It's Potty Training Time!

We left the potty out because we knew eventually Ian would use it. He's almost three-and-a-half, and the novelty of diaper-changing wore off long ago (not to mention diapers are so expensive!). We thought we could bribe him with M&M's, except that he's had M&M's since birth, so that didn't work. I thought he might follow his brother into the bathroom, but that actually frightened him. (I guess having a brother 16 years older is a tad intimidating.) So I bought this ocean blue, plastic potty about seven months ago, when I thought that Ian was ready. I mean, when a kid says, "Mom, I made a (fill in the blank with your favorite word for excrement)," he is more than ready, right? I went to Target and paid $16, anticipating a new way of life. Then I took it home, and placed it in my bathroom, where it sat lonely and unloved for a long time. Oh, don't get me wrong. We used this potty. I put my magazines on it. Ian used it to as a step stool to brush his teeth. It traveled. Upstairs, downstairs, the kitchen, all three bathrooms. Two weeks ago, I found our cat curled up in it. But no human bottom ever tried it out.

But last night, at 11:35 PM, when most preschoolers are fast asleep, he announced with pride: "I have to make a poop. Bring me my potty." He sounded the way I figure King Henry VIII did when he ordered his chamber-men around! I got him the potty. Then, with great force and fanfare, he ripped off his diaper, sat down and completed the task.

Now all we have to do is get him to do it again. And again and again and again! But how do we do that? I can't face another minute of diapers and wipes. How do I get him to channel Henry VIII forever?