My baby is now a big boy!!!!!

Last night I decided that we were going to try sleeping with just the big boy underwear on and no diaper. I noticed that for the past 3 nights he would wake up in the morning with a dry diaper, so it was time to venture forth into the unknown LOL

I'm SO proud of him, he slept all night with his underwear on and woke up this morning completely dry. I can finally say that he is now officially and completely potty trained. YAY!!!
For some this may seem like a small thing but for all the mommies out there, you know this is a huge step.
This was his reaction when I told him that he was no longer a baby, he was now mommy's BIG BOY!!! (to which he quickly replied "I'm not your big boy, I'm Nicholas" lol)

And this is what my princess looked like this morning. I have to tell you, this girl HATES getting her hair brushed, I have to be on her case constantly about brushing her hair. I often tell her about the time that I was around her age and also hated getting my long hair brushed, and finally one day, my dad got so tired of the fighting about it, that he took me to the hairdresser and got my hair cut really short. I NEVER complained again!!!
So now I threaten warn her about doing the same.
But no matter, she always looks beautiful :)

I'm proud to tell you all that I managed to do everything on my list yesterday, including dying my hair. Boy do I feel better, something about being 31 years old and having some gray hairs that really brings me down. LOL

I've started working on a schedule for the summer. I usually have one during the school year, but for some reason this time I realized that I desperately need one now too, for fear of going insane.
So I used Kim's example from "Reality Check" and made my own. Click below to see it. This is usually what my day consists of so it wasn't a big change and I didn't have to add a bunch of things in, but I did make sure to make time for the kids crafts, reading, playtime etc.

While checking my email this morning, I came across one about "Fear Factors in Parenting".

how not to let the fear of bad things happening to our children dominate our parenting style. Sometimes this fear becomes oppressive and shields kids from the very things they need to be learning.

Wow did that strike a nerve with me. I am so guilty of that. There are so many things that I remember doing when I was little and nowadays I wouldn't dream of letting my kids do it, and I'm not talking about dangerous or major things but even small things such as climbing a dirt hill, playing outside in the front yard, going to the park across the street alone, things like that. Maybe I'm over protective, but then I think "how am I really helping my kids by sheltering them from everything out there?".
Am I the only mother trying so desperately to protect them even from the things that are not that big of a deal??? When do I let go of that control, put it in God's hands and just enjoy being a mom. Seriously, there are days that I feel like I'm living in this bubble, I want the kids to stay in it and not DARE to go outside for fear of something happening.

It's easy when you learn to let go of this fear and when you understand that no matter how much you worry, - whatever is going to happen, is going to happen- scary thought isn't it?
So here's my question, do I place it in God's hands, allow my kids to do the (not so dangerous things that we all did as kids), or do I continue to shelter them and keep them from being kids and enjoy their years of innocence?
It's something I have to work on, it's probably going to be one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, so I'm gearing up (so to speak). I'm putting on God's armor, I'm surrounding myself with the holy spirit and I'm asking Him to show me the light. I will be sure to let you all know when I've achieved it.

Well I better get going, have to run to Walmart and get some groceries too.
Have a great day guys :)