No need to fight for your right to potty

We've been casually asking Nora if she'd like to try her potty for the past month or two-- no pressure, mind you-- and up until about a week ago her vehement answer has been, "No!" Honestly, it's mostly been me asking because I'm home more. But Ian asked her last week and she took him up on it. Since then, sitting has been a popular activity.

Last night both girls went upstairs to get the pajama thing started while I cleared off the supper table. The whole family was due to gather upstairs for toothbrushing, reading, diapering, singing, praying, and other bedtime routines, but Ian and I were still finishing stuff up downstairs.

Suddenly Fiona came riproaring into the kitchen with her arms flailing, hollering, "Come quick! Nora used the potty!" Ian and I gave each other impish glances, I tossed my dishtowel onto the counter, and the three of us galloped up the stairs together with more noise than a herd of elephants.

Nora was waiting for all of us in the bathroom, beaming like the sun. This blurry photo shows one excited toddler. Of course, we know this may not happen again for six months. That's fine. But it's just the kind of hubbub we love on these cold, wintry days when Spring seems close, yet just out of reach.