Happiness Is

I have been incredibly humbled by our situation over the past 6 months. Everything I do I feel so incredibly grateful. The ability to pay our mortgage, put Piper in preschool, have food on our table, great medical insurance, an amazing career, going out to eat, healthy kids, time together, you name it I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

I don't believe in blessings or luck. I do however believe in good decision making, hard work, and sacrifice. They are essentials for being a human being. When you have children, they are more than essential, they are a must.

It's silly, but the other day we went hiking and I even felt grateful that we have a car with a full tank of gas and the ability to take our children to an amazing place of beauty. 

 

Preschool Graduation

All good things must come to an end. Yesterday Piper graduated from the U of U Preschool. She is going back in the fall, so it's not a final goodbye. What an amazing experience we have had. The teachers, other kids and their parents are phenomenal. It has been a perfect fit for us. To trust someone with your child is so scary to me. Piper's best friend Eli is switching schools, so we are sad about that. Her other little friend Iris is joining the U of U Preschool family in the fall. We couldn't be happier about that. Iris and her parents are amazing people. 

Piper, Eli and Sammy

Piper and her teacher Miss Tammy Taylor

Piper and her very best friend Eli. These two love each other so much. I love watching them.

We all got to come to the end of school party. Quinn loved it.

 

Piper and the potty

It was a lovely hot Sunday afternoon. You were hanging out watching a nature show on Black Mambas eating chocolate ice cream and bananas in the nude. Just exactly what you should be doing on a Sunday.

The pee pee dance started and it happened. You ran to your potty and you did it. You started to use the toilet today. Seth and I have tried and only ran into tears and fighting over the past 6 months or so. We backed off and tried to let it happen on its own. 

2 skittles for pee and 5 for a poop. Piper keeps trying to urinate over and over to get her skittles. I taught her about what makes urine, so she spent much of the afternoon parked on her potty with her water bottle. A friend of mine at work suggested keeping your child naked while potty training. Worked like a charm. Not one accident this afternoon.

Not only did you pee, but you got up from the dinner table without a word and pooped in your toilet. 

This is so Piper. She does things on her own terms. Piper will not be pressured and does not follow the group. These are wonderful qualities to have. Qualities that I hope stick with her as she becomes a teenager.

Today was bittersweet for me. I am in no hurry for any milestones. I love my LITTLE children. I have never minded diapers. I am happy that she is proud of her new achievement, but with Quinn walking and now the potty, I am hoping we can slow it down a bit. 

Next they are going to tell me they have found an apartment and are moving out together.

Congratulations my little love. I am so proud of you.