So we all know what a disaster our first attempt at potty training was. I don’t even like to think of that November weekend. It makes me want to curl up in the fetal position and rock in the corner, listening to The Smiths.

So when daycare asked me to just bring the boys to school in underpants, I was understandably a bit nervous. We agreed that we’d start on Monday. I told the boys, and they seemed excited about it.

So Monday rolls around, and Oliver and Linus happily put on Thomas underpants. Miles refused. Whatever, I was fine with that. Either his teacher at daycare could try to get him in them, or we’d let him PT later.

Before we left for school, Oliver had an accident. No biggie. We get to school, and when I go to pick them up, I only had five pairs of pants to clean. Not bad for two kids! (As it turns out, Miles refused to wear them altogether.)

But they wouldn’t use the potty at home. There was another accident, but then we did bathtime, and I put diapers on them (with some relief, to be honest.)

Tuesday rolls around. Linus had an accident. Miles is still refusing to wear them. I bring them to school, and I come home with only three pairs of soiled pants. Woot!

After we get home, I ask Linus and Oliver to sit on their potties. They do, and nothing happens. Finally Oliver indicates that he wants to stand and use the toilet.

What? They were using the toilet standing up at daycare? This is news to me. I just assumed they were sitting. I thought that’s how everyone taught boys to pee. Guess not!

So (yes, I know I start too many paragraphs with “so”. So what?) I stand Oliver up at the toilet, and whaddya know, he pees! And then Linus does! I reward them with a piece of candy (look, I know my kids, and sugar works. Whatever.) and by the time we’re getting ready for bed, there have been NO accidents!

And then this morning…Linus and Oliver both peed in (okay, and around – we need to work on aim) the toilet.

Woot! I guess they just weren’t ready before! Or, they wanted to stand up, and just didn’t tell me.

(Now, I’m still waiting for a Numero Dos accident at home. Dreading, in fact. Blech.)

Sorry I don’t have any pictures to illustrate this post. Instead, I’ll post this one of the four of us at the zoo on Saturday. How’s that?

oh, and this picture of Miles on the “pink duck”

oh, and this one, also of Miles.

Okay, and Linus eating spaghetti.

Well, I can’t leave Ollie out!

Let’s start with Saturday…

I dropped the boys off at Granny & Grandpa’s and then headed to the northshore to meet my friends Ren and Martha for lunch, and to help prepare for the Fancy Dinner Party Ren was hosting that evening. We spent the day decorating (the table was all crystal, glass, and candles, v pretty)

and making up fake snooty names for everyone

and cooking. (Okay, my back was hurting, so I didn’t really help cook.)

Then everyone came and we ate and drank and hung out and had loads o’ fun. We were terribly klassy, dahling.

On Sunday, we went and got brunch, then I headed home. I got up early on Monday to go walking with friends (5.4 miles, thankyouverymuch) before I had an appointment with the orthopedist for my back. The doctor thinks I have a herniated disc, so I’ll be getting an MRI tomorrow to confirm that, and then possibly a cortisone injection in my back, I think. Hopefully that will work. Fingers crossed.

I went and saw Country Strong after the doctor’s appointment, just because I like going to the movies. It wasn’t great, but I did get free popcorn, so I won’t complain. I went to pick up the boys after that, and we headed to a friend’s house to play. She has two boys, 3 and 5, and they are pretty much the cutest kids ever. I was tempted to swap one of mine out for one of hers, but I didn’t think George (or she) would appreciate that. Hmm.

Our new friends have cool toys.

Working hard!

So that was about it. A nice fun, and somewhat relaxing weekend.