The Power of Chocolate

We have been trying for quite some time to get Little Man potty trained. At this point, there is only one sticking point - he refuses to "put the poo-poo in the big boy potty." I really can't complain too much about this. He also refuses to put it anywhere else, except in a pull-up. There have been no accidents in months, although we do see an impressive potty dance on a pretty regular basis. It isn't like I am having to rinse out undies or disinfect the floor. He waits for a pull-up at bedtime.

I have tried all kinds of bribes, even offering him "whatever you want" to use the potty. His most recent choice was chocolate. It is still sitting on the counter and is mentioned on a regular basis with hopes that the promise of chocolate will produce the desired result.

Today, as happens all too often, my words came back at me. There is no privacy with a two-year-old around. Shutting the bathroom door merely serves as a suggestion not to come in ... one that is typically ignored.

Today's conversation went something like this:
Little Man: "Momma, where are you?"
Me: "In the bathroom. I'll be there in a minute."
Little Man: "What are you doing?" *voice moving closer, door opening*
Me: "I'm going potty. Shut the door and go back to the table."
Little Man: "Momma, you want chocolate? You go poo poo in the potty, you can have chocolate."
Me: "Go back to the table please!"
Little Man: "You get chocolate Momma! You such a big girl!"

So clearly he gets the concept of the reward system, he just chooses not to use it.
On the upside - I got a piece of chocolate cause I'm such a big girl. Some days you just have to take what you can get!

You Put What on Your Lips?

In our house, make-up is highly valued by the "under five" group. Clearly, this was not inherited from Momma. Full make-up for her consists of eyes and lips ... at the same time! The love of make-up was never a big issue until a certain Little Man entered our lives. Poor kid. The only role model he has is a prissy girl - he didn't stand a chance!

Since Daddy has issues with his boy wearing lipstick, we have had to get creative. Little Man does get to wear lipstick. You and I just happen to know it better as chapstick. It's all the same to him and it makes my life a little easier. For Christmas, Santa left each kid a "lipstick." A few weeks ago one of these was rediscovered. Unfortunately, only one was rediscovered. This usually results in a fight. I was braced for the fight - screaming, hitting, throwing - I was ready for any of it. However, I was not quite prepared for what I got. It should be mentioned at this point, the "lipstick" was called Vanilla Blizzard.

Overheard in the Playroom:
Diva: "It's mine!"
Little Man: "I want lipstick!"
Diva: "This is mine. It's vanilla lizard."
Little Man: "Divaaaa, I want nilla lizard!"
*Did I really just hear that? Lizard?*
Momma: "What are you doing in there?"
Diva: "Putting lipstick on my lips."
Momma: "What kind of lipstick?"
Diva: "Vanilla Lizard."
Little Man: "Momma, I got nilla lizard!"
Momma: "Okay"
*sometimes it's really not worth the effort. Vanilla Lizard it is!