A funny story from this week...

One morning, Joshy came crying and screaming to me. He had huge tears and was scared and was saying "my weiner's broken". Never one to jump to a state of panic, I'm thinking I'm going to have to explain to him morning incidents that happen to boys sometimes (read between the lines). No. He is pulling down his underwear as if to show me something. Ok, now I'm a little concerned... blood, something else... doctors might have to get involved. He is still crying huged amounts of tears and thinks something horrible is wrong with his boy parts. He shows me this flesh colored lump in his underwear and says it pulled right off of him; in his mind, part of his weiner is in his underwear. I look at it.... GUM!
WHY DO YOU HAVE GUM IN YOUR UNDERWEAR? In the MORNING, has it been there ALL NIGHT? WHERE did you get it? And most certainly... NO!!! you may NOT chew on it!
Once he realized what it was, and that he was intact, he recovered quickly and said that it was silly. But then he didn't quite understand why I wouldn't let him have the gum, uh mmm duh!

The rest of the week was fairly routine. I worked. Jockey and I got to go to a playgroup with the MOPS moms. Caleb didn't have stages at all this week. Jockey got a new teacher. We enjoyed the one day of light snow. And now it is sunny and we have the full 3 days off of school and work. What to do, what to do....

So that's the week in a nutshell. Have a great weekend.

Not a tragedy, but a comedy. I had to share.

All this time, we've been training our kids to keep the dogs and rabbit apart. Keep the doors closed when the rabbit is out, put the rabbit away before the dogs can go outside. etc. etc. Today, their training failed and rather than a tragedy, we had a comedy.
First, Shooter rabbit was out and running around and the back slider door was open. Then Zuma got a hold of a pizza crust (thanks Jockey) and then was allowed into the TV room (again, thanks Jockey). I leapt up to grab Zuma, but thinking that I was going to take her crust away, she ran outside. She ran to the side of the fence and began crunching on the crust. Contrary to my expectation, Zuma didn't chase the rabbit on sight. The rabbit hopped to about 3 feet away. When Zuma was preoccupied with the crust and didn't go after the rabbit on sight, I decided to see what was going to happen. The rabbit approached Zuma. He hopped up and sniffed Zuma in the front, then nose to nose, and then he hopped around Zuma and sniffed her back leg. It was only then that she was "oh, what's THAT sniffing me". Then Zuma began to walk toward Shooters hutch and the rabbit ran at her to defend the hutch. So then Zuma walked to the middle of the yard. And oddly enough, the rabbit hopped out to her and sniffed and then charged at her. He circled Zuma and hopped under her and charged again and circled. They were acting like two dogs playing/wrestling, just like Tigger and Zuma do when Zuma goes under Tigger. I was amazed and shocked. I was actually worried that the rabbit would bite and draw blood from Zuma and send her yipping and howling. If I hadn't of been worried, I might have had happiness rather than simple shock. It was actually quite funny to see the little 4 pound rabbit charge and take on a 23 pound dog and try to "play". (I'm choosing to be optimistic and view it as play rather than aggression.)
I'm still shocked and humored by the charging rabbit boldly approaching and playing with a dog. Granted, Shooter didn't sprint anywhere and tempt Zuma's love for a good game of chase. But I am relieved that this was a comedic event rather than a blood bath. I only wish I had the camera in my hand. I don't know whether we should risk it just for a picture. But that's what memories are for. Hope you enjoyed the story.

What is it with boys and forts?

I mean I get the fort thing kind of, I liked them when I was a kid.... but Caleb and Jockey are near obsessed. I've built forts for them plenty of times, but I can't keep up with the voracious fort appetite. So their forts end up being a pile (and I mean a big pile) of blankets. They bury and nestle themselves in and thinks it is great. Their favorite is when they build said forts in front of the tv and get to watch a cartoon, or in a bedroom and they get to sleep in it.

They received a pile of cars and trucks this week from Mike's co-worker. From that point on, they have been playing with cars non-stop. The cars even made Joshy's show-n-tell priority. He's got plenty of things to take, but he is latching on certain cars, a blue one his day, a purple one the next. I love that they boys are brought joy by the simplest things.

