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Mmmm Mmmm good

After gymnastics class, we headed straight to the Mega Baby Store (you know the kind) and picked up a Dora the Explorer travel-ready potty seat, a Dora the Explorer potty book (do you get the theme here?), a cushioned potty seat for home use, and a few anti-anxiety pills. (Okay. I lied about the last part.)

Our goal was for her to learn to sit on the cushioned potty seat at home to get her used to going in a regular-sized toilet, since our weekends are pretty full of activities outside of home.

Despite having a lovely cushioned potty seat that significantly decreased her chances of falling in, Jolie would still have nothing to do with the big toilet.  Not even using! Our! Most! Joyous! Voices! To! Describe! The! Fun! To! Be! Had!  Not even close.

So, we resorted to dirty war tactics.

1) A single M&M as a reward for completing the task, the so-called Pee-Pee Candy.
2) Sitting on the toilet behind her to make her feel more secure getting on the porcelain throne. (I think not having her feet planted on the floor made her nervous.)

I know. Perhaps not the greatest idea for ensuring compliance by offering a chocolate reward, but we were feeling fairly desperate at this point. Plus, some friends had offered this advice:  M&M's work. Period.

And it worked. Like a charm.

And since then, whenever we hear her say "Pee-Pee Candy", we know it's time for Jolie to go and follow her as she heads into the fa-foom (bathroom).

Some days, she's gone long stretches with nary an accident, and I'm still amazed that she manages to go successfully several times in succession, staying dry in between.

And the joy she gets from sticking her freshly washed hands into the cup we've designated as the Pee-Pee Candy Cup, carefully fingering each one, before deciding on that one delectable M&M she will feast on as a result of her efforts. That feeling of pride and accomplishment comes beaming across her face.

I can hardly believe how far she's come in less than a week.

And today, today she came home from school wearing the exact same underwear and shorts as what we sent her in. As in, ALL DAY.

The girl is a rock star.

_{Disney Family does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Call your doctor regarding any medical condition. Never disregard your doctor's advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Disney Family site.}