Triumph!

I'm immensely proud of Ryan.

Day before Labor Day we had decided that would be the day we said good-bye to his diapers forever. I had hinted to Ryan it was coming, but didn't speak a lot about it, so not to get him anxious. That morning I made a big production over throwing away diapers (he did it himself), saying good bye to lying down for diaper changing and hello to big boy underwear. Then, for his next 48-72 hours, while awake, I was with him every second to watch for the squirmy actions prior to you know what. I followed a method written in a book about potty training in 3 days, and by golly it works. Took Ryan a few more days to get the hang of going #2, but now he goes independently for both. I was consistent (thanks to tips in the book) and he benefited from that. I'm so glad it's been tackled and accomplished!

Now that Kathryn is mobile Ryan is finding more reasons to be the "big brother". He's pretty sure everything in this house is his. And if Kathryn has it, he wants it. I've seen a few not so gentle pushes, kicks, bonks to the head all to inform her he's the boss. Kathryn usually goes along with his bossiness - although I have seen her strike back a few times. He also helps her get herself in situations she should not. Like opening doors for her and encouraging her to go through them. Opening the baby gate and coaxing her from the other side. I've always called her a little stinker, but now she's got a sidekick.

can you tell they are thrilled to be wearing wolf ears?

Ryan is the only one of all his 3 year old friends that is not in preschool. It wasn't really a decision we had to make mostly because any good preschool out there, is not cheap. And unfortunately the funds are not there to place him in school. I know he would enjoy it, so we'll look forward to next year and reevaluate him attending. Until then, I am going to enjoy him being home. Once he starts school, there is no going back. I'll never again have this opportunity to have both my kids at home and watch them interact - good and bad!