Field Trip

Last Wednesday, Mae's class took a field trip to Fox Hollow Farms (I am a little delinquent in uploading the photos). If you may recall we went there about a year ago (right before Whit was born) and LOVED it. Again, Fox Hollow didn't disappoint. This place is truly a magical little farm in Issaquah (also gives me a little anxiety and seems like a lawsuit waiting to happen). All the animals are totally accessible, love human interaction, and seem to be everywhere. There is also all these awesome riding toys and a bouncy house (didn't even make it to that). We had a blast meeting all the animals and hanging out with Mae's classmates. 

Meeting the sheep. 

And the baby chicks. 

Petting the miniature ponies.  

Whit excited to meet the ponies. 

Is this an outfit appropriate for a farm? She insisted on wearing it. 

Whit still amazed at the animals. 

Mae talking to the pig. 

Whit telling me there is a mini-pony. 

Meeting the horse.

And goats! That is Cissa, a nanny in the class, and Henry one of Mae's classmates. 

Whit in the goat pen. All I could think about was "I hope he doesn't fall because if he does he is going to be covered in goat poop." 

6 kids all playing happily at one train table. Who would have thunk it? 

And the parrots. 

Whit talking to the parrots. 

More parrot talk. 

Whit crying and me trying to get him to smile. 

Mae on the train with Candace and Zoe. 

Goat petting. 

Whit pushing the goat out of the way to get to me.

Mae driving with Jackson on her John Deere.  

Mae hitching a ride with Ellie and Smaranda. 

Farm Girls - Reese and Mae 

Of course, they [Reese, Mae, and Tanner] found the ONLY puddle to play in. 

Two steps forward, one step back...

Today marks day 3 of potty training. I started writing this post this morning and didn't get around till finishing it until now. The original title of the post was "FAIL (so far). As you can see I have since updated it and had a new outlook on this whole experience. 

Why? 

To go back....Day 1 and 2 didn't go well (at least in my opinion). We really had very little success of Mae using the bathroom in the "potty." She pretty much resisted even sitting on the thing. Pearson and I both agreed that we were committed to this and would "break her like a horse." Probably not the best thing and goes against every parenting book but hey, cut us some slack, this is our first time at this rodeo. During Day 1, I overheard Pearson say to Mae in the bathroom, "You are stubborn but I am more stubborn then you. We will wait this out and you will eventually be using the toilet." Trust me, this is far gentler then what I said. For the first few days, I can emphatically say that I did not have some of my best parenting moments. In fact, I lost my temper (a bunch) and cried at one moment about it all. I could not understand why Mae was unable to go to the bathroom in the toilet. I really do believe she is smart and mature enough to make this happen. 

Fast forward to today. Mae peed TWICE in the potty, sat on it a bunch, and EVEN pooped in the toilet. She also peed on the floor at school, on our carpet upstairs, and pooped in her underwear but I am celebrating the small successes and realizing that I need to "let go" and can't control everything with Mae (even though I think I might be able to). Here is to a brighter and happier next few days. Wish us luck (all of us!)

A rare moment, on the morning of the first day, of her sitting on the toilet.  

Day 2. We added underwear to the mix. Mae choose boy underwear when selecting them because they have Mickey and Donald (her favorite) on them. 

No Turning Back

Today is our second (and final attempt) at toilet training with Mae. We tried a few months back and it was a fail. I am done changing diapers and she is way too old and smart to not be using the bathroom.

Will report later how the day is going. 

Birthday Party Photos

As promised, here are some photos from Whitaker's Birthday Party. Since our house is caving in on us and isn't equipped to handle a whole bunch of adults with kids in tow we decided to have the party at Madrona Beach Park. We couldn't have asked for better weather, better friends, and a better birthday boy to spend the day with. We thank everyone for coming out and celebrating this special day with us.

What is a birthday without balloons? And of course, Mae got two as well. 

The Birthday Boy

The food. 

And of course, I had to make cookies. 

Pete and Noah. I think this photo looks like a paparazzi photo.  Pete trying to shield his baby from the camera.

Kate and Nora

Erin and Hadley

The Spencer Boys [Will and Owen] and a bit of Quinn

Ready for the party. 

Mae telling everyone she is "wearing her party dress." 

Sibling love. 

Sarah and Emmett

Will

Mae chose the largest cookie. I think this was the first of five cookies she ate. 

Proud parents. 

Proud Mom with her birthday boy.  

Obligatory singing of Happy Birthday. 

First bite of cake but since he had two cookies before this I think that the taste of sugar was lost on him.  

Sarah and John

Cupcake eating. 

And we capped off the party by hitting the beach.