Long Time, No Visit to the Dentist

Patty, the hygienist looked at my chart today and said, "So you haven't had a cleaning in ... [papers rustling] ... in ... well, it looks like a couple of years."
She was right. And even though she was singing praises over my clean teeth, the xrays told a different story.
Patty: "Oh. That's a shame. Do you see this dark spot on the xray?"
Me: "That dark spot?"
Patty: "Uh-huh."
Me: "That looks like the space in between my teeth."
Patty: "Well, it's a cavity. A big one, in fact."
Guess I'll be taking her word for it, as I am scheduled to go in for a filling next month. Grr! I'm not mad about the cavity, but the fact that I take good care of my teeth and still can't avoid making Andy shell out money!

Aiden v. Big Potty

Last Thursday, that's 5 (count them, 5!) whole days ago Aiden began being potty trained. What prompted me? Ashton had a cold and was sleeping a lot and I figured if we were stuck in the house for a few days (so as not to propagate nor contract germs) we might as well begin the process I have been putting off for a year. So it began around 10am. We set the timer for 10 minutes and every beep meant a trip to the potty. Luckily, we have a 1/2 bath off the kitchen, so convincing Aiden to interrupt his playtime wasn't too difficult. The rest is pretty self explanatory. Countless stickers, 10 "misses", 6 (or maybe it's 7) new matchbox cars, and 5 days later Aiden has this thing down! He loves his underwear and hates to "make Mommy sad" when he pee-pee's in them. Andy and Sara have been wonderful cheerleaders and we couldn't have made this accomplishment in such a short time without their assistance. Thanks to all my mommy friends who have inspired me: Amy M., Amy H., Ana, Jen, Emily, Denise and of course, Andrea! (Not to forget: Mom, Sharon and Gigi!) We have arrived! (So has our grocery bill, which should go down by a good $40 a month - bye-bye diapers! Well, at least during the day. Night time is another matter for another time and place. LOL)

The unsuspecting test subject - focused on PBS Kids


Checkin' out the underwear



Enjoying new-found "freedom"


Waiting


And waiting


And ... whoa! It happened! Bring out the party blowers, stickers, special ribbon and new matchbox car!!!


Mouthing "My new slugbug!"


Mommy is very proud of her Big Boy!

Community Day

After a rough morning at home (spit up everywhere, 3rd day of potty training, the biggest poo-blowout of Ashton's life) we finally made it out the door to our local Community Day. What Fun!

Andy won the gray shirt he's wearing for answering this question correctly: What is the maximum thickness of a cardboard box that can be stored next to your furnace?? Any guesses?


Local Volunteer Fire Dept and their trucks




Poor Peechoo was stuck in the stroller






Aiden loved the firetrucks but the full-geared firefighter was just a bit overwhelming


The goat and sheep were more on his comfort level









The local Democratic chapter had a booth full of pamphlets but the GOP was giving out free ice cream. That's what we're talking about!


Ashton is now long enough to kick Big Brother - Aiden thought it was the funniest thing ever, which got Little Brother laughing too!


The answer to the question is: Zero. Andy had this smug look on his face when he answered. (Must be all that safety training he receives at work!) Our neighbor and I didn't even try to answer, especially after the firefighter told Andy he was correct. We laughed at each other out loud, because we both knew we were thinking of a numbered thickness for that cardboard!

Constitution Day

Happy Constitution Day! Fly the flag, read the Constitution at the dinner table, and relish in the words that give us our American freedoms. Then take a few more minutes and reflect on the ultimate freedom from sin that Jesus gave us by dying on the cross and rising from the grave. Oh what a true constitution!

^{From Romans 3:
But now, a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.}

http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/freedom/constitution/text.html

Political Humor

If you didn't know, I studied politics in college and although I am consumed with raising a family at the moment, I still enjoy dabbling in political intrigue whenever I get a minute.

This picket just cracks me up because at the moment I am very, very familiar with diapers and what they are capable of holding!


Why haven't I heard of WALNUT?! Workers Against Lazy Non-Producers United Together — the conservative answer to ACORN. I love it!


Now go out and watch Fox News!

Autumn Decor, Counter Cookies & Dinner

My neighbor, Anna has had her autumn decor up since September 1st, so it was high time I got my bum in gear! Today was declared a stay-at-home day (ok, minus my quick run in town for foundation ... I was completely out!!). We broke out the fall totes and went to town! Aiden had a great time seeing all the surprises in the boxes and he was thrilled with the pumpkin theme.


And of course, it's football season (Andrea, let's commiserate together!).
We root for the Denver Broncos in our house, occasionally the Cardinals cuz they're from Arizona, and whoever is starring on Andy's 2 fantasy football teams.







I wanted Aiden to model this blanket. He kept moving so much ... 3rd picture was a charm, even though he wasn't smiling (I had just yelled at him "Be still!" I rarely raise my voice at him, and it scared him into sitting still!).





Aiden thought it was such a funny idea to put the cookies in the pumpkin jar instead of the normal cookie jar.


Not paying attention

Half paying attention

Asking me to take a picture of his half-eaten pretzel stick


Dinner was leftover stew - Aiden rejected it the first night, so I broke out the chicken nugs tonight. But I guess he was full from all the pretzels. Bad Mommy!



And Aiden dancing around the living room after dinner


Thanks for sharing the day with us! Hope your day was as much fun!

Happy Grandparents' Day!!!

To the Grandparents we love: Popeye and Olive Oyle, Grandma and Grandpa, Grandpa Freddie and Gigi, Grandma Bernie, Granny & Grandpa and Peggy . . . Happy Grandparents' Day! In your honor, some pictures that are visual proof that you can own this special holiday.



Those used to be Andy's jeans when he was little







I am sure you can find some similarities of yourselves in your grandsons ... so who does Aiden get the messiness from? Any takers??

P.S. Aiden is actually a pretty clean kid and never minds cleaning up. The bedroom disaster was an anomaly too good not to catch on camera. Now Ash on the other hand might become our messy one ... we'll have to wait a few years to see!