Trip to Utah

We experienced a moment of delusion and planned an overnight trip to Utah, with the dogs, to cut down a 'wild' Christmas tree.  It went like anyone ELSE could have predicted.  We weren't in the room 30 seconds and Francis was trying to crap on the floor; Montgomery almost dumped the television over; Ellee was bbbeeeegggging to find the swimming pool; and Summer and I just wanted to eat.  Jason was along for the ride.

I found a dog friendly hotel weeks in advance and booked it.  I wasn't going to volunteer that there was almost 300lbs of dogs that were going to visit; but I DID ASK if they had a breed restriction or anything like that.  The concierge said their policy was a limit of two.  Any two.  Like my two.  Needless to say, to avoid confrontation, we slipped in and out the side door.

We don't know Utah and decided to just 'wing' trying to find a tree in the national forest.  We got our tag at the ranger station and proceeded north.  At 6000 ft, we thought the mountains were amazing.  By 10,000 feet, we swore we had altitude sickness. We stopped several times along the twisting trail until we could find a decent area of what appeared to be Christmas trees.  We ALL got out and wondered around.  Jason took off leaving me with all the handicaps.  Ellee insisted on hold Frank's leash; so fine whatever.  This could be our ticket out of dealing with him for next 10 years. He's literally dragging her around and in five steps she and the dog are wrapped around a tree.  Montgomery took one look up the hill and was a complete jerk about walking up and down the mountain. I get where he was coming from though.  Then Summer; oh sweet Jesus.  Please help that child. She would wonder off, find a tree that was about 35ft tall and say "what about this?"  I have to admit, I liked where she was going with this whole tree business, because bigger is WAY better, but Jason didn't think we'd able to fit it on the truck and drive it home 3 hours, OR fit in the house.  He said we HAVE TO have a couch. pooh. Then she picked one that was about 300 yards away, scaled the side of the mountain, with me (far) behind her, and we get to it and its about 4 trees growing together.  I could have pushed her down.  Then on the way down she found piles of snow and tried to have a snowball fight with Jason.  Anyone who has ever witnessed Summer attempting to throw something forward, and watches it land behind her, can figure out how well that went.  She barely managed to hit him at pointblank range.

So after about 3 hours, we finally found a tree. For any tree it's pretty nice; for a wild tree with mud covered dogs, a 3 year old with pneumonia, and Summer just being Summer, it is AWESOME.  It's about 9 feet and for the two weeks we have had it up so far, only about a dozen needles fell off.  Gotta love fresh cut trees!

Yes that's kitty hiding under the tree.  He's NOT happy about Christmas decorations.  All of the garland and cutout decorations that we upstairs are in piles where he pulls them down, makes a nest and then sits in them.

If a dog can smile, this is it.  Frank is OVER THE MOON; I think Montgomery is looking for a more suitable family for him. 

Gymnastics and pony riding lessons, Part Deux

This may not even be the same child that attempted gymnastics lessons last year.  She was TOP of the class. I told you that trampoline in the middle of the living room was a great idea, Papa!  Okay, so there was only one other girl, but still. :)   Here she is fearlessly racing over the balance beam.  She's moving so fast I can barely get a photo of her.

Every single lesson was modified by yours truly.  If she was asked to do it once; she did it 3 times.  If she was supposed to finish and hold her hands in the air, she practically touched the ground behind her with her hands bent so far back.  Hop = GIANT LEAP.  You get the idea. 

She was behind glass but could clearly still see us as was evident every time her precious Papa took a picture.  Guess what? She poses for him. Big shocker.

Then we had pony riding lessons on Sunday.  She is listening much better and walking all the way around her pony Patches, and brushes him out well.  Her favorite thing?  Feeding him, and all his animal friends, carrots.  Riding is fun too.  She's learning to 'weave' in between 3 wide set buckets to make figure "8s".  Patches is not a speed demon, and this can allow for downtime when Ellee's mind begins to wonder... then Patches begins to wander. 

Her teacher is the hardest working woman I know.

HALLOWEEN!!!

My wicked cute candy corn witch had a blast.  These holidays are GOOD. :)

We went to Lake Las Vegas to Trick or Treat with the girls and had a blast.  They had age appropriate (which meant terribly cheesy for Summer; TOTALLY AWESOME for Eleanor) games and a haunted house.  Some swampmen were dressed up and Ellee said they were "VERY SPOOKY!!"