I've been reading Caleb some scholastics readers books from Auntie Kristina. (Huge thanks Aunt Kristina). They really are helping him. It's vastly frustrating when he wont even look at the book's page or the word I'm directly pointing at. However, he is actually sounding out words. He shocks me when he actually does try that he really does know what he is doing. I can't seem to get him to want to read. I don't think this is an uncommon problem, so who do we get past this?

Joshy's make up Christmas program was this week. I sped through work and made it back to his school in time to see him perform. Of course, I forget the camera. He was so cute, he actually did sing about 4 words and then huge pauses and back to the same 4 words. He actually stood (not sat) on the stage. But when he saw me, he screamed out Mommy and tried walk to me. Twice.

MOPS, FINALLY! The Ladies finally were able to get together, no more floods, blizzards etc to cancel our meetings. We had a good time chatting and getting to work on the craft that I prepared. It was alot of work, but very worth it. I can't wait until the next MOPS.

Otherwise the week is has been busy but routine. The weather is chilly, but it's going to be sunny! We've got the whole weekend to go. You have a good weekend yourselves.

Another week in our New Year.
It seems like forever ago already that 2009 started.

This week we were blessed to find Caleb a "new" $10 bike at Value Village. It is the next size up and will keep him cruising happily, especially with the (cross our fingers) spring/summer warm months just around the corner. Consequentially, Jockey has inherited Caleb's stellar red bike, and Daddy at this exact moment is getting the training wheels back onto it so that the little dude has a chance at keeping up with Caleb. We'll see how he does, before this he has been enjoying the wonderful tricycle that Tessa and the Surfaces blessed him with.

This is a three day weekend with the boys getting Monday off. Their biggest thrill on the weekends is to share the same room. This time they have enjoyed a camp out in the living room, sleeping bags and movies, etc. It was great, and they are even sleeping in a bit in the morning which is a gift to us.

They are getting to be well known at church. They are recognized by the teachers, and more importantly, Caleb is recognizing kids from his classes and getting more personable. I know that this is not my strong suit (remembering names and particulars and building friendships) so I'm pleased to see him succeeding in an area that I might not be able to help him with as much as I would like. But conversely, I hope that he will build the relationships that HE enjoys without my pushing him. I'll still guide him away from the problematic boys, but not push into what he isn't ready for.

Joshy is also growing dramatically. He's adapting to the school routines, can say a quarter of his alphabet, count to 9 or even up to 12. He knows his shapes, but is still a little erroneous on his colors.
Up until now, the growth on a daily basis is so subtle that it is hard to see for a mom... but lately, I can see near weekly changes in the boys. They are rapidly becoming capable of conversation that keeps flowing similar to adults. They are comprehending more, their interests are developing. Of course, Joshy is very into testing me and the limits (often in the form of justification... "I'm just.... mom." Yes, I know Josh, but the answer is still no.) They are nearly different kids every month. I still have the goal of Caleb reading by the time he enters first grade and Daddy is working a deal with him to motivate him to work towards that goal. Josh, I want him to learn his colors and obediance. It doesn't sound like a lot, but for the "baby" in the family, learning to not be self-absorbed is big thing. Heck, isn't that hard for every body, to learn that we are not what the entire world revolves around.

In church, I was praying for my kids today and the Lord really brought it to me that it is never too early and they are never too young to begin the pursuit of God's Wisdom. In reflection on my childhood and adolescence, praying for wisdom/discernment was a major part of my life and the receiving of such was a huge blessing in my life and kept me out of several pitfalls most teenagers fall into. I want to make it part of my parenting to teach my children the value of, how to study to attain and how to receive (and use) God's wisdom. It will be priceless tool/blessing in their lives. I'm grateful that the Lord brought that to the forefront for emphasis in my parenting. My sons are bright and sensitive and strong, add to that godly wisdom/discernment and they will be powerful individuals. If they weren't so cute right now (chubby little kissable cheeks) I'd wish to fast forward to see what mighty awesome God following young men they will be. All in good time.

