Wee-Wee Watch!
After putting it off from the original start day of Thursday due to a stressful last week or so, today was PT Day. That's right Potty Training Day!
As hubby was around today, I decided that there was safety in numbers and that we were going to go for it! It's one of the things on my 'Things to do this Summer' list, so I have to crack on. I want to potty-train my child, not have my mum do it when I'm back in work. Those words might come back to haunt me if he doesn't settle down to it soon. I can see me on the first day of school passing over three potties, 40 pants and The Boy and begging her to do it! No, I mustn't concede defeat so quickly!
I downloaded a couple of apps for the iPod, as I thought it might help to have a way of recording the times he went in order to create a prediction chart. Surely that's fairly simple? Apparently not. Out of the three that I downloaded (Huggies Potty Trainer, I Love Potty and Potty Predict) none of them did what I wanted them to do. I Love Potty only allows your child to record 8 visits and an additional 4 deposits. Yeah right! Huggies Potty Trainer will allow you to set a reminder for every 30 minutes to tell the child to 'go' but no smaller an interval of time. It also allows the parent to record if the child went, tried or didn't attempt, but not if they had an accident! Potty Predict appears to be quite good as it allows you to record drinks, successes and accidents, but doesn't reset to the main menu easily. We ended up with a hand-drawn chart to record times, successes and accidents.
The day went quite well I think; 3 accidents and 24 successes. The first accident happened after the first hour when he was concentrating on television and didn't even realise what was happening. The second was about an hour later and he didn't know he needed to go, the third was 20 minutes after dinner and hubby had lost track of time so forgot to ask him if he needed to go. The progress was interesting, first one he was completely oblivious and looked at his wet pants in bemusement; by the third he actually watched it happen a little shocked. He's starting to realise that he's wetting. Next step is prevention!
I know 24 successes sound like a lot, but we were sitting him on the potty every 15 minutes or so because at the moment any longer and he has an accident.
We've also not left his tippy cup out for him to have ready access to which I'd read somewhere else, he had a big drink at specific times and then went on the potty 15-20 minutes later.
What will Day Two bring? Hopefully less accidents, but a deposit is on the cards. Yuck!
This blog has some great tips.
Saturday 13th August 2011 – 'Plastic Surgery' (225/365)
Friday 12th August 2011 – 'Sunflowers' (224/365)
The Magic Man
When I was growing up, during the summer months, we would be host-families for European students. As a family with four children in it, it was an easy income for my mum and, as we couldn't afford to go abroad, a great experience to meet teenagers from Italy, Spain, France, Romania, Germany, Holland, Norway, and sometimes Japan too! At one point we nick-named ourselves United Nations!
After a few years, we progressed to hosting the teachers on these trips and one year we had a gentle, German giant come to stay with us. He was actually training to be a high-school teacher and this was good experience for him. Now he was at the time, only a few years older than me and a real laugh so I will admit to temporarily developing a small crush on him. This quickly dissipated when he lived with us for his gap year overseas as part of his studies. Nothing can put you off a man quicker than living with him.
The summer after he stayed with us for a year, he returned to stay with us for the usual three weeks of the summer and it coincided with my birthday. We had a barbecue to celebrate with my friends and he did what he does best: MAGIC!
This was well over 10 years ago and, although mum stopped having foreign students soon after, we have remained in contact. Every Summer he returns to now lead the trips with his students and even though they stay over 50 miles away, he always comes and has a meal with the entire family. From the first time he stayed with us, he has seen our family grow to include two husbands and three little ones. He has settled down and got married a few years ago.
His magic has developed, he now does shows for children and is really good at it. Last year, my nephew was captivated by his magic, and has spent the entire year declaring that if something is broken we must call 'The Magic Man' to fix it!
Last Monday, The Magic Man visited for the evening again. This year to my mum and dad's new house. With him on the coach he had brought three suitcases: one for his clothes, two of his magic tricks. He treated us to a brilliant magic show which lasted an hour! In the end, I had to stop him as I had no more space on the Flip Cam! As usual, he had us all captivated, and while I know how he does a few of the tricks because he has either shown me or practised them with me, there were some that are a complete mystery to all of us!
Unfortunately, this may well be the last year that we see him for a few years. Happily for him and his wife, they are having their first child and he probably won't do the trips again for some time. We may be able to visit him in Germany in the future, but for the meantime we'll have to stick with e-mails, texts and Facebook! It's lovely to see how we have grown up together and created our own families now.
I'd like to leave you with an extract of the magic show so you can appreciate The Magic Man.
Our Holiday in Tweets
I thought rather than go for the bog standard recount; I'd present my week in an alternative manner! (I may have used selective editing)
Saturday 30 July 2011
07:05 Morny. And so begins the mad panic of 'it's 2hrs til wr go on holiday', only I'm too tired, so sod it
07:15 Oh God, I'm so tired!
12:46 Stressed hr in the M5 service station. Didn't know we were going to be stopping, least of all for lunch. Could have been there by now!
14:28 Yeah baby! Holiday!