Family photos are a JOKE. We had to both physically restain her... I'm POSITIVE that's the first time Summer smiled in 3 weeks.  The rest of the month is spent looking like this...

AGHGHGHGH!  SO SCARY!!!  Oh, wait; she's not trying.  For clarification; she is SUPPOSED to have a black ring around her eye, as her costume is a "Black eyed 'P'" with "P's" written all over her shirt.  I did NOT give her a black eye. *enter applause*

Pumpkins and Joyce

We carved pumpkins last night with the assistance of Merl (merlot) and Jess, my friend from work. This is Joyce with one of her creations. Why do we call her "Joyce" you ask? Eleanor likes to creep up behind you and whisper "JOYCE. JOYCE. JOYCE." in your ear until the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and you shoo her away like a bug.  She then runs off laughing HYSTERICALLY.  We don't get it; but then again there isn't much about her we DO get.

Editor's Note: PLEASE. SEND. HELP.

Daycare drama

It seems Eleanor is struggling a bit a preschool lately, or just maybe the school is struggling; I'm her mama and I am leaning towards the latter.  My baby is nothing but consistent, even if that means consistently stubborn, opinionated, hyperactive and hungry. 

She does very well with her "main" teacher, Ms. Leslie.  I've spoken to her at length as recently as 2 days ago.  For 30 minutes.  She gets Ellee, understands that she is a precious princess, and ultimately can trick her into doing what she wants her to do. 

Yesterday, I walked in and asked "how was our day?" to the lady at the front desk.  She paused and said "well, not great" and continued to tell me that we had a timeout today for sticking our tongue out at one of the after school teachers.  This 'teacher' and another one, are the closing teachers and therefore, get a mix all ages from 3's to 5? 6? who knows... there are some big boys in with my LITTLE 3 year old GIRL.

As I wholeheartedly and repeatedly agreed, it is wrong of her to stick out her tongue; and she got a well deserved timeout. I was told after she was browbeaten asked to apologize, she did.  Then was asked if she remembered why she said she was sorry, then asked if she knew she wasn't supposed to stick out her tongue at her teacher, then asked if she was going to use her listening ears, and on and on.  I'm over it just hearing it second hand. 

Then something interesting happened.  Sometimes when you let people just keep talking, especially about something (child discipline from a computer clerk at a daycare) or someone (3 year olds in general, my daughter specifically) interesting and revealing things come out of their stupid mouths.  Apparently, after one of Ellee's waterboarding sessions, time out interventions, she began to try to talk to her capture in an attempt to make her seem like a human being timeout guard and she said she had a puppy and read a story and that she was a princess.  This struck with the timeout Nazi as funny, but not like we are amused; like "oh you think you're a princess? YOU ARE NOT".  Her exact words to me? "I said 'you are pretty and all but you're not ALL THAT..." I said "well, she won't have body issues with that confidence" and cut myself lose from the conversation and ended with "I guess we have somethings to discuss".  I did stop Ellee at the front desk and she apologized to the point that the phrase means nothing anymore and we talked about it on the way home.  I even did the "wait til your father gets home" but it was barely any fun since I figured she had been crying about it for about 3 hours straight. 

She did tell papa, he was upset and she ran off crying to her room.  She came back down, apologized and we left it at that.  I can't help but feel like the message was really lost in the delivery on this one.  Not only is the mouthpiece for the preschool and idiot that wanted to be sure a 3 year old girl knew she wasn't sitting royalty, but these 'teachers' are really incredible.  Since I'm not good and just writing a check and letting her figure out how to deal with these teachers, I wanted to call the school and discuss it with an administrator; since they are long gone when I get there at 4:20pm everyday.  But, before I could call, I got a call.  I was being advised that Eleanor was being put on a behavior modification program and that it would be my job to follow up every night (like I don't already, thanks for the insult, old maid) and that she would be given a smiley face at the END of the day, by one of the two teachers that have already decided they are NOT amused by Ellee.  I explained that doesn't work for me and here is why.  Using names and specific instances, each of the old bags got ratted out.  The tone of the conversation quickly changed and the director told me they afternoon rotation of teachers is going to be switched up.  No longer will the 3's be merged with teenagers in the other room, they will come back from recess at 3:30pm and another teacher will watch them back in Room 4.  This will only happen until about 4:30pm until that teacher will go home, then they will be blended again.  So long Bodypump at 4:15pm, I've got to get my daughter to be sure she doesn't get mentally abused by the 'teachers' who's salaries I pay. 

