Princess on the Throne {A tale of potty training success}

 2 weeks ago Eva had spent the night with Ryan's parents. While she was there her cousin, Mallory, came over to play. Mallory is about 4 months older than Eva and is potty trained. Eva came home and later that night told me, "Go potty." And then she did. That was it. She was potty trained.

Now, I take absolutely zero credit for this success. I tried with all my heart and determination to do the whole "Potty Train in 3 Days" thing back in August (like  7 months ago). It never really caught on and eventually I gave up and decided to try again later. You really can't "make" a child use the potty in a positive way before they decide they want to. My plan was to attempt potty training in the spring so that we wouldn't be dealing with so many layers of clothing.

Yep, I give all the credit to Mallory. I think seeing her use the potty so easily made Eva realize that she could do it too. I guess it's true that kids will do things at their own pace when they are ready. Eva is definitely not 100% potty trained, but I think she is doing really well. She is motivated and asks to go all the time. At home she mostly uses a little potty because it is so much easier for her to use, but when we are out and about she will use the big potty too (with some help - otherwise she might fall in!) We've even had a few days with no accidents which is so awesome! Most days aren't quite like that but I am so proud that she is moving in that direction. Plus we will be saving some $$$ on diapers...which we plan to put directly towards our increased cost of toilet paper :)

Weekend Update in iPhone Pics {4.6.14}

Here is our latest weekend update....Friday morning we got to take Eva to see Disney on Ice. I had never seen this before so I wasn't sure what to expect or how Eva would do sitting for 2 hours to watch a show. It was awesome and she did great! Thanks, Nana, for the tickets to the show! I took a million photos but tried to narrow it down here.

This one is kind of dark and fuzzy, but look at the excitement on her face! For me the absolute best part of the show was seeing how excited she was. I enjoyed watching all the Disney stars skate, but I loved watching her even more.

The iPhone pictures in the arena weren't too clear, but here you can see a bunch of big characters. We got to see most of the Disney princesses as well as characters from The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast and......

Toy Story! The only reason this picture is so clear is that I "borrowed" it from a friend off Facebook. This was definitely Eva's favorite part of the whole show! She likes the princesses but she LOVES Buzz Lightyear and the Toy Story cast. {The show had TONS of other characters but those were the movies that she knew the most about.} I'm sure this show was planned and created a while back, but I was a bit surprised that they didn't have any characters from Frozen. It seems like in this day and age you could easily switch out the costumes from any other prince/princess duet and put them in ones from Frozen. That would have been really great. I'm sure they will include them next year because we saw tons of little Elsa's dressed up for the show.

A short video for your enjoyment. {You probably can't view from an iPhone.} When I looked up about the show online they said that videos of the show were prohibited but at the show they announced that you were allowed to video as long as it wasn't for profitable use. I guess popularity of the iPhone has changed some rules over the years.

With Buzz and Woody. She was so happy to see them on this sign, I can't imagine her excitement if she ever got to go to Disneyland. 

Friday night we went to cheer on some Bobcat baseball. Our friends Gentry, Austin, and Malin were there so Eva spent most of the game sitting with them and not her lame parents. 

Saturday we let Eva go stay the night with my parents so that we could serve at the BNHS Taste and Talent Show. This event is a PTA fundraiser that is like a progressive dinner with food booths followed by a silent auction and talent show. Bara sponsored the chips and salsa booth. 

Sunday morning was a special one for Bara Church. Our friends Rachel and Alex did a baby dedication for sweet Grayson. 

Then we officially introduced our new worship leader,Brian, and said goodbye to our previous leader.

And finally Ryan got to baptize Malin, one of the girls in our youth group! What a special moment.

I love Malin and am so happy she has made the decision to follow Jesus!  

Sunday night our youth intern, Jesse, spoke at BSM about the upcoming anniversary for Live Like Josh. It was a night full of prayer and love. Our church will be hosting the 2 year Live Like Josh celebration next Sunday.

Spring Break

Spring Break happened a few weeks ago but I never got around to blogging about it. It is actually somewhat funny to even call it "Spring Break" because it wasn't spring yet and Ryan worked the whole week, but since I knew lots of people having their official spring break we did extra fun things that week too.

Sunday: My mom and grandma Dede came to our church to hear Ryan preach. It was nice having some front row company from my family.

Monday: I think that was one of first warm days since like November. We took Eva to play at one of her favorite parks. Not a huge deal, but nice to soak up the sun together.

 Monday night we went to see a HS boys baseball game. Go Bobcats!

Tuesday: We met up with my friend Ashley and her little boy Jude at a park in Denton. I always enjoy meeting friends at the park so Eva can run around with their kids while the grown ups chat and enjoy coffee.

Wednesday: Ryan had to work a really long day so we went to my parents' house. We made cookies and had a great day with Mamy and Baba. This cookie was supposed to be for our friend, Austin, but Eva ended up eating it. Sorry, Austin.

