So school has begun.... Awana has begun.... MOPS has begun... Bible Study has begun

Caleb is liking school. He thinks that the three recesses a day is the best thing about the entire 1st grade. He still sees his buddies on the playground, but gets to buckle down during class without those buddies he might be tempted to talk to. He is doing very well with all day school now. He isn't coming home exhausted, class weary or hungry. He's coming home ready to do just about anything, he runs to us when he sees us, he goes through the backpack right away to get out the papers, and he has remembered his sandwich holder EVERYDAY so far. I'm so proud of him for his smooth adjustment from summer play to the stiff school routine. I actually think Caleb flourishes with routine... not something I enjoy, but for the next 9 months... I can do it since it is good for him, as if I had a choice. ;0)

Jockey is loving school. Today was his first sharing day, and this first time he took his new birthday present Fire truck. It was kept a surprise under a towel until sharing time, and I'm told that it was a HUGE hit. Well, I'm glad that Jockey loved being "on". So far, the teacher has already told me that he is quite a leader. My concern is (after a big to do with a friend and her son in the same class with the school) that this class is truly Kindergarten PREP... aka Pre-K, not just a repeat of last year's preschool cirriculm. Not that I have many choices if I find I'm not satisfied with his class; really there is only one other school that we could afford... 15-20 minutes away, strict brand name lengthy supply list, $25 fees for just about any excuse possible. So, what that means is I choose to remove him from class and do work at home, or add work at home. The first option doesn't offer him intangible benefits like socialization, routines, following instructions (and selfishly, time for me to go to work). The latter option, I'm not a teacher and never claim to be, so I'm not sure if we could both survive the learning process. Although working with him this morning, he was already starting to understand a BASIC analog clock and digital read out. We'll see.

MOPS went smoothly the first meeting. The next one is the first craft... still working on the prep. But I'm confident we'll be ready.
Bible Study, good, lots of reading in the first week... but I think I'm finally caught up since I received my book late. Now I can pace myself and savor.

Awana. It's at a new place for Jockey (Caleb went to this church one year 3 years ago). Jockey's got two buddies in the class so I'm sure he'll acclimate quickly. And we were very happily surprised when Caleb found a familiar buddy in his class, so of course we are optimistic that he will have a great time too. They are both beginning to memorize verses and are showing promise. It's going to be a good year for them (and for Mom and Dad who will actually get 1.5 hours of alone, peaceful time TOGETHER once a week!!! Having our regular church cancel Awana and have to come to this one has GOT to be a blessing straight from heaven!)

I'll post pictures soon, I'm just too tired to search and post.
But hopefully soon.

So a little catch up....

The boys have had the bouncy house up several times, they've enjoyed several campfires, and of course holding the baby bunnies. They have had a couple playdates too.

Grammy Bishop drove up from California for a visit. It went really well and the boys kept her really busy. She went to the fair, sat on the curb for the Fair Days Parade, and we cruised over to Leavenworth too for brats. The weather cooperated 80% of the time which was nice for someone not used to our kind of rain/gray. The boys cuddled around the campfires and had lots to say about everything. They were very excited to show her the bunnies and paint things to show her.

Jockey's birthday came and we had an informal party. With such a busy summer (remodel, house guests, fair, etc) the date just came upon us before we could blink. We ended up with 4 buddies over for a little bouncy house action, ice cream cake, mini pinatas, and a little craft. Jockey spied the craft and burst it open before I could prepare it. While it didn't go quiet as planned, at least I know my son's interest in art/creating. The other hiccup... the wind blew out the candles faster than Jockey could! The wind was helping him make a wish.

We've made it to the fair twice now... The boys had a day of rides and later a day of eating. We rode on the rides until I was sick, which is REALLY hard to do. (I had to accompany them so that Jockey "was tall enough" to go on). I'm so glad they had a good time and I could help bring it to them. Eating is Dad's favorite past time and they leapt into that too... alligator, seafood crepe, mini-corn dogs, pickles etc later.... We've DONE the fair. My scrapbook pages earn two common 1st place stickers, and one of them gone a Merit award. Not at good as last year, but more than the standard sticker. Better luck next year.

Grandma Bishop's birthday is today and I asked the boys what we should get her (I did ask earlier in the week)... Caleb said "we should get her a gigantic Giraffe"... Jockey said "Maybe a Platypus"... then Caleb said "or maybe a pretty plate or necklace". Wow, was a span of ideas.

With school so close, I have broken out the Kindergarten practice book for Jockey and the new 1st grade book (thanks Grammy Dahl) for Caleb. Jockey's excited, Caleb's grumbling as he pushes through. He does get distracted and inventive when he should be focusing; today, