10 things I've learned this week...

It's only Monday and here is what I've learned so far:

• Don't try to carry a pot of boiling water upstairs. No matter how careful you are, you WILL end up spilling it--most likely on some body part, not the floor. Check out my hand AND arm if you need further proof. (I would post a picture, but don't want to gross people out)
• When your kids go to bed late because your hand and arm are so badly burned that you cannot function, let alone put children to bed-- they STILL won't sleep in late the next morning.
  
• Don't even bother trying to get professional portraits of your kids taken. They will either cry and run away at every photo attempt, or they will laugh and run around the photographer like a crazy madman.
• When you really want to get your kids bathed and in bed early--or at least on time because you have a fun girls night out to go to, it will NEVER happen. It took me almost 3 hours to get Hannah asleep tonight...Sammy was out in 15 minutes. Sorry Shelley, hope you had a fun birthday!
• It's so great to have a dad who is willing to hang out and watch the grandkids so I could run a few errands today, BY MYSELF.
  
• Those trendy babydoll style tops are just not flattering on me. I look pregnant in them--and not a cute pregnant.
  
• No matter which line you choose to check out at the store, it will be the slowest line. And they will most likely have to call the manager over to override something for the person in front of you.
• An entire bottle of Professional Strength Drano won't unclog a slow draining bathroom sink.
• Pasadena seems to be doing construction on EVERY street that I drive down which takes me three times as long to get ANYWHERE.
• Potty training in a weekend actually works. Sammy hasn't had any accidents and I am no longer afraid to go places without a pull up. Even for nighttime. YAY SAMMY!

Travel Town Visit

We went to Travel Town this past week. We've been numerous times, but this time it was an impromptu trip (we were in the neighborhood since I had to take lunch to Samuel), so no camera. I used my phone to take the pictures--they turned out better than I thought!

It was a perfect day, we couldn't have asked for better weather!

Sammy loved to see the trains, as always, but Hannah seemed more interested in playing with the rocks.

The old cars are always fun to look at!

She looks grouchy, but she actually seemed to be having a good time. She just hates the camera...

There's a smile!!

First Day of School!!

Today was Sammy's first day of school! After much drama about whether to put him in pre-school, where to go, are we really in the program or on the waiting list, etc. We finally worked everything out and he had his first day today. He is in a Pre-K program at the local elementary school and it's Monday through Friday at 7:40AM!! Anyone who knows us, knows that we are NOT morning people (except for Hannah, she's up at 6:30am), but it looks like we are now...

One of the requirements was that he had to be potty trained. We put that off until after his surgery, but with that excuse behind us and the first day of pre-school looming ahead of us...I, of course, procrastinated until this weekend. It was a crash course in potty training (I could write another post entirely on THAT) and I'm proud to say he did well at school (no accidents) and is going strong with going at home. I'm still too scared to venture out on errands without a pull-up...maybe soon.

He was such a big boy today and was so cute with his little "Go Diego Go" backpack and a big smile all ready to go. There were no tears when I left him in the classroom and no potty accidents-- and he was so excited about being at school and kept telling me how much fun he had when I picked him up. I was so worried that he was going to be upset when I left, but he did so well. I know everyday won't be this great, but I'm so relieved the first day went so well.

It's so bittersweet to see my firstborn going to school and becoming independent.

Labor Day Weekend

I know, I went MIA for a bit. Sammy, Hannah and I went to my parents house for the Labor Day weekend. Samuel stayed in town since he had to work.

We had a really nice time--we went swimming every day, the kids got to play with their cousins and I had some much appreciated help with watching the kids from my parents (i.e. able to take a nap, go shopping without kids, etc.). It was nice, despite the hot weather, we had the a/c and the pool to keep cool.

Sammy was such a big boy and went down the slide all by himself!! He absolutely loved it and didn't want to get out of the pool. He is growing up so fast!

I am a total loser and didn't take any pictures (I didn't even take the camera, sigh), so no new pics. I really am trying to be better about taking more pictures...oh well.