own, and telling us when he has to go number 2. It's been so hot this week, so he's walking, and playing in his undies. It really is so cute. They have so many cute underwear for them to wear, and make it fun.

And now this little guy is taking off his diaper and insisting on underwear as well... Should I be potty training an 18 month old too? Thoughts?!