16:22 Trying to not be ungrateful but finding it very hard. My mum has already done the food shopping without consulting me.
16:23 Including buying jars for 10m+ for my 2yo. Incredibly p*ssed off that she's done this when we said we were going to go shopping together!
16:25 I know she's trying to help but I run my own family my way, 10yrs since I lived at home. I do things differently now
22:15 First day of holiday has seen so many mini-strops, it's like bloody Dynasty around here. Tomorrow I don my best Krystal Karrington smile!
22:29 Off to be sociable with the Grumpy Bunch for half an hour.
Sunday 31 July 2011
00:07 I have my dad inordinately happy by spending 3/4 of an hour playing dominoes #gooddaughter
00:17 There's moths. Everywhere. And bloody bats. I don't like flying things…
00:18 Night twitter
00:18 Can no longer type straight. I give up
06:13 Worst night ever because of not being our bed, cot, rooms, temperature etc. Knackered
06:57 Sod it, may as well have brekkie in peace and quiet
07:10 I'm sat in the conservatory on my own. No other bugger is awake. Grrr, getting bored
10:55 God my mother is touchy! Never realised how much. Now how would I cajole a 10yr old? Will it work on a 66yr old?
17:37 Chesil beach
23:25 Off to see a certain little lady pig and her family tomorrow. Return visit for us, let's hope this set of grandparents behave themselves
Monday 1 August 2011
06:49 Morny. Peppa Pig World today, wahoo
07:09 The Boy woke up at 6.30. He wanted Nana and Grandad so I may have quietly shown him the way…
10:47 Thanks everyone. I don't understand why my site won't load when it is on my phone @maft
16:19 Peppa Pig World is serious fun when you have grandparents who take part
23:41 Right. 2bed/2bathroom apartment aimed at families? You'd expect one of those 'bath'rooms to have an actual bath? Yes? No? Just me? Ok then
Tuesday 2 August 2011
14:33 It has just taken four men to fold down our pop-up beach tent. Hilarious! I think this should be a new form of beach emtertainment!
14:36 A saxophone was playing on the promenade in Lyme Regis while we built sandcastles, ate chips and got sand everywhere. Very atmospheric
14:40 The Boy is sat in his car-seat very seriously. He has just declared, "I eaten my ice-cream." I agree sweetie.
14:49 And now he's asleep
19:15 Eating his tea al fresco watching people on a picnic bench "those people are eating their tea" shhh "they can't hear me nana! Those people sing twinkle, twinkle little star"
Wednesday 3 August 2011
07:10 #badnightcoffeeclub That is all I have to say
14:41 Spent the morning in the local market town's market. The Boy refused to eat his lovely lunch and is now comatosed on the bed.
14:42 Why don't toddlers eat as well when on holiday? It's the most stressful thing! I feel like my mum is glaring at me when he refuses
15:02 Can I just commend @maft? My blog may have gone down on & off due to transfer from server, but he has worked relentlessly to fix it!
17:55 Things that annoy me: PRs who will not get the message that no I will not host something for nothing
21:10 The atmosphere this evening is horrendous; you could cut it with a knife. No-one's talking to anyone, might bugger off to bed in a moment
23:33 It is widdling it down here. That's fine as long as it's finished by morning!
Thursday 4 August 2011
00:07 It is really widdling it down here. Our bedroom opens out onto the conservatory which is really noisy from the raindrops on the roof
05:35 Morny. It's torrential outside & so windy. Not sure if it's rain or the sea pelting againat the conservatory #coastalcottage
05:52 I'm starving! Have eaten 3 crunch creams but they've not taken the edge off it
06:00 I might attempt this sleep nonsense again.
18:30 "I've got my seat-belt on". The Boy's understanding of grammar is developing daily and astounds me.
22:26 I have spent an hour trying to get a connection on the laptop through the wireless tethering & 3G on my phone! Grrrr! I miss wireless
22:59 Finally I have a connection to the Internet! I am currently sat on the toilet (don't worry the lid's down!) editing my 365! #dedicated #mad
23:11 Last night, The Boy looked out at the stormy sea highlighted with Neptune's waves & shouted 'Iggle-Piggle!' He could see him sailing to bed
Friday 5 August 2011
06:52 Morny! A beautiful penultimate day here in Dorset (but I still haven't had a cream tea!)
10:37 "The sky box is open mummy!" He means sun roof!
17:15 I kid you not, my mum has just phoned from the car behind to tell hubby to let the car coming up to overtake. Seriously!
17:58 I need a holiday to recover from this one #extendedfamilyholidays
20:53 I love her, I love him but God I've had enough of them. I don't think I can do this holiday again.
21:06 See that's what happens; you go away for a week on holiday and no-one tweets you.
21:58 I wish the child upstairs who is screaming about wanting a story would be given one. If he wakes The Boy up I'm going to clock his parents.
Saturday 6 August 2011
06:32 Morny. It's too early but this is good in a way: got to pack up & get out by 10.30!
