it's potty time!!

The training has begun.... I wasn't sure if she was ready. But then I took out all the potty gear, and when she saw it, she was apparently more than ready. I asked her if she would go and sure enough, she went straight to the bathroom, pulled down her pants, I helped her on the potty and she let it all hang out....for about a half hour. No joke. She reeeeally liked going...and going...and going.... She was SO EXCITED -- so I think she would stop herself and then go some more. And some more. I didn't even need to give her a treat. The "woo hoos" from me and Soren were enough to make her day. This week has been a bit busy, so I haven't been able to give her my full attention to train her, but at least I know she is more than ready and diapers will soon be a part of my past...which seems so very weird to not have to change diapers after almost 5 years straight of doing it, but I don't think I will miss it. Nope, I'm pretty sure I won't.

my girl happily "going potty train" as she says....

totally awesome party, dude

Today is Mr. Incredible's birthday. Last night was his totally awesome 80s theme birthday party. Since I am dead tired from cleaning up until 2am, I will let the pictures speak for themselves....
The birthday boy and the valley girl. This was the last picture of the night, but the only good one of us...and of course JoiVie HAD to be in the picture -- as always (covering up my totally awesome kicks!).

Jim with his high top sneaks and full get-up with the punk rocker.

Oh....the hair.....

She's wearing a wig. I'm not. From the plastic teal earrings to the hot pink socks...everything was found in my room and most of it was actually purchased in the 80s. Yes, that's right. I still have that crap hangin' around.

The punks of the pah-teh. Do they ROCK or what??!!

I love this pic. So punkalicious.

Yes, she wore this dress to her high school prom in '86. Not only does she still have it, but she still fits in it. You GO girl!!

Knight Rider with the special bracelet and everything....

The jacket says "Knight Rider". We also pinned names of 80s characters on our backs and we had to guess who we were with other people's clues (he was Mork from Ork).

I love these two. I mean seriously....that HAIR!!!!

They had 80s to perfection.

Bo Duke and Flo.

Those leg warmers....wow.

The prepster 80s to perfection.

Totally the most awesome cake ever. Totally.
(made by one of the guests)

The high school photo was even edible -- the cake was deeeelicious! Peanut butter and chocolate!! YUM!

HAPPY BIRRRRRRRTHDAY TOOOOOOO JIM!!!!!!

The totally rad couple. Fer sure.

happy valentines day!

Celebrating love is a great thing to celebrate, and I have always thought that way about Valentine's Day -- even when I was a lonely single gal. To me it's not about having a sweetheart, but about the love, plain and simple. Like everything else, I now get to experience it through my child's eyes...and, again, like everything else, it is more of everything good about it.

First, there are the decorations. After I put up mine, he put up his:

AC and Soren with heart faces and Soren is giving AC a valentine.

He drew a part of the picture, cut it out, taped it on the wall, then drew another part, cut it out, and taped it on the wall, and so on..... I was very impressed that he kept everything in the right proportions.


He later cut out and added a heart from a Valentine his Nana sent to him.


The proud artist...who wanted his sister in the picture with him.


I love Soren's face in this picture.

When I heard that his pre-school was giving out Valentines...well I'll tell you what...I jumped on that there bandwagon and made those pre-schoolers some valentines.....

"Valentine Heart Pops" I have been just itching to make -- cookies with candy heart centers.


Aren't they pretty?


Especially with the light shining through....


I made lots of 'em -- he has 30 kids in his class!


He of course had to make the valentines (I can't steal ALL the fun!).


The valentines were completely his design -- with no instructions from me.


Yes mommy, I'm getting my 30 valentines made...!


And this is how they turned out -- I mean come ON....are these cute or WHAT????

I am SURE those pre-schoolers appreciated everything about these gifts of love.... The joy (and love) was in the making and the giving -- and that is all that matters.

warmth. beauty. quiet.

MOMENT OF THE WEEK
a cup of Ghirardelli hot cocoa...

...while looking out the window on a snowy day...

...during nap time.