Guess who gingerly half-walked, half-limped into preschool orientation in flat sandals with no walking cast last night? That’s right! This girl! Just in time to be a bridesmaid in killer 4-inch heels this weekend. Boom. (see above)

I was seriously nervous when my hot doctor walked in with my x-rays. Have I told you about hot doctor? Yeah, I haven’t told my husband either. Whoops. Anyway, hot doctor was all tall, dark and dimpled and said “Your x-rays look great! I think you’re good to go.” I couldn’t believe that great diagnosis came out of that pretty mouth. (Pretty mouth? What is this, “Deliverance?” Come on, Amy.) 

Hot doctor showed me the x-rays and explained the new soft bone that had grown where the fracture is located. He gave me some guidelines for getting back into workouts and doing some rehab exercises. My foot and ankle are stiff and weak, but otherwise okay. Six weeks of immobilization will do that. He said to use pain as my guide as to what I can do. I tried on the heels to see how I walked. Hot doctor told me to wear them down the aisle and to have different shoes for the reception. He said, “You were probably going to do that anyway, weren’t you?” Yes, hot doctor. I was. I’ve never been in a wedding where I didn’t change my shoes. (Except my own, oddly enough.) 

I think what made me the happiest was coming home to my little girl who hugged me so tight and said, “Mama, I’m so glad you’re out of your boot so you can go swimming in the pool with me.” Then I looked up to notice my hot husband had folded laundry and loaded and unloaded the dishwasher. He puts hot doctor to shame.

 

When you walk into our house it is apparent that children live here, but I don’t think it’s asking too much to not make it SO apparent. Do you follow? What I mean is, it’s totally fine with me to have photos of my adorable babes and family pictures when you walk in our house. Toys and other baby stuff at the door? No. I like having designated spaces for my children’s things. They have their rooms, their playroom and their bathroom. (Pack ‘n Play and exersaucer in the living room excluded.)

That’s why it was bugging me that this was in our downstairs guest bathroom…

Granted, we had some fun with friends when a grown man visiting our house would ask where the bathroom was located. We would joke and tell him he was welcome to use the princess potty seat. We told him the Elmo potty seat was upstairs if he was more comfortable with that one. We cracked up and cringed when the princess seat ended up on one guy’s head after a few beers.

I know those seats are often a potty training incentive, as they were for Charlotte. She has been fully potty-trained for more than a year now, but she is much more comfortable on the commode with the child seat. I would too if my hiney was that tiny.  (Sorry sweet child for telling the Internet this information. We can delete this before middle school. Promise.)

I was psyched when Kohler asked me to try out their Transitions Toilet Seat and Touchless Flush Kit. The Transitions Seat is designed for children and adults. The top seat is designed for children and doesn’t slide out of place like the princess seat did. Charlotte knows it’s for her. We told her it was a “big kid” potty seat and she was delighted. She puts it down herself and told me it was great after she tried it out.

To make our commode that much fancier, we don’t even have to touch it to flush it! I’m nuts about restroom germs, even at home. This is a much more hygienic way to flush, especially with children. It may be the only commode in the house I use come flu season. Charlotte thinks it’s amazing that she only has to hold her hand over the sensor, listen for the beep and it flushes. My handyman husband installed it and said it was very easy. He said the instructions were very clear. Since we installed the touchless system, our problem of a running toilet has been solved! The thing would run all the time. Our water bill took a hit. This will help.

We are so happy with our fancy new toilet. It’s great. I call it “fancy” but in all seriousness, the price was comparable to other flush systems and seats. If you’re building or remodeling, these would be awesome!

What type of seat did your child use when potty-training? Have you ever used a touchless system in a home? Let me know!

Disclaimer: Kohler sent me the Transitions Toilet Seat and Touchless Flush Kit to try, my opinions are free and honest.

Every time I turn on my computer or glance at my phone, more friends are dumping ice water on their heads. If they’re not dousing themselves, they’re sharing the video of another celebrity participating in this odd fad. Then there is that moment when you realize you’ve been challenged by a friend. No doubt, it’s the online trend of the summer. I don’t have much in common with LeBron James, but he and I both challenged our friends to take the challenge and and/or donate to ALS. I challenged some fellow moms and their little ones by the blow-up pool on our deck. King James challenged the POTUS from his yacht. Still, LeBron and I were both cold and that’s pretty cool. I really want a Kardashian to do this. I imagine they would use Evian or Fiji or something, and I want to see that.

I saw reports citing statistics from the ALS Association who say donations are at $13.3 million so far in 2014. That’s up from $1.7 million this same time last year. They attribute this to the Ice Bucket Challenge fad and say it’s changing the way non-profits approach fundraising.

I smile every time I see one of these silly videos. I chuckle every time I see someone leave a comment on Facebook after they’ve been challenged and say something like, “Oh no! Not doing it! But, we totally pledge our support. Donated $50.” What a wonderful place the Internet is.

Then it isn’t. Then the Internet becomes the nasty place it sometimes can be. My heart sank yesterday when I read a Facebook status that said, “SO OVER people pouring water on their heads! So stupid!” Another said, “I’ll donate for these videos to stop!”

