Cricket in a Biscuit

Our first round of potty training was tough (and ongoing). Between starting too early, regression when Oliver was born, and "accidents" for attention, in addition to all the regular difficulties, it was stressful for everyone. So, I resolved to wait this time around. Oliver, however, had other plans.  A few days ago he became obsessed with the potty chair. I moved it out of sight, which only made him more desperate for it. I decided to humor him by sitting him down on it with his pants on. Not good enough. Wednesday afternoon, I gave in. When he got up from his nap, he was demanding the potty again. I set him up there, and he spent the next fifteen minutes laughing and doing his business. Between then and bedtime, he used the potty three more times, and whizzed on my floor once. The successes continue, but I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. First he gives up his pacifier, and now he's using the potty. He is growing much too fast. I've actually been w...

It seems Easter is becoming as commercialized as Christmas. Baskets are getting bigger and bigger as parents cram bigger – and more expensive – goodies inside. Well, I'm not buying it. Of course I picked up my favorite candy to steal from their baskets while they aren't looking, but I know the the best Easter gifts are often the simplest. My all-time favorite: a jump rope. One of those flimsy cloth numbers more suited to tying things up than their intended purpose. The plan was to make puppets for the kids, and I spent hours on ravelry finding just the right patterns. However, Laney's jacket took much longer than expected, and there just wasn't time. I knocked out a Slimey for Ollie in a hurry, but still had nothing for Laney. Months ago I had approached her about turning her beloved (read too small) teapot pajamas into a teddy bear. She was receptive, but I never got around to it. So, that's what I decided on. The problem was, her pj's are so well...