Bella is quickly learning to use the toilet. She is dry most days. She’s been in pan*ties for a week and only had two accidents. (She’s two years and 3 weeks old.)

She generally poops in her crib when she wakes up from her nap before she changes out of her pull-up. She’s gone in the toilet by fluke a few times, but generally has no interest.

Last week she was standing by the dining room bookshelf and I heard grunting so I grabbed her and ran to the bathroom. When I took off her pants, I saw that she’d pooped in her pan*ties and slipped out a very quiet “Oh, crap.”

Fast forward to today…

She woke up dry from her nap and peed in the toilet. I asked her if she had to poop and she said “Not yet.” When I asked her what she would do if she felt poop coming, she said…

“I’ll poop in the toilet, and then you’ll say CRAP!”

Oy.

I can’t even tell you how much I need a long weekend. I’m not even close to getting everything done that I needed to get done this weekend. I was going to have all of the Christmas presents wrapped and I haven’t even started. I did, however, take my babes swimming Friday with friends instead of doing the grocery shopping.

Saturday morning we went to a town nearby for the annual Santa Claus Parade – our second time going – and the kids had an absolute blast. Primo shouted at “Merry Christmas” at everything that went by ~ “Merry Christmas horse!” “Merry Christmas dog!” “Merry Christmas truck!” We thought the highlight was going to be Santa at the end, but he looked at me and said “but where”s the real Santa? At the North pole, right?” Yeesh. He’s too clever for his own good sometimes. We had the kids all bundled in snowsuits & boots because of the chilly wind and they were toasty except their hands & cheeks. I wore Sorels and Hot Chilis (long johns for winter running) and my winter running shirt under my parka so I was fine, but the Big Guy was chilly in his hiking boots & jeans. We always take Timmy Ho’s out with us so we were all well fed & happy. I don’t let my kids eat candy – particularly candy that’s been on the road – but that didn’t bother them at all. They agree about the whole “food on the road” thing.

After the parade we took Bella home for a nap and Primo & I went to Costco to get some groceries and then to the big Christmas craft show where I bought Bella hair pretties to match her Christmas outfit and Primo spent his money on treats for the dogs. Too sweet. He’s incredibly kind & thoughtful for a three year old sometimes. He loudly interrupted a busy woman at her booth to say “Can you please make a coffee for my Mom?” because he thought we’d waited long enough. And wait until you see his letter to Santa – what he asked for was too cute, and he saved himself for last without me even telling him to ask for things for anyone else. Love that kid, man. I’ll post both of the kids’ letters later this week.

Random Interjection: Bella only peed in her diaper twice all weekend (except during sleeping hours). Whee!

My friend was in town for a quick supper so I dropped Primo off & ran out to meet her & her fiance at BP’s, & then rushed home again for bedtime. After student-led conferences two evenings this week (after school one day and at bedtime another day) and a dinner out with my staff on Friday I’d missed enough quality hours with my babies so it was time to get home and stay home. Saturday night was cuddle time. Sunday morning brought a little Christmas photo session in the living room so I can change out the photos in our entryway frame (results below) and then…I can’t remember what we did for the rest of the day. How is that possible?