Potty Training Try 2

Today Gavin officially moved to the 3 year old room at school. They call it early preschool, but that's too "grown up" sounding for me. Since August, Ms. Maria has not only taught him Spanish, but also has worked in the potty training. Most days he has 1 or 2 wet pull ups, but he goes on the potty at school. Occasionally, he uses the potty at home, but since July I haven't pushed it--until the past two Saturday mornings. Which brings us back to his new class. Historically, kids don't move until they're potty trained. But, times they are a changing & babies they are a being birthed at my campus & filllin up daycare--necessitating movin' on up.
Last week Ms. Elaine & I visited briefly about Gavin's transition. When I mentioned that we were working with G at home and open to a push, she said,"Let's just go cold turkey on Monday. Be sure to bring an extra pair of shoes if he has them." My heart leapt: help with potty training!
Saturday, G wore big boy underwear in the morning. We had 4 outfit changes before I called it quits. I did learn that fleece pants & sweats are really absorbent when potty training.
This morning, G wore his big boy underwear to school. He only used 1 of the 4 pairs of pants I sent with him. And there were 2 pairs of wet undies. I have my suspicions that another pair might have met the trash can, but since he no longer gets a daily sheet, I don't know that. The absence of the daily sheet is another thing I dislike. I guess I don't have to get a report on the times he goes potty and whether or not he was dry, or what time he napped, or how much he ate, but boy it makes life easier. I suppose I'll begin letting go, but it's hard when I want blow-by-blows on the potty training. How can I learn what he's doing without that sheet? The other complication is that I don't pick him up from the teacher he has been with all day. I guess for now, I'll just ask a million questions & be "that mom.".
I'm so proud of my little guy. We made a Wal-Mart stop for a Lightening McQueen car as a reward. As soon as we got home, G went on the potty & then I unloaded the car. (I learn from my mistakes.)
And what is cuter than those little underwear?

Quick Chicago Trip

I had to go to Chicago on business for one whole day last week. It was a fast trip, but I was able to mark off a famous pizza place from my pizza bucket list...we walked a few blocks to Gino's East for some stuffed deepdish pizza. It was awesome stuff. We passed the nicest McDonalds I have ever seen on the way there.

The inside of Gino's is coated floor to ceiling in graffiti.

Thanksgiving Lesson

Today I packed up my Halloween decorations & put out my Thanksgiving ones, including a pilgrim man and woman. G was looking at them and making comments about the pie and crops they hold. I explained that at Thanksgiving we tell God what we are thankful for. He quickly said, "Like Santa Claus."
I guess we've been talking about Santa, too.

After dinner we had ice cream sandwiches for dessert. Gavin approved.

The picture on the slide is from the play area at church. Gavin found it a few months ago and is always looking for it when we leave the nursery. Today he found it with some help from Daddy. I think he won't need any help next time.

Saturday Study Time

Dave needed to finish his midterm today, so Gavin & I vacated the house to give Dave an opportunity for quiet time. Our mission was to shop for a trundle mattress and night stands for the guest room.
Our first stop was Weirs. There we found a candidate for the mattress and several options for bedside tables. On to Haverty's where we didn't see much. However, G found a cushy pile of area rugs he enjoyed jumping on. Since there was no one around I let him have fun.
G was sporting big boy underwear and went potty in Haverty's. We then headed to the mall to walk. G got a cookie, and we made about a lap and a half due to some back-tracking for a balloon. G went to the potty there so he could ride the carousel.
By the time we got home, Dave had about three hours of study time. And within 1 minute of walking in, G wet his pants. I didn't get my things put down to ask him to potty. So, it's back to pull ups. He does really well at school with keeping dry pull ups, we'll keep trying. And now I know, potty first, unload the car later.

Hall's Pumpkin Farm

These are not in order, but I can't seem to find time to re-order them, so before even more time passes, I'm posting these picture from our October 19th trip to the pumpkin patch.

Ranger's Rally

Gavin's school has been supporting the rangers throughout the postseason. They have Ranger's day each day that they play. G scored a new shirt over the weekend just so that he could wear one today to school. They also had a Ranger's Rally last week to support the team! Gavin even knows the "sitting duck" hang signal that the Rangers are doing this year. He is a true fan (except when he wants to watch Little Einsteins, or Dora when the game is on).

Mobile Blogging

Blog readers can rejoice...Miranda and I have found the Blogger app for our iphones. Hopefully this will help us stay more up to date with our posts.

Sunday Afternoon Soccer

G and I have gone to the park the last two Sunday afternoons to play soccer and play on the playground. It's such a fun way to end a weekend. He's really good too for a 2 year old...

Morning Dog

We did early church this morning and stopped afterward to fill up the car at QT. Gavin went inside with me to get a Diet Coke. He saw the hot dogs and really wanted one. It was only 10:00, but I figured why not? He has been eating like a horse lately anyway. The boy ate every last crumb, and it was a big hotdog. We might have to buy him some longer pants soon.

Mischievous Grin

Friday night Gavin learned that he could bring his step stool to the washer to help me put clothes in the laundry. He helped me again yesterday afternoon, enjoying watching the "waterfall".
Today when he heard me turn the machine on, he ran from "Little Einsteins" to grab his stool and come to the washer. He stood there momentarily watching the water while I put soap in, then he stepped down, and with a mischievous grin ran to the living room with his step. I put the clothes in and came into the living room to find him on his stool on the coffee table. I quickly got him down and explained that the stool is only for the floor. Clearly my explanation was not clear enough, for I walked through a few minutes later to find him on the stool in the chair. After snapping a picture, I got him down and gave another explanation, which must have been a bit more understandable as he has kept the stool on the floor for the time being.