I began potty training Ava right around the time she turned one. I broke out the potty and began encouraging away. She faked interest in the beginning but soon it became apparent that the child was a little hopeless, to say the least. Throughout the year that followed I realized that this strong willed child would need a little more time, as well as mom backing the heck off. Before she turned two I came across a blog a mom was writing who made a bold statement of parents simply being lazy if they aren't potty training their kids very quickly. I was so mad about when I read that but also felt like maybe she was right all at the same time. It motivated me to simply take away Ava's diapers and sort of force her into being ready. I spent the entire day encouraging her as she had accident after accident. She managed to pee in her potty about 4 times and everywhere else about 347 times. I was so stressed out, so was she. At one point she peed on the floor and looked up at me...
And they say money can't buy happiness, clearly "they" have never been to Build-A-Bear. It all started with many promises to Ava that if she was a cooperative participant in the shoe buying process we would in turn take her to "play with her friends" which meant that she would be able to go to the kid-crazy play place at the mall. She was dying to go there so every time she started to become a bit naughty or annoying I could wrangle her back in with the threat of canceling her plans "you do want to play with your friends, right???" Then try on these shoes!!! My manipulation was working wonders. With a darling new pair of shoes on her feet (thanks Grandma!) we ran off to fulfill our part of the bargain. When we approached the play area the security guard was coaxing all the children out and dragging the sign out in front that says "CLOSED FOR CLEANING". Perfect. Ava was absolutely devastated. So was I. I hate promising her things and not...
One of the many things I love about Ava is the way she is with other children. At Pump It Up the other day a set of two children were putting their coats on ready to leave and Ava waves to them & says "Bye friends! Thanks for coming! Drive careful!" We were at the park the other day and a little girl who was just about 6 months older then Ava kept going down the slide. Ava would wait patiently at the bottom of the slide and encourage her saying "Good job!" She then would get right in her face and say "IT'S MY TURN!" There is a good balance to this kid. Erik says she will do well in the corporate world. She also gets crazy excited about peanut butter. A food she has not been allowed to have until this week. She jumps up and down giggling and laughing, chanting about peanut butter. Just wait until I give her coffee. She really has her eye on that too. Tea party with Colton & Elmo!
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