Potty training is exhausting

You'd think that by my fifth kid, I'd have this potty training thing DOWN.  But you'd be wrong.  

At first I couldn't tell whether Jace was clueless as to what potty training was all about, or if he was simply insulted that I thought I had to explain the process to him ("geez mom, I've already got it!")...  I really truly could NOT read him.

Initially I was encouraged, and even a little surprised, that he was able to keep himself dry right off the bat, like his siblings, he has super great bladder control... but, alas, the trend of being afraid to poop on the toilet continues with this one *sigh*.  Needless to say, we've spent some long hours on the toilet because sometimes, suffice it to say, I JUST KNOW HE NEEDS TO GO!!  I'll spare you the gritty details.  So we sit and we sit and we sit.  We play games on my phone.  We read books.  I beg and plead and bribe.  And then I think, "well, maybe he doesn't have to go after all."  And then, sure enough, a few minutes after relenting and letting him off the toilet, he unloads in his underwear.  Gross, Gross, GROSS!  Because I started this venture with somewhere around 50 pairs of tiny boy underwear, I was confident this go-round that I was NOT going to wash dirty underwear- in the trash they would go!  Somewhere around the time we were down to 10 pairs, I revisited that strategy...

Also after finding this multiple times-

Yes, on multiple occasions he has fallen asleep on the toilet.  And now, I'm now revamping my potty training philosophy entirely.   It feels like we've been potty training him for YEARS, even though it's only been a few weeks.  This is the one area of parenting that I'm sooooo not sad to say goodbye to- I've had a kid in diapers non stop for the last 11+ years, oftentimes 2 kids.  I've really never done pull-ups with any of my other kids because they're just glorified diapers... but I'm so darn tired of cleaning poop out of underwear that I'm full on embracing pull ups- for the time being anyway.  Even though I change diapers all day when I go to work, those are a joy compared to the man-poop in this kids pants *bleh*

Puppies and Porcupines Don't Mix

I knew it was just a matter of time until Duke and Knight discovered porcupines.  As fate would have it, the awakening came soon after a discussion on dogs+porcupines at work- my coworker informed me that her numerous dogs over the years have NEVER learned to leave porcupines alone =/.  Seriously, that very same week, Duke got his first porcupine.  Knight was relatively unscathed with just one or two quills, but Duke (the cautious, reserved one) had them all over his muzzle, his gums and even some in the back of his throat.

My dad happened to be over, so with my trusty hemostats and some steadying by Papa and the boys, we got all the quills out.  I was very pleased that, while Duke did NOT appreciate having each quill pulled out one by one, he was in no way aggressive toward me or even my dad.  I was hopeful that they (especially Duke) had learned their lesson.

But I was disappointed quickly.  Less than a week later, I came home and both puppies were hanging their heads as I pulled up the driveway- their lack of excitable jumping at my arrival home told me something was up.  They BOTH had gotten a porcupine equally well this time.  I got most of the quills out on my own, but the last few on Duke required me waiting for the boys to get home from school to help hold him.  Still no aggression from him, but he did NOT want me near his ouchy face.

Maybe this time they figured out that porcupines = pain and more pain?

Nope.  The very next day, Duke had another face full.  I was baffled that Knight had no quills and Duke was covered in them.  Again, I had to wrestle him, this time waiting for Nathan to get home to assist me- the boys just weren't strong enough for the battle, but even with Nathan's help, we just couldn't get them all out.  I called the vet... they were able to move their neuter appointments up to the next morning so we were able to combine being sedated for their neuter with quill removal.  Maybe the double whammy of quills and getting their manhood removed would cement in their puppy minds to stay away from porcupines?  P.E.R.F.E.C.T!

We left for a few hours that evening and when we came home *hanging head in shame* they BOTH had gotten at a porcupine again.  Wow.  Just wow.  I didn't even bother trying to remove them.  I figured it was their punishment- I kenneled them for the night and couldn't get them to the vets in the morning soon enough.  We figured there must be an especially delicious or fun looking porcupine maimed somewhere close by that they kept going back to - regardless, because of their surgery, they have to remain kenneled or under close supervision for TEN (10!) solid days.  It.is.rough.

They wear the cone of shame!

If they're not directly supervised, they have to wear the cones so they don't lick themselves- it makes putting them into their kennels really comical- as if they're trying to go through a doorway carrying a 2x4 sideways- their cones are wider than the kennel opening so we have to help them back in.  It's hilarious.  We're finishing getting the underground fence working so that when they can freely roam again, their boundaries (hopefully) won't include the stomping grounds of our neighborhood porcupines.

