The City Mouse and the Country Mouse

So, we all read the story when we were kids. The city mouse just can't appreciate the country lifestyle and the country mouse is completely lost in metropolis. I was the city mouse transplanted to the "boonies" as I referred to it when I first met Robin. For what it's worth, this mouse has learned to love the country!


Granted, I moved from Wausau which is not a big city by any means. But even in those 20 miles from home to the edge of town -- routines, rituals and the way of life changes. Out here -- we really do borrow cups of sugar from our neighbors. When I lived in town -- I only knew about one person on my block. And if you need something -- you go to the store and get it yourself. Out here, you wave at anyone going by. In town, you drive to fast to see if you are passing your own family on the streets. I am probably exagerating a bit but you get the point!


The motivation for this line of thought came from a birthday party we went to last night. Friends that grew up together, all still hanging out, now with a few wives and kids in tow. And now, our kids are all going to school together. I look at Sam playing with his friends and even Ally playing with a little girl that I know she will play with for many summer nights to come. In fact, chances are good that they will have each other to depend on for all 13 years of school. Those are the kinds of bonds that city kids just don't have as many chances to make.


I feel really lucky to allow my kids to grow up in this peaceful environment. Where I can let Sam and Ally play outside and listen them laughing instead of the busy hum of city noises. Where the school is small enough that even the lunch lady knows the names of the preschoolers -- who don't even each lunch at school. Where even though they didn't know me at first -- everyone waved when they passed!

The Saga Continues. . .

The Anti-Potty Training Queen and her "Crown"

Counting back I have been working on this, in some way, for over a year now. When Ally was about 18 months we starting sitting her on the potty and getting the idea in her head. I knew it was early so we didn't push we just kept reinforcing the whole idea. Since she has been two we have done potty charts, Dora underwear, candy and downright bribery. We went 3 whole weeks just wearing underwear. I was not going to turn back. I could handle wet pants (there were rubber pants over the top so it wasn't too bad). But after 3 weeks of #2 accidents and no progress -- we brought back the Pampers. That case even included messy circumstances for Grandma at the library! We've tried the little potty, the big potty with the Dora seat and even -- per Ally's request -- the big potty with no Dora seat. She picked out her own underwear and promised she would not get them dirty. Trick after trick and I am still buying diapers.

According to everything she is ready. She is older than Sam was -- 2 and 3/4 now! She is the second child and they are supposed to be quicker. She is a girl and they are also supposed to be easier. She wakes up from nap and in the morning dry. She almost always goes on her potty if we can get her to sit on it. She tells me when she needs her diaper changed. She even brings out the wipes and a clean diaper and looks at me with those big huge eyes and says, "poop." This child knows the game and she plays it well.

Then I heard a new tactic. Becky told me about the "Brenda technique". The idea is to put her in the underwear. Every time she has an accident you take her in, give her a bath and make her do the laundry. Every time. Apparently kids don't like to do all that work. It is easier just to use the toilet. We are going to try it this one. As soon as we have a few days where we can stay home and be consistent with it -- Game On! Then maybe we'll get those underwear off the head and down where they belong.

Green Bay Trip

We spent a couple days in Green Bay for a little kid time. Mom and Matt took us to The New Zoo, Chuck E Cheese, Bay Beach and -- Sam's Favorite -- we even made a pit stop at Toys 'R Us. I think the child would have been happy to sit in the hotel room and build with his new Legos for the entire trip.

We had great weather and I love the New Zoo. We got to feed the giraffes and even saw a little bit of lion "wrestling!" It's not too big so we didn't need a stroller, although little legs were getting tired at the end. There were even some big legs that may have been a little tired. I don't know how 2 little kids can keep 3 adults running so much.

We stayed at the Microtel Inn which has a very simple but great pool for kids. Ally amazed us as she hit the water slide time and time again, plunging into the 6 ft water at the end of each trip. She would come up coughing and choking, reach for the ladder and run to start all over again.

Thanks Mom and Matt for taking us on a Great Trip!