It's That Time...Potty Time!

Last week I decided it was time to start the potty training business with Drew.  Our trip was over with none scheduled til Thanksgiving, so my excuses for postponing were gone :)  He's expressed some interest and is always ready to be a big boy like Mac.  That, coupled with the fact that Baby Taylor 3 will arrive at the end of January, meant it was time to get serious. 

I picked a day to start that Mac would be at school and I'd be home with Drew all day.  And our weekly calendar was pretty empty.  We go straight from diapers to underwear, so when Drew woke up, right into underwear he went.  And the timer was set.  He had a couple accidents on days 1 and 2 but by day 2 was totally frustrated with having to go and the whole this is how you tee tee deal was totally not clicking.  He and I were both frustrated and I wanted so badly to give up. 

But we persevered and Day 3 was a new day!!  It suddenly clicked for Drew, and we haven't had a tee tee accident since (the other is a different story at this point...)  He is so proud of himself and LOVES getting "M-a-M's" after each potty break.  Mac has been a terrific big brother offering encouragement and help throughout the whole process. 

This right here is a proud little boy of his underwear!

I love that chubby little hiney and legs :)

A Little of This and That

Enjoying some after-the-rain playing in their underpants and boots

This is just priceless!!

The boys' favorite breakfast is currently cinnamon rolls, and they just love to sit outside on the back deck.  I reserve cinnamon rolls just for the "weekend" so Daddy is always home to enjoy the special treat with us. I get asked many times during the week, "Is it the weekend yet??"

A little Target fun.  Of course no trip to Target is complete without a stop in the cafe for a blue icee!

My little handymen

Fixing the wall...They love pretending to be a combo of Bob the Builder, Handy Manny, and PePaw, the best combination ever!

Aunt Cheryl sent us great bathtub crayons and water color tablets.  The boys sooo enjoy bathtime and this has been an added bonus and sometimes bribe :)  I decided it was also a great way to practice our Awana verse for the week. (Yes, those are lots and lots of Smurfs from McDonald's Happy Meals...don't judge!)

Passing the time running while waiting for Dr. Hampton at our 4 and 2 year well checks.  So incredibly blessed to have two healthy, smart, growing boys!

Practicing their jumps to show Dr. Hampton.

Cars Party Part II

Just a few more party pics that wouldn't fit on my earlier post...

Some fun Cars decorations.  We even had the Cars movie playing on the big screens.

More Cars...

Fun party-themed treats:  dip sticks, spare tires, nuts and bolts, tow cables, stoplights, and coolant

Sweet treats bar

Amy made all the kiddos fun racing flags

A mother's love one truly can never explain.  You can only begin to understand it once you have the privilege of being a mother yourself.  My heart bursts for that little boy.  And it was a joy to make his Car's party dream a reality!

Mac's 4th Birthday Party!!

A VERY special little boy recently celebrated his fourth birthday!  And the party theme was easy to figure out this year...pretty much as soon as Mac's third birthday was over he began talking about having a Cars Party when he turns 4.  So, he's been inviting and telling others about this Cars party for almost a year!  Talk about some pressure as a mom...trying to make a party live up to a year's worth of expectation made me a little nervous.  However, thanks to Pinterest, I think we pulled off a pretty spectacular party.  Mac was not at all disappointed!

Mac and Jonah getting ready to race some cars on the racetrack that Sam made.
Jonah is Mac's very good friend and has a birthday pretty close to Mac's.  So, Amy, Jonah's mom, and I decided to join forces this year and hold a dual, doubly fun party!

Drew playing with the tire beanbag toss

Kiddos making their treat bags for the pinata.

The kids ran a footrace and received a medal when they crossed the finish line.  It was by far a favorite activity.  And having Sam serve as the race announcer just added to the fun.

Mac was soooo proud of his medal.  He said "Are you so proud?  I knew I would win a medal!"

Drew hanging out in the Winner's Circle

Pinata time!!

Some friends taking a turn...it was a first experience for most kids and they loved it.

Grabbing for some loot!

