Unexpected Success

I was joking with Cooper as I got him dressed after a bath tonight.

You see, Aliza and I have been trying to get him "potty" trained. I never have liked that word... potty... Back to the story. We initially had a lot of success! He treated it as a great game and was happy getting small treats as a reward. But, Cooper can be a stubborn little guy. The treats haven't worked as they once did, and potty time is a battle.

Tonight, in a moment of brilliance, I mention to Cooper, "Hey, if you tell me you need to pee and then do it, I'll give you an ice cream cone." Cooper, in excitement, immediately starts running down the hallway (bare naked except for his diaper) yelling "Eyesceem Cone!" like only he can.

I figure there's no way this will happen. He's two! Two year old's don't think that way - in the complex, rationalizing, negotiating, reasoning kinda way. Plus, he hates (HATES!) sitting on the toilet. In a few days, he'll forget... that is if he even understood the concept. And he pee'd in shower, he doesn't have to go.

Remember, to get the ice cream, he has to tell us he needs to pee, then actually follow through.

"Daddy, go pee?"

No way.

"Daddy? Go pee; get eyesceem?"

Seriously? This isn't happening. It's only been 15 minutes!

I tell him, sure, no problem. We go to the bathroom, put him on the toilet... and. he. pees.

"Get EYESCEEM CONE!"

Damn.

-Rob

Happily eating his treat. Thanks, Nana, for having a well-stocked freezer!

Last Swim Practice

This past Friday was the girls last swim practice for the season.

Both did a fantastic job :)

I love watching my girls swim- watching the smiles on their faces is priceless.

 Madison had to complete a 20 minute no stop swim at practice- it was tough but she did it :)

 Listening to Coach Amy before the next swim

 Madison and her Lane

Looking forward to next seasons adventures and accomplishments

Winter is Here

and so is the SNOW!

This is going to be one long winter for sure- and the Sparkles are loving every minute of it.

Family Pictures 2013

The holidays are also a great time to take family picture... so we did.

Here are a few of my favorites

I love Cooper's Cheese Face 

 Stealing a quick kiss

 Madison- age 11 1/2 years old

 Like mother like daughter

 5 Sparkles :)

 Sisters and Cousins- (there is actually a picture of both boys- looking at the camera and being relatively happy but I think this one is funny.)

 See we don't always torture our sons

 Omi's Great Grandkids- I am not sure who is luckier- them or her :)

Cousin Thomas

With the holidays comes time with family and for us that means a visit from Aunt Beth, Uncle Sean and Cousin Thomas.

Everyone had a get a snuggle in

 Playing trains with Cooper

 Look how well they are sharing...

 Well, almost :)

 Taking a break

 Sweet Thomas- 11 months old

 Nothing beats a cuddle with Lillian

Pre-Thanksgiving

A sneak peek into Thanksgiving morning and before the feast activities...

Making bracelets on the rainbow loom in her mammies

 Watching the pies bake

 and of course watching a bit of TV on the iPad

 The off to outside to build up a BIG appetite.

 Pedaling for Dinner :)

Swim Meet #2

The girls are enjoying swim team this season and had their second meet of the season last Saturday.

Both girls did fantastic.

Photographer Daddy was there to capture their races.

Lillian was quite nervous before her first race.

 Getting ready

 On your mark, get set...

 Go Lilli Go

 Madison has shown such improvement in each of strokes. Its amazing to watch how much she has changed in her techniques.

 Swim team is not all work and no play. Enjoying time with her friend as they get ready for their next race.

 Just waiting

 Swim Team Sisters :)

 Madison completed a medley

 Who says you have to only swim in the water

 Wiggling her loose tooth while she waited

 Madison's turn

 Talking to the timer before their next race

Great job girls. Keep up the fantastic work.