Well, here we are again.

First the good news. 1) After a nearly two weeks, Shooter is holdable by adults and Caleb again (assuming stern admonitions against squeezing). Joshy is still too rough. Shooter is happy as can be when in the backyard. He hops, nibbles, digs and hops again. Inside, he's a pellet dropper, and he circles me again like he's wanting to make me his bunny bride. He's hot inside (when it feels cool to me) which reassures me that he is ok in the increasingly chilly days and NIGHTS. That dense soft coat is doing it's job for him. 2) Caleb's backpack was recovered and now it brandishes his name in puff paint. 3) We got a good hour in at the park before an accident occurred.

The down side of this mid-week update:
1) It's starting to be grayer more and more.
2) Jockey had his first accident at school. He did all that he should (ask and go to the bathroom) but the aim was a little off and the fluid ran out of the bowl and onto his clothes rather than back and into the water. I can't fault him for being too small for a big commercial size toilet and not being able to scoot far enough back to be over the water. It was in the last 5 minutes of school for which I was 5 minutes after picking him up. However for the first time in Little Doves history, a child (my son) refused to put on the back-up clothing. Just flat out cried and refused both teachers attempts. Luckily I got there in time. Later he told me he thought the replacement clothes were wet. The staff was wonderful and understanding and overall great. They even made sure to tell him that they looked forward to him coming back on Thursday for show and tell day; I had to ask them to do this because I had told him all summer that he would get kicked out of school if he peed in his pants. Well this was truly and accident of gravity not his own negligence so I feel ok sending him back to school and I just have to bide my time until he's tall enough to stand at that wall contraption. (Right now he'd need a stepping stool, but that's what you get with pipsqueak cute boys.) And I wasn't worried about it, that is until today.
2) We were at the park and he asked to use the bathroom. Of course he had to run have the distance of a football field and I picked him up by the tummy to get there faster... no such luck. So we had to leave the park today. Maybe I giggled it out of him over the long distance, but it's not a good streak this week.
3) The most depressing issue, however, is that Caleb has been in school 3 weeks and I've already been called into see the teacher for Caleb shutting down and increasing defiance. Sigh, do I have to deal with this on such a gray, pee soaked day? I responded to the teacher with a yes I'll meet you any day any time and then I sat down to speak with Caleb. He said he had a good day, no "stages" (levels of bad behavior), and no problems. So I asked him about pictures and his teacher, nope no problems. So then I read him the email from the teacher, and we talked about it. Turns out he was afraid of the picture man who was new to him and he was afraid of the red feet on the floor. He didn't know why the teacher wanted to have him stand on them, and he didn't tell the teacher why or what he was afraid of. And the other defiance? He had no excuses or examples. I don't know what's going on. I feel puzzled about how to affect change.

So he's spending the rest of the afternoon in his room. When I heard him playing with toys, I bagged everything except books, puzzles and one bear up; he was tearful, angry and then helped (that threw me too, but I put on a stoic front). I gave him a letter sheet and a math workbook and a pencil. He can work on those, stay in and think and take a nap. Daddy can have a talk with him at home because Caleb pulls the same defiance with me. I don't know what to do. I have to communicate the seriousness of this to him. And I felt awful about the toy thing until I remembered that it was done to me and it did leave and impression that I learned from. I have to get this stopped now.

I wish I was wrong about this, but I thought I'd have to be HIGHLY involved at school with Caleb. Now I've already been to orientation, PTA, 2 other brief talks with the teacher, dropping off separate snacks, searching for a lost backpack, Cirriculm night tomorrow, and now this! (On top of the Awana behavior issues too!) Ever have a job you want to resign from?

Why can't it always be sunny, pee-free days at the park, getting along with the sibling days, and "I love you mommy" and "Jesus told me" days?!

Ok, back to life, more as it comes.

Welcome to another week in life.

It's started out gray and cold. I've got Caleb to school without event and was productive while he was in school. From here is kind of goes down hill.