Eleanor IS a princess; just ask her, she'll tell you.  And I'm NOT apologizing anymore for being a pacifist parent.  Figure it out or don't cash my check.

Pacy becy 513; Papa 1

SOMEONE is still struggling with the pacy becy.  I'm not going to mention names, but Jason just needs to give it up.  I'm NOT supporting this and Summer thinks a 3 year old lying straight to her father's face is hilarious.  I'm not mentioning names...

The other night, I finished was has been described as my "crippling" bedtime routine.  We get the toothbrush, she puts her OWN toothpaste on, (if this critical step is messed with its anarchy for the next 40 minutes) brushes herself, then its my turn.  I have to brush her teeth and tongue and then we wash her feet (if this critical step is messed with its anarchy for the next 38 minutes).  We then argue about using the potty; "Please try" "I don't have to go" "please just try" "I can't. I don't wanna go" "JUST TRY AND GO OR YOU'RE GETTING A SPANKIN" "I DON'T HAVE TO GO". Then we feed kitty treats, give a cat treat to Puck if he's made it up the stairs, then into bed for the biggest variable of our night; story time.  She's been addicted to The Very Hungry Caterpillar (who can't relate?) and, of course, The Three Billy Goats Gruff. She IMMEDIATELY questions for pacy.  "Is it under your pillow? You know that's your business; you have to keep track of it." "I CAN'T SEE IT" while she frantically tosses blankets and animals everywhere.  But the moment she hears its familiar "clank"; my little Pavlov grins from ear to ear and instantly lays down and rolls over.  INSTANTLY.  What mom is going to argue with THAT?  Certainly no parent that just spent the better part of 30 minutes white knuckling it through a bedtime routine from hell.

I finish story, start her music and call in the clowns to say good night.  Summer usually crawls into bed with her and squeezes her until I have to yell about the over abundance of affection she is showing.  Then Papa comes around the corner.  Eleanor saw him and SNAPPED pacy out so quickly it made a "pop"ing sound.  Summer raised her caterpillars  eyebrows and we just waited for the storm to hit.  She hid pacy behind her back in a feeble attempt to get it under the pillow without Papa noticing.  Even for that dinosaur, her reflexes were not fast enough. 

She jumped up and gave him an enthusiastic hug and kiss and laid down quickly.  He continued to rub her back and ask her questions about her day, what she learned at school and who she played with.  Clearly, this inquiry irritated  Eleanor.  She finally said "Papa, I NEED my sleep. Can you leave my room now?" I bit my cheek to keep from howling and had to kick Summer out due to her lack of control.  Papa asked her "is there something under your pillow?" "NOPE" she snapped back.  Her hand is now on the trigger; she's praying for him to leave.  I think she's actually sweating.  He then asked, "what do you have in your hand, Ellee?" She replied "MY FINGERNAILS".  That's it; I'm DONE.  I can't get out of the room fast enough trying to choke out "you ARE my best baby" as I take notes from my 3 year old on how to lie to her father's face.  He walked out shortly thereafter, fully defeated.  Pacy becy wins.

So I've decided

Independent of any input from her father, that Eleanor and I are only going to discuss school for 5 minutes in the car on the way home; and not anymore.  I'm sure she's playing me for a fool, but the last 3 nights getting her to bed have been ridiculous. She goes down at 8:30, comes out of her room roughly 45 minutes later when her music turns off and gives us some song and dance about how she has no water or needs to go to the bathroom.  All lies and now its 9:36pm.  WONDERFUL.  So I chase her back into bed, remind her she's "my best baby" and she tells me I'm her "best momma" and she kisses me through pacy becy (don't judge me) and I cover her head with her rivee and start her music and blow her kisses (that she blows back) then she 'moos' after I then remind her to "don't forget to milk the cows".  Then she states "I'm going to see Ms. Nicole at school, right?" AGHGHGHGHGH.  I'm NOT FAST ENOUGH.  She caught me.

