Training boys : From my Phone #5

Well its been a crazy last week in the parenting department. Some intense training with both boys has been going down and its leaving me exhausted!

This sweet adorable boy that I'm in love with ...well, he has been testing boundaries like crazy! I thought I escaped the mood swings by having only boys (so far)...but he is proving me wrong. I'm at a loss as to what is causing the seemingly random and drastic changes in his behavior. It has happened twice in the last five days. Something clicks in him and he decides he doesn't want to listen, be respectful, or even use his words to talk kindly. I can't decide what is sparking this behavior. I'm trying so hard to love him and show him patience and grace...while at the same time training him and teaching him that certain behaviors are not allowed and will not be tolerated. Matt always reminds me, " This is part of being a parent and this is why he has parents." I pray a lot...because I constantly feel inadequate to handle those type of situations. They catch me so off guard because 99% of the time, Elijah is a sweet, smart, kind, gracious, and obedient kid. I'm praying he is just testing boundaries and seeing what happens. I'm praying that I can be level-headed and consistent with him.

Then there is this guy! He is a potty-dance rockstar this week! My training challenges with him have been in the bathroom department. He is actually doing awesome. Last Wednesday I was about to give up. I was thinking that I was pushing him too hard and he wasn't ready. I was wrong. After two days of no potty success and me cleaning pee (and the other) up about 100 times ...I figured out his motivation. This two year old effectively negotiated with me that he wasn't really interested in my fruit snacks or sticker chart ...he wanted a red M&M and to watch the Cat in the Hat on my Nook. Yep...he was wheelin' and dealin' and the minute I agreed to his terms...he grabbed hold of his potty chair handles and let loose. Haha! I couldn't believe it! So I stocked up on M&M's and kept the sticker chart system since he was excited about the new Star Wars stickers. And he hasn't looked back since. Yes...he has had 1-2 accidents a day since then but is going in the potty about 75% of the time. I'm a happy mama! And he is getting 8-10 M&M's a day! Surely he will forget about them at some point. Haha! For the first time in 4 years, we don't have to pack diapers when we go out. Woohoo!

Even with all the challenges that comes with training these boys, I am so blessed and thankful to be their mom.

But all this mama-drama is leaving me desperately in need of a date night or a ladies-night out! Word!

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And to end...here is all my recent phone pics (#5 for the year). I plan to put all these in an 8x8 book at the end of the year.

Crafting with the boys : Icing my knees after a good run : Started a half-marathon training program (we will see how far I make it, Ha) : Winter sidewalk picnics at the park with friends : Lots of potty-training, M&M's, sticker charts, and lots of clorox wipes! : Making bubble beards in the bathroom mirror : Getting reacquainted with my beloved iced coffee --hadn't had one in months : Laughing to myself when I find Star Wars characters all over my bed : Enjoying a quiet evening looking at books from the library while Matt slaves away on his homework : Eli getting a sweet Valentine note from a girl : Lunch in the union with Daddy : Simeon's puppy wearing his potty watch borrowed from his buddy Nathan : Coming home from working out after a hard day and finding two very sweet cards made for me by my two sweet boys.