potty time

Today's Quote: "Do it now. It is not safe to leave a generous feeling to the cooling influences of the world." — Thomas Guthrie

I was going to say that I haven't felt much like writing lately, but that's not entirely true.  In fact, I have felt like writing.  But every time I try I find myself fumbling to find the right words.  I type, re-think, delete, and begin again.  It feels like trying to tell a story with a bad case of the hiccups.  I can only get a few words out at a time.  I'm not sure what this struggle is all about, but I do know that it's frustrating.  I still identify as a writer, yet I do so little actual writing.  It's disconcerting.  (You see, it's as though I no longer trust myself.  I second guess everything I write.  Immediately after writing that last sentence I went directly to dictionary.com to check the meaning of "disconcerting".  Just to make sure that I'd used the word correctly -- which, of course, I had.)  Can somebody please tell me why I am suddenly doubting my ability to compose a clear sentence?  (It's a rhetorical question.  I don't actually expect an answer.  Although if you think you know the answer, then by all means feel free to share.)

Jack and Chloe are both home from their respective camps.  (Their sleep-away camps, that is.)  They both had a really good time.  Glenn and I often ask ourselves how we ended up with such brave kids?  Neither of us would have willingly gone off to a residential camp hours from home when we were their age.  If I'd even considered going it would have been only on the condition that a good friend were coming along with me.  (And even then it's unlikely that I would have actually gone!)  But Jack and Chloe are completely unfazed by the whole thing.  This was Jack's third year at Ferry Beach, so he knew many of the other campers.  This was Chloe's first time at  Girl Scout Camp, so she didn't know anyone.  But she made friends.  Her favorite part of camp was that she got to ride a dappled horse named Ian.  Her least favorite part of camp was the swimming.  Chloe, of course, loves to swim.  However, at camp they were required to wear bathing caps, which she loathed.  (Bathing caps!  Who besides Olympic swimmers wears a bathing cap anymore??)  Also, after one particular swim she attempted to brush a "stick" from her leg, only to discover that the stick wouldn't brush off.  It was stuck on quite well, because in fact it was not a stick, but a leech.  Eeeew.  Jack apparently awoke every morning at 6:30 AM to take part in Polar Bear Swim.  I'm amazed because at home he seldom gets up before 11:00 AM, and he hardly ever swims in our pool.  I suppose swimming in the ocean super early in the morning with a bunch of friends is different though.  He's spent the past few days emailing and chatting with Ferry Beach friends, all of them lamenting the fact that camp is over.  Chloe started a new day camp today through the Y.  It's called Detective Camp, and I think she likes it, although she complained that the two other kids on her team bug her because "one is a know-it-all and the other doesn't do anything".  Whatever that means.  I guess the verdict is still out.  Next week I am facilitating an art camp at the Y.  It sounded like a great idea when I agreed to it six months ago.  Now I'm wondering why the heck I always manage to get myself into these things!

In other news . . .

• I've been spending a lot of time playing on Face Book.  It's fun!
• I went to Plan B with Jenny tonight.  Finally.  We've only been talking about doing so for the past two years!
• Potty training is not going well.  Don't be fooled by the potty photos.  He might look like he's got it all figured out, but I can assure you that no actual poop or pee have made their way into the potty yet.
• I'm listening to the new David Sedaris book (on CD), When You are Engulfed in Flames, and thus far I'm not impressed.  Too bad.  I normally love David Sedaris.  Maybe my expectations are too high?
• Glenn needs to check his email, so I'm outta here!

 

Comments

[Jon]

Maybe it's the reading selection? Jimmy prefers Elmo over Clifford. Give it a shot!

[gina]

At this point, Jon, I'm willing to try anything! (Although my first choice would really be to ship him over to you guys for a few weeks and let Shelly work her magic!)

[Jayne]

Try having Casey wear a longer t-shirt and no bottoms/undies etc. It worked well with our three. Good luck!

[mary]

If he is an M&M fan, I remember that working well for a friend of mine's daughter. Go potty, get an M&M. I remember the nakey bottom being our method for the summer potty training, and regular sit downs, whether nature was calling or not.

Cute pictures! He'll hate those someday:)

[Katie]

Maybe the writing issue has to do with not getting enough feedback and it being public? I'm never as harsh with myself with journal type writing meant just for me, unless it's a poem, in which case it may be revised for several years and never seem right. But there was something about getting those A's with comments, some things I could do better, but an overall "great job" thing on my college papers, especially major ones that then went out for others to read. How's this. I give you an A+ on creativity, word use, grammar, and ability to capture the attention of somebody home with twins (one of whom is trying to steal powder to make it "snow"- although that was never a college category for grading, I believe it's important:-)

If it makes ya feel better I'm a potty training failure:-( The twins are not potty-ing. I have a bit of an excuse with Noah (growth delayed, anemic despite eating like a horse, weight of a one year old despite being taller and hiding it well with his baggy clothes Noah) - he's needs to see a ton of specialists, GI's, allergists, etc. because of his belly issues, and I have to get a medical note excusing him from the potty training requirement at school... blah. But he could still pee in there. And as for Abby, well I was using her delays as an excuse because they told me she wasn't ready, but her para has her going at her special ed. pre-school now, and she has yet to go for me. Blah. I have NO clue how to potty "train" - and the twins think it's an actual train by the way - they want to "ride the potty train" :-) My other kids just DID it, I dunno. They were ready, I gave them a potty, and so it went. I need potty training lessons. If you learn any secrets to success, please pass them in my direction as M&M's haven't worked, the naked thing isn't an option with Noah's stomach (ewww, don't ask) and even shiney prizes on top of the potty haven't gotten us anywhere. I do know I need to buy new little pottys though, because they just take theirpottys apart and wear them on their heads, and using the toilet seat insert just sets me up for them both insisting it's their turn "MY POTTY!" but still not going in it. Imagine the diaper savings? Imagine HOW MANY diapers each of us has changed at this point in our lives? I'm sooo ready to change the very last one!!! Have a great summer and say "hi" to your kiddos for our crew:-)