Thursday: We took food to our pastor's wife, Kim. Kim had foot surgery and wasn't allowed to be walking around.

Their dog Teddy hopped up on the edge of the couch and Eva figured she should do the same. Ironically, Eva and Teddy have the same hair.

Friday: Two Christmases ago Eva got her first Barbie. I had found an old Ken doll at my parents' so I brought it home and surprised Eva with it on Friday. As a true Toy Story fan, she was really happy that Barbie finally had a Ken to play with. She calls Barbie "the mommy" and Ken "the daddy" and makes them dance around and then kiss....I guess we've set a good example for her :) Also, Ken really needs a shirt.

Friday night we went to stay the night with Ryan's parents. Mallory and her family came over so it was a silly pajama party for these two girls.

Saturday: In the morning Ryan and I had a breakfast date. We picked up some Grandy's breakfast and took it to eat at the Rockwall harbor where Ryan proposed. Why aren't there more Grandy's still in business???? Do not say that it is because of the food. Grandy's is one of the few fast food places I actually like.

Saturday night we got a warm rain storm so Eva got to play in her boots for a while. It must be wonderful to be a two year old playing in the rain.

One day he is coming...

For the past month I felt like I have had nothing to blog about or no time in which to blog....this week I suddenly feel like I have TONS to blog about, although still not tons of time to blog. So here is another quick blog about what the Lord has laid on my heart these past few days.

Sunday night at youth Ryan taught about Easter. He did it from the stand point of, "So, what?" Why is Easter important? Why do we care that the story teaches us that Christ is risen? Why does that even matter?

It matters because it's TRUTH. That Jesus really is alive. As I was teaching about this with my group of small girls, I just felt so encouraged and excited about this truth. Jesus didn't just die and then have his soul go on to Heaven. Jesus overcame DEATH, ROSE to life again, and is ALIVE now. Wow. I have been praying that our students would be excited about this amazing truth that shows that Jesus is who he says he was, that teaches us that God's power and ability is infinitely greater than we can imagine, and that assures us that the peace Jesus offers us is real.

Then I started to think about how I want to teach Eva about Easter. I want my sweet girl to LOVE Easter as much as Christmas! Easter really is every bit if not more important than Christmas because we are celebrating that not only was our Savior born, but he is still ALIVE and with us!  So I've been busily planning this afternoon ways that I can make Easter meaningful, understandable, and exciting to a two year old. Yes, we will do the silly bunny and egg crafts because that's fun and she is two and loves all things art. I will dress her up in a sweet Easter dress and enjoy taking pictures of her hunting for eggs (which we will probably do at least 3 times). But I want to do more than that. I promise, she can already tell you that Easter is about chocolate bunnies and finding eggs. That is permanently in her brain. Now I want the part about God loving her SO MUCH that he would send his son to die so that she can know him FOREVER to be in her HEART.

What are my first steps? Well, I made the chalkboard above based on the song Glorious Day by Casting Crowns....but that's really more for me. For me to see it every time I walk our stairs. For me to remember that my love for Jesus matters to her. Then I order The Easter Story today from Amazon. She already has tons of books about finding eggs or with pictures of cute little animals. I wanted another special Easter book just about Jesus. Yes, we read it in her little Bible, but it's only a couple of pages and this will be something special that we can set out just at Easter. My other ideas are all on my Easter Pinterest Board.....I am really looking forward to doing the shortened, toddler version of Resurrection Eggs. In December I made up at "25 Days of Christmas" calendar with something to do each day, and I thought briefly about doing something like the "20 Days of Easter" but right now I am in a season of life where I probably don't need to try to do quite that much. I want this to be meaningful but also simple. Maybe just a few things each week would be better.

I encourage everyone who reads this to really ask God to show you new truths this Easter. Pray to be excited. Pray to be encouraged. Happy Easter!

All Aboard!

Saturday morning we got to take Eva on her first train ride! A friend passed along tickets to Grapevine's Day with Thomas the Tank Engine and part of that included a ride with Thomas on the Grapevine Historic Railroad.

We kept this surprise a secret from Eva until right before we did it. There is truly something wonderful about knowing that you have a great big surprise that you are about to bless your child with that is about to light up their world. As we were driving to Grapevine I kept thinking about how I LOVE blessing Eva with good surprises, and how I feel like God is the same way with us. I think that as our Father, God must take such delight in working in our lives in ways that He knows will surprise and bless us. I sure hope God has some great surprises planned for my life!

When we had almost arrived in Grapevine Eva suddenly pipes up, "Ride choo-choo?" from the backseat. Umm, what?!?! How did she figure this out??? We had been careful to spell the word T-R-A-I-N and its not like she knew that the train was that way or anything. We played it off like we might get to ride a train one day but still didn't tell her what was going to happen. Then when we were standing in line and the train pulled up we said, "SURPRISE!!! You get to ride a train TODAY!" She was pretty excited :)

Her first real ride! We've ridden those dinky 4 car "trains" that they have at community celebrations but nothing they are nothing like this.