Caleb's backpack was accidentally picked up by someone else and now is missing.
Grocery shopping took 2 hours! When does it ever take me two hours! And it was soooo very hard to get all the things that I thought we needed and try to stay on or within reason of the budget. It hasn't been this hard in months. I guess we must be stocking up on things I'd let our stock run out on. And my feet and calves were in agony by the time it was over. I just gave up the idea to get to the library. (Maybe the new shoes bought at 60% off will help, of course it's probably why it took longer to shop.) I just got an email reqgarding my work that the stores were wrong in telling me they didn't have the Halloween product/display, so I have to go BACK and re-work the stores! sigh. I spoke with Mike, Joshy turned up sick today, of course he really wasn't awake until he was already at Grammy's house. He was so excited to see her and he drew her special pictures, but then he ended up sleeping alot during his visit with her.

Shooter had jumped out of my arms when spooked by the kids and kind of hurt his foot. By he's been on temporary isolation (he's allowed out, but no holding because in the kid's case that also means squeezing). I sit at the hutch entrance with the door open and allow him to hop into my lap. (This is how I know he IS putting weight on his hurt foot, although it is the last foot to come down when he hops.) He seems to be improving each day which leads me to believe it was a straing of a muscle or a bruise. He hops like lightening and stands and it stretching in and using it for grooming now, I'm just going to give it a few more days of non-holding to ensure a full healing. He is really enjoying the times that I allow him to run in the backyard, and while the weather is tolerable, I should do so. He just hops and nibbles his way through the yard and then comes back to check in and then is off at the speed of light again. Mike even made a ramp for Shooter to hop back into his hutch if he wanted to. I'm still always out there for supervision though.

Kindergarten Cirriculm night is Thursday, same with Awana. Last Thursday night was PTA. And last Thursday, Caleb was acting so disobedient and crazy that the director actually got him and Jockey confused and sent Caleb back to the Cubbies class... We had a talk. I am hoping that he will understand the seriousness of the situation and improve his behavior because he is learning his verses which was impressive to have learned it as fast as he did. So we will see.

So I'm keeping busy and trying to keep the kids busy too. Caleb and I played catch, trimmed back the trees, bushes and weeded yesterday too. I didn't get any household cleaning done today but I'm still exhausted. Joshy kept me up late last night, maybe that's why.

Ok, I'll keep you posted. Bye for now.

Greetings from Mid-September. I can't believe it, this month is flying by. We are so busy that I know I'll wake up in three years (or July) and realize that the time flew past me while I blinked.

Josh is well established in his class. Miss Lisa said so today, he's doing great. He has been attending without pull-ups on, and much to every one's relief, no problems yet. I get home the work he's painted and cut... and when he cuts, he keeps on cutting until the whole page is in pieces. He is really excited to run into school each day, which is unique as it turns out, I heard many a wails in the halls today at drop off time. In the meantime, when Joshy is not at school, he is in LOVE with the Caillou show. He begs for it all the time, at all times of the day. It's a cartoon about a little boy and his adventures with his family, Canadian based. Perfectly acceptable content, but definitely something I don't want to sit down and engross myself in. But Joshy is in LOVE with it. This is Joshy's phase similar to Caleb's Buzz Lightyear infatuation.

Caleb is learning, but I can't help but wish I knew exactly what was said and what topics were broached. It's a public school, so of course I'm on guard. I was told today they learned about space bubbles (I know, sounds like something out of Star Wars.) And they are learning which problems they should try to resolve on their own through sharing, talking, or walking away... and which are big problems that require and adult. On the surface, I agree, but I can't help but think of the exceptions or worry about the child's judgement skills... or the ramifications later (Caleb choosing which problems to tell me about and which ones he THINKS he can handle.) We've already had to have formative discussions about certain books we don't want him to choose when he is given the opportunity to choose. I'm truly surprised that he remembers what I tell him when it comes to this type of instruction (subjects that oppose Jesus' rules), yet he still can't remember that I asked him to pick up his toys. When he can repeat back the things I instruct him about Jesus and his choices at school, I can't help but feel a confidence him though; I'll always have to watch out for the insidious things, because he won't see it coming at this point. But that's my job.

