Jockey's birthday was a big success. Pictures to follow. He loved having the pool party and jumpy house up. His buddy Josh (from preschool) showed up. And Cousin Tessa, and the Grammy's and Papa's too. He got his vanilla cake with vanilla frosting and sprinkles and GUM for his "second treat". The morning of his party, he decided that he wanted everyone to paint rocks. So it was a rush around to get paint brushes, and a trip to the river front to get a bucket of rocks. It worked out great and the boys actually really liked it. I was surprised that something so simple was so entertaining. (Thank you Grandpa Dahl for not getting riled about the glitter we used in your party room.) The best ideas are sometimes from kids themselves.

On Jockey's actual birthday we went to Chuck E Cheese for a bit of fun and then portraits on JC Penny. Hopefully we got some good shots.

Wednesday we visited Caleb's new classroom and teacher for an Ice Cream social. He's met a couple kids from his class, specifically a Taylor. Sometimes knowing someone is a great way to feel comfortable the first day of school. Glad we got this opportunity.

I worked on Thursday and visited my Dr. Alls well in her area, but that just takes me back to my Urologist.

Friday we spent over 10 hours at the fair. We walked and walked and rode the rides to our hearts content and more than broke even on the purchase of the ride wristbands. I was shocked at how many "adult" rides Caleb (and Jockey too for that matter) was able to go with me on. And of course they were able to go on all the kids ones. The highlights were: Jockey tasted Alligator, Mike at Frog Legs, Caleb ran into his buddy Collin and then spent an hour on rides with his family, and I found out the results of my fair entries. For the Charcol drawing, a 2nd place stickered ribbon (generic grading, maybe a 2-3$, which they don't even cut checks for). The scrapbooking however did slightly better. For the first page, I got a generic 1st sticker. But for the other page: I received 2 large real ribbons! One was the Excellence Award (noted for specific creative/unique qualities) and the Class Winner Award (best in subject noted for high quality, etc). Kind of affirming and allays self-doubt of whether this is a worthwhile enterprise/hobby of mine. So while I mulled that over and looked the the competition, the boys got to paint their own ceramic horse (Jockey) and frog (Caleb).
For the rest of the day it was eating, riding, and mulling over the possiblity (the rationality vs insanity vs feasibility) of getting a second rabbit. Once a hutch, feeder, and waterer is procured, our current rabbit has cost us $32 for the last year... plus the occassional "rabbit candy" of $25 (total for the year) for a special treat. Very reasonable. It comes down to the maintence, time, space, breeder, price and what is even available. OF COURSE, the BOYS are all on board and want just anything. I guess I'm the loches/filtration on this decision with a bit more limiting criteria. I'm still thinking/working it through.

We attended the parade this morning and were fortunate to have Daddy along, every other year he's worked. And we didn't get caught in a traffic jam getting home! And it didn't rain!

Well, that's the big update.
More later, and hopefully with pictures.

Another busy day in Dahl-world.

The boys and I picked out stuff at the $ store for Jockey's birthday. It's a ballon theme, because it was available, cheap and stocked at the store. Jockey elected for all Sprite for the party. Jockey requested that I MAKE a cake, and he wanted Vanilla Cake, with Vanilla Frosting, with Vanilla Ice Cream. Does this kid like vanilla or what?! For the cake's decoration, he finally decided on "happy birthday Jockey Peter". What ever makes him happy. And he wanted gum for the "second treat". So those are the favors that will leave with everyone. Other than that we will just have fun playing in the pool. (maybe the bouncy house?!) But I have a few hours still to prepare.

Caleb attended a birthday party yesterday held at TRAXX in Mukilteo. He had a good time. It was the "best birthday party ever". He did start out a little slow and intimidated by the while place and experience, but by his second time on the track (after a little coaching) he was off. I was surprised to see that he wasn't a little speed-freak... again, this was his first time and so lead-foot-ness could still happen. And then it wouldn't surprise me at all because he never does things half way, except cleaning.

