Murphy always wins, sort of.

Yesterday was probably one of the best days I've had being Joel and Kaeden's mom... not perfect, but a reall  y fun/great day.  I can see the light at the end of the toddler tantrum tunnel these days and I believe it's gonna be a fun one, someday soon.

For those unaware, we've been potty training for oh, a lifetime now (really I believe about four months).  Kaeden is pretty much done, he gets it.  He wears a diaper to sleep but overall is totally good to go throughout the day (even naptime--he has his own little potty in his room).  Joel is totally different.  He doesn't independently ask when he has the urge--he still has to be scheduled (though is willing and tries every time you say "let's try to go pee pee on the potty).  Joel does not poop on the potty, ever.  He will run off into a corner and be private about his defecation... he doesn't warn you or ask for a diaper even, he just goes.  The other night I took the boys to a McDonald's with a monsterous play land.  They LOVED it.  When they are usually "I'll eat then play" kind of kids--I couldn't get them to stop and eat... they were far too busy.  Well, Joel had a #2 accident before we went in and lost his underpants (because they were dirty and I didn't have a change of clothes).  While playing in the tubes I noticed him grabbing his pants and pulling them back behind his butt.  He'd soiled his pants (after the first incident) and it was EVERYWHERE.  I was livid.  I didn't have more clothes--so I took him out of the restaurant covered in MY coat.  He was devistated because there was no way he could continue playing in that play area.  The ride home (was about an hour) he was hysterical, crying, screaming, begging even to go back.  I told him--we will not go to another McDonald's play land until you start to poop in a potty!! 

Two days later, my boy, came up to me and said "McDonald's today!!"  I told him no, because he hadn't pooped in a potty yet.  He said "I poo poo in potty", and ran to the bathroom.  And... he did, right there.  For the first time at home, he pooped in that toilet like he had been doing it for years.  It was amazing.


After that, I packed the boys up and we went to church so I could speak to a group about our adoption through foster care story.  It was a great time and I love to tell the story of how God worked through our lives even in the depths of our despair and depression to make us parents of these two amazing little boys (and how we had the opportunity to love the little girl we fostered and were blessed enough to see her return to her very loving mother--who continues to allow us contact if we choose).  It was a great time.

When I picked the kids up from the daycare at church, they decided to run into a field where they both know they're not supposed to go (because there's no way but to chase them down to catch them--I can't corner them, hah).  They wouldn't come and each time I ran to get them they'd dart different ways, etc.  So, I told them I was going to McDonald's and if they didn't want to come they didn't have to.  I got into the car, they stood watching.  I turned the ignition on.  They again, stood watching.  I put the car into gear, not a movement.  I backed up and began toward my "exit" of the parkinglot (of course, watching them the whole time.  They both ran like crazy after the car.  I stopped about six stalls down from where I was parked and got them in the car.  Score.  One mom, Kids zero.  Joel kept saying "mommy's come back, no go away!"  Trickery, and yes, I'm very proud that I scored one over on two toddlers!

(seriously, you don't know them, they're trickery double teamed)

McDonald's was great.  Joel said he had to go "pee pee potty" and so we all went.  They played, Joel ate SIX chicken nuggets, fries, and apples.  Kaeden was more a usual suspect with the two nuggets and his little fries as well as the bag of apples.  They played hard, and had a great time.  Overall a very easy and fun visit.  No serious complications.

After McDonald's we had a few errands to run, but it was overall kind of fun. Sams Club with toddlers.. perfect portions for them :)  And, because it is so close to Thanksgiving/Christmas, they had several types of samples to try... macaroni and cheese, ham, potatoes, beef roast, wine (though not so much for the boys on that one :P).  It was great.  And besides the experience watching ourselves make silly faces and bang into things with the security camera's we did great (me not snapping on the boys and the boys being well behaved). 

After Sams Club we went to this restaurant that advertises "Kids Eat Free!!"  and figured it was a family restaurant (was a restaurant I felt was adult specific, but hey if you advertise stuff to parents about bringing their kids... it turns it into a family experience, no?)  The first booth they put us in was upstairs and the wall next to us was more loft like--had no protection from the level below (as in, the wall was as high as the table).  The boys threw everything they could get their hands on down below (thankfully there was no one sitting back there).  When the fear began to hit that the boys themselves could want to jump down that--we moved.  The next booth had a television but it was set to music videos and you couldn't change the channel :(  So my very tired children began acting up.  They were mostly silly obnoxious, but it was irritating regardless.  When we had finished eating I begged for the check.  As that came I stood up to get my wallet and keys out of my purse and Joel took it upon himself to follow my lead.  What I didn't realize was that our booth was next to (and by next to, I mean you step out and one foot would be half on the floor and half not) stairs.  Joel tumbled down those stairs, backwards, onto his head/neck.  My poor baby.  I'm crying as I write this because as a mom you just never want to see your child hurt... and not hurt in a serious manner. 

He was hysterical, and I was horrified.  I didn't knwo what to do or how to fix it.  I just held him, rubbing his back.  After about ten minutes of crying I asked him where he had owies.  He pointed to his neck.  His neck?!  No.... please God no.  So, off to the ER we went (thankfully daddy was getting home from work, so he picked up Kaeden).  It turned out to be muscle related, but that time in the ER was precious... to see this little boy, my baby, acting like such a big boy.  Nurses would ask him "what happened" and he said "I fall out a booth down stairs get owie my neck".  ...that same child who didn't talk a year ago.  He was precious.  He hung out initially in the chair next to me to tell his tale.  He later decided he wanted to get into the bed.  He crawled up into it and pulled the gown up over him and said "it blanket Mommy".  He then told me he was going night night.  Poor kid was tired, and trying to sleep on a gurney. 

So, that was my day... and I'm praying for calm today.  I'm looking forward to low-key, home stuff.  Daddy had to go back to work and may not have a day off until we leave for our trip later this week.  And, that's okay.  Because we have Daddy exclusively for ten days after that.  "Yay!"

Have an amazing Thanksgiving... and God bless.
Joel and Kaeden's usually frazzled and overtired Mommy :)