Training

I'm taking advantage of a couple low-key weeks here before the holidays to do some potty training with Jadon and sleep training with Leah.  I've been talking to Jadon about the potty for a long time and over the summer I attempted some training, but wasn't seeing much progress.   Well, I think he was ready this time.  We've been working on it intensively for a week now and he's doing great!  I am so proud of him!  As for Leah, she's not the best sleeper.  She usually wakes up once or twice at night crying and I would always end up nursing her.  After a good pep talk from my mom, I decided to cut that cold turkey.  I'm proud to say I haven't given her a midnight snack 4 nights in a row.  I've been letting her cry herself back to sleep, and she is persistent.  Last night was a real victory because she only cried for 5 minutes.  I'm a mom on a mission and I'm hoping to tote around 2 new and improved children to all the relatives houses this holiday season.  I also included a picture of our friends, the Johnsons.  We have been staying home a lot for the potty training so they came over and brought the fun to us.  Sorry, no pics of Jadon, but the one of Leah in the pretty dress is her cheering Jadon on in the bathroom :)

Preschool Party

Trick-or-Treat

Well, we've been milking this holiday for all it's worth.  On Friday night we passed out candy and took the kids trick-or-treating.  It was a warm evening and it stayed light out 'til about 6:00.  Many people, including us, were sitting out on their porches, so there was a festive community feel to the evening.  On Saturday we went up to Dubuque to visit my Grandma.  We took her out for lunch and then went to my Aunt Sue's house for a little visit.  After that we drove to Jeff and Charity's place in Galena.  There were hot air balloons in the sky and it was so pretty.  That night we went to their Halloween parade downtown.  It was packed, but very fun.  

Preschool Party

Today Jadon's preschool class had a Halloween Party.  All the kids dressed up and paraded around the YWCA.  They trick-or-treated in a couple offices and then went to the gym to play games.  Afterwards they went back to their classroom for a snack.  It was all very adorable.

Boo at the Zoo

On Sunday we met up with Brant, Amie, Kylie, and Dylan at the Niabi Zoo for their Boo at the Zoo event.  The kids wore their costumes, saw animals, explored some fire trucks, and trick-or-treated at booths set up around the park.  Jadon got a kick out of the big fox.  Another highlight was this little monkey that came right up to us and sat on the window sill.  I also saw my friend Wendy there with her kids.  We would've visited longer, but it was getting very cold and windy! 

Halloween Party at the YMCA

We took Jadon and Leah to the Y on Saturday for their annual Halloween Party.  Jadon enjoyed playing the games and running around with his friend Brecken.  Leah didn't care for her costume since it inhibited her new skills, crawling and standing up.  She had fun at the Y watching all the commotion, though.  I included some pictures from home.  We are still in awe at how Leah gets around for being 8 months old!

Leah Crawling