Back to School

I hate to admit it, but by the end of August, I was really ready for school to start this year.  I usually love having my kids home for the summer, but I couldn't seem to get into a good schedule this year...  I love that the kids were so excited to go back too.  They all readily admit that they love school, which makes this mama happy *grin*

Bryson was especially excited to start MIDDLE SCHOOL!  This year is the first year that 6th graders at Freeman change classes each period- he thinks that's awesome- he's explained to every member of our family multiple times exactly why it's so much better to get to move rooms every 50 minutes. He practiced all summer with a combination padlock that we have so he'd be ready for a locker =)  Sure enough, when he got his locker combo, he opened it up without a problem and was even able to help some of his classmates get theirs open.  The first day of school he had his alarm set and was up at 6:30- got himself breakfast and ready without any prompting from me.

Last year the 5th graders all took a math placement test.  The scores of that test, combined with their math grade and teacher input determined if they could skip 6th grade math and go ahead to 7th grade math.  Bryson waited and waited for the notification letter to come in the mail to see if he was selected for 7th grade math.  He jumped up and down pumping his fists when he got the letter- I let him celebrate and then made sure that he really understood that this would mean more work and maybe even more frustration as he was going to move ahead at an accelerated pace.  He chose to go with 7th grade math and promised no complaining and a good attitude when he needed help- we'll see how that pans out...

The fact that he qualified for 7th grade math is such a testimony to me that we made the right move in putting our kids in Freeman.  Chester was a great school, I loved {most of} my kids teachers and administrators.  Freeman is just where my kids need to be though.  Bryson especially is just thriving here.  I have always tried hard to keep my parenting pride in check and not be that parent that thinks their child is the smartest and bravest and most talented.  (It's a given that they're the most adorable though.)  Bryson was an early talker and very verbal- because of that, as a toddler and preschooler he told you everything he knew.  He loved to learn and was often self taught- he was confident in himself.  So it was heartbreaking to see the gradual shift in his "educational self-esteem" to the point where in 4th grade he told me, "I'm just not smart mom", and "I'm not very good at math."  With that in mind, it's so amazing to me that in just one year, he's gone from thinking he wasn't smart enough, to telling me his friends call him "Einstein".  Now I just need to make sure he keeps his ego in check *grin*.

Eli is going into 2nd grade- He is super excited to have a "boy" teacher, Mr. Reed-

His little poses crack me up, he totally poses for the camera *grin*  He pretends that he's sorta embarrassed or even put off by having his picture taken, but he really loves it.

My big 4th grader Dallin!

His teacher this year is Mrs. Smith- it's who he was hoping for.

First day pose!

Yes, Hailee is not included in the first day picture because since school started on a Wednesday and she was initially in the Tuesday/Thursday kindergarten, she had to wait a full EXTRA day(!!) to start school- it was palpably excruciating for her, but she handled it surprisingly well.  I'm not sure how I didn't get a picture of all the kids  on this morning, but we were running late and I just spaced it *sigh*

I almost started the school duties rioting by leaving my car unattended in the drop off zone to take the pictures in front of the school, but if I parked in the upper parking lot I'd have to get Hailee and Jace out of the car just to take a few pictures- I was fast (and I NEEDED the pictures!)...  I was a little surprised that Bryson let me take this picture:

Seriously, this is best picture I could get of Dallin:

He was less than excited about posing and the school duties were looking up the towing company's phone number *wink*

The next morning Hailee was literally squealing and jumping around with anticipation.  She even happily let me choose her outfit!

I'm going to have to really be on my 'A' game in the mornings to get her showered and dressed so we can be out the door by 7:50- Her hair kinda necessitates a shower to tame it.  Hailee is my night owl and as a result, she likes to sleep in.  She sprung right out of bed on her first day, but I'm sure that'll change pretty quick.  We were running late this morning again- school starts at 8:15 and I pulled into the drop off zone at 8:12... the school duties must have been on high alert after my flagrant disregard for the "drop off only" zone the day before- even though there were NO OTHER CARS dropping off when we arrived, when I jumped out to take Hailee's picture in front of the school, the duty was all over me.

There was no way I was going to just drop Hailee off, and no way she would have gone for it anyway.  I ended up having to put her and Jace back into the car, drive up to the upper parking lot and park, then hoof it back down to the school.  Of course by then the duties were all off to other things and anyone could have parked in front of the school... ugh, whatever.  By the time we got around back to the playground, the bell had already rung and the kids were lined up- but I couldn't find where the kindergartners were supposed to line up!  I ended up bringing her in without her class... her teacher explained that the kindergartners line up around the corner- that would have been nice to know!

Hailee was a little clingy initially- not emotional, just unsure of where to go and what to do- until she saw the lunch box wagon-

She knew just what to do and promptly put down her backpack, dug out her lunchbox and put it in the wagon.  It was just the ice breaker she needed *grin*.

I love her teacher Mrs. Hawk, Hailee warmed right up to her (and commented that "she has 'big ones'" HA!

What am I to do with just one at home?!?  I've never had only a three year old by himself- always there's been a baby to go along...

Of course Hailee wanted to ride the bus home from school on her first day- I'm pretty sure that's 1/2 the reason she was so excited about school.  She literally leapt off the bus that afternoon *grin*

And just like that, we're back into the swing of things...