This week I begin my most dreaded task of being a mother… Potty Training!! It is a must do task that I have never enjoyed! In fact, I have never met another mom that has actually been excited about potty training. Last week I casually mentioned to a few of my mommy friends that my youngest would be getting rid of his diapers, and a look of sympathy passed over each of their faces! Before having children, I never thought I would talk so openly about poop! We of course rehashed the horror stories of training our older children… the near misses, the stories of being in public when our child finally decided to “go” in his pants, etc! I was told to go forth with lots of wine stockpiled!!

I hate the mess, the repetition of sitting on the potty every fifteen or twenty minutes for hours on end, and most of all I can’t stand being confined to the house for days on end!!

But it is of course a rite of passage for every child! And as much as I am dreading this Monday morning start, I am also experiencing a bittersweet feeling because this will be my last time potty training. There will be no more diapers at our house in the coming weeks, and it does in some ways feel like an end to a life chapter! Bring on the wine!!

With Father’s Day fast approaching, I thought I would share two of my favorite gifts that we have made for my husband. He loved them and our boys LOVED putting these gifts together for Daddy!!!

You will need a large frame, paper and paints. Since we have three boys, I used a different paint color for each child. This is a great project to do outside! Use a large piece of paper or cardboard. Have the first child walk across the paper, followed by the second, etc.  I started with the oldest child so that the largest print would be on the bottom. While the paint is drying, I printed the poem below to insert into the frame. Glue the poem onto the picture so it doesn’t move in the frame. Once everything is dry, assemble your frame! Dad will love it!!

I was at a family party a few weeks ago, and someone mentioned my Auntie B’s upcoming wedding anniversary. It was going to be fifty-three years I believe. So of course my husband and I were like, wow that’s a long time! How did you make it to fifty-three!? And this was her advice… wait for it…. do stuff together!!!

How simple is that! Probably not as simple as it should be! Auntie B told us that they never do things apart. She told us to make sure we still date, because in twenty years these kids that we make our world will actually leave us… without giving it a second thought!!! She told us not to grow apart because when our kids leave, we will be stuck with each other. And it will be nice to actually know the person standing there when the kids are off living their own lives!! She also told us to always put our significant other first… even above our children.

I thought it was great advice, simple advice, and advice that could easily get pushed aside in these busy lives we lead. I love family time, but it’s not the same. Even if you have the sweetest children that never whine or cry, AND I do NOT believe you if that’s the case, it’s not the same. If the children are there, they are a distraction from one-on-one time with your spouse. So, try to do one thing every week with just your partner. It could be as simple as going to get coffee and have an uninterrupted conversation.

Here is my own bucket list for more couple time this summer!

– Do a beach day with just my husband

– Tennis match

-Red Sox game

-Summer concert

-Day of wine tasting

-See a movie together that is NOT animated

-Picnic lunch

-Sunday brunch in the city

-Bike ride

-Mini golf

-Take a cooking class together