As the ride took off we kept talking about what we would see and how exciting everything was. I was also thankful that the train was heated because it was a chilly morning.

 "Yyyoook, Daddy!" She liked to point out things she saw out the window. I think her favorite was the random trash pile in the woods along with way. Go figure. The train ride took you through Grapevine, out east towards George Bush highway and then back to the station.

After the ride there were lots of fun activities for the kids to do. She got a Thomas tattoo on her hand that is still there 3 days later.  

They had a petting zoo. Since we had just been to a petting zoo in Fort Worth the day before I wasn't sure how excited she would be but she really liked it. This time she could actually be in the fenced in area with the animals. 

The train table area had lots of tracks with different trains for kids to play with. There is no room in my house for a train table, but they are fun! 

Bubbles! What kids isn't enthralled with these? Who cares that we have them on our back porch all the time? These are special bubbles because there are other kids there to enjoy them with you. 

"Bye Thomas! Bye choo-choo!" As soon as we left and were back to the car she told us that she wanted to ride again. Haha, maybe one day sweet girl.

Fort Worth Stock Yards

This morning we took a much needed family day and headed out to the Fort Worth Stock Yards. It was Eva's first trip to Cowtown so we wanted to teach her what being a Texan is really about.

Our first stop was the petting zoo. Eva really liked the camel. The camel was a big fan of Eva. Every time his big tongue licked her hand she giggled in delight.

They also had lots of sheep and goats and other small animals. I was hoping they would have a pony or cow but they didn't. 

Doesn't it look like this llama knows to pose for a picture? We need to train Eva to pose this well!

As we walked around we did find an actual longhorn for Eva to sit on. Could this cow BE any more excited to have a two year old on his back? 

 And we got to pet a horse and see a real cowboy!

We picked a beautiful day to be outdoors - perfect slightly cloudy weather. I love spring.

We got to see the cattle round up right before lunch. I thought this was going to be like 100 cows and it was maybe 20......I guess the wild west isn't quite what it used to be.

Yee-haw! Let's be honest, her favorite thing in the world is to ride these silly animated rides. Lucky for her I had 3 quarters in my purse. Note to grandma's: a few quarters hidden inside of Easter eggs would be thrilling for Eva.

I love our little cowgirl and am thankful for a little family morning.

2 1/2 Years Old

Dear Eva Kate,
Saturday was your half birthday - you are 2 1/2 now! Or as your Daddy said, half way to 5! (SLOW DOWN there.) I haven't written you in so long so I'm excited to update everything for you.

Right now your favorite things to do are coloring, painting, dancing, running, playing with your babies/animals and blankets.. Your coloring and painting has gotten pretty awesome - lots of circles and lines. You like to "shake what your mama gave you" when we put on the song Single Ladies by Beyonce. You can run next to me for 5-10 minutes straight while I walk (and push the stroller that you prefer not to ride in.) You have developed a sweet, loving connection to all your little stuffed animals.

Our growing girl....right now you are 33 1/2 inches tall and 24 pounds. You wear 18 months/24 months/ 2T clothes (depending on what it is) and a size 6 shoe. You have tons of personality to make up for that tiny frame!

You are talking in full sentences. You know about half of the alphabet letters and are learning to count to 10. Your favorite movies right now are The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, although we don't watch the scary parts so each movie can be viewed in about 30 minutes. You love to listen to music from theses movies and Frozen when we are driving in the car. You are easily motivated by M&Ms. You have an odd fascination with snakes (eww). You like to jump around with both feet off the floor like a beautiful frog whenever you are happy about something. You can spot the tiniest piece of dirt or fuzz or a dead bug on the floor. You like to dig in the dirt more than you like to be a princess. You absolutely love any baby and enjoy playing with your friends from church, MOPS, and cousin Mallory (or Waddy as you call her).  You like reading books and listening to Bible stories. You are in the "I can do it" stage and love to do things on your own....sometimes this makes life easier, sometimes it make life messier! You like to pick out your own snacks from the fridge, get out your pjs at night, and climb in your car seat all by yourself. This takes some patience on our part, but it is so sweet to see you feel so proud of yourself!

Some people call this time the "terrible twos." I would not say terrible. There are difficult days when you push the boundaries, don't sleep, refuse food, cry over small things, or require us to chase you down at the grocery store. But all that is NOTHING compared to how much we enjoy you. Getting to see how smart and funny and loving you are becoming each day is so awesome! I am thankful every day to have you as my mini-shadow and to hear your tiny little voice talking to me all the time. Being your mama is wonderful and I love you more than you will ever know, even on the hard days. Some days I wish I could bottle you up and keep you 2 years old forever.