Guy Time for Rich

Rich is away this weekend for some guy time. He went on a pheasant hunt yesterday, then went on to a buddy's cabin where they will be hanging out doing guy stuff and eating guy food (steaks and venison chili-not the pheasant that I'm going to have to learn how to cook-LOL!) As much as I love him to be home with us, I'm happy that he was able to go. He needs his guy time..he is a father and husband when he is home, an employee/surveyor when he is at work and a firefighter on his fire calls and at fire meetings, but he rarely gets the chance to just hang out and be a guy.

Since Rich is away on his guy weekend, I thought it was fitting that I came across a giveaway for The Man’s Book: The Essential Guide for the Modern Man at Book Dads: Fathers Who Read! By reading this book, I think it would be a great way for Rich to escape into some guy time on the days that he can't physically get away. Unlike me, Rich truly loves to read, so not only would he enjoy a little guy time, but he would also be doing something he loves. If you also want to give your husband some guy time on days he can't get away, head on over to Book Dads: Fathers Who Read! and sign up to win The Man’s Book: The Essential Guide for the Modern Man. (They're giving away 5 books, so you have a great chance at winning!)

Something Old

Today is Day 5 of My Life. In Pictures. and it is the final day! I have had a great time capturing pieces of my life in pictures this week and I just wanted to thank Amber at Everything Except the Grill for hosting this fun photo challege.

I had thought of all sorts of things that were old that I could take pictures of (including myself, since I'm feeling pretty old lately), but I decided to take a picture of our outhouse behind our house.


Our house was built in the 1930's, so I'm assuming that the outhouse is from the same time. I'm not exactly sure why the previous owners kept it up after installing indoor plumbing in the house, but I'm glad they did! It's actually a three-holer, which I find intriguing to some extent. I love my privacy (though I usually don't get it with 2 little ones) and I cannot comprehend how they used to 'do their business' while sitting next to someone else? They must have been one very close family! :-)

Even though the original owners felt the need to keep the outhouse, I'm not sure how much longer we will be able to. In a lot of ways I want to keep it, since it was part of our yard from when Rich bought the house and it is definitely a conversation piece. At the same time, it is also showing it's age and I don't know that we can afford to fix it up. It's an extra building that we don't use and there are several more urgent fixes that we need to work on as we can. Either way, I love that I took this picture. I think it turned out neat and it will be great to have, especially if we decide we need to tear down the outhouse in the future. :-)

Something I Do Each Day

This is Day 4 of My Life. In Pictures. and the assignment was to take a picture of something you do each day. At first I couldn't think of anything that I did that I wanted to take a picture of, besides maybe a picture of taking care of my family. Then Rich suggested the mailbox, because I walk out to get the mail each day. So here it is:

I know it doesn't look too exciting, but it is for me. I love getting the mail! It's like opening up a present each day and being surprised by what's inside. I'll admit most days the 'present' is quite dissapointing...usually a bill or a boring catalog...but I still love the anticipation as I walk up to the mailbox. There could always be a letter from a friend or a special package waiting for me. Those rare occasions, where there is a nice 'present', are what keeps 'getting the mail' exciting for me. :-)

To participate in My Life. In Pictures., or to see what other people do each day, head on over to Everything Except the Grill.

Time for Potty Training?

I have been eagerly waiting for Blake to show signs that he is ready to be potty trained. One of the main signs that Morgan showed that she was ready is when she started hiding to do number two's. Well, I don't know if it's because Blake is a boy, or if he just hasn't been ready, but he could care less if he hides to do his number two's. He'll stand right in front of me staring at me the whole time he's working at it! He is not interested in hiding at all!

Even though Blake hasn't hid to poo-poo yet, about a week ago he did start pointing to his diaper and saying 'poo-poo' when he has done either number one's or two's. Not every time he does them, but some of the time. I'm thinking that might be his sign to me that he is ready to start...at least a little. So, the last few days I've been taking him to sit on the potty. He has even started pointing to the bathroom and saying what sounds like 'potty'. He hasn't actually gone on the potty yet, but I don't expect anything right away. I'm just excited that he has finally shown interest!

So, now that Blake is showing interest, I'm not sure whether I should work at training him all out or hold off until the weather is warmer, like I did with Morgan. I'm worried that I have a window of opportunity right now and if I wait too long it will be harder to train him in a couple months when it's more convenient for me. Either way, I do think I will at least let him sit on the potty once a day as an introduction. I would also love some extra tools to help introduce potty training to Blake, like books and movies, so he can really get the idea of what using the potty is all about. Luckily, I've come across two giveaways for some potty training tools. One giveaway is at Stop, Drop and Blog for a Complete Starter Kit from the Potty Training Made Easy website. The other giveaway is at Healthy Moms for the same Potty Training Kit from Baby Signs. (Both Potty Training kits are from the same sponsor, but the giveaway sites linked them under different names.) I would love to win either one because, I know from potty training Morgan, that I can use all the help I can get!

If you are also in the midst of potty training and would like some extra tools to guide your little one in the process, head on over to both sites, by following the above links, and check out the entry rules! :-)

Wordless Wednesday: The View from My Front Door

This is also a My Life. In Pictures. photo challenge picture. If you would like to participate, head on over to Everything Except the Grill and check it out!

For more Wordless Wednesday, check out 5 Minutes for Mom, Go Graham Go! and Healthy Moms.