"No, Ellee. Ms. Nicole is not at your new school.  You have Ms. Brandi now" (I'm now trying to hold her down with my forearm and hand across her body)
"Oh. But why can't I see Ms. Nicole?" (the writhing has begun)
"Because.  Ms. Nicole teaches babies and you are a big girl now."
"NO I'M NOT" she hisses back at me through her pacy.
"Alright, well whatever.  You have to go to Ms. Brandi. Roll over and close your damn eyes."

Then, this morning when I went in singing the "Good Morning" song to her, she snapped at me "WHY ARE YOU SINGING? I'M GOING BY MS. NICOLE?" I said no and walked right back out. Her EYES weren't even open... so this whole school and education is bullshit.  She falls asleep concentrating on it and wakes up plagued by it.  I'm choosing ignorance; I will not (and I've told her father and sister they cannot either) ask her about her friends, or what she learned, or what she played with at recess.  I'm sure this will backfire and she will be a grade school dropout; but she'll sleep good at night.

Nothing since June?!?!?!

Okay so there's been LOTS since June; but no excuses.  Whatever, my whole life is measured in excuses; so

why stop now?  :)

We've taken weekend trips, back home trips, trips to the Strip and its pools and trips to the couch. :)

Baby Eleanor LOVES swimming.  More than her father and sister combined.  She'd definitely give her Auntie Katee a run for her money... but ONLY in pools.  I don't think anyone would last longer than Katee in a lake. Good lord; my childhood memories of the cabin are filled with goosebumps and being told if I didn't stay in the water with her (since then she would have to get out too) that she would never play with me again.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

Anyway, now it snacktime.  Snacks to the pool are vital to not blowing $150 and to keep her from eating her own sister.  I'm not sure she'd eat Summer is she was still alive, all I'm saying is I don't think you should ever fly over the mountains in a twin prop plane that could crash leaving you in a horrible survival situation.  I'm sure Eleanor would survive.

We made back to the Midwest (last time ever, again, right Jas?) and got to see Katee's fabulous house in the Upper Michigan.  They made us earn our keep and Jason was forced into servitude.  He "built" their 1000 sq ft. deck while my brother in law Jason feed him horrible ales that were clearly just sludge from the bottom of the pond they filled in.  I suffered in silence all night in bed with the methane derivative of said sludge.  Yeah, you guys are coming out by us next year... I'm sure we'll have a pool to dig out or something...

Anyway, back to the task at hand.  All 3 of my sisters and our families were able to meet at the Milwaukee County Zoo.  Granny, Aunt Ninnee and Em made the trip with us; even though I'm not sure why.  It sounds something like this "Hey, do you guys want to blow a ton of money, stand around in ridiculous humidity and heat to watch a bunch of monsters, and see the animals too?"

Lets be real for a second; there were 5 children and 8 adults.  The ages: two 7 month olds, a 2 1/2 year old, a 3 year old and a 12 year old. The adults were clearly outnumbered.  I ALWAYS say it should take at LEAST 3 people to make a baby.  They were relentless and hungry and didn't listen for shit, fought off naps, nearly climbed into the black bear exhibit, took off in the Cathouse only to be found standing in FRONT of the "do not enter" railing and best of all, threw up on each other. (Well, Will threw up on Summer, that was pretty hilarious)

These two were such little buddies; all but one 'short' incident.  It involved a bouncehouse, a ball, being late for naps and tiny closed little fists flying in the air.  They slept in the same room and didn't remember it 2 1/2 hours later.

Here's s a shot of almost everyone.  My Jas is taking the photo and I'm TOTALLY pissed that my skinny ass is hiding behind Kasee.  P.S.  I ditched my minivan and I think it made me fat.  THAT'S my excuse and I'm sticking to it. :)

Here's Katee trying to clean her knockerjuice off my child.  Hers totally loved puking on my kid.  In Will defense; I'm sure Summer was shaking him, or just generally in his shit.  She is madly in love and would NOT put him down. 

WEIRDO.  She's got baby Luke's hat on.  And she's a dorkus.

My sis and Jason, 'baby Luke" and Will.  "Baby Luke" doesn't love being called "Baby Luke". He cleared that up with "Baby" Eleanor.  "I'M NOT A BABY! I'M A BIG BOY!"

I think Luke spent aLOT of time wishing he was back at home in Saudi where the womenfolk know their place a little better than these crazy American women.  I think he's explaining to her that she is not allowed to drive... this ended in tears; as does everything.  That's how we know its over; there are TEARS.

