I hadn't planned on potty training Benson until he was at least 3. I am a lazy potty trainer. I really just want to wait until they are so tired of diapers that they train themselves. I am still recovering from potty training the twins--with one bathroom no less. However, Benson, just shy of 2 1/2 decided that he was ready. It all started when he was naked in our back yard and he realized he could pee on the grass (why was he naked, you ask? well a pool membership is out of my parental comfort zone these days but a bin filled with water and cups in my fenced in backyard is right up my alley--and the dress code is very loose at our backyard aquatic center). His sisters of course thought that was awesome and poured on the positive reinforcement. This is how I learned that Ben can indeed pee on command.

We worked on this 'backyard au naturale technique' as I have decided to call it for a couple of days and then moved on to the actual potty. I have to state the obvious that the logistics with boys is very different than girls. You really have to keep a watchful eye on the direction of it all if you know what I mean. It takes vigilance and antibacterial wipes when that vigilance wanes either on the part of the potty trainee or the potty trainer.

Soon we decided it was time for the next step--underwear.  Grace personally selected a pair of her princess underwear (with 3 princesses on the front--why commit to just one?) as his inaugural pair. Ben isn't ashamed of his love for Ariel and Belle and was prancing around proudly showing off his new skivvies. His manhood was eventually preserved thanks to a donation of Thomas the train briefs from 4 year old Kieran next door.  Ben was most excited about the hand me down aspect than the Thomas aspect and he kept looking down and screaming "Kieran's underwear!"

We instituted a treat system too--a chocolate chip for #1 and a sucker for #2. Ben perseverates on this and as soon as he is on the potty its like a button has been pushed and he just starts chanting over and over in toddlerese: "IpeeindapottyIgettachoccatchip!" or "IpoopindapottyIgettasuckah!" depending on what he is working on until aforementioned treat is given. I have also learned that this is his 2 year old method of telling us he needs to go. Just yesterday we were in a store and I could hear Ben who was on the other side of the store with my mom saying "IpoopindapottyIgettasuckah! IpoopindapottyIgettasuckah!" and my mom who wasn't sure what he was saying (understandably so) was amicably agreeing with him.  At first I didn't really pay attention to it and then I realized what he was trying to tell us and I bolted from my conversation with the shop owner mid sentence and hustled him to the bathroom. His Toy Story undies took a little bit of a hit due to my delayed reaction but were salvageable.

The other day I was on the phone with a friend (which I rarely do because inevitably as soon as I answer the kids sense that I am preoccupied and all heck breaks loose--this was no exception) and Lydia and Grace came running up from the basement yelling "Ben is trying to put dog poop on us!"  Ben was hot on their heels waving his brown hand in the air at his screaming sisters. I got up in a huff to throw Bocce out in the rain and deal with the clean up when I noticed Ben reaching down the back of his pants and I realized that Bocce was unfairly blamed. I rushed a waddling Ben to the bathroom (he is of course muttering "IpoopindapottyIgettasuckah") where he finished the job in the right place. We clapped and celebrated and of course handed out suckers to all. I had to then go sniffing around the basement on a poop hunt to find Ben's trail which thankfully only included the top of the toy box, Grace's hand and Lydia's heel. I absolutely threw out his underwear too. Best $1.50 I've spent in a long time.

 On a more positive note, we have lots of mini celebrations around the house these days for accomplishments on the potty which makes for more of a party atmosphere on a daily basis--who doesn't love that?. The whole family's bowel and bladder habits have never been more celebrated than when we are in the midst of potty training--since the trainee doesn't understand that the rest of us have it mastered and don't need chocolate chips, suckers or an impromptu dance party for using the toilet
. I remember the twins practically throwing a mardi gras parade for me in various public bathrooms "Mommy, you peed in the potty! Hurray!" which was entertaining to many in neighboring stalls I'm sure.  I'm pretty secure about my use of the facilities but it never hurts to have a little positive reinforcement here and there, right? In Benson's defense he has been doing very well, especially since I hadn't planned on even attempting this process for at least another 6-12 months.

So, 2.5 kids potty trained. 1.5 to go. Maybe Jack will be so lucky as to have his progress documented for his future wife as well. Stay tuned.