Rockin Around

I bought Alex a rock polisher for his birthday. (really it was for me, but that's beside the point) We just finished polishing our second batch of prized Agates from the North Shore of Lake Superior. It's so exciting to take dull and rough rocks and see how they turn into sparkling gems in just a month.
This time I actually remembered to do a before & after photo.

So here is the Before:

And the after: Ooooh Aaaaaah so shiny!

It was definitely worth the wait!

Another addiction...

Earlier I posted about my sock addiction. Today I am posting about my thrift store addiction. Yes I love to go to thrift stores and get a great deal! Lately I have been buying some antiques, but mostly picture frames. Then I bring them home and spray paint them and resell them on ebay or etsy.
Even as a kid I was always an entrepreneur. I sold lemonade, pop, and yes...painted rocks. (Thank you nice neighbor Ron K. for buying all those rocks, you earned your place in heaven :)

Check out my work:

These two sets are actually on ebay right now. But I have PLENTY more in my garage. Just ask Ben...we haven't been able to park either vehicle in our garage for about a week. Sorry honey! :)

Success! (or failure??)

I am not sure which way to label what just happened...Success or failure???
Here is how it went down: I am in the garage painting some picture frames and I glance out of the door and see Alex in the backyard hiding behind a tree but he keeps looking in my direction to see if I am watching. I decided to hide so he was thinking that I wasn't looking and then peek out. So I see him with his pants down going toward the house and he says he needs some wipes. I thought maybe he just peed on himself. He comes back out of the house and runs to the garage and tells me "Mom I just pooped outside, and not in my pants!"

So do I consider this a success because he didn't poop in his pants or a pull-up? And he is getting the idea and the feeling of having his pants down and going? I have explained that only dogs go outside and he needs to use the potty chair or the toilet. But I did say that I was proud of him for doing it....

It's working!

I am happy to report that my plan for pooping is working for Alex. I have not had to wash underwear since we instated this plan. I feel like that is a HUGE step in the right direction. I even got him to sit on the toilet last night (naked!) after he had gone in his pull-up to see if he had to go anymore. Now the next step is getting him used to sitting and pooping. We'll see how that goes!

In other news about things that are working: Due to my giving up random snacking, keeping a food journal with the app on my phone and joining the YMCA... I am happy to report that I have lost 5.6 pounds since Feb 15th. My goal is to get back down close to my pre-Alex weight. Hopefully by summer! Woo Hoo!