Lil' Tropper

Awhile ago I decided to embrace the summer and buy a pool pass to our local recreation center. It works nicely because it is walking distance so it allows me to get out of the house for a few hours while I'm still carless. Today I was trying to get Jane to get in the stroller but she had her heart set on walking her own stroller with her Barbie in it. I was highly against the idea because I knew she would maybe walk to the end of the street and then insist on getting in the big stroller thus leaving me with her stroller to cart around. I tried to reason with her but she persisted and won. I was throughly amazed when she walked all the way to the pool pushing her stroller not even making a complaint. One the way home I thought for sure she would want to ride in the stroller but she was certain she was going to walk home as well. We did take the short cut on the way back which does involve a hill with weeds and mud but she made it yet again without a peep. I was so proud of her especially since we had done the same walk with my nieces a week ago and half way home they asked, "How much further? It's too hot!"

Here is Jane reaching the top of the hill

She really wanted to pose

4 th of July

We woke up on 4th of July and decided we didn't want to spend anytime at home. We had plans to go to Highlands Ranch for a BBQ in the evening so we decided to best utilize our gas and make a day up there. We stopped off at the Woods to drop our food off and pick up Andrew and Hailey to take them to the splash park. The kids had a blast playing in the water.



Then we went back to the Woods so the kids could nap while I went with Johanna shopping. I haven't stepped foot in a Walmart or Target since California. It was so nice just to meander through a store and find things I wanted to buy. I really need to get out more.

Jane and Daddy were so tired while Reynolds had endless fun trying to eat the toolbox

We enjoyed a BBQ with lots of great food. Thanks Woods for hosting!! The evening was topped of with the Highlands Ranch fireworks show that Andrew was pretty disappointed in. Andrew whatever happen to the blog post you were going to write about firework shows? Jane loved to watch and would say, "I catch it" as the flares would fall to the ground. I hope everyone had a good 4th.

Thanks To Viewers Like You

After my toilet training poll closed with a grand total of 15 (I think, it could even be less I don't remember) votes, 12 being to get started and 3 being don't do it (which I know two where from me) I decided last Monday to take the plunged and do it. After Jane woke up from her nap on Monday I put the big girl panties on went for it. I wanted to say thanks to every one who left comments. I pretty much used everyones advice and made my own potty training program. I think Jane had a total of four real accidents only two of them in the house. By Friday we were pretty much done with the reminders to pee all the time and Saturday we ventured out into the community and have done such sense. I think she was defenitly ready! Thanks again for all the encouragement because to be honest there is no way I would have done it without it. I pretty much thought there was no way. Way to go Jane!!! If anybody is interested in Sarah's 31/2 day potty training method let me know and I will share what worked for us.

I thought I would put a random pic of the kids with Renny's cool dude smile. It's the only recent picture I have of them.

Happy Belated Birthday Andrew

I tried to post this on Andrew's birthday but when you are borrowing somebody's else's camera you kind of have to work on their schedule. Thanks Christy soooooo much even though I just about killed Jane getting this video. This was my first take but I knew she could do better. After several different takes of her saying "no" "my camera" "happy birthday to Reynolds" I decided to preserve her life and just stick with take one (she was doing all of it on purpose just to get her mom fired up).