We arrived home and I watched Emily for a while. I made Jockey's cake, prepared favors, cleaned up the kitchen and house, ate dinner at 11:00pm, and Auntie Brittany ended up staying the night because it was just too difficult to move Emily after settling her in for the night only to go home to a disassembled house that is not baby-safe to sleep on the floor. I'm glad it worked out.

So today is the party, I have to leave out here by 12:30. I still have to get to staples for ink, and close up the favor bags, load everything into the car, pack up swim suits and towels, load up the car with the cake, maybe pack up the bouncy house. LOTS TO DO, and a headache and major back ache to deal... Well, life goes on. Jockey was already thrilled that there were pancakes and hot cocoa ready for him this morning when he woke up. I'm glad it has started out good.

TTFN

Friday was a full day...

Time at the park. Garage saleing to find shoes for Caleb. Cleaning the house. A playdate with Caleb's friend over to the house. The Imagine Children's museum in the evening. We squeezed meals in somewhere, but just barely. The kids had ALOT of fun playing for most of the day (and they like garage saleing too.) They especially liked the museum, which was good to hear because I really felt like I was dragging to force myself to drive to Everett for their fun at 6:30 in the evening. So their gratitude made the trip worth while. And after cleaning for 3 hours, the house didn't get bombed right after!

We did well at the garage sales! Our treasures include:
Learning "buzz lightyear" CD-rom, .50 cents
Nice shoes that met his "velcro" criteria $1
Very Nice Winter Jacket (Caleb) $5
Brand New Crayola Color wonder art set, $5 (Happy birthday Jockey.)
Brand New in the Package Transformers $3 (Happy Birthday Jockey)
Brand New in the Package Speed Racer car set $2 (Happy Birthday Jockey.)

Jockey did well for this trip, and I was really worried about making Jockey's birthday "affordable". I still have Cake, Ice cream, drinks, cups, and plates... but it's a start. I'll hit the $ store in a bit.

Now we are off to drop Jockey off with Daddy. Caleb and I will race our to TraXX race track for a buddies' birthday. Then we help Auntie Brittany and Uncle Brian move this evening. Another full day!

More Later or tomorrow.

CT results, in case you're waiting...

The short version

1- No stones in Ureters (my theory, by the time they got around to doing the CT they had passed, but of course, I can't prove it.) However, that means they don't know why I'm hurting and having blood in my "output".
2- 2 NEW stones "on deck" sitting in the kidney just waiting to move, fabulous!
3- Due to a strong genetic background, they won't be trying to find out WHY I get these at this point, but rather will do a 24hr collection w/ lab work to try to find a way to slow things down. This will take upwards towards a month to get results back.
4- Once the results are back in a month, I will go in for a cystol*** (a bladder peek-a-boo look) and check for abnormalities/growths/scar tissue etc that might be causing discomfort/blood.

So that's the up shot.

Back to life.

MOPS in the park tomorrow. Moving Auntie Brittany's house this weekend. Jockey's Party. A Birthday party for Caleb to attend. Ya-da ya-da ya-da. Sun Sun. Hot Hot, have fun.

It's 95 today in Monroe. HOT HOT HOT.

We spent 5 HOURS at the lake today. We might resemble mini-lobsters today, but the boys had huge amounts of fun with the buddies they saw there.

We all have a little post-heat attitude though. "I'm hot, I need space".

Work for me tomorrow, MOPS at the park Friday morning, possible help Auntie Brittany move on Friday night.... or the Children's museum. Saturday, Caleb's school buddy has a birthday party. Sunday is Jockey's birthday party. Busy, busy, busy.

TTFN. Stay cool.

Back from camping...

