As per requested by Aunt Jill - Silas pictures

My Aunt Jill is my dad's little sister.  Growing up I remember sleep overs at her house - watching movies and playing games with her and my cousin Chris. It was so fun to go stay with her! In college, I crashed at her house and was introduced to the infamous Pride & Prejudice movie and struggled to stay awake. She is a wonderful aunt and does so much for her nieces and nephews. She is the 7th of 7 children and so I can understand her encouragement to get my 3rd child some blog time.

So without further ado - Silas in the last month or so.

Sick of the $%^T!!

Sorry to be so crass, but when you talk about cows, horses and 2.5 year olds in diapers, there is no other way to describe it.  The poop is no longer cute and manageable.  It is shit.

So it is in this spirit that we are approaching potty training.  Amos may not be ready, but mom and dad are.

The plan: nudity and bribery.  I mean come on, the kid gets to watch the ipad AND have a chocolate chip for just sitting there?!

Day 1 was a bit of a crap shoot.  Literally.  Day 2 I was thinking that maybe we were just shooting for the stars by trying to do this...

And then...

When we were all busy and not looking

  AMOS PEED IN THE POTTY!!!

Dancing and celebration ensued followed by the purchase of a new toy car.  (Did I mention that bribery is being laid on thick?!)

We are now on Day 3 and Amos so thoughtfully used his hands to take his poop from the potty chair to the toilet to flush it down.

And this, my friends, is progress.

The beginning

It was Friday, September 6.  We had been counting down the days with a paper chain.  It was the main focus in our house the whole week leading up to it.

Kindergarten. Montana's first day of the next 12+ years of school.

There were a few tears...from mom...but I tried to stay strong.  The parents were quickly ushered from the kindergarten room to be bombarded by the PTA and bagels and coffee. It was a rainy day.  Very fitting with my mood.

But she came home (at 3pm!!) and was so excited.  She made a few new "BFFs" although she couldn't remember their names.  The first week is behind us now.  She LOVES it.  The girl has been tired though.  It is a big adjustment for all of us having her away from 8:30-3 everyday.  Amos misses her, but we have had some sweet time together without her.

A new season. A new era.  

Her first day outfit. Planned out for days

Heading out the door.  So grateful that we can walk to school

Seriously, another picture, dad?

Getting started on her first activity