Potty Training

No, we aren't potty training Oliver.  He just seems a little interested sometimes when he sees Madeline go.  So, Andrew put him on the potty one night before bathtime.  

He didn't go potty.  But, he did manage to dip his pink cup in the toilet water before Andrew noticed.  

And then he proceeded to to show Andrew how it's done.  Now who's training who?

Imaging USA

I just got home from Imaging USA a few hours ago.  It is a huge photography conference with about 10,000 photographers attending.  There were many classes to take and a huge trade show.  I came back with some really great business ideas and fun products to offer clients and to put in my own home.  

 These aren't the best pictures. Just proving that we were there.  This conference center was absolutely HUGE!  I looked it up.  It has about 1.3 million square feet.  And all of our classes were at the very back of the entire conference center.  So, we did a lot of walking, plus the 4 blocks to even get to the conference center.  

This is about 1/3 of the trade show.  It took us all 3 days to get through it all.  We were on a little overload by the last day.  It seemed like everyone was giving away an IPad.  But, we couldn't seem to win one.  It's hard when you are competing with 10,000 other people.  

I have been trying to decide between a new Nikon D700 and Canon 5D Mark II camera.  It was good to be able to talk to both companies and finally decide on my new D700.  I am so excited to start using it.  I didn't bring any lenses with me.  So, I borrowed mom's while we were there and took it around our last day.  

 This was on our walk to the conference each morning.  The last day was the only one that brought sunshine though.  I was hoping for temperatures in the 60's and 70's the whole time.  But, it hung out in the 40's and 50's with rain and cloudy skies.  

So, when it reached almost 70 on the last day, we headed out for some yummy lunch on the Riverwalk and were entertained by several Mariachi bands.  

The Riverwalk is actually very cool.  I would have been nervous to have my kids with me though. It would be super easy to just fall in.  But, it was lovely for mom and I to take a stroll on after lunch...

 ...and to stop and take a few pictures by.

Thanks for the wonderful trip mom!  I had a great time!

Under Construction

Some of the most used Christmas gifts this year are the building toys.  (I know from looking at this picture you are thinking that our kids needed absolutely no more toys.  We are still trying to figure out what to do with all of them.)  Madeline and Oliver both got a set of wooden blocks so that they would have enough to actually build with.  Madeline was so proud of this tower.  I helped her with the bottom.  But, she kept adding on to the top all by herself.  She wanted to keep it up until daddy got home.  

It's a good thing I took a picture of it.  Because, look who's on his way to destroy it?  You may even see Oliver's blue drill and tools in the picture. They are great for working on buildings and other things that need fixin' around here.  

The blocks are also great for building roads and bridges.

And the MagnaTiles continue to be a huge success around here.  Everyone loves to play with them, young and old.  The only problem is that Madeline doesn't like to tear down her things after she builds them.  This house has been here for several days.  Sometimes it helps to have a little brother to "accidentally" knock over your creations so you can try something new.  Even if trying new things is really hard.

Piano and other random info

Most people play Bach or Beethoven.  My kids play "bunny".  It's pretty good if you ask me.  

Did you know that I was a piano major in college?  It's true.  I took piano lessons for about 9 years before I went to college and began majoring in Music Education.  It took me 2 years to be brave enough to know music wasn't for me and to move on to early childhood education.  But, I don't think I would have gotten into JMU if it hadn't been for music.  And then I would have never met my wonderful husband.  And then you wouldn't get cute pictures of our kiddos playing "bunny".  I guess God knew what he was doing.   But, I don't know if dad was happy with the extra year it took me to finish (thanks Dad!)

 That being said.  I think our piano gets played way more by my kids than me.  Maybe Madeline will let me teach her more than "bunny" one day.  Oliver, he's a button guy.  If it has buttons, he loves it.  That includes the piano, remotes, phones, DVD players, TVs, etc.  I think that is the only reason he likes the piano.  But, that's ok.  

In other random news, Oliver now has Strep for the 4th time. That really stinks.  I almost cried when they told me at the doctor's office today.  I don't know why.  I guess I just thought we had conquered it.  (And maybe I was feeling a little overwhelmed with the 2 crying and clingy babies/children in the small, hot room) And he is so miserable this time.  Way more than the past 3 times.  I gave him a bath at 3am last night because that is the only thing that would settle him down.  Poor guy.  Hopefully he is feeling better in the morning now that he has started his antibiotic.

And to answer your question, did I serve smoothies in Tupperware cups?  Yes and no.  The green one is the real Tupperware that I grew up using.  Somehow I stole it from mom and it is at our house.  The yellow one is a similar set from The First Years, I believe.  It has the same type of lids.  It isn't quite the same.  But, pretty close.  I still use the tupperware cups when I go home.

One more thing, smoothie recipe:
I don't really have specific measurements, sorry.
~Frozen strawberries (a couple handfuls)
~1 container of yogurt (usually strawberry or mixed berry.  I also tried peach, and I thought it was really good.  But, Madeline thought something was wrong with it.)
~ A heaping spoonful of Flaxseed Meal
~milk
~a nice squeeze of honey

Blend it up, pour in cup, add straw, enjoy.  If it is too thick, add more milk.  If it is too runny, add more strawberries.  And that's how we do it.

Sorry for the randomness.  That's just how I'm thinkin' tonight, I guess.

Oliver's Eating Habits

Oliver has recently discovered that he loves using a fork.  Mostly big forks.  And we have discovered that he will actually eat more if it is put on a fork for him.  So, we are taking chances with his eyeballs and letting him use the fork.  

He does pretty well and can even stab his own food now.  The baby forks just don't stab as well.  Another reason he gets a big one.  

So, since he can use a fork, we decided to let him have a go at a spoon and some applesauce...  he used his hand instead.  

Not quite getting the hang of it...

Whatever works.

Why not add some spaghetti too!

Ninja Master Prep Professional

My old blender died a few months ago.  It was a pretty sad day.  We enjoy smoothies in this house (well, everyone but Andrew).  I tried to make them in my new food processor that I got for my birthday.  Let me just save you the time and effort and let you know that it doesn't work so beautifully.  But, it did work in a pinch.  So, I replaced the old blender with a new Ninja Master Prep Professional.  It comes with lots of accessories and it blends our smoothies beautifully.  So, we are back in business.  Except, now Madeline doesn't love smoothies because they are too cold... sigh.  I mainly wanted to share these pictures so you could see Oliver's awesome bed head anyways.  

Dr. Madeline

I snuck this picture a few weeks ago of Madeline and Oliver playing in her room.  Madeline always wants Oliver to do certain things, like sit on her lap or play the baby.  He doesn't usually agree to these things.  But, somehow she got him to sit still long enough to check his blood pressure this day.  It is so sweet seeing them playing together.  It truly does a heart good.