The potty chronicles

We are in the throes of potty training Charlotte.  No wait -- the word "training" implies that we have something to teach her.  She knows the mechanics and doesn't need us to explain where she should do her business.  The only thing we can do right now is to try to figure out what will motivate her to take that next step.  It's frustrating to have a three-and-a-half-year-old who can do simple addition and recite the sounds each letter of the alphabet makes, yet has zero desire to use the potty.  I have read a thousand articles and am tired of just "waiting for her to be ready" like the pediatrician and preschool director recommended.  What is it going to take?!?!?

Bribery and over-the-top-crazy-enthusiastic positive reinforcement are the methods of choice this weekend.  Here is our little trainee after opening a magnet we wrapped in tissue paper and gave to her like a prize jewel.

Only time will tell if this works.  When trinket gifts lose their cache we may move on to my Aunt Janet's suggestion of filling up a bucket of water balloons and letting her throw one at a target of her choice each time she successfully goes in the potty.  Sounds kind of fun, actually.