Power of the Potty

Who knew that the potty could hold such drama and elation? Getting "G" to sit on the potty used to be such torture. It seemed the very seat had whine-producing barbs compelling her to plead her case in unintelligible phrases.

Forget the fact that the rewards of making a deposit were M&M's and even toys. This exercise was cruel and unjust in her mind of 3 years. Then, eureka! We stumbled upon the technique of counting. First, it was from 1 to 30. Then 40. Then 50. With the focus on counting and the verbally bindings keeping her on the potty seat, it became a game.

Meanwhile, at school (daycare) the potty training exercise is going to the room of relief every 30 minutes and sitting for 5 minutes. Conducting this routine at home is a bit of a military exercise with a digital counter. Baby steps...

The blessing is, we're almost there - really! She's making it through the days and night without a diaper sagging with fun. No amount of training, books, DVDs, or rewards can truly help a child become potty trained. One day, it just clicks and usually for #1 first, then #2 later.

Besides the potty, we are groovin along fine here in Columbia, Maryland. Kim has a new ride - a 2005 Toyota Highlander - due to the Honda Accord's transmission going out. We sold it to a gent from Pennsylvania. The Highlander was a blessing of find being about $8k off Blue Book and still looking and smelling like a new car. It's a sweet ride.

I still have the Toyota Solara, which has been a faithful vehicle of the hour each way weekday commute.

And it's finally getting coolish! Feeling like Fall, which always excites me. My favorite time of year…the colors of the leaves…the crispness of the air…the ghost tales that abound. Georgia will be Cinderella this year…very fitting alter ego for the little princess. She should really enjoy it this year, too!

Let's see if I can scare up another entry before Halloween.