Really?! Of all the Internet fads, this is the one you want to stop? You made your Year In Review Flipagram video on New Years Eve like everyone else. You just posted the results of the Buzzfeed quiz that told what your favorite junk food said about your sex life, but you’re bashing the Ice Bucket Challenge?

I have to wonder how many people even knew what ALS was until this fad. ALS is Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease. It is a horrible, scary disease that leaves people paralyzed before they die. Thousands of people are diagnosed every year. I think it’s pretty amazing that people are donating money to find a cure and raise awareness.

If you’re “so over” the Ice Bucket Challenge, just keep scrolling down and ignore the videos. You don’t have to watch them, you don’t have to participate and you don’t have to donate, but don’t douse the flames of a trend that has caught fire. Especially one that could help find a cure for a disease that any one of us could get.

Muddling through the dog days of summer makes me ready for the routine of fall. I was really looking forward to August. I wanted to enjoy the last “pool days” with no camp and no commitments. I just wanted to get up and go to the pool with my sweet water babies. Well, the joke’s on me. I broke my foot. The doctor doesn’t want me out of the walking cast. I don’t want to take them to the pool without someone with me. Charlotte swims with a flotation device due to my extreme water anxiety. We’ll start swimming lessons next summer when she’s four.

We didn’t do swimming lessons this summer with preschool camp, dance camp and gymnastics camp. I didn’t want to over schedule her. Which leads me to my autumn dilemma.

I’m worried I over scheduled my 3-year-old.

Here’s our plan starting in September:

• Preschool half-days, four days a week. She eats lunch at school. Ends at 1:00 pm.
• Tuesdays: 50 minute gymnastics class after school at 2:00 pm.
• Thursdays: 90 minute dance class after school at 1:45 pm.
• Fridays: Free!

A few details:

Nap time typically begins a 2:30pm around here. Naturally, that will be later on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I’m worried that will throw off her nap so much that she will start giving it up, which I am NOT interested in doing. This kid is a sleeper and needs naps. I know some 3 1/2 year-olds have already given them up, not my kid.

Charlotte does better on a schedule and when we are busy. When we have days at the house like we’ve had recently her behavior suffers. If we sit around the house I get either anxious or lazy. Neither is good for my psyche. That’s why I get out of the house everyday to work out or go somewhere and do something. We have not been bored since I started staying home and I like it that way. I did leave Fridays open on purpose.

I want her to be a stimulated, well adjusted preschooler who’s extra-curricular activities make her more than ready for Kindergarten. But, I also don’t want her to have an over-scheduled childhood that results in her getting into a fine private university before flunking out in the first semester in a pot-smoke haze. You know, rebelling against her yuppie, scheduled upbringing.

Plus, my Mom was like, “She doesn’t need all that! She’s only three!” Cue the guilt. 

So, if you were me, what would you do? I feel like we could drop gymnastics if it’s too much or if her naps start to suffer. Thoughts? How many extra activities are too many?

Our family is in the home stretch before my step-sister’s wedding. I pick up my bridesmaid dress from the tailor shop in a few days. I finally found my little flower girl some shoes to wear with her dress. Tahlia texted me yesterday asking about firming up a videographer. She has samples of the programs. She and my mom were recently discussing the order of service.

The couple has been showered and celebrated. It’s almost time.

I waited to order Henry’s suit until right at the start of August because, you know, the insane growth of 9 month-old’s. Oh, did I forget to tell you my son and my nephew will be MATCHING in these adorable suits?! I was so excited, I had to take some iPhone pics of Henry yesterday. I couldn’t wait. He is getting harder and harder to photograph.

This reminded me of a time this winter when Henry almost cost me a wedding dress. It was February. He was 3 months-old. I was quite a bit puffier and not overly anxious to try on bridesmaid dresses. Alas, it was for Tahlia, so I tucked Henry in the stroller, sucked in my baby belly and barely zipped up several dresses. We weren’t there for me, though. We had to find her dress.

Tahlia tried on gorgeous gown after gorgeous gown. They all looked great on her. It’s ridiculous how stunning each sample dress looked. I was sitting to the side with my step-brother, their mom and our sweet friend Erin. Erin was feeding Henry his bottle. After debating the top two choices, it was unanimous, she found the dress. We were celebrating and being silly. I walked over to the stroller to stash his bottle. Tahlia was dancing around in the dress and wanted to “dance” with Henry. It was adorable. She took him from Erin.

My “mama senses” kicked into gear. I sniffed the air. I knew what it was. I turned and looked up as Tahlia grabbed him. It was like slow motion. I shouted, “Tahlia!!!! No!” She was holding him under the arms. Henry was headed for her hip covered with beautiful organza, or silk or some other fabric you only wear when you get married. I darted between the chairs to grab him just in time.

Bright orange liquid poop was soaking through the cute sock monkey outfit pictured above. This diaper disaster was less than an inch from the dress. Yep, I was less than an inch from being the proud owner of a sample wedding gown. I flashed to this…

 

You say, “Oh, but you could have just cleaned it and Tahlia could’ve worn it.” No, she’s so adorably petite she needed to order an even smaller size. Henry had to be a few ounces smaller after that unloading. Let’s just hope he keeps the suit clean until the family gets through pictures.