We had a great weekend at Kayak Point camping park. We dropped a crab pot off the pier and the boys would have checked it every 5 minutes if we let them. As it was we checked it about every 30 minutes. We didn't get "keepers" just lots of small ones. Which while doesn't leave me full in the stomach of crab, it leaves me full of hope for future years. Mike got closer to "keeper" status with the crab he and the kids brought up in the crab pots in the boat, but still not legal. That was the only thing that hiccupped the weekend. (Oh, did I mention that after having fixed the boat, Friday morning Caleb and Mike went out when it was calm seas off of Everett and recovered our crab pots?!, Yup, and it was Caleb that even spotted the second that Mike could located; he is extraordinarily proud of that fact.) The rest of the weekend was wonderfully climated, calm conversation on the beach listening to the waves, watching others play, and picking through the shore for shells. No mosquitoes in sight, which makes a good trip always. The boys loved playing with Tessa, they wanted to do everything with her. She shared a butterfly with Jockey, climbed around on the playground with Caleb, and was gleeful in the boat with Uncle Mike and the boys. So a good weekend. It ended for us unloading our trailer and taking it to the club, picking MORE black berries to be preserved for the coming year, and a swim with Grammy, Grandpa and Tessa. A full day.

Today, the boys and I grocery shopped then visited the library and the park. On our way home we picked up some rocks from the river bed. We'll paint a couple and for the other two I intend to allow the boys to glue down some of the treasures we brought back from the Kayak Point shore. I think Jockey will particularly love this. He and I talked about his artistic talents this last week. He has determined that he wants to be an artist... So we prayed that he would be useful to God in his art and that his gift would be all God wants it to be. (And if he doesn't have to be a "starving" artist, Lord, that would be nice too. Wink).

Right now, the boys and Mike are working on cleaning up the backyard enought to set up the bouncy house. It's been a long time coming, but they are excited. It is so nice out and yet not scorching, it's the right time. I might have to invite some buddies over for a good time.

Well, time to work on the house and start thinking about dinner.

TTFN.

So the boys are back in town...

and yet I'm packing for us all to head out of town again. We are going to Kayak to camp with the family. We are trying to arrange to get the boat fixed (popped a rivet and sprung a leak) and get crab pots (lost ours in 4'+ seas and a storm while dealing with leaking/sinking boat. Mike says he was lucky to get into shore alive; he also rescued boaters and their capsized boat while out there. ) Anyway, I have high hopes of crab. The boys like the crab adventure too.

The boys are already asking to watch a show (Grammy and papa don't have TV) and Jockey is begging to paint a rock. I guess I know what they will do as I pack all of our clothes up. They've had their personalized choice of dinners.

They had a good time at all week with the grandparents. They swan and visited daycare. They ate cheeseburgers, they got little toy stuffed animals. They came home tired! Good work Grammy! I bet Grammy is tired too!

Well, tomorrow somehow and sometime we will all get up north.
First I have a CAT scan and have to drop some items off for the fair competition. Then it will be off to campfires, campfire smells, pines, and the envitable bug spray.
Have a great weekend.

The boys are with Grammy and Papa this week again. Jockey is a swimming machine! He is bold and getting to be very adventursome. Gotta keep an eye out for that guy. He won't drown because he can't make it to the edge, rather because he leapt off the edge parallel-wise into the pool while trying to reach something and dive to the bottom all at the same time. He's so bold it's scary. Caleb is working hard. The lesson he's in keeps him lapping and lapping more strokes all the time. He really puts a work out in and gets worn out. He's loving all the older boys around too. Of course, for both of them, Day Care is a fun haven of social excitement. Good.
When dealing with some physical issues, it has been very very nice not to have to leap up every 2 minutes and see who is hitting who, which child is NOW making WHICH mess. So this has been very timely in the scheme of all things. Thanks Grammy and Papa Dahl.

So this week is doctors for me, scrapbook and photography entry prep and turn in for me, weekend at Kayak Point prep for me and work at my out-of the house job, and my in-house job.