I'm considering going to the PTA meeting this Thursday. I don't know if I want to be on a committee, but I do want to be aware. Curriculum night is coming up, and it is also an open house night for Caleb to show me around his class. I'm going to take the opportunity to find out what books Caleb is exposed to, and a list of other things. Joshy will be at Cubbies and Caleb will be in the school's gym during the parent's only portion. I think it will all work out ok.

Speaking of Cubbies. Both of the boys have been to their first night in Awana for the year. Josh is in his own class for Cubbies with his own vest and book. Oh boy was he excited about that. The first verse was hard since he was handed the book 30 seconds before, and the teacher was new. BUT, he's already working on this week's verse and doing well.
Caleb is in a new class too, called Sparks. He gets a brochure to learn one long verse, accomplishing that earns him his verse and book. We're working on it. He is having some problems, and they are in a new league with higher expectations for him than in the old Cubbies he was used to.

Personally, I'm trying to take note and enjoy these few days of beautiful sun. I have a sense of the grains of time sifting away before the looming doom of gray settles over in October. So I'm trying to get things done. I'm frantically working to live up to my own expectation of completing Joshy's 3rd year scrapbooking pages, only 2 left, so I feel mostly accomplished. I have bigger projects coming and I promised myself I wouldn't start those until I completed this. Also, I worked (outside of the house) the last two days while the mice were away, my does the time fly.

Joshy spent Monday with Grammy Dahl. He was VERY excited about the idea of going swimming. He is now pushing off and going out 6-8 feet into an awaiting adults arms. He loves to dive under, look at and retrieve items. Josh also went to Wiggle Worms, but he was by far too advanced for that program. I'm so glad that this isn't his challenge; I've met two moms this week with autistic children and I am blessed to just have disobedience to deal with.

Shooter has begun to enjoy backyard free for all time. I sit out and supervise him, but he loves to get a good distance of hopping/running in and discovering all the yummy munchies in the yard. Our yard is simply a treasure trove for bunnies (and it's great he instinctively stays away from the bad plants like rhodies, buttercup, etc.). He loves the fresh air and the chance to cool off in the long, damp, green grass. He also loves to cuddle outside; I got a full 1/2 hour one evening of him nestled under my chin and ear. This is something my childhood rabbit never did and I think it's something I missed.

As for the rest of the week: Caleb has a dentist appointment on Thursday. I work on Friday and have a MOPS meet and greet. Mike works this weekend, I am trying to build up the energy to have a garage sale and boys at the same time. And I might go play bingo and have some Me time. Well, see. I just can't believe how busy life has become. I feel like I'm on a merry go round, fun, but so fast everything is a undeniable blur.

That's all for tonight.

A little catch up here...

The first day of school. After the orientation days, the kids were very confident; joshy was even more ready that Caleb. Joshy was off and running without barely a look back to see where we are. He knew the routine of washing hands and then going to class without being told. He sits really still and in awe during story/singing time. Although, 2 days into school, and I can see he's learning "boy" behaviors from the other boys. Silly stuff that fills in empty time before the teacher's structure takes over... pounding yourself in the head with your own fist while saying ahlaahla. Boy stuff. Most ironic, Josh's nickname is finally becoming useful not just cute. There is another Josh in the class and he most definately goes by JOSH or JOSHY, so I told the teachers that my guy answers so Joshua (actual that was his choice for the name on his b-day cake) and he also answers to Jockey. Well since Jockey is so much different than even Joshua, there would be no confusion by the boys or the tongue slip by the teachers... so officially JOCKEY is his name at school, and so it begins. The teacher tried it out and sure enough, he answered to jockey when she called out on the playground. Also, it's important to note, he has not worn a diaper/pull-up yet to school, or during the day for that matter in over 2 weeks. I keep holding my breath waiting for the day that I get the call to come and get him because of an accident. So far so good, especially when I ask him, make him try, and told him that if he had an accident they would kick him out of school. (I know a little dramatic, but he's insisting he's a big boy.) But like I said, so far we are doing great!

