A long time coming update:

Zuma saw the doctor on Friday last. The report is that she is doing well in her recovery. She was examined, her stitches removed, and her leg re-splinted. She is doing fine in healing, however she suffers greatly in other regards. For such an active dog is it brutal on her to be locked away in her crate for another two weeks! She is finally feeling a might better which makes her want and attempt to run, play, jump, and follow us room to room. She is not allowed to do any of these things, so she is rellagated to spent her time sedated. It is fortunate that she is healing and not chewing at the splint, but it is very difficult to hear her whimpering and pawing at the crate door to get out. It also makes me heartsick to see the muscle in her haunch wasting away. She will see the doctor again on the 30th, when she will have to endure sedation and "stress" x-rays again to see if she is healing internally. At that time we will know Zuma's fate of a splint or padded bandage and the prognosis more time in the crate or not.

As for other news, we took a second trip down to GG Dahl's house and painted again. We are trying to do our part as her family and as Christians showing love and support for the widows as commanded by the Bible. We are happy to help, and from what I'm told, the house is already getting a good nibbles since being on the market. We wish GG a quick, successful and happy house sale.

After painting we made a snap decision to use the restof the summer as must as possible. We asked Lynda if she (already being in Anacortes) could take a spin through Washington park and see if there were any sites left. There were so off the family was to rapidly pack and race up to Anacortes for a nice camping weekend. Grammy, Papa, Aunt Kristina, Tessa, and Uncle Ryan were already up there camping, so it was a miniature family reunion. We went on walks, Mike hiked, firewood hunting...in the dark, marshmallow roasting around the fire, and visited farmer's market. There were a few highlights... 1) at Sunday brunch, there were MANY seal sightings that were exciting to show the kids. 2) Tessa was unusually cuddly with me, which was great. and 3) BOWLING. It was Joshy and Tessa's first bowling experience and Caleb's second. The kids were set up on a lane with the special apparatus (typically used for handicapped persons) that has a ramp off the front. They just sat the ball up on the rack and then pushed with all their might. It was great.... but the ASTOUNDING news.... Jockey scored a 112! Out of all six of us (Ryan, Daddy, and Mommy) Joshy scored the second highest, beating everyone but Mike! My Two year old beat me at BOWLING!!!!!!!!! I hung in there by coming in third, though still not breaking 100. One of the best things was when Jockey threw up his arms and did a little hop and pony shuffle dance when he pushed the ball successfully...often long before it ever reached the pins... the successs was all the same to Joshy. He was a joy to watch, all the kids were really.

So that brings us to Tuesday. Joshy's birthday party. It was mommy's first time throwing a pool party, but when Caleb was asked what he thought Jockey would like best... I got the answer swimming! Joshy ran around eating a chicken drumstick, but when he spotted the cake it was all over. We had no choice but to sing to him and get the dessert served! He didn't exactly know what to make of the candles, but eventually he started feeling the excitment andjoy of the day. Jockey really did have a great time and he sure looked cute in his new goggles. He paddled and splashed and did it all over again in the hot tub. Thank you to all who attended for your presence and presents. It was very nice to see the family. Thank you especially to Cousin Tessa who gave up her newly grown out of TRICYCLE to little Jockey. He was so very excited when he saw it. He even took a spin on it in the nude right after swimming. I forsee many delightful times with Jockey crusing on his new wheels. And thank you Grammy for adding to the safety factor and getting the adorable helment. The whole party was a huge success. I can't believe he is TWO!!!!! Yikes, he's not a baby anymore! He is turning into a really sweet boy with great abilities.

A little news about Caleb: He is in love with his sword. He is always running around with it jammed in the back of his shirt. Funny, his sword has a scabboard, but he insists on stuffing in the back of his shirt with it hanging on the neck of his shirt by the hilt. It's aways a chuckle to see. I think he got the idea from TMNT, one of the turtles wears his swords this way. He wears them with pride as he swings from the swingset or marches through the stores with me.
Joshy is also blessed with a sword too. As Mike helped sort through things at GG's house, he stumbled upon the sword he played with when he was little. Mike brought that home and it is a huge hit with the boys, they switch around often but it is officially Joshy's. The two swords look remarkably similar. Of course, with swords come sword fights and fights over swords. The typical boy stuff I'm sure.

Joshy is talking even more. He can say complete sentences and I understand about half of what he says. He says Please Help, Cay (what he calls Caleb) Okay, Fanks (thanks), I Nake (I'm Naked), I fall (this one is perfectly clear), and he has 5 different ways to say NO. And just a couple of days ago, Joshy said his first prayer! He had remembered that my head hurt and he put his hand on my head and said a prayer... just like big brother showed him. I melted in awe.

The boys are getting along totally or complete bent on bending each other. Surprisingly, Jockey can hold more than his own. He can really get the upper hand. But regardless, they are spending a large portion of their summer playing in the sandbox converted to a pool, playing on the swingset, eating berries, and playing with the hose. I love letting them have fun free time, as long as they are playing, not fighting over who splashed who. I do have to admit I am the parent of two tanline-less boys, I can't keep clothes on them to save my life. On the bright side, Jockey is starting to potty train. He's starting to figure out when he does things in the diaper. He tells me when he toots (it took him a while to know it was just air). Most brilliantly, he only uses the potty when Daddy takes him!!

Jockey it also completely into "guns", it started with Caleb's nerf bullet gun and is prolific with squirt guns. He ducks behind the couch in a very cute way, pops up and with a sly smile and squirt....

Caleb has taken to dressing himself. This is really good because I can focus on getting Jockey ready, this is very humorous seeing the various outfits he comes up with. Today he was wearing long navy blue pants, a tank top (tourquoise) with the sword in the back of course, and a red knitted skiing hat.... on a near 70 degree day! It was very funny, but I'll encourage this type of independence... at least it's not a tattoo.

I can't believe how quickly the summer has gone. Caleb starts school in the 6th! And this brings in "parent" functions for me as well. Buying school supplies, Jitters day, etc. Am I ready for this? Caleb is just jumping for the chance to meet friends, I'm praying for a great friend for him. He needs a boy his own age to get to know and play with.

Hopefully, we are going to get to the zoo and perhaps anothe camping trip before the weather turns.
Well, time to go. I'll post the pictures of the camping trip, bowling, birthday party etc soon.