The Fallons: October 2012

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Homework

Samantha gets homework Monday through Thursday in Transitional Kindergarten, which also means Todd and I get homework Monday through Thursday.

Some nights homework goes like this:

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Happy 5th Birthday Gwendolyn

Our favorite girl, Gwendolyn, turned FIVE a few weeks ago!

And, she had the BEST party ever! We celebrated on a catamaran around the Santa Barbara coast.

It was such a gorgeous, GORGEOUS day!

To be honest, I am not a huge "boat person" but this was so calm and enjoyable. The last time I was on a boat, I didn't do so hot. This was different, we coasted along so smoothly. And the best part was seeing Gwendolyn so happy!

Just as I was getting real comfortable on the boat, right after this picture was taken, the boat began to really, REALLY sway after it stopped to look at some sea lions. I literally started to slide down (quickly) from where I was seated. Like a true damsel in distress (ridiculously dramatic!), I cried to Mike who was in front of me, "HELP, I am falling!" Next time I will bid adieu to my drink and use my hands to catch myself. What can I say, I love a good mimosa!

The whole afternoon was perfect. Seeing Gwendolyn so happy, watching all the kids interact with her and seeing her eyes light up when we sang happy birthday.

As most know, I am running in the November 10th Santa Barbara Marathon Relay to raise money for SMA research so that one day Gwendolyn and everyone else born with SMA can run too. I am almost halfway to my $1000 goal. It would mean a lot to have your support, just $5 or $10 will get me closer to that goal!

You can learn more about Gwendolyn, SMA and donate to my cause HERE!

Thank you and Happy, HAPPY Birthday Gwendolyn!

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Thatcher's Potty Training Reward

I had started a potty training chart a while back for Thatcher and basically we abandoned it. We did stickers for a few days but then the chart remained blank on days that he was accident-free which was pretty much everyday! Although Samantha was potty trained a few months earlier than Thatcher, he was SO MUCH EASIER! With Sam, I was so done with changing diapers especially since Thatcher was a newborn at the time and I was headstrong about only having one kid in diapers. She was potty trained shortly after turning two but not without a bit of a battle and a lot of accidents. At 2 1/2, Thatcher was ready on his own and the whole process has been a lot smoother.

A few weeks ago, Thatcher saw the chart and asked me why he doesn't get to put his stickers on anymore and when does he get to go to the toy store?

I let him fill up the chart with stickers and told him today was the day!

And goofy smiles were to be had!

He told me on the way to the toy store that all he wanted was a microphone. I am not sure where or why he got the idea of wanting one. Unlike Samantha's trip to the toy store for her good behavior last month, Thatcher did not agonize over what he wanted. He picked out a silly (cheap) blue microphone and then we came outside for a photo and he gave me more goofy smiles!