Caleb was excited and just a little unsure because it was all new... orientation day did NOT have so many kids and parents and cars swarming! But we took the time to get out of the car and walk him over to the playground and stayed until the first bell to make sure he heard it and knew what to do. Parents are not allowed inside the playground or school without stopping at the office for a guest badge, so we had to wave good bye when it was time for school to start. He did ok, obviously, we got him back in one piece at 11:25 the same day. And the days since we are trying to streamline the drop off and pick up process, as well as getting in the habit of doing homework. I've found that it is fastest to do the drive-up pick up. Parents stay in the car and they bring the child to the car. I started thinking about it, and it's all new, they don't know Caleb well yet, let alone me or my car on sight... so like the airport, I made a sign with his name on it and now put it in the window of my car so that the teacher/principal/couselor can see it from 40 feet away and get Caleb fast. They saw it and thought it was a GREAT idea, I told them I didn't know why they didn't recommend it to everyone. Caleb can even recognize his name on the sign, too.

Also, since there is a concern about getting all the way over to Joshy's school on time, I made arrangements with another mom (Caleb's friend Alan's Mom). She has to hang out from 11:30 to 11:45 because her two kids release at different times (Annette is in Joshy's class, & Alan is in the same school); Claudia generously offered to take responsiblity for Joshy for any incidental minutes of time lapse between the Joshy's release and my arrival. I was very grateful and right away discussed it with Joshy's teachers and put Claudia on the "Ok to pick up list" for legal reasons. I'm relieved that I have a back up plan in place on the off chance that something arises with Caleb or I'm at the end of the line picking him up. And yesterday, I was on time, but we also stayed to play and waited for Alan to get out of school so that Caleb could play with Alan for a while too. Hey, it's sunny and other than lunch, I didn't have anything planned. I should be flexible and allow these small joys in the boys' life.

Shooter rabbit has become a fixation of Caleb. Caleb begs to be allowed to play with the rabbit and hold it and feed it. Since the rabbit and the dogs aren't exactly on cuddling terms, the times or methods of getting safe time with the rabbit are limited. Inventiveness had to answer that conudrum, Caleb now sits inside the big dog run, in the grass with Shooter. It's big enough for the both of them, and Shooter gets to nibble on the grass and clover. Caleb's "rabbit herdsmanship" skills are doubling each day. He just might be ready for 4H soon, we are looking into all that 4H involves. Joshy, of course, loves Shooter, but he has not learned to hold still and let the rabbit come to him. He loses patience and tries to pick up the rabbit in all sorts of ways, none of which makes the rabbit feel safe or desiring of being held. Shooter comes into the house at least once a day to hop around and explore. He has a litter box, which he uses, but there is also such a thing at rabbit markings which means he drops a pellet for scent purposes (it's almost like he leaves a trail to find his way back home by). And I'm not going to lie, we have had to purchase Nature's Miracle for other accidents. On the bright side, Shooter is cuddly when everything is calm, he will "relax" which means he lays on his side without his feet under him ready to run. He relaxes next to the tv, or even right next to us on the couch. Shooter is also doing a circling behavior which means he's in bunny love... he circles me. We are reading all sorts of bunny behavior and training books to understand this new little guy. We'll get the hang of it soon.

Mike is feeling better after 5 days of illness, and so far (crossing my fingers, toes, and eyes) none of the rest of us show signs of being sick!

Awana starts this week. I have a parent's night at Jockey's school tonight. Yesterday was my first day without both kids and it made me see a dim light of free time, enough to consider perhaps taking on some form of involvement with MOPS; MOPS is having trouble getting going because of lack of leadership... it meant so much to me that I'm willing to be involved to have that special time 2x a month. We'll see.

So that's the last few days in a nutshell.

SCHOOL





We have had both Joshy's Jitters Day and Caleb's Orientation Day.





