Hot Springin'

It's only Wednesday and this week has already been jam packed with fun since Carson's cousins from Utah decided to surprise us on Monday with a visit. This past three days have included hockey games, kneaders all you can eat french toast, park and cousin time, Delsa's hamburgers and ice cream, swimming/hot tubbing at the Boise Hotel, sonic shakes, exploring in Cita and Grandpa's backyard, RoyStone Hot Springs, pizza night, and Frozen. Whew! And the next few days are full of sleepovers, more cousins, and the Kids Fun Fest! Here's to a great week!

Easter Weekend!

Easter was so much fun this year! Friday we gave in and let Carson have his Easter basket early because he was so excited about it. His little basket contained; silly putty, candy, sidewalk chalk and the movie Frozen. He was most excited about Frozen and of course immediately wanted to watch it.

Saturday we headed to the park for lunch with the family and an Easter egg hunt. The kids loved collecting all the eggs and Keith even found the egg hidden for adults with money in it. Carson sure gobbled up a lot of his candy before I could regulate but it's Easter right? He had fun playing with his cousins and enjoying the beautiful weather. Afterwards I went with my sister-in-law and brother to hit up some sales on kids clothes. I scored some pretty sweet deals and was happy with how much I got for how little I spent. Later that evening Keith and I went on a date to the West Side Drive-In. This place has been featured on the Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. I love the old time drive-in atmosphere complete with 1950s-60s music and cars. The chef who owns it is apparently a pretty well known chef who has won numerous awards for his food presentations and recipes. We ordered a yummy Philly Cheesesteak and fries. We decided that next time we come back we'll have to order the prime rib meal and the potato ice cream. Afterwards we walked downtown a bit and enjoyed the evening.

source: google.com

Ice Cream Potato....only in Idaho.

source: cheflou.com

Sunday we enjoyed a beautiful day and wonderful Church meetings. It was nice to think about the real meaning of Easter and our Savior who sacrificed all for us. Afterwards we headed over to my Uncle M's and Aunt J's for a delicious dinner with the family. Afterwards we had to take a nice walk since it was so beautiful out and since we ate so much.

The only thing we didn't do was dye eggs, things got so hectic and it just never got done. Oh well, next year I guess.

Success!

Ah, I love the word success! We reached success in the potty training world. It took a few days for Carson to catch on and not have so many accidents, and about a week for him to be fully trained! Yes!! Yes! Yes! Seriously, the things you get excited about as a parent! I would say there were five crucial things that helped Carson on his potty training journey--the three P's and two R's. 

1. Persistence 

2. Patience

3. Prayer

4. Ready (on the child's part)

5. Rewards

I had tried a couple times last summer to start the potty training but wasn't persistent because Carson kept on having so many accidents and it was tough to have patience through it all, but I also realized he wasn't ready and I wasn't going to force him. Patience is key because there WILL BE ACCIDENTS! I thought I could do this all on my own, but seriously after a couple days I was so discouraged so I said a sincere prayer for help in this endeavor. After I said that prayer Carson started to get the hang of things. I am so grateful for prayer. 

Waiting until Carson was ready was key, you can't force a child otherwise they just won't do it and both of you will be frustrated. Having rewards for him going #1 and #2 were very very key in getting C to actually use the potty. I gave him goldfish for going #1 since we don't buy them a lot and he loves them and M&Ms for going #2 since those are his favorite candy (and I didn't want him having too much candy since he goes #1 a lot more) Anyway don't know if this is TMI but these are the things I found helpful in potty training a little one. 

On to other things....APRIL APRIL APRIL has been absolutely beautiful! It was 78 degrees today and is going to be in the 70s all week! Yes! Today we had Carson's cousin Brielle over and did Easter crafts--they made an Easter Bunny out of marshmallows and painted an Easter egg with pom poms. We're getting so excited for our family's annual Easter egg hunt with all the cousins in Boise, Easter dinner on the Sabbath, and giving Carson his Easter basket full of goodies. He's so excited for the Easter Bunny to bring him "Frozen." Guess we'll see what he gets! Love this Easter Season and the reason we celebrate it-- Our Savior Jesus Christ. So grateful for him and the gift of the Atonement.