Oh how this family loves Big Boy Mac Taylor...can't believe he's 4!

I'm pretty sure Drew had as much fun as if it were his own party.

Mac wanted a cake with Mater and McQueen...and CeCe did a fabulous job making an awesome Cars cake!!  Mac was very proud of that cake, and he helped bake it!  (post about that to follow soon)

Blowing out his candle.  He very specifically requested a "4" candle as opposed to four traditional candles.

Mac and Jonah standing in front of their cakes.  Jonah's grandmother made his cake too, a big Mater cake.

Every kid's favorite part...presents!  Mac got so many wonderful gifts.  He was so very excited.

Mac was especially excited about his Angry Birds Racetrack.  When he was done opening gifts, he said, "OK, I'm ready to go home now so I can play with this."  As his friends went about playing more games and running around, he sat forever, all alone, looking at the box, thinking about being able to open it up.  :)

CeCe and PePaw came all the way just for the big party.  PePaw wasn't even in Missouri for a full 24 hours before they had to go back home.  That's a lot of love for this little boy.  Thank you, CeCe and PePaw!!!

The Birthday Boys

Letting balloons go after the party was over.
What a great fourth birthday!!

Home Depot Fun Day

Last weekend Sam and I had planned to take the boys to Home Depot for the kid's workshop. However, some good friends ended up needing help moving so Sam wouldn't be able to go. Think that stopped me?? No way!!! I called my friend, Jamie, whose husband was also helping move, and to Home Depot we went!!

I'm sure it was a sight seeing these two mamas trying to help our little kiddos nail and glue a football ring toss :-) The kids loved it and were so proud of their finished project! 

Drew, Abbie, and Mac

Hard at work painting

I loved the work space setup...so reminded me of something my dad would come up with. Perfect size for little ones and just uses what's on hand :-)

The very enthusiastic employee who helped keep us all on track. Jamie and I were grateful for his help!

Taking his time, being sure no mess is made...

Colors mixed all over, using multiple brushes, paint on hands, and a mom trying to keep paint off of clothes and herself! Haha 

Puggles and Cubbies

Awana has begun at church, and this year Drew is a Puggle and Mac is a Cubbie. I love Awana and the structure it provides for learning and memorizing God's Word. Last Wednesday was the first meeting, and we left church with our first memory work. Mac was to learn a shortened version of 1 John 4:10. Drew was to be able to answer the following questions: " What did God make?" "Light" and "who's the light of the world?" "Jesus"

    When we got home after church I began asking Drew his questions. Here's how it went...Me: "God made the??" Drew: "I hungry." Me: "Who's the light of the world?" Drew: "CeCe's house!" Oh my, I knew we had lots of practicing to do!!

     And shy, doesn't-love-change Mac had a bit of a difficult time at his first Cubbies class. So while I knew he would learn his scripture quickly, I also knew I had to spend some time prepping and encouraging him to have a fun time the next week. We made up a little song to help him memorize "God loved us and sent His Son." 1 John 4:10. 

    By the time this past Wednesday came, we had practiced and practiced and sang and sang and encouraged and encouraged. When I dropped them off at their classes, I knew it was all in their court. And my boys did not disappoint! 

     Mac said his verse loud and proud and felt so good about himself when he was done. He had a great time that night and earned his "real Cubbie book."

     Shockingly, Drew's teachers said he was the only little two year old that knew and remembered his lesson. He was excited to earn a "ticker." I was so proud! Now to start this week's work!

Bad Guys Beware!!

I have two little boys who love to become superheroes!! And they were over the top excited to get these terrific costumes from Aunt Cheryl! Mac said "I knew it! I knew I would get real super powers!" According to them, the costume consists of a cape, mask and super powers (that would be the arm cuffs). They love putting on the gear and running around chasing bad guys. Mac was thrilled that "Superman and Batman could join together. " 

Mac: " Super powers!!"  Drew: "Soup Pow!!"

He was sooo proud to finally have his own superhero costume. He feels so big. 

Chasing those bad guys!