We got Snow

It has not snowed here in 4 years. We got 3 inches of snow on the gound and its still here. Luke was so excited when he got up today, he wanted to go out and make snow balls.

Our Trip to Baltimore

Keith had 5 days off starting the 12th. I was excited to drive to Baltimore and visit Keith's aunt and uncle, who I had not met. We were shocked Luke took right to Uncle Frank, and run up to him and sat on his lap. They live right on the water and a huge back yard with beach to play.While we were there we took Luke to the B & O railroad museum. Luke loved all the old engines and the hands on things. He was a little afraid when we got to go inside the cabs of the engines and look at all the gages and levers. Frank and Debby took us down to the harbor to walk around and for Keith to have crab cakes.

After some lunch, we went to the Science museum on the boardwalk. It is ranked one of the top 10 in parents magazine just in case you wanted to know. It was the best hands on museum I have ever been to. It had a whole floor for younger kids and a special area for 8 and younger. We took Luke up there first and that was not a good idea! We should of went to look at everything first then let him play and explore. It took us a while to get him out of there so we could see more of the museum. We had a good time and enjoyed digging for dinosaur bones. We look forward to making many more trips to Baltimore to visit Uncle Frank and Aunt Debby. Especially when the weather is warm and we can play on there beach and play in the water.

Luke turns 3

Luke couldn't wait to have his cake and put the candles on it. Spending 3 hours to make the cake was well worth every minute, when Luke took a big bite right out of the cake. Mommy and daddy got him a slide so we can play inside when is 28 degrees (like today) and there is a wind chill, so its more like 19 degrees. We went to Toysrus so he could spend his gift card from Aunt Cookie and Uncle Dave. If anyone knows Luke you would think he would of got a train, but he look at them and said he wanted a firetruck. A fire truck he got and an ambulance. Hummm, I wonder why he wanted a fire truck? It wouldn't because his daddy is a firefighter and he gets to see the fire trucks often, now is it?! After Toysrus, he wanted McDonald's so McDonald's it was. Mommy had to take care of birthday stuff today with daddy working. Later in the afternoon, after a nap we watched Space Buddies which he also got for his birthday.

Luke's 3rd Birthday Cake

I am very proud of myself, this is the very first cake I have ever made for Luke. It took me a long time to get the cake frosted. Luke's birthday is tomorrow the 5th, but Keith has to work. We are going to celebrating early and have cake with daddy tonight.

Luke in his pink Shirt

Some of you know Luke is obsessed with Pink. We happened to find a pink Quicksilver shirt at Macy's. He had to have it, so we couldn't refuse. He wears it all the time and does not want to take it off.

Potty Training

Luke will be 3 on February 5th, and I hoped he would be potty trained by the time he turned 3. Two weeks ago I really stepped it up and made the commitment to help him get potty trained. I think the whole potty training thing has more to do with us the parents or the parent that is working with the child that is potty training. I think it is how we handle the situation, our attitude, and making it a priority for us. I put underwear on Luke and told him he had to use the potty, and made sure it was available where ever we were in the house so there was no excuse. Since pulling down pants and underwear can be a little complicated, and ideally it would be nice to just let him run around in underwear. Unfortunately its a little too cold here at the moment to do that. So, I put a long sleeve shirt and socks on him and let him go. In those two weeks he only went pee once in his underwear.

As far as home is concerned, he goes pee without any problem. This past week and a half we have incorporated pants into the equation and he does great. Every once in a while he does not get them pulled up just right and we make sure to help him. I can leave him alone in a room and not worry, he runs to the potty and goes. I am using pull ups for nap and bed time, and he has figured out that he can stall when its that time. I will put him down for a nap or to bed and about 5 minutes later I hear, "I have to go pee" and he gets up. This happens two or three times and then I get him settled down. When we have gone out, we use a pull up but so far he has stayed dry and has not had to go pee while we were out.I am waiting to experience that situation. We have low to the ground toilet's in our house, and he does good standing up and going pee too. I leave all the toilet seats up when ever he is awake. Keith is loving that, its every mans dream not to have to put the toilet seat down.

Luke has totally mastered the going pee part, now if we can only get him to go poop in the potty. Luke will try and he sits there and he says nothing is coming out. I have him keep trying but he just doesn't do it. I have tried bribbing him with treats, a new toy, and even going to chuckie cheese, but he just wont do it. He holds it unitl I put a pull up on and then he goes. I even catch him when he needs to go once I have put the pull up on and he he will sit on the potty, but does not go. He waits until I get busy doing something and then goes.We are working hard on this and trying to make the going poopy part a bad experience, so he will continue to want to try. If anyone has any ideas please share them with me. I will try anything if it will help it with this next step in potty training. I am so proud of him and he is half way there and is doing a great job!!

On New Years Day we meet my friend Melia and her family at the DC Temple. We checked out the visitors center before heading downtown to see some of the sights. We took all the kids to the Natural History museum and the American History museum. We thought the Natural History museum with dinosaurs and insects was big hit, but the American History museum had trains, cars, and motorcycles. There is so much to see and you could spend hours in just one museum. I would love to see the other 15 or so museums, but without kids. Ok, we are so crazy. We had all packed lunch and the only place to eat was outside. We didn't think it would be so bad and there were benches for us to sit. Can I just tell you it was 34 degrees and there was a wind chill, which probably made it the upper 20's. After the museums we drove around and saw the rest of the monuments from the car. We plan to go back and visit all of them, it was late and the kids were done. Its so overwhelming with so much to see and one day is not near enough time. After a bite to eat we headed back to the Temple and looked at the lights. We had a great time and can not wait to go back.

We went to Virgina Beach on the 30th to see the lights at the beach. It was low tide so the sand was lined with sea shells. Luke had fun chasing the seagulls and looking for sea shells. He wanted to take his shoes and socks off, but we reminded him it was too cold out. Just to let you know it was 54 degrees and windy. We had fun walking along the beach for about an hour waiting for it to get dark. I was amazed at how clean the beach was and how everything was closed down for the winter. Being a southern California kid, nothing shuts down even if it is cold outside.