07:45 Right, toys in car (most of them) cotbed down, duvet/pillows folded, clothes packed. Time to shower then try fitting it all back in my car
07:46 If we ever have another child, we're going to need an Espace not a Scenic. Some MPVs aren't as big as you'd think!
10:18 Family friendly cafe/restaurant in Bridport. Has an indoor play area and everything! 'Generations'
10:43 It is so hard to find a coffee shop where people don't sneer at your little one playing, to find one that has a play area.
14:21 Right settle an argument for hubby & me: pleb or plebb? #trafficjamonM5 #bored
14:25 Worried now that pleb/plebb is an un-pc term… off to check t'Internet
14:27 Phew, ok. Not.
14:40 Oh my word, 4th gear & 50 miles an hour #excitement #trafficjamonm5
16:59 Ha, take that motorways! You shall not defeat me
18:50 We have feasted on cheese, french bread, dough balls and onion rings. #comfortfood #knackeredaftertravelling #needaholidaytorecover
Thursday 11th August 2011 – 'Lounging Around' (223/365)
Colour and Win with Orchard Toys.
I am a massive fan of Orchard Toys and have been lucky enough to review several of their products, as well as buying them or having them passed down to me. The Boy has learnt how to do 24 piece jigsaws because of their progressive jigsaws (like the Nursery Rhymes jigsaw), and as well as being bright and attractive, they are robust, made from FSC cardboard and are British made.
They are currently running a competition to win one of their most popular products, the beautiful Teddy Bears' Picnic jigsaw. This 15-piece jigsaw is a really lovely example of their work and they are running three classes of the competition: 3 and under; 4 to 5 years and electronically coloured (in a paint programme) 4-5 years.
If you pop over to the product page, you'll find a colouring page which you can print off for your children to colour in. Alternatively there is an electronic image that your little ones can colour in and send back to them.
For more detailed information about the competition, click here.
Closing date is August 31st 2011, so you have plenty of time.
A FABulous Offer
A few months ago I reviewed a new range of skincare products called First Aid Beauty. First Aid Beauty is the sell-out, must-have, chatshow-loved brand created by a hugely competent and well-known beauty expert Lilli Gordon, and is available in Boots stores nationwide and online at www.boots.com (has a growing waiting list).
What's different about this range is that it is a fragrance free brand which is suitable for universal beauty concerns as well as the needs of sensitive and problem skin. Now trust me, I have hyper-sensitive skin; treatments from doctors have seen allergic reactions before. I used to clean my face with a baby wipe and water. Since reviewing FAB, I will only use the FAB Facial Cleanser (£13) to wash my face with. And it lasts and lasts! I use a pea-sized amount which when mixed with a little water creates a lovely creamy-wash, leaving my face feel refreshed; not taut, not dry, just clean.
The other item that I use relentlessly is the 5in1 Face Cream with SPF30 (RRP £28). I suffer from Chloasma (that lovely brown discolouration usually associated with pregnancy and hormones) and this can be made worse in the sun. I know we're not inundated with it at the moment, but I wear this every day at the moment as a precaution. It's not oily and is absorbed well, allowing my make-up to sit on top of it with no problem. I usually burn around my hairline and it's not happened once since using this. Again, you only need the slightest amount of this, I use a half-pump and it does my entire face and ears!
I'm not able to offer a give-away for these at the moment, but I can tell you about a Fabulo (no, I can't do it!) really good offer at the moment! If you pop over to the First Aid Beauty UK Facebook page and 'like' it, then you will receive £5 off when you spend over £20 on FAB at www.boots.com. It's a great opportunity to stock up on some of the other products in the range, I'm beginning to feel like I need the Detox Eye Roller after the last few weeks lack of sleep!
Offer ends on 14th August 2011.
Ten things you don't know about ME…
I think I've done one of these before, certainly something similar. However, Helen from The Crazy Kitchen has tagged me because she wants to know more about me. Who am I to refuse such a fantastic friend and baker extraordinaire?
So ten things you don't know about me! Um…
- I've been vegetarian for 13 years. I've always maintained that I miss tuna mayonnaise a great deal, until I accidentally bit into The Boy's sandwich last week and had to spit it out pronto. I'm not going to test my memory of steak or cold turkey sandwiches in Christmas Day; I like to have that memory of the turkey melting the butter into the bread.
- I sat the entrance exam for, passed and received an assisted place to go to a private girls school. I spent seven years there; six of them were very happy, the final was hell on Earth as I was bullied mercilessly. I sat my 'A' levels in a room on my own as I refused to go back to school from the Easter onwards.
- I once tried smoking but had no idea how to inhale so held the smoke in my mouth before slowly releasing it. It came to a head one night when I was so inebriated that I couldn't understand why the cigarette was on fire. I'd lit the wrong end.
- I now teach in the same primary school that I went to as a child.
- I will have been married ten years in November.
- I got married in a castle.
- I once scratched an apostrophe into the sign of a local wine bar.
- I descend from a Polish Jew.
- I'm incredibly insecure and lacking in self-esteem.
- My name! Ha!
I now tag the following lovely ladies:
This originated at Me and my Kiddywinks
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