Joshy was excited that he finally was able to do all the things that he had seen big brother do before, but in the past he'd been held back from. He went right into the Jungle room past everyone and started to play. I had to lure him out with finding his cubby to hang his jacket. Then we ran down and saw the all important POTTY room and washed our hands. Then we went into the coveted art room where Joshy was thrilled to paint! Also, they have a nice bin filled with rotating mediums (rice, seeds, sand, water, etc.) that he was finally allowed to scoop, dig and bury items. It turned out to be a potential "drop off" day, I had thought that it was a parents stay day. So with many things to do, I asked Joshy if it was ok to leave. "Yeah". I introduced him to his teacher (the person he has to ask to use the potty room) and then set him down. I said, "Ok Josh, we're going to go now, see you in a little bit"... I don't think I even got a good bye he was so engrossed with the various things to do!



Caleb's Orientation was today. We drove over and found his room, introduced ourselves, got name tags and found his seat in the class. While he colored, I had paperwork. Then it was time for the teacher to tell us about his HOMEWORK for tonight, then we had an activity that found different sites in the class for the backpacks, the cubbies for papers, the bathroom, drinking fountain, and the "Meeting Place" (carpet for reading, singing songs, listening and chatting.) Then it was off to tour the building/office/playground/recess bathrooms/outside line up and parent pick up locations. The tour ended where the kids get picked up outside, and Caleb kept saying he felt like he got kicked out. I had to convince him that there was nothing else to see and the teacher really did want to see him tomorrow. Caleb showed signs of what I'm fearing most: NOT Listening! GRRRRrrrr. At one point, the teacher said "Ok, Kindergarteners, you can come over to the meeting place and we will read a story." All the kids but Caleb and one other went over and sat down. Caleb was too engrossed with a pencil sharpener to pay attention. I actually had to stop him and ask him to look around and ask him what he thought he should be doing, where was everyone. "I don't know". I'm just shaking my head and to be honest, dreading yet expecting the hours that I will have to sit in a tiny chair going to Kindergarten for the second time in my life. (Dear Lord, please please don't make me go through kindergarten a third time.) On the biright side, the teacher is very nice, seems to manage the number of kids well, appears organized and explains things clearly, also, she appears receptive and cooperative from a parenting standpoint. Of course, it is just the day before the first day of school, the action hasn't started yet! Caleb has been given homework too. 15 minutes of reading with a parent for 20 days of the month, 3 activities each week to choose off a handed out sheet, and additional math games/activities. Since Caleb doesn't read, it sounds like PARENT homework to me, reading, getting supplies, making sure it's completed, initialing off the items.... At the end of his high school, I want a second diploma.



So that's the last few days. Tomorrow is the actual, real live, FIRST DAY. And it will be tight. Drop off for Caleb, is between 8:40-8:50, drop off for Joshy (T/Th) 9:00, which is manageable.... BUT, pick up for Caleb 11:25-11:35, pick up for Joshy 11:30. CLOSE, really close. I think I'll put a big sign on my car saying which child I'm there to pick up so that it goes faster (since they bring the children to the cars if they are in the line up drive through.) And I'll have to explain the situation to Joshy's teacher. I'll just have to do the best I can.





And of course, Shooter bunny is still at the forefront of the boys' minds. They can't get enough time petting him. We went online, printed off a copy of all the safe and unsafe things for the rabbit to eat. Then we toured the backyard and looked at all the things that we had and instructed the kids on what ok or that will hurt their bunny. The good thing, our back yard had loads of yummy weeds: dandelions, clover, big grass, even blackberry. And yummy planted strawberries, raspberries, blueberries. The bad thing: we have pervasive problems with Buttercup. It has a root system that is stubborn and prolific, and worst, it looks similar to strawberry leavse. And we also have hydreagea (maybe, or it might have died) and rhodies (although they are looking too healthy either) so maybe their risk will go away on it's own. While we were told that the bunny wouldn't seek out the things it knows are bad, we are trying to head off what is stuck into his hutch through the mesh. So for the bunny's sake, NO strawberry leaves and no buttercup leaves. And the boys seem to be doing ok, so far cross our fingers, with their horticulture skills. And we are either on our way to a plump bunny or one with the runs. And I'm very excited about the fact that there are several things that we have either in the yard or in our refrigerator that he can have.... we are half way there to a "natural" fed bunny!