This was Enner's 1st pony riding lesson.  She ready for the rodeo after all her time practicing riding Frank.  She loved her pony Patches, but loved herself just a little more.  Naturally.

Sister Summer really, REALLY wanted to be there; it was 110 at 9am on a Saturday morning.  Where else would you want to be if you were a 12 year old?

She had to groom the pony before and after her ride.  I think she brushed a 4 inch by 4 inch section.  She did really like the hoof pick; I think because it most resembled a weapon of some sort.

This was a quick trip up to Mt. Charleston last weekend when Summer was 'working'/dog sitting for Ceaser.  She rather enjoys having a small dog that moves.  We have giant old men dogs.  Yes, that is my baby sling, YES she carried him up and down the mountain, YES people laughed at us.  And of COURSE, Ellee sang her song "I CAN DO IT MYSELF" (really, there is a song with melody and sometimes she harmonizes with herself) as she slid on her butt up and down the trial.  I don't bother; but it seems her father can't pass up the chance to raise his blood pressure and wastefully yell at, then beg, her to listen. 

All for now; we'll talk in 6 months!  :)

So much randomness...

Anyone up for some "Francis rides"?  We call Frank "Francis" now since it seems like more of a sissy name.  Emasculating is my specility. She really gets her hand up there and has been fully dragged across the yard on her back still clinging to Fink's collar.

First, I'd like to say that I'm super proud of myself for getting rid of her slide that's taken up most of the dogs living room.  Didn't even argue. But I did replace it with this.

 LOOK AT THAT FACE.  She loves it; and so what if I say "MOMMA BOUGHT YOU THIS" whenever I can get her attention.  We're not friends often, so I think if I remind her how awesome I am...

Oh the princess Cinderella jammas... more loving of herself.

Swimming fun.  We have established residency at the strip pools for the summer; this is MGM and is one of our favorites.  Lots of shade + a lazy river = tired children (and parents, let keep this real) that will go home and take loooong naps.  Sweet.

Baby Enner's second favorite thing to do at the pool....eat puffs!  She does a couple laps in the lazy river with Shishter, then gets out and curls up on a lounge chair and inHALES her puffs.  Then gets back in the water and repeat.

This is her nirvana...

And last, but not least talked about, is Papa's new car.  Its got tons of fun stuff on it; a supercharger whatever, speeding this and injecting that and he likes it and I tolerate it too.  My favorite part is the shaved off door handles!  That batman stuff right there.... :)

Not exactly the half naked girls scrubbing his car he was dreaming about... but still pretty cute to me!

We have FINALLY mastered the art of using a toilet.  We are nearly 100% accident free; except when we forget to unlock her door at night and she pees in front of her door waiting for us to open it for her.  Good thing she doesn't really care and was like "whatever; someone better get me some new princess underwears".

We just got Summer's final grades back and much to our astonishment; she ACED her final exams!  We studied EVERY NIGHT for 3 weeks and WE got an A on her final in Math; taking her grade from a C (that she did all on her own) to a B for her final report card.  All other courses got A's, and one B in a difficult Accelerated English class.  We're good with that! :) She's earned her 1st overnight weeklong camp at Mt. Charleston with the Girl Scouts.  We're very excited to see how she does!

That's all for now folks! 

Conversations with Eleanor

Last night "we" (I mean Jason, and I just didn't talk) tried very hard to convince Ellee to not go to bed with her pacy becy.  I'm not up for this battle; but found Jasons frank and indepth conversation with an insane 2 year old hilarious. It went something like this:

Jason: "Elle; come here for a minute I want to talk to you about something."
Ellee: "Okay Papa."
Jason: "Lets just have rivee and cuppy and Bambi for bed tonight, okay? How about we don't have a pacy tonight?"
Ellee: "Ma pacy becy.  I want ma pacy becy."
Jason: "Lets just use cuppy tonight.  How about no pacy. Okay?"
Ellee: "I want to talk to momma about this."

She came to find me and I had to keep pretending I didn't know what she was CLEARLY asking me.  Crap her eyes can get pretty sad in a FLASH.

Then, when Papa was reading the bedtime story, Shishter Summer was behind her bed and I was in front of her. (YES, we ALL need to sit and listen to bedtime story... don't judge) Ellee turned around and about 6 inches from Summer's face and whispered "GO GET ME A PACY".  She was hella serious; I know Summer was scared. 

