Potties Are for Big Girls...

...And Ava is definitely a big girl!

The word potty (or as Ava says, "pah-eee"), has become part of everyday speech in the Gardner household. We are by no means stressing the use of the potty with utmost importance, but when Ava tells us she has to go... why not? With that said, as long as we are in the house, Ava tells us when she has to use the potty about 75% of the time (and that includes both #1 and #2). When we are outside, or anyplace other than home, all bets are off. The times Ava will tell us she has to go potty when we are out and about are few and far between. And honestly.... that is perfectly fine with me for now.... I am in no rush to have Ava use public restrooms. I mean, I need to let the girl be 100% potty trained before I teach her how to hover. :)

Alright, now let me introduce you to 'The Crew' that makes using the big girl potty possible. From left to right, Baby, Puppy, and Froggie. The Crew can consist of many possible combinations of Ava's stuffed animals, but tonight, these were the three she wanted. As soon as Ava tells us she has to go potty, she searches the house for the toys/stuffed animals she wants, carries them into the bathroom, and says, "atch" (watch). Apparently Ava likes an audience while using the bathroom. At some point in the future, we will have the "potty time is a private time" discussion. For now though, if having her toys makes Ava use the bathroom, The Crew will be in their proper spot.... Sitting on the towel rack on the wall opposite the toilet... Watching.

There are few places Ava enjoys being more than on the potty. I'm serious. She will throw a full-blown fit if we take her off the potty before she is ready. Don't judge. At least she looks cute while sitting on her throne.

After doing her business, Ava is rewarded with an M&M. Ava gets to choose the color and her first choice is always green. Ava will continue to pick green until every single one of them is gone. Then brown, followed by yellow, orange, blue and red. The picture below was taken when I said, "Daddy is going to go get you a green M&M!"

Oh, the excitement!

This particular night, we picked Ava up from the potty and moved her right over to the bath tub.... Another one of her favorite places to be. As per usual, she acted like a complete goober while getting squeaky clean!