Potty Training ideas

Well, I haven't talked about it here, but for those that know me, We had a really, really hard time potty training Serena, my youngest. I was spoiled, Evie potty trained herself before she turned 2, she hated the feel of a wet diaper, and when she realized that could be avoided by peeing in the potty, she chose to go on the potty. Rena was three and a half before we could even get her to sit on the potty. She actually liked the feel of a wet diaper, which made things difficult. When we tried to just put undies on her, she would just go, because she didn't mind the wet panties either, or the wet carpet, floor, couch, etc.

The *one* thing that got her to sit on the potty was the Potty Fairy. See, one day she recieved a special delivery from the Potty Fairy, that looked like this

It's a little plastic tub that fit on the back of the toilet, The box itself comes in many colors, it is made by Sterlite and is available at Target and Walmart. I like this style box because the sides lock. There were stickers to decorate the box, so she would feel it was "hers".

Inside the box were prizes! lots of little things, like lollipops, bonbelle makeup, and anything that was under $1 and would fit.

Of course, the box came with a letter from the Potty Fairy, that said...

 

Dear Serena:

This is your official invitation to become a POTTY PRINCESS! I hope you will join us! To be a POTTY PRINCESS, all you need to do is practice sitting on the Potty!

To Welcome you to our special group of POTTY PRINCESSES, I have sent you a special POTTY PRINCESS PACK to get you started.

First, decorate your box with the stickers enclosed, or if you have stickers you like at home, feel free to use them.

After the box is decorated, place it on top of your potty, or somewhere in your bathroom that is easy to find!

Each time you sit on the Potty, you can hold one of the items in the box!
If you pee or poop in the Potty, you get to open it and keep it! How exciting!

When you are all finished becoming a POTTY PRINCESS and are wearing big girl pants during the day, the box is yours to keep in your room! You will be an official POTTY PRINCESS!!!

I hope you will join us!

Hugs and Kisses,
The Potty Fairy

 
 
 
She was so fascinated with getting to go through the box, she actually started to sit on the potty, just to pick and hold something from the box. As time went on, she took delight in getting to keep the item she chose, so after a few weeks she got the hang of it. I wish I would have tried this method earlier!
 
A few tips if you try this : wrap the treasure box up and have it " delivered" (Kevin pretended to find our special delievery outside when he got home from work). let them open it and read the letter together. Let them decorate the treasure box, spend time with it and let their curiosity grow! Then reread the rules with them, and ask them if they want to try it then. Be in the bathroom with them, so they don't get frustrated and open the item! It is really hard at first to make them put the items back when they don't go, but it will pay off very soon.
 
Happy Parenting!

Keep your eyes open....

I am a fabric addict. There, I admit it. I look for viable fabric everywhere, anything pretty and vibrant that I might be able to use. That is why, at least once a week, I hit a few local Goodwills and other thrift stores. I hit the home section first. I look through sheets and curtains, table clothes and bedspeads. Then I hit mens ties. Sometimes I can use them for purse straps. or open them up for the fabric. Then I hit ladies scarves. Last week, I found 2 great pieces in ladies scarves.

Not many people even bother with the scarves in a thrift store. Not many people wear scarves anymore, and most of what is there are thin shiny polyester numbers with big florals, or holiday prints. Once I found a handwoven long scarf, that was made of beautiful hand dyed wool. It was purples blues and greens. But last week, I hit the motherload.

Françoise Heron Timbalier in blue

Laurence Bourthoumieux Tropiques

These are the two scarves I found, but on different days. The first one I found was the Timbalier.  I was sorting through the scarves and saw the bright blue border. Then I touched it, a thick silk twill. I rubbed it between my fingers to test, and it was real silk. So I bought it. At home I noticed the Hermes symbol on the scarf, but didn't think it was real because the design name wasn't on the scarf, but all the other telltall signs of a real Hermes was there, the hem, delicately rolled to the front, handstitched in perfect matching color. the car label, the color saturation. By the end of the night with help and a lot of research, I had the scarf authenticated. Two days later, I went back to the same Goodwill and took another look at the scarves, and there was my second Hermes in a week, the Tropiques. This one isn't as desired as the Timbalier, but it is really pretty.

Being thrifty always pays off! Keep your eyes peeled, you never know what you will find at your local thrift store!

Thank Goodness for SCHOOL!

Now that school has started back up for fall, I actually have time to sew! Last week I tried out Penny Sturges' Bow Tucks Tote Pattern. I used the new Amy Butler Fabrics my husband bought for me when he was traveling. He made a special stop at Green Velvet in Granville, Ohio (where we used to live) for it! I like it as a bag, it's nice and roomy, and I always carry a lot of things. Next time I make it I might make the front pocket smaller though, or make it two compartments. It's a little floppy for my taste, I am afraid my cell or keys will fall out!

I also did this quick little applique this week for Evie to wear tomorrow, it's her principal's 40th Birthday and they asked the kids to wear something black.

I feel so much more "together" as a person when I get to spend time in my sewing room. It also feels good to start working on baby projects, since we are expecting our 3rd in January. I have been piecing quilt tops, which I hope to post in a few days! I found Mr. Men and Little Miss fabric at Joanns and of course had to make baby quilts!

Rena apprently also loves fabric. So much she decided to use all of my  pins to reupholster my sewing room chair...

*sigh* it only took 45 minutes for me to unpin the fabric from the seat, find my pincushions, organize my pins again and take a magnet to the floor for strays....

Happy Sewing!