I think it's time to write the potty training update, because I've really been putting this one off. The week I focused almost solely on Rory and her potty training? We ended up stopping. It was getting just too stressful for me and in turn, too stressful for her. Whoever said potty training in the summer would be easier must have loved sitting home all day because I find it nearly impossible to potty train her without driving myself crazy with boredom from sitting around when it's summer and gorgeous! (For the record, this extremely humid weather does not bother me nearly as much as most people, I'd take this over being cold almost any day.)

I had big plans to attempt to potty train Rory the first week we were at the lake before the 4th of July, giving us a few weeks break from our first attempt but lo and behold, I forgot the potty chair.

So we started again after we returned home and got situated. I don't remember the exact date but it was at some point midweek of our return. I've taken a much more lowkey approach this second time around. We remove the diaper when we're in the house and staying inside for a while and encourage her to use the potty if she needs to go but rarely make her sit on it just because. So far this had led to one or two successful potties every 3 or 4 days. Otherwise? We either didn't stay home to attempt it, Rory didn't go during that time, or she had an accident instead of making it into the potty.

In hindsight I wish I would have tried this in the spring when we were inside more. But it's OK. Rory is getting experience using the potty, she can go at her own pace, and I'm not driving myself insane sitting around hoping she'll make it into the potty. I mean, she isn't even 2 yet and she's at times making it to the potty. So I'm happy.

As for Max, he's always encouraging Rory to go potty and has even been seen to help her take her diaper off to sit down. Then he'll be heard telling her, "Squeeze the poop out, Rory!" (Which is not something Dusty or I have ever said to either of our kids.) You see, we believe in the good old candy rewards for successful potties. And Max and Mama also get a piece of candy to "celebrate" with Rory. So that boy is always working Rory to get him his candy. Thankfully, she doesn't seem to mind his encouragement.

Max wanted to paint his own toenails, so I let him. Please enjoy.

He also made sure to make a mess, as he had dots all over his pants and the floor.

And don't you worry, Mama was told what she was to do while he painted his nails, and if she wasn't blowing hard enough he let her know.

As to the color, I let him choose from all my nail polishes which happen to be pinks and purples, so he really did pick the most masculine of all the colors!

Dusty and I brewed up some Apple Pie liquor this weekend and when I put the word out, Erica was quick to volunteer to come over to try it with me!

Not only did we have Apple Pie liquor but we also had ice cream sundaes.

How can you beat that? Oh yeah, make a little ambiance with the lighting outside.

OK, really, those candles lasted about 5 minutes. It was way too humid so the candles barely held a flame and then a light breeze would extinguish them. On top of that we had to go inside because the storm was close and the mosquitoes were going crazy. But those 5 minutes were glorious and Wii bowling was just as fun once we retired inside!

Today between our morning appointments and our lunch plans we had an hour to kill so I took the kids downtown Hudson to walk along the river. Wouldn't you know that within minutes of our walk we came across some men fishing, and he snagged one right as we got nearby!

They were extremely nice. He offered to let Max help him reel it in, but it was apparent there was quite a fight in the fish so I was silently thankful that Max declined and instead chose to watch from the sidelines.

Once he got the carp in he set it down and told Max he could pick it up and even showed him how it didn't have any teeth. Max tried to pick it up a few times but between the weight and it's movement he wasn't successful.

The kind man picked it up and held it out to him showing Max where to put his hands. Max completely ignored the man and his nice way of holding the fish and just went in for a big bear hug. Seriously. Did I not mention this was right before our lunch plans?! So what's a mom to do but continue to take pictures so we can all laugh about it later.

Oh, and Rory? She wanted nothing to do with the fish and was perfectly content throwing twigs into the river.

She may appear to be tomboy because of her love of dirt, but it stops at slimy animals and most bugs. I think the curls keep her from converting to a full on tomboy...

I took the kids to the bigger library today for story hour. Imagine my surprise when we got there just as they were setting up for a musician! We had a great time singing, clapping and swaying to the music. Dennis Warner was his name and a quick Google search lead me to his site, in case you were interested.

At one point he asked any kids that wanted to help him sing to please come on up. I asked Max if he wanted to go and he gave me these huge eyes that said "Please don't make me", while he shook his head no. I then asked Rory if she wanted to go up and she hops down and walks right up there. Isn't she adorable?

No, she didn't sing, even though it was only the ABC's and Twinkle Twinkle, both songs she knows well, but I was still so proud of my brave little helper! Max on the other hand, was slightly concerned that Rory was up there and remained seated.

He did eventually sing with everyone, but only small portions as he was completely engrossed in watching his sister. I don't know if he was concerned or jealous but it still makes this Mama's heart melt seeing him watch her. Have I mentioned how much I love our libraries?!

Sunday we handed off Maya to her parents (no more ants in my house thanks to dog food - yay!) at Grammy and Dido's where all of Dusty's siblings and families came out to watch the Lumberjack Days Parade. It's always a hoot with the family and the kids have such a good time.

Allison was so cute, she'd hide whenever she saw a float with water guns. She absolutely did not want to get wet this year!

And Andrew got a shirt in the parade. Imagine our surprise when he opened it up to find this castoff shirt from 2008!

Afterwards we headed back to the house where we ate, talked, and most importantly, watched hot and overtired children splash in the pool.

Allison and Oliver were on hand to help with drying off!

It was a great family day. Thanks Grammy and Dido for hosting us all again, we really do appreciate it!

My cousin Jean just linked me up with her pictures from when we met them at the Wilderness Walk while on our vacations. There were some really cute pictures I just had to share.

First and foremost, my favorite. While feeding the camel Rory stuck her arm in too far. Don't worry, she wasn't actually bit as we examined her arm after the incident, but it certainly looks much meaner from this shot!

The kids were adorable, but of course getting a good shot of the four cousins all looking and smiling was impossible, although we never did stop trying!

Jean taught the kids how to live inside of a tee pee.

I had a good time feeding the llama. I so wish we could have a llama at our house.

And lastly, they got a cute picture of my babies that I had to share too!

Thanks Jean and Jim for getting such fun shots of the kids, we had a great time seeing you guys! Next time we should head to Atlanta, right?