Are You Looking At Me?

We had a pretty busy week. I was stuck working late all this week and then came home to a busy weekend. Luckily, they were fun weekend activities. We have started to teach Claire how to ride a bike without training wheels. Balance is certainly an issue. Any suggestions? We went early Saturday morning to the school track and she rode and rode and rode. Sam, of course, still has training wheels (and a pink bike and helmet) and Caroline just loved to run around.

Later on Saturday, we headed deep into the city to visit the family of one of Claire's classmates that had invited us over. After hanging out with them, we went back to suburbs and prepared for a work-sponsored bowling event. Having been beaten by my wife the last time we bowled (at Pinstripes in Barrington, IL on 21 July 2011 - - a day of infamy), I was determined to put on a better showing. Candace brought her 'A' game again... but so did I. PHEW!

For Sunday, I was assigned to speak and it brought back lots of memories of speaking on my mission, in Argentina. But this time, as a member of the ward, it was very different.

Our big news this week comes from a recently turned 3 year old. We have had a little baggie of marbles on our refrigerator for several weeks, if not a few months. They were reserved for Sam once he went number 2 in the potty all by himself -- without reminders. He has been doing great at keeping his diaper and/or pullup dry from number 1 for a few weeks, but still seemed to enjoy the warmth that that diaper provided after going number 2. Well, I think it finally clicked that it was gross and he went number 2 in the potty. Besides the marbles, his reward was some SWEET Spiderman underwear. He is now wearing it... a little too proudly.

While downtown at Claire's friend's house, Sam came around the corner, pants around his ankles proudly pointing his back side to all who would look to show the Spiderman jumping across his derriere (I had to look up this spelling). Then in nursery today, the nursery leader commented that his pants were around his ankles again so everyone could see his big boy underwear. I can promise you that he didn't learn that from me. No matter who checks out the tighty whities, it was a big week for us. Now we can rearrange our diaper storage for Caroline.