Helpful Mom

Yesterday I had to drive all the way to N. Greece to pick something up from someone from Craig’s list. So I decided we should make a day of it.  I decided that I would take my two girls to the beach for the first time ever by myself.  We have tried two different times in the past to take the girls to the beach with disappointing results.  We were on vacation in Rhode Island, renting a beach house no less.  And our girls were terrified of the ocean!  Here we thought they’d just love it because it’s the ultimate sand box with endless possibilities.  But they were afraid of the ocean itself, the loud crashing waves to be exact.  Our second try was this year when we went to visit a friend in Boston.  It went a little bit better, at least one out of two children liked it, because it was a rocky beach.  She enjoyed filling her buckets with rocks to take home.  The other one wouldn’t even leave the grassy area.

So what made me think I should try taking my kids to the beach this time?  My sense of fun.  I thought if we were that close to Lake Ontario already I should certainly give it a try.  If they didn’t like it at least we had an adventure.  And I can’t believe that I have lived here all my life and I can only count on one hand how many times I can remember going to the lake!  I’ve been to see Niagara Falls many more times than I’ve been to the lake.  And there is one big key difference, instead of trying the ocean again I was taking them to a lake where there are very small to no waves.  And boy am I glad I took the chance.  We had a blast!  I can’t wait to take them again and hopefully for a longer period of time.

We went to Hamlin State Park(north west of Greece, NY).  It is a beautiful state park right on Lake Ontario.  There are sandy beaches with lifeguards on duty.  There are at least 2 playgrounds of the newer plastic variety with rubber mulch underfoot.  There are a number of shelters with restrooms and water fountains about.  There is lots of shaded areas and picnic tables scattered about.  For a Thursday in summer it was fairly empty so you felt like you were nearly alone with your kids.  The beaches are clearly raked out each day and kept pretty clean.  The water was very clean and clear.  And the view was beautiful.  We spent nearly an hour just digging in the sand trying to create moats and riverways to channel water.  It was such fun for all three of us.  And the girls even got their feet wet in the lake!

If you are interested in a trip to Hamlin State Park you should know that it does cost $7 cash to get in.  They don’t take credit cards and the nearest ATM is quite far away so you should come prepared.  Another tip is if you are thinking of taking multiple trips to State Parks you may be interested in the Empire Passport.   The passport provides unlimited day use vehicle entry to most state parks and recreation facilities for just $59.  To pack correctly for the beach you should think of all possibilities.  Obviously they will be playing with sand so you will need a couple shovels and pails, containers to use as molds are optional.  A change of clothes and towels, sunscreen, and enough food and drinks because there’s nowhere near to buy anything.  Also I took my handy dandy Travel Potty with us because the walk from the beach to the bathroom to way to far for a toddler to hold it.

Well it’s been two days since the potty party and I think it’s been fairly successful.  Mikayla does not want to get back into diapers at all and she no longer says she’s a baby.  She understands what is expected of her and wants to do it.  I think what the problem she’s having is being able to consistently identify that feeling that tells her she has to go.  Yesterday morning Joel got the girls up and by the time I came down she’d already had two accidents.  By noon Joel was saying we should go back to diapers whenever we left the house!  I say we have to give her a few days at least before we throw in the towel.  She’s willing and understands so she just needs practice.  Well that afternoon she was playing and all of a sudden gives me this look and says I have to pee!  And she did in the potty.  Yeah!  And since then she’s been doing fairly well, I’d say it’s 50/50 right now.  I remember with Katrina that it wasn’t till two weeks after the party that I officially called it a success so I’m praying it will about the same for Mikayla.

It’s not all roses though because it’s a party concept it involves presents and treats.  So now Mikayla is present crazy and her sister wants gifts and treats too so I have to be creative in being fair.  Instead of giving Mikayla her finale gift, since it is a tub of dinosaurs, I wrapped them each individually and told her that for each time she successfully makes it to the potty and goes she will receive a gift.  I let Katrina open it for her because Mikayla can’t rip through the paper herself and they can share as the set grows.  And for trying to go or practicing when she’s had an accident they each get one skittles candy.  My hope is that by the time Mikayla earns all her dinosaurs she will have mastered potty training.

Some of my favorite products to use during potty training are the piddle pad, which is a waterproof liner for your car seat so if they have an accident you don’t have to tear your car seat apart to wash it. $8 on Amazon A waterproof picnic blanket to put on your couch or other such furniture while your little one is learning.  That way they can sit and cuddle without you stressing out over if they are going to ruin the couch.  $9.99 on Amazon And our absolute favorite is the travel potty by cool gear.  It’s on Amazon for $21 It folds up like a briefcase with a handle for the kids to carry it around.  When it unfolds it has two legs that also serve as pockets to store changes of clothes, pullups, treats, stickers, and extra plastic bags.  They use gallon sized Ziploc bags that you throw away after use.  I love this product because it’s so portable and if you saw it folded up you would have no idea I was carrying a toilet and it’s so convenient.  I can pull off the road anywhere and the girls can use it right inside the van.  I take it to the playground and parks, you know how that is lots of parks have no bathrooms or it’s too far away for your kid to make it, or if your kids are like mine they are afraid of full size toilet seats.  We use it so much we finally bought a second one for my husbands car for when he takes them disc golfing, that way wherever they are on the course the girls can go without panic and I don’t end up without mine ;P