Big adventure. I picked and canned black berries yesterday. My first try at jam, and although I haven't eaten any (not feeling great/not having appetite), it set up well which is the biggest challenge. I tried to talk to the boys about why I am picking blackberries, I tried to get their help. I'm not sure if the "help" was worth the laundry, but it was a life experience. They will relish organic home-canned jam in January. And not having to buy it then too will be good for us.
Ok. That's All I've got for now.

The boys have completed their first week of swim lessons.
They stated with Papa and Grammy Dahl. They had a great time. I heard stories: Papa asks Caleb why Foster (their dog) sits, stays and comes when told, but not the boys... Caleb says he (Foster) might be smarter than them (the boys). Caleb says he likes being Grammy and Papa because their nice even when he does bad things... I told him that was their job, but my job is different and I still loved him all the time. The boys love going to the club's daycare. There is toys and kids to play with most of the time. And it's a good resource because then Grammy gets a breather too.
Next week they are suppose to have another set of swim lessons. Although with an unrelated (to the boys) complication in life, I don't know if they will stay down with Grammy and Papa. Regardless, I am determined to get to the club for more blackberries. I'm intent on having enough for crepes all year, jam and a cobbler or two. The boys don't exactly help, so I have just two rules: 1-don't run where I can't see you and 2-don't take the berries I have picked, pick your own. And fortunately it has cooled off and I don't have to be there at the crack of dawn to beat the heat.
Jockey is begging to paint more rocks. My front yard already looks like it has a hippy rainbow for a flower bed border.... but he would still like to add to it.
Today we went to the park and braved the "chill" and gray to play for a while. We saw a few MOPS moms and their kids, but not a huge turn out.
I'm hoping for some nice weather (any weather that doesn't threaten sprinkles) and setting up the jumpy house in the near future. Then well invite a few friends over.
We don't have set plans for this weekend. I'm hoping for some quiet and uneventful... not likely with two crazies, but I can hope.
Time to start planning for the fair, Jockey's birthday, parade etc. I'm thinking pool gathering on the afternoon of the 23rd. Maybe on the 25th I'll take him to "rat pizza" (Chuck E. Cheese) for him to play. We'll see, because he really wants to go.

I feel like I'm rambling fragments, so this is where I'll end.

I tell you the ocean/coast is the way to go.
Another great weekend in Anacortes. And the temperatures were about 20 degress cooler and still beautiful sunshine. So we left sunny and 70 and returned home to about 90 and sunny. Keep the sunny hold the extra 20 degrees please! It was a great weekend. And the next time over 100 is forecasted, I might twist Mike's arm to pull the trailer up to the coast so that we can hid out for the most of the heat wave.

The boys had a blast this weekend. Grandpa Dahl bought a boat trailer, added his aluminum boat to it and towed it up to Anacortes. The boys were treated to waves, surf, sun and CRAB. That truly was the purpose (and a general good time, I'm told) to the boating adventure. The boys suited up in life jackets and their training began on proper boat behavior. The sea trial was Friday and then Saturday they got to see what a crab trap can bring up. They were a little intimidated by the pincher claws on the crab, but all in all they liked the whole experience. Caleb got so worn out that he actually fell asleep in the boat. Jockey was a little unnerved by the jostling around, not that he said anything... but when I looked over and he had taken all 3 bungie cords and hooked them to his life jacket and then to the boat... I knew. We ended up with a crab feed of 7 crabs for 6 people. All fresh and delicious. The boys liked trying to steer, of course Caleb liked driving in circles. I went out too, but I admit to feeling like a cat in a thimble in an enormous salt water bathtub. But did I mention we got CRAB!
We plan to try again for crab in two weeks when we camp at Kayak Point.

This week the boys will be spending time with Grammy and Papa Dahl while I work on things here at the house. Specifically a charcoal drawing of the boys for the ESF. Then I work and have house cleaning to do to. Even while the mice are away the cat is busy. But they will have fun swimming and everything else. Tomorrow we will start with berry picking and playing at the day care facility. Then they are off and running.

Stay cool and have a great week.