How to Potty Train in Two Weeks

This time last summer, I was potty training my son. At the time he was 2 ½. We had introduced the potty chair to him and he had used it correctly a few times so we knew he was ready to learn to use it all the time. I think that is a big part of potty training, your child MUST be ready.  This is only my account of potty training, but a year later, accidents are rare and we are pull-up free at bedtime. (KNOCK ON WOOD). I had him fully trained in 2 weeks and the perfect time to do this is over the summer. I’ve talked to many other parents and they’ve used different variations of this method. Here’s what I did:

1)      I had 2 weeks off work and no plans of going anywhere. This is very hard to come by, but if you have it it’s the perfect time to train.

2)      You’ll need a training potty, a piece of poster board, markers, stickers and m&ms (or a small treat that your son or daughter can eat several of a day). Also, popsicles, juice and water are helpful.

3)      I let my son pick out different pack of stickers so he was excited about getting a sticker.

4)      We drew up a chart with his name on the top and the dates along the side with plenty of room for stickers.

5)      Now that the prep is done, it’s time for training. It’s best to do this in summer for the next part of training. You let your son or daughter go without shorts and without a diaper. This may result in a few accidents in the beginning, but don’t get discouraged.

6)      If you put the potty in the same room you are playing in, and explain that if he or she feels the need to go to sit on the potty. I also asked him periodically if he wanted to sit on the potty to try to go, especially after he had something to drink.

7)      Every time the child correctly uses the potty and you both help wash hands. They get to put a sticker on today’s date and they get an m&m.

My son really liked to count how many stickers he got at the end of the day. I’m a firm believer that it takes 2 weeks to form a habit and it’s no different with children. I also had my son eat popsicles and drink more water than normal so he would need to go to the bathroom more. The more stickers he got the more he liked using the potty. After the two weeks I still asked him after he had something to drink if he needed to use the potty, but after a while he can just tell me if he needs to go.

Happy Day!

Farmer's Market Date Night Meal

I looked around the Farmer’s Market and with the help of my son picked up a few things that looked super yummy. Especially since its summer and there is such a great variety. We like to eat light in the summer so these fresh fruits and veggies are perfect!

Bacon                          $4.17

Kale                             $2.00
Tomatoes                     $3.00
Zucchini and Squash     $3.00
Strawberries                 $4.00
Peaches                       $4.00
Potatoes:                     $3.50
Flowers                        $3.00
Wine                            $9.00

Other pantry items for recipes:

Bread
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Mayo
A packet of onion soup mix
sugar

Menu:

BLT: with kale as lettuce
Grilled Zucchini and squash
Roasted red potatoes
Fruit salad

I found a roasted red potato recipe on all recipes
Potatoes Recipe

For the Zucchini and Squash I sliced them as shown tossed them with olive oil and added a bit a salt and pepper and put them on the grill to soften them up and get some good char lines

 
I diced the peaches and strawberries, put it in a bowl and set in the fridge so the juices could run together.
 
I fried the bacon, sliced tomatoes, and separated the leaves of kale for the sandwiches.

Farmer's Market Inspired Table Setting

I like to do a nice grown up dinner once or twice a week. Most of the time we’re rushed with school or work and instead of hiring a babysitter to go out we enjoy date night at home. For this date night I was inspired by summer and our local farmer’s market. I grabbed a small variety of flowers from the Farmer’s Market. I wanted flowers that looked the most like wildflowers. If I had a farm and grew wild flowers I would have picked my own. Sadly, no farm for us yet. I took the flowers and cut them down and used mason jars as vases. I split up the different types of flowers and filled to quart sized mason jars. I currently have a small obsession with mason jars so I have all different sizes. I put candles in the smaller sized mason jars. You can find these jars in any grocery store in the baking aisle. I set natural colored placemats at two seats and used our leaf pattern plates. I like simple table settings. Look at my Farmer’s Market Menu post for the food shown. Happy Entertaining!

For other Rustic Inspired Entertaining items check out my Treasury of item from Etsy.com

Rustic Kitchen Treasury

Quilting Project Beginning!

I just received my custom fabrics from Spoonflower.com! I'm going to make quilts for my soon to be nieces! I'm using White Duck on Yellow, White Duck on Pink Fabric from my Megan Kay Design shop on Spoonflower. I also made a custom design with my nieces names on a pattern, so I can incorporate their names on their quilts. I'm really excited to start on the project, so stay tuned to see how the project evolves!

Click here to access My Spoonflower Page

Colorful Mason Jars

My new favorite crafting project! I take Mason Jars and use enamel paint to make them every color imaginable! I like to use them for flowers or for candles. The yellow one glows so perfectly. I've also made enough purple ones for a pop art display. These jars can be used in SO MANY ways. If you like them as much as I do visit my Etsy shop for all the different colors.