Soccer Time

 I have been waiting for the day when I could sign up Zander for sports. I thought he would love it, but I guess 3 is a little too soon.

His team consisted of 3 - 4 year olds and he was the smallest of them all. Each Saturday, they had 30 minutes of practice and then a 30 minute game against another team. Zander's attention span barely lasted the 30 minute practice before becoming disinterested. He didn't even want to play in the game. He made it on the field for a game once, but just stood there and watched the kids. We will be waiting a few more years before our next sporting adventure.

I got the sweetest note from Zander's teacher, Miss Lauren. It said he was a sweet and loving boy. She loves having him in class. Each day, Zander yells her name and gives her a big hug when she comes into class which just makes her day. #proudmommoment

Happy 30th Anniversary to these two crazy love birds!

We took them to dinner at Ruth Chris Steak House to celebrate the occassion.

Big Surf

I've lived in Arizona for 21 years and have never been to Big Surf Water Park. We bought a Groupon earlier in the summer and finally got around to going with the Kietas. It was a blast and Zander loved it!

Potty Training Woes

Potty training has to be the worst part about parenting. It is for me at least.

When Zander turned 2, we bought this frog potty. From all my online research and fellow mom advice, it was best not to push the subject. There would be sure tell signs that he was ready for this next step. I waited.....and waited....and waited. He turned 3 and still didn't want to use the potty. He didn't care that his diaper was wet and wouldn't tell me when he had to go. Finally, I had enough! It was so embarrassing going into the restroom to change my 3 year old's diaper when I was out and about. I decided that I was dedicating a weekend to potty training.

The day came on Saturday and it was miserable. Poor Z was naked all day, which he hated. I thought after the first couple accidents that he would get the hang of it. I was wrong and it was incredibly frustrating. I'd take a crying baby over this. 

Sunday was about the same. Tonight was a little bit better. 3 successful potty trips and only 1 accident. Baby steps, but I will take it! I have found that he will go when you put him on the potty, but he won't tell you when he has to go. I have to look for the signs and hope that someday it will finally click for him.

There is a new furniture store by our house and we stopped in during their opening weekend. They had tons of stuffed animals around the store. Depending on how much furniture you bought, you got free stuffed animals with your purchase. Zander walked around the store picking up stuffed dogs, lions, and tigers as we leisurely window shopped for furniture. Too bad it would have cost us $3000 to get these animals for free. They were cute.

Sedona

The long Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer. We wanted to go on one last summer road trip as a family and thought Sedona would be the perfect place. Too bad everyone else had the same idea. With a two lane highway into town, it took us over an hour to travel 10 miles to our hotel. Slide Rock State Park was completely full too, but we didn't let that damper our time. We stayed right on Oak Creek Canyon and had the best scenic view of the red rocks. We also found out that a room with a balcony and a 3 year old don't mix. With both Devin and I in the bathroom, we thought it was unusually quiet in our room for Zander. Devin found him out on the balcony perched on top of a chair looking over the railing. Talk about scary! We brought all the balcony furniture in our room after that.
We went to Slide Rock, Oak Creek Canyon, and took a hike during our stay. It was the perfect getaway to close out our summer of road trips.