The day is very crisp outside at 36 degrees, but the sun is out and none too soon. Those gray days were getting me down and today is exactly the refresher that I needed.

This week, we visited the recycling center. We've been saving our pop cans, and Daddy brought home HUGE bags from a co-worker. With the entire back end of our truck filled without an ouce of space to spare, we trekked across town to see what $ they would fetch. 248 pounds!!!!! $50! The boys were enormously blessed with that kind of loot, but they got $5 ea and Daddy for his hour efforts kept the $40 to spend on things for the house (lunch for us etc.) The boys learned about tithing, about saving, and then making wise choices with the remainder. They were eager learners, and Caleb was beautiful in his generousity in buying his brother a slurpee for good behavior in the grocery store. He's trying to be a big boy, big brother and I see him mimicking my actions... good behavior get rewarded, bad behavior has consequences. I do worry about him having the "first child" syndrome behaviors of bossy, controlling, over responsiblity. I am working on it. Just like I try to work on Jockey not to have the second child, "baby" syndrome of selfish, helplessness, taking for granted that other's will pave the way and him not having to make an effort. But it was a bright point of the week, it felt like a successful day. We got $, we were recycling and good for the environment and we learned some lessons and got some cool (cheap) toys. Positives all around.

Last week we visited our friends Dave and Anne and their kids. Both our sons are now in LOVE with their oldest Wyatt, 11. They have got him on such a pedestal for study, sharing and just being around. They want to do what Wyatt is doing and learn from anything Wyatt is willing to show him. A near idolization is the best description. They fight over who gets to sit next to him etc. And Wyatt is great with them. Plays with them, piggy backs with them, shows them the safe way to play with cap guns, the cool collections he's got, the interesting things he's doing. He has patience with them and can snag their attention like few things/people do. I'm thinking I see a baby sitter in the making! Just a little bit more time and it will be ideal. In fact, the night we were over at their house, he kept the boys occupied and entertained so much, Mike did slip him a couple bucks out of appreciation. He seemed to get a sense of pride and responsiblity. Again another positive that has occurred this week.

So that's the last week in a nutshell. This week dawn's with a day off for the kids, a couple of days of working for me, MOPS on Friday (crossing my fingers and holding my breath that NOTHING will threaten it's cancellation like the last few meetings). I have to pull together a craft for the ladies for Friday, a responsiblity that is actually fun and not drudgery. The boys have school and Awana. And away we go. Busy busy.

I hope you all have good weeks. Full, exciting, restful and centered.
TTFN, I have to enjoy the rest of this beautiful day.

So it's the end of another week. Already the "new year" seems to be whipping by and going so fast.

The CA trip was good. The boys got to have a good deal of fun between running until they dropped at McDonalds and TWO visits to Chuck E. Cheese. The played with new action figures and nerf dart shooters, you'll never know all the places that those dart stuck!
They had a good time helping Grandma and Papa Bishop open the presents we brought down. And they cuddled a bunch as we watched some rented movies.
The plane rides were uneventful MOSTLY, a little bumpy on the way back... but the boys slept through it.

We plunged right back into the routine of school and work. Caleb attended school Wed and Thurs and I worked Thursday. We even made it to Awana last night. But then the FLOODING in the area sent our schedules askew once again. School was adjusted to Two Hours late, which cancels AM kindergarten AND it in turn cancelled MOPS for me. But I still got out to work today while Mike watched the boys.
So we are going to enjoy a safe and warm at home rest of the day. And we'll see how the rest of it all goes.

I'll try to get pictures up soon from the trip and anything else that's good.
TTFN.

We are back SAFE. It was a good trip, but honestly it was such a long day that I'm tired and will have to post more about it another time. The kids had a good time and I think they miss Papa Bishop and Grandma Bishop already, and they missed Daddy the entire time. Overall good, and we hit the regular routine fast tomorrow Bright and Early.

More later, good night.