Potty Talk

Someday he might hate me for this...

I can't help it...

It's too funny...

Potty Conversations With Jace

This past Sunday, the three of us went shopping. Not regular people shopping, Nordstrom's Last Chance shopping. I really don't enjoy this. I don't like shopping in heavy crowds and especially in unorganized stores.

If you don't know about Last Chance, here's my brief description.

Nordstrom's is known for their very generous return policy. They'll take anything back. I've even heard a story about a lady returning tires there. So, they have to have some place to sell all of this returned stuff. Enter Last Chance.

This store is known for their amazing deals and aggressive shoppers. My man has bought his entire wardrobe there and he looks good. Because of the amazing deals, you have crazy shoppers. They can be mean and pushy. Before they open the doors, they warn everyone of the consequences of aggressive shopping. I don't enjoy shopping here.

While Larry was off doing his non-aggressive shopping, me and the little pickle were left to shop on our own. Then there was an announcement...

"I need to go POOP!"

Flash to my face becoming beet red and me scrambling with Jace to the exit.

On the way to the bathroom I was starting to feel lucky. After all, I had managed to get out of that crazy store. So, up the escalator (with "I do it, don't help me" comments), past two water fountains (drinks from both) and into the bathroom we go.

Once in the bathroom, I placed two of those potty covers down, dropped his pants and placed him on the potty.

This was our conversation.

"Emmy, I need my shirt off"

"No Jace, leave it alone"

"But it hurts my tummy if it's on."

"Ok, fine, give me your shirt."

What's the deal with nakedness on the potty? He likes to have all his clothes off when he has to handle business. I don't get it.

"Emmy, go away."

"I can't go away. We are in a public bathroom. You have to let me stay this time."

"Turn around" was his solution.

Here's the visual. Handicapped stall, Jace naked on the potty with my back turned to him.

And of course, the door didn't lock well.

So, into our stall walks a lady who quickly apologizes but not before she gives me the strangest look I've ever seen. We must have been a sight.

During this seemingly never-ending process, Jace gave commentary on his fellow pottiers.

"Oooh, somebody flushed!"

"Do you hear somebody potty?"

On, and on....

Finally, he was finished. And with the wash of his hands, and the 5oo automatically dispensed paper towels, we were off.

He's going to really hate this blog someday.

Watch out Elton John

Umm...Elton John called and he wants his glasses back.


I purchased a fabulous pair of summer sunglasses for $5, and they have been claimed by the littlest member of our house. Jace will put my glasses on and just stare at himself in the bathroom mirror (I caught him doing this today). I have to hand it to him, they do look pretty great.

It gets better.


I heard Jace in his playroom banging on the piano. "HEAD, SHOULDERS, KNEES AND TOES" was being sung at the top of his lungs. I turned the corner and saw this fabulous sight...





The straw is his microphone. He thought of that all by himself!! I am constantly amazed.

Granted, Twinkle Twinkle is no Crocodile Rock, but he's on his way!!!

Cranky Chicken

Jace is a very clever little boy. For a while, when he would get in trouble, he named himself "Jack." He was Jace when he was good and Jack when he was bad. We even caught ourselves yelling "JACK" when he was into something he shouldn't be.

I have about 15 other names for Jace. My favorite is "Cranky Chicken." I call him this when he wakes up from a nap or from sleeping. He's not a morning person (like his Dad) and his hair is usually 20 different directions.

This is an example of our Cranky Chicken. This picture was taken post nap last week.

The Pina High

I am still on the I just got engaged, bout to be a Pina high. This usually in involves me staring at the ring or being really blissful about my relationship.

I am fully aware that this may be sickening to people around me. I will try to do the ring staring in the privacy of my home (this is the best place to stare at it, usually on the couch with my arm extended so my fingers don't look so wrinkly). And I will try not to get all sappy, happy, and weirdly blissful about us and how after all this time we finally are getting married.

I do know this Pina high may be short lived. I am already having the creeping anxiety of wedding planning trying to kill my Pina buzz.

In the meantime, I will continue to say my future name (in my head so people don't throw up), sneak peeks of my ring, and try to help you all survive dealing with me for the duration of the Pina high.

Ice in Arizona

Drum roll please.....


WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!!!


There was a rare ice storm in Arizona in the middle of July and it landed on my left ring finger!!

Looking at the pictures gives me a greater appreciation for hand models. My wrinkly fingers are not very photogenic.

We have picked 10/17/09 as the date and Vegas as the location.

Shhhhh!!!!

I have a secret!

It's killing me right now not to just say what it is but, I have to wait for the right time.

I am terrible at secrets. Nothing makes me happier than figuring out a surprise someone has planned for me or guessing what a gift is. I am the same when it comes to me keeping secrets. I just want to yell right now in caps lock and let everyone know what it is. However, I will wait until the right time to share it with everyone.

In the meantime, Mom, Shalee, Lynn, PJ, Larry and Jace...shhhh!!!

The Whole Enchiladas!

What a night! I attempted and was successful in making enchiladas!

"Oh wow, " is what most of you might be thinking. But, most of you reading this have probably been making enchiladas since you were 2. It's a big accomplishment for me.

Let me first of all begin by saying, I will no longer simply order enchiladas and pay my $3-$5 and enjoy my dinner. I will appreciate every bite! It took me 3 hours!!!!! Larry was cleaning Jace's closet (that's his obsession, cleaning closets and pantries) and I began what he told me would be a 15 min process. He came to check on me an hour later to see a huge mess and about 15 rolled enchiladas.

"What are you doing?" he said.

"What does it look like, making enchiladas!"

"Why are you doing it like that?"

"Like what?" I say, at this point annoyed and sweating.

"Rolling them, I don't do that. It takes too long."

"Wow, get back to the closet. Romero's and everywhere else rolls their's and so will I!"

Not willing to admit defeat, I rolled on. This was the finished product,

After our delicious dinner, we played a game with Jace. The game was a father's day gift from Mr. Jim and Miss Beth at Jace's school. They are some of the most thoughtful and creative people I know. I am amazed everytime I pick Jace up at the structure and well balanced playful environment they provide. They are a gift to our most important boy and we are thankful for them every day!

For father's day they took pictures of Jace and made them into a matching game. This was an amazing Father's Day gift. Not only is is a great game to help Jace concentrate and focus, it is something that we will always treasure because it is such a good idea and we all love it.

Jace had a hard time understanding the rules the first few times we played but, once he figured it out, he was so exicted!

High five for Daddy! It is so exciting for me to see Jace figure something out and think through an issue. I can almost see the light bulb going off in his little head!


I feel so blessed to have each day with these boys. I love my life and would not trade it for anything in the world!