Building, Birthday Cakes and Bare Butts

What could a post with that kind of title possibly be about? A cabin trip! This past weekend we went up to my parents cabin so Ryan could help my Dad build his wood shed. Ryan had this great idea to build my Dad a wood shed this summer, and then made the mistake of telling my Dad! Ryan poured the concrete a few weeks ago and then this weekend did the wood framing and roofing. My Dad is an aerospace engineer, not a construction engineer, so Ryan had to bite his tongue a few times, and let my Dad "Roger" the project. Ryan is a perfectionist, especially when it comes to building, and my Dad is the fastest, cheapest way kind of guy. From my untrained eye- it looks just fine, but Ryan would tell you otherwise!

So they worked all day Saturday on that, while I played with the kids and worked in the kitchen. Bridgett and Rob came up that night and brought Kate and Clark a 'Fudgy the Whale' birthday cake. I had never seen one before, but apparently they are pretty popular. It's an ice cream cake, and very (as Kate would say) Delicious! Bridgett and Rob spoil my kids, but I'm definitely ok with that. Kate is finally warming up to Rob and even let him hold her on the swing.

Now's the part you've been waiting for- what's the story about the bare butt? Well Kate and Clark have been intrigued with the toilet and potty training. Kate is doing much better than Clark, but Clark wants to so badly! He now just wants to sit on the toilet after Kate does, even though he doesn't do anything. So we've had some problems with Clark taking his diaper off. He doesn't undo the velcro, he just shimmy's out of it. Well Sunday after church, we came home and put them to bed. While they were sleeping we got all packed up to go, and ended up having to wake them up to leave. So when Ryan went to get Clark, this is what he found.......

Happy Birthday

Today is Kate and Clarks 2nd Birthday! Man, time flies. Some days are hard, but I am so grateful for the changes that have come into my life because of my 2 kids. I just wanted to take a minute today to tell them how much I love them and give and update on everything they are doing in thier little lives.

Kate:

Kate is like her Mom in that she loves to get up early and get started on the day. As soon as I get her out of her crib, she wants her jammies off and her clothes for the day on. She usually wakes up a good 1/2 hour before Clark everyday and I love the time we get to spend together just the two of us. Not that we do anything special, and sometimes she'll sit at the table with me while I study my scriptures and get ready to teach Sunday School. She is very loving and always has a 'baby' of some sort in her hands. One of her first words in sign language was 'baby'. If Clark is crying or upset, she will go find his buddy (blanket) and give it to him. She loves to gives hugs and kisses to Mom, Dad and just about anyone who asks. (as long as you are a girl or a grandpa!) She loves to sing songs, especially "Wheels on the Bus" and "Old McDonald". She learned all the motions to songs very quickly, as well as sign language.

Kate has a love/hate relationship with animals, especially dogs. She is always talking about them, loves to look at them in books and movies, but when it comes to seeing a dog up close, she is very afraid! Even little puppies she cannot pet. She has become accustomed to Paco's cats, and will pet them sometimes too.

She is the follower in her relationship with Clark. Whatever he does, she does too. This includes whatever toy he has, she wants; whenever Clark cries, she cries; or if Clark gets hurt, she needs a kiss on whatever part he got hurt on too! She has also learned how to be disobedient from Clark, but is quicker to obey than Clark.

Her favorites are: Animal : Elephant

Color : Doesn't have one

Person: Nancy or Ellen

Song: Wheels on the Bus

Thing to do: Swing

New vocabulary: Delicious! (it sounds so cute!)
Ephant monie (Elephant Movie, ie Baby Noah)

Poopoo Toilet ( I have to go poop!)
I love you Kate! Thanks for bringing your light into our home. I know that you and I will always be great friends.

Clark:

Clark is just a BOY! He is like his dad in that he loves to stay up late and cannot stand it if he can hear commotion and he's not a part of it. However, he is like his mom in that he needs lots of sleep at night and loves long naps! Clark is very into 'fixing' things. He has a tool set, and frequently has some tool in his hand and is fixing just about everything. He loves the 'big tools' that do the road construction. He even knows the difference between a Track Hoe, Dozer, Loader and a Dump Truck. ( I had to ask Ryan before I could teach him! So now I know the difference too) He loves to play outside in the dirt, and has to take a 'shovel' (aka spoon) with him. Just this morning they got a play kitchen for their birthday, and within 30 seconds he had found a big spoon and was heading out the back door!

He is a worker bee and is my best helper. He rakes the leaves outside and will even take the shovel and shovel the rocks. He loves to help me in the garden and would stay outside all day if I'd let him. Hence, he LOVES my Dad. I think they are kindred spirits. He asks to go to Nana and Paco's everyday. On days that we do get to visit, he finds Paco right away and leads him outside.

Clark does have a soft side too. He loves for Mom to hold him. He can be very snuggly at times and loves back rubs. He will even lift his shirt up for you, as it feels better on his bare skin! Just yesterday he woke up before Kate after their nap and we just sat in the rocking chair and talked. He is pretty good for a 2 year old with his language skills. He loves to talk and learn new words- so be careful what you say- he will repeat it!

He shares Kates loves for animals and apprehension with dogs!

His favorites are: Animals: Horses

Color: Yellow

Person: Paco/ Grandpa

Song: Old McDonald

Thing to do: Paco Mobile ride

New Vocabulary: 'Go where' (what he says when he is trying to get you to go somewhere with him)

'panamonie' (Panda movie ie Baby Noah)

'play dirt'

'my do it'

I love you Clark. Thanks for being who you are. You test me everyday, but I know that you love me too. Thanks for always being so happy and always giving me something to laugh about!

Potty Training

Kate just went poop in the toilet! I can't believe it. I have not tried at all to potty train her. She has been telling me over the past few weeks when she has pooped in her diaper, and has recently started telling me when she is about to poop. So the other day at my moms, she said she had to poop and we put her on the toilet, and nothing. So then today she told me she had to poop, and then said,"toilet". So I sat her down and what do you know- she acutally pooped! I know I should be thrilled, but this just means potty training- which I know nothing about. Plus I have to buy a little potty chair and panites and all that. Not to mention all the accidents that are bound to happen, and having to carry an extra set of clothes everywhere.
So I am soliciting help. If you have any suggestions as to how I can do this - please share! If you have any good books, movies, websites or anything that can educate me as to how to do this- I'd apprecate it! Thanks!