We allowed Shooter to run on the floor today of the TV room. He rubs his chin on things to make it his own territory, he will approach those who hold still and even circle them (a sign of love), he has a litter box (AND HE'S USED IT!!!), he does a little run and a four off the floor leap every once in a while. Lastly, I'm relieved to say that he even relaxes enough to lay fully stretched out tummy on the ground in the shadow of the TV with the cool laundry room draft rushing over him (he tends to get a little warm in that room with the doors shut and the sunlight beaming in.... wait until winter it will be perfect.) He is turning into a little love, but doesn't like fast movement, crunchingsounds, being grabbed at, etc... but would you? Mike made him some chewing toys out of seasoned wood. And he is getting along well. I just wish the dog's interest would wane... ALOT. We'll work on it. Today, Shooter had a special attachment to Caleb... or it could have been the apple that Caleb was holding and eating when Shooter was out.

So that's it for today. I'm hoping to get a few pictures of the boys on their FIRST days at school, and will do my best with the drop off/pick up times as they are! Until next time, have a great day!

HAY, EveryBUNNY, we are home and so is Shooter the rabbit.

We have debated the name. Caleb thinks Hopper is a good nickname, Joshy suggested Bush and Bushwhabbidt??? (like bush whacked?) and I thought Salad (as in Salad Shooter)..... well, I think that the name Shooter is stuck. So that's it. Shooter.

Here are a few pictures of our adoption process:

We, as you know, found and became enamored with Shooter at the Fair.

This is the breeder taking her moment to say good bye. (She was sad when her daughter decided that Shooter would go up for sale, it was one of her favorites.)

Yes, we brought Shooter home in a Huggies Baby Wipes box. It was customized with air holes, and now is his nesting box in his hutch.

And lastly, the introductions (dogs to rabbits) and, of course, lots of holding and cuddles.

We got a really good deal on a Hutch off of craigslist, Monroe Farm and Feed has really good prices on the food and pellets... we are set.

Shooter is home, he is eating well, he's getting settled in and will calm down from the fair activity within the next couple days. He's gone around and sniff all of his hutch and rubbed everything to make it smell like home to him. He is already a big cuddler, including being held while on his back. The kids are straining against the rules to hold still, move slow, be gentle and the bubbling over excitement. I try to make them take turns to hold the rabbit, but when it is not Joshy's turn, his eyes well up and puffs out his lower lip and says "I want to pet my bunny" and then cries or Joshy says "I want my own rabbit [to hold]". (no way, little dude.)

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In NON-rabbit news: Joshy is doing REMARKABLY well, darn near 100%, on the potty training. He is just doing awesome! And on his birthday, I put him in a pull-up, he was so embarassed. He just buried his face in the couch or hung back in the other room. I finally went over and asked him what was wrong and he told me that he was a big boy and that he wanted to wear underwear like a big boy. OKAY! And to my recollection, we have zero to just one accident since his birthday party! I don't include nights, but he's been dry most mornings too! Which is all fantastic because tomorrow (TUESDAY) is Jitters Day at Preschool. Time for teacher, room and building introductions. Getting comfortable in that environment, to include learning where the potty room is! He's excited. He has another success tonight and he said "Now I get to go to preschool" and I finally got to say "You're right and that's tomorrow!".

Caleb was approved for MORNING Kindergarten! YEAH!!! It is going to be hard to get out of the door every morning on time and getting 3 people ready, BUT it is the best decision for Caleb. And I'm relieved that I didn't have to do more confrontation with the school than I already did. Orientation is on Wednesday morning. We meet his teacher, learn where his room is etc.

For both boys the first actual, "normal" day of school is Thursday. Oh gee, what will I do with myself for 2 hours?? Not surprising, I already have 100 answers to that question (grocery shop, clean house, laundry, bank reconcilations, scrapbook, cuddle the new bunny.

Awana starts on the 11th for both boys. And I haven't really mentioned a bunch about that, I'm sure if they knew that they would be over the moon excited about that, too.

That is all for now, as if that isn't enough, right?! Hope you enjoyed the pictures and wish us good luck with bunny/children/dog interaction. Good night.