There is excitementin the air at our house.   This week is full of birthdays, visits with Grandparents and Daddy being home.   Monday and Tuesday I’m working for part, if not all of the day, but on Wednesday the fun begins!  

Ben turns 6 on Wednesday, I’m amazed that just 6 years ago that little man came into our life.   I can’t wait to write a birthday post for him.   This year has been an exciting one for Ben and I look forward to taking a look back and remembering.    First thing in the morning both kids have their yearly physicals and then we are taking Ben and a friend to see Wall-E after a lunch at McD’s.   That evening we are going out to Grandma Barb and Papa Al’s for cake and swimming in the spa. 

Thursday is my 36 birthday!   Grandma Barb is keeping the kids for us that afternoon and we are going to Reno to do some shopping and to spend a fun day, just Walter and I.   I’m so excited and I’ve been promised that we will not go to any “man stores” like this or this.   Praise the Lord!   After a full day of shopping we are headed out to dinner and a possible movie.   I really want to try “The Melting Pot“ for dinner. 

Friday we will celebrate the 4th of July just relaxing at home as a family.   We live pretty close to where the fireworks are shot off so we will go in the backyard and watch the fireworks in our jammies.  It’s a family tradition!

Saturday we will be getting ready for Grandma and Papa to come!   The kids are so exciting because it’s been since March that they have seen my mom and dad.   It’s all Becca can talk about because she knows that on Sunday we get to celebrate her birthday (which is later in July).   Every time she talks to my mom she asks her to please come the her birthday party.  

We are also hoping to get a few bike rides in this week.  Hopefully this time we will remember to bring the camera to take pictures of our adventures!

So this is the exciting things that are happening in our home this week.   What’s happening in yours?

That’s usually what I am- the glass is always half empty, I never win anything, oh hum bug- kind of gal.   But today I received a huge blessing.    I won this: 

Thank you so much Ree,  Your blog is one of my favorites to read and I always enjoy trying your recipes.

Today we hit potty training hard.   Since Becca was almost potty trained last March and then relapsed and Walter has the next two weeks off we decided that we were going to work on Becca pee-peeing in the potty.   Now I know this isn’t my first post on this subject.   I’ve talked about my desire for it to happen and our adventure through it here and here and here and here.  

When I’ve asked Becca when it’s going to happen I get answers like “I only two, when I’m three” and “Well, I don’t know”.   I know she knows how to do it and the one thing that was holding us back was her inability to go potty in public places (not that I really blame here, I hate to go potty in public places too).   But today, we conquered that fear. 

When we got up this morning (or I should say, when Walter got up) we decided that we were putting her in panties and just changing her many, many times if necessary.   She had three accidents, one of them while we were on a bike ride, but we were prepared.   I often wonder if Walter was a boy scout before I married him because he packed a backpack with three outfits and the potty insert.   As we rode through town he wore it on his back proudly.   After that Becca told us each and every time that she needed to go pee-pee.   There were times when I asked her if she wanted to go and she would tell me “NO” but then there were times when she proudly told us.

The last time came this evening while we went to get some frozen yogurt.   We had gone out to Grandma Barb and Papa Al’s house to take Leia dog home and to water plants.  As we pulled up Becca shouted “I need to go potty”   I asked her to hold it, got her out of her carseat as fast as I could and ran into the bathroom.   We didn’t have the potty seat and she mentioned it and I thought to myself that we were in for a battle, but I told her that Mommy would hold her and that she would be safe.   There in the TCBY bathroom she pottied without her potty seat!   I rejoiced!   Walter Rejoiced!  Ben High Fived!  and Becca did the “I pee-peed in the potty” dance.

One day down, I’m praying that we have the same success tomorrow and that we can get this established before we plan to go camping next Thursday.  We even moved our camping trip in hopes that Becca can be successful at home and then transfer it away from home.   We have church tomorrow and her Sunday School class has all girls in there – all of which are potty trained.   Hopefully when I go in to take her potty she will have the same success that she had today, but just in case I can’t get her to do it like she did tonight at TCBY I will have Walter’s trusty back back with me.

I’m sitting her this evening, the house is finally quiet and I can’t believe it’s only Wednesday.  It seems like it should be Friday by now.  

After a wonderful Father’s day Ben decided to get the flu bug that Becca had last Wednesday night and again on Friday night.   Little Becca only threw up twice, but Ben, he threw up ALL NIGHT LONG!   He didn’t actually feel better until about 3:00 on Monday afternoon.  He felt better and so we thought everything was ok.   He went to Bible Camp on Tuesday and was excited to go back today, except for one thing – he threw up this morning, just 5 minutes after Walter left.   Yes, the parent who handles puke had left and I had to put on my big girl panties and deal with it.  I only left the room a few times gagging, but I kept it together and didn’t puke myself.  Praise the LORD!

So this morning I had to cancel Becca’s haircut because I didn’t think Ben could stay in the car and watch a movie without throwing up everywhere while she got her hair done.  (Don’t think I’m a bad mom for even considering it, it wouldn’t have been hot, the police station is right across the street, the van door would have been open and so would the door to the beauty shop.)   I called in to work and canceled Ben’s ride to Bible Camp. 

Around 10:30 or so Ben asked to get up off the couch and get dressed.  I knew he was feeling better when around 12:00 he asked for something to eat.  He’s been fine every since.

So while it seems like it should be Friday there is still a lot left to do in this week.   Tomorrow the kids go to Michelle’s while I go to work.   This year we are just giving up on Bible Camp, I don’t want him to go and then have him not feel well and be sick on Friday.   Tomorrow afternoon I have to go over to Redding for a meeting and then get us ready to go camping Sunday afternoon.

Last night Walter and I sat down and planned our meals for the week.   It’s all in an effort to help us be healthier and to loose weight.

Monday:  Talapia, Salad and Roasted Broccoli

Tuesday:  Spaghetti with whole wheat noodles and salad

Wednesday:  Grilled Chicken Ceasar Salad

Thursday:  Walter & the kids are on their own, I’m in Redding for a meeting.

Friday:  Bible Camp Potluck

Saturday:  Ham and Baked Sweet Potatoes, Salad

Sunday:  Hamburgers and salad at the camp ground!

Head on over to Laura’s at I’m an Organized Junkie to get more menu ideas.