BUT we managed to not have pacy; it only took an extra hour and 45 minutes of rolling around in bed.  Gawd help us.

Any mom would agree...

This is an ooooold email I laugh at just about every time I talk to my sister, Katee.  And since I suck so much communicating with her lately, I have her on the brain and want to make her laugh.  Love you.

I just get so sick and tired of being the house dictator. From 4:35 when I walk inthe house every night after work its "Take the dogs out; but stay out there with them" "Feed and water the dogs" "put Ellee in her high chair so that hellcat can eat" "get me a paper towel" "summer your dog is throwing up" "Can someone please get me a paper towel" "Montgomery go lay down. Stop begging" "Jason switch the load from the washer to the dryer" "Jason take this garbage out it frigging stinks" "Summer did you just throw the puke towels in the garbage? Jesus christ you know you're supposed to take those straight out the trash can outside" "Someone needs to empty the dishwasher" "Summer where is your dog? *Cat hissing in the background* "EEEELLLLEEEEE! STOP throwing your watermelon!" " "Summer put this shit away" "WHY ARE ERASERS ON THE COUCH" "Take this upstairs" "I don't know what we're having for dinner" "Ellee did you poop?" "Someone get me more wipes" Then I look at the clock and its 4:45. I love that everyone is helpful and do what I tell them to, I just wish I didn't have to tell everyone to do everything.  It's the SAME house we were in last night with the SAME cast of charactors; why can't we just do what we did yesterday again today? I don't see why I have to tell everyone the SAME THING day after day.

Dance Enner Dance

We've created a monster people.

They've started a weekly dance class at daycare and Eleanor loves it; to say the least.  Last night in the middle of the cul du sac; on a manhole as a platform, Summer and I were treated to a dance where deliberate and specific movements were attempted.  And there was a song. I'm not familiar with this version of it, but I'm sure it's a song we all know.  I can't wait to see tonight's performance.

Heh heh

Who DOESN'T enjoy watching Eleanor struggle? I certainly do... especially with her underwears over that donkey booty.

Enjoy :)

I've got an idea!

Eleanor has ideas; and she likes to share them.

At school yesterday, her teacher told me that she was helping another child calm down after having a tantrum when Eleanor came over to render her some assistance.  Ellee leaned over her crouching teacher and said "I HAVE AN IDEA! Why don't YOU (to her teacher) be quiet and why don't YOU (to her friend) be nice?"

More red car/blue car drama

Papa started a new job today and will not be dropping Hellcat off at daycare in the loathsome “red car”. This morning, since Barney was on and she was in the zone when he said good bye and have a good day… she didn’t realize he was gone until she peed on the toilet and expected 3 people to be going out of their minds for her. So she ran around throwing herself a party and yelled ‘PAPA. WHERE ARE YOU?” up the stairs.  I said “He’s at work already. He left and gave you a kiss, remember?”  She paused for 2 seconds and said “WAIT: BLUE CAR WITH SHISHTER?!?!”  That’s what she was happy about; the fact that her father was gone; which mean that he took the red car (that she HATES) and that she would go to daycare in the blue car (my minivan that she LOVES) with Summer in the car too.

SHE DEDUCTED THAT THE RED CAR WAS GONE. 

Summer and I looked at each other and she said "back away slowly.  Don't look directly at her..."

When we got to daycare we had just walked in when her teacher asked all the kids to clean up and that they would be doing flashcards in circle time next.  Ellee crossed her arms and stomped her foot twice and said "FLASH CARDS ARE BORING".  "Ellee, flashcards are fun with your friends. Sit down" "NO THEY AREN'T. THEY ARE BORING!"

SEND HELP.

Conversations with Summer (AWAKE)

Me: "Summer, you have dogshitty to pick up and dishes to put away NOW.  Like as soon as we hang up."
Summer: "mumble mumble mumble..."
Me: "Whatever; and REMEMBER: if you wouldn't eat it you need to pick it up and throw it out.  NOT just the big piles."
Summer: "Disgusting Mom.  I'm not going to eat the juicer; can I throw that out too?"

From Hellcat's Teacher:

"Eleanor had 4 servings of spagetti at lunch; since we found her eating everyone elses off the floor."

COME ON.

Some good news on the potty front; we've been wearing underwears at school and use the potty alot... Just not when we are watching TV or there is pretty much anything else we would rather be doing.