I have a situation here...

Walmart and I have a love hate relationship. I like the store because it is a one stop shop, but the lines are forever long and there isn't any customer service. Plus by the time I make it to the checkout stand, I have worn through all of my patience cards with the kids and still have to stand in line for 20 min. I think that probably could happen at any store. :)

This happened last week. I was standing in the checkout line. I was digging in my purse for my wallet to pay for groceries when this happened.

Peyton: "Mom, I smell something..."

Anni: "Uh-oh, mommyyyyy!"

I take a quick scan of everything only to see Anni standing awkwardly holding up her dress. A large puddle of something that I am hoping that it is not what I think it is.... Yeah Anni peed all over the floor in the check out lane at Walmart! The lady behind me laughed and said it could happen to anyone. I seriously doubt that but at least she was not mad about the hold up. The checker on the other hand was not pleased at all by the situation. I asked her for some paper towels and a trash can for clean up. While I cleaned up Anni, we talked about telling mommy when she needed to use the potty. Then I told her I would change and clean her up in the car. Talk about horrifying! I cannot believe that just happened. Here I have been talking about how good she is doing with potty training.

After I thought the situation was under control, I went to pay for the groceries again. Peyton started tugging on my shirt and was trying to get my attention. I heard the lady behind me laughing. I looked over at Anni. She had striped all over clothes (shirt, dress, and panties) and was trying to get everything over her shoes!!!!!!!!!! I all wet mom she kept saying over and over. I had to really struggle with her to get the cloths back on.

By the time I got Anni dressed and paid for things, I had a long line of amused onlookers and people snickering at the situation. I just wanted out of the store!!!!!

Watch out ... very DANGEROUS!

Browny lovers are in trouble. Warning! These cookies are dangerously good. 

I love to bake, especially cookies. I got this recipe from the Frosted bake shop and they are amazing.

FYI baking instructions: use a browny mix that makes a 9" X 13" pan size. The baking part is a bit tricky because the cookies are hard to tell if they are done baking. I had to cook mine for 12 min. It might be my oven.

One of Our Favorites

Our family loves to go to Virginia Beach. Family, friends, sun, sand, water, lots of fun! Our friends the Richesons, found the best spot to take the family.  There are umbrellas, a playground, and sand toys for the kids all right there on the beach.

Its Potty Time...

Three weeks and the going is going great! Annisten has finally learned to use the potty and we could not be more proud! Annisten just decided that she was ready and that was it.

Corey and I have been working with Annisten for months on potty training. The only interest she has had is wearing her new princess panties and throwing toilet paper in the toilet until it clogged (over and over again). No amount of bribing was working. Books or videos about the potty didn't work either. There are days were she would go potty if the candy was the right for her liking. Then there were days that Anni simply said "no" and that was that. Inside I was screaming, out of ideas, and out of patience.

Then about two weeks ago, Corey said you need to see what your daughter is doing. I followed him down the hall and peeked into the bathroom. She was sitting in the dark on the toilet going potty all by herself. From then on, she has gone potty. Even out in public and on small day trips. Annisten is doing so good. We have only had one accident. Of coarse that was the one time I did not have backup clothing, but that is how it goes.

I have learned that when Annisten is ready for something new, she does it on her own terms. She has been like this with every milestone. I just need to remind myself this.

Bird Week

The kids really enjoyed bird week. I guess because we live in a newer neighborhood in the Utah desert, there is not as many birds as Virginia. So I thought we would take advantage of learning about all of the birds the kids see and chase around outside.

Our egg yokes kept disappearing.

We were even lucky enough to find a bird nest. Our neighbor, Kate, found a robin's egg for the kids to look at.







The kids had a hard time keeping the loops cereal on the yarn and would get really frustrated. I ended taping one end to the table to make it easier.

We also looked at pictures of birds, colored pictures, made bird watchers, went on a bird hunt, and even made bird houses. Bird week has been on of the kids favorite themes. Ever since bird week, Peyton and Annisten still pointing out birds and the bird name.

Family Fun

My parents came into town to visit for a week. The kids and I had a blast showing them around Virginia. We did everything from the beach, battleships, plantations, to just hanging out. I learned how to use my outdated GPS with a few "legal u-turns" as guided. The weather was suppose to be cool and thunder storms, but we lucked out and had plenty of beautiful weather for all of our outings. Here are a few of our pics from our adventures week.

Wisconsin Battleship

This is one of the largest battleships built in the U.S. That chain was one of four chains that pulled up the anchor. You do not realize how humungous these ships and their guns are until you see it all first hand. 

 Shirley Plantation

We took a tour of the plantation and learned how the plantation was run. The plantation was founded in 1613 and was one of the first in the US. It actually is still in use by the same family.

 Cape Henry Lighthouse 

Old Cape Henry Lighthouse

In order to get to the lighthouses we had to go onto the Fort Story Military base. This was quite the ordeal. We had to get our of the car and the military guards searched in and under the car. The kids were scared of the guards and really nervous about the entire situation. The Cape Henry Lighthouse guards the the Chesapeake Bay entrance. George Washington issued the construction of the Lighthouse and it became the first public works project of the U.S. There are two lighthouses side by side. The Old lighthouse is not in use. The kids met the Lighthouse keeper. He gave them each a lighthouse penny with his signature on the back. Peyton and Annisten were thrilled. 

Carpet Fix

In our summer apartment, the carpet is very light. Within a short time, the carpet has become a dingy gray with dark spots all over. Its pretty gross. The kids are only allowed food at the table too. So I tried this Resolve High trafic stuff, its a miricle worker. My carpet is "so fresh and so clean" at least from my view point. This stuff is easy. Spray, a few little scrubs, and that is that (no elbow grease needed)! Now if I could only figure out how to get Anni's Sonic cherry slush spill stain out of the carpet... Oh man I need another mircle! Who puts carpet in the dining area anyways!