A little late to blog about it

So here are the pictures of the kids on their first days of school....... Kyle (reluctantly) has entered 2nd grade

Vivian is in her Second year of preschool - she will be five in January which makes her one of the older kids in her class. She loves school and can't wait to go - She of course wanted her hair straight for the first day....

Potty Trained "CHECK!"

One of the things on our "to do" list before Disney vacation, was to hopefully have Kerrigan Potty trained. some said "why bother, it will probably be easier if she wasn't. no running to find a bathroom." Well, in case you don't know Vivian and Kyle - we are running to find a bathroom ANYWAY. I am so sick of buying Diapers. We have been buying them non-stop for 7 1/2 years now. we would get one out of diapers just in time to have another one and start all over again, just littler sizes. I'm not saying we are totally out of the Diaper market, we still need to buy a package now and again for bedtime......ssshhh.... I don't buy those expensive pull ups or Goodnights. I buy the plain old store brand in a size 5 - the jumbo pack.......and I put that size 5 on both Kerrigan and Vivian at bed time. they fit Kerrigan just right, with a little room left. Vivian - not so much - you have to position the tabs just right to get them to stay put, but she only has an accident once in a while (usually the nights I don't get a chance to get one on her). She deals with the tight pants and doesn't complain. so we are good.

Kerrigan is now 2 years, and 3 months old - She is potty trained. phewwwww...another fairly easy one. Our daycare provider is thrilled, she says she still has 4 year old boys crapping their pants!

Vivian and kerrigan were both easily trained - Vivian practically trained herself. Kerrigan was real good for a while back in April - she spent all day on the potty cause she loved to, then she gave up - we didn't push it again until summer - she got undies for her birthday, and was so excited, so Gary (the one home with her most of the time) started making sure he reminded her to go potty. And the results are in - she is officially daytime potty trained.

I don't believe there is some magical formula to potty training kids - other than to relax about it. We tried the small child's potty with Kyle, and a video, stickers and lollipops for using the potty, and books about pottying, and drove ourselves nuts when he would ask for underwear, and then 2 minutes later end up peeing them. - lots of laundry.

So with the girls, we found that they enjoyed using the BIG potty, we didn't bribe them with candy, or stickers. It was just a matter of fact event - which if successful, ended with a short "potty dance" and a high five! and then encouraged them to go brag about it around the house " I went potty!"

Disney is 30 days away - I am relieved I only have to pack about 10 diapers, not 35 - and I plan on stopping at the potties throughout the parks as I come to them and making all 3 of them use it before moving on........if one of them says "I have to go pee".....guess what - they are all going to try.

Next on the list --------PACKING!

Shelber - Man!

I'd like to take this time to introduce you to our new addition. ( I know, I say that a lot on my blog - seems like every other month, I am introducing you to or mourning our latest pet).

This is SHELBY. - aka Shelber Man. He is a 3 year old Yorkie. The kids became very fond of niece Reagan's little pint sized yorkie, and I happened to hear of a woman who was giving away her 2 yorkies "to a good home."So I decided to surprise the kids. Like I said, she was giving away 2. - Gary and I agreed that we would offer to take 1. and only 1. if she didn't have the heart to separate them, then the kids were none the wiser. The lady's reasoning for finding them a new home was to find a family who would have time for them. She works outrageous hours at her job, and was feeling quite sad that the dogs were couped up in their cages for the entire day. It was a hard decision for her - believe me - I witnessed her crying as I "removed" the dog from her house.

Shelby is used to adults. Quiet. other small dogs. Quiet. Adults.......I think he was in shock for the first couple of days in this madhouse. - First thing he did was show sandler who was boss. If sandler came within 5 feet of him, or even looked at him, Shelby was right up in his face growling (which I assume means back off big dog, or else) Poor sandler was practically cowering in the corner. I am pleased to report that his aggressiveness toward sandler has subsided, and they can coexist in the same room now. Actually shelby prefers to go to the bathroom outside as long as Sandler accompanies him now.

It is definitely different having a lap dog around. Sandler has been unable to fit on our laps for about -forever- So it is kinda nice to have a little dog who can't wait for you to sit down, so he can curl up on your lap. Shelby has taken a liking to Kyle the most out of the kids. I guess he can sense the animal lover in him. He tolerates Vivian - he has to....She takes him in her bedroom and closes the door so he cannot escape her. He runs from Kerrigan like she is some horrible Giant disgusting creature here to snatch him away to eat him.....(that's how i interpret the look on his face). But she eventually catches him, and he gives in, lets her carry him around like an old teddy bear in one arm. biding his time until he gets the chance to scurry away.

aaahhhh fun times.

So I had made an appointment to bring shelby to the groomer. He was to get an all over cut, bath, nails clipped, and ears cleaned. Gary seemed a little shocked when I told him it would cost $30. He said " we don't even pay for ourselves to get haircuts"! He is right, and with Disney only being about a month away, it seemed like wasteful spending, so I decided to try a hand at dog grooming. YUP - I think I can add this to my list of talents...... I have no Idea if I did it right, but he seemed to enjoy the experience, and he feels softer, and looks so darn cute with his little mustache. I think he looks more manly - the name shelby, and that long hair he had, just wasn't convincing.

I enjoy ShelberMan!

DWTS

DANCING WITH THE STARS - Season 9 starts tonight!

Ladies and Gentleman, If you need me for anything on Monday or Tuesday nights, I will be glued to the television from approx. 8:00 - 10:00.

As you may remember, We are Huge DWTS fans. Too early to tell who my favorites are going to be. Unfortunately, Just by the looks of Cheryl Burk's Partner, we will be saying farewell to her pretty early on........ My initial hope lies in this season's hunkie young man Aaron Carter - I will be anxious to see what he's got.

Other than him, I think Kathy Irland may have a shot at being popular. She's got the beauty, lets see if she's got the rhythm.

Just wanted to share this

I know I haven't blogged in forever, and I feel really bad......like literally.....I feel the NEED to blog!.....I have a lot of catching up to do. A lot has been going on, so when I finally have time - or access to a faster computer that isn't at work (if I can't do it at lunch - I can't do it) - I will be able to fill you all in on Labor Day, First day of school pictures, OUR NEW DOG!, and my new attempt at exercise. (yes mr. kelley, I am still determined to lose weight before Disney.)


I know you will all be on the edges of your seats because everyone and their brother wants to hear about my life.......lol

But for right now, I just wanted to share this adorable picture I took of Kerrigan at the Labor day picnic at the farm.



Makes me smile, that's for sure!:

An End Of Summer Favorite

From the Family Garden.......

CORN!!!

We didn't seem to have much time this year to help plant the corn.......help grow the corn......but I am thankful we have the go-ahead to help pick the corn.........And EAT the corn!

Thanks Grampa Mark - the corn is sooooo Delicious!

We are Very Lucky.