It's the newest installment of .... Some of My Favorite Things! I noticed there was a new party store going in beside our mall. It wasn't until I went in to grab some items for treat bags, that I was introduced to the wonder and amazement of this store. Colors, party supplies, candy.....not my usual draw. But, this place makes me happy because I love to throw parties (aside from jewelry ones...;) Backyard BBQ's, Cinco de Mayo, Superbowl.....it's fun, right? There is anything and everything you could want,to throw such functions. Because we don't use paper products so much, it's the extra accessories that really float my boat. *The treat bags were for Ally's teacher. Because the kids have had to work hard for the OAA tests, she likes to put together treat bags to reward them. Some of you may have heard of the less than acceptable attempts at gardening I've encountered. This year will be different. I started my seeds with this little contraption. They took OFF! I've had to replant them, and am anxiously awaiting the day that I can put those suckers into the ground! Spinach, okra, peppers, tomatoes, peas........yummmmm!!! Not that I have a hard time getting Viv to eat fruit, but when she wants a "Popsicle", this is a great alternative to the pure sugar ones. They come in tubes and freeze just like a Popsicle.

Thank you, Mom, for teaching me to sew. And, for getting me a sewing machine. In addition to the curtains that can be whipped out in an hour, I have also been burning up the 'ol Elna with Dylan's baseball pants that needed hemming and taking in Jay's tuxedo shirt.

Vivian's 2!!

Notice the wardrobe change?? Our neighbor, Micki, got her a dress and Dora sunglasses, so of course she had to change! Then, she proceeded to go catch frogs and fish while wearing the pretty dress. After that, she stripped it off and tried to jump into the pond.

All of Viv's best friends in the world were at the party....Max, Jay, Ally, Dylan, Triston, Brylinn and Satchel(not including cousins). She was princess for a day and loved every minute of it.

And so it begins................

The coronation of my princess and her potty.

I wasn't really ready for this. It's not good timing, you see.

Too much going on right now, to start the potty-training process.

And yet, here we are - in the midst of the potty, the treats, the big-girl pants......damn her and her independence.

Since Viv's only turning 2 on Sunday, I wasn't in a hurry to get this started. I figured summer would be a good time to increase her awareness to the joys of peeing in the potty. However, little miss "I'll do it myself", began taking her own diaper off several weeks ago. It's now become a game -an obsession, is more like it. After having my sweet toddler bring me turds, in her hands, three times in one day, I made a rule. If you take your diaper off, you have to sit on the potty. That goes for anyone in my house. But, for now, it's just Viv who is abusing it. Several times, there is an effort made to "go" on the potty, only to, then, pee on the floor- 2 minutes later. But, within the last several days, most of the pee-pee is going into the potty, where it should be. Yay!

The thing is, there are some big changes coming to the Schreiber household, soon. I am afraid this new venture will get lost in the shuffle of parental roles and schedules being shifted. I suppose we will do the best we can and let nature take it's course. I'm just hoping nature doesn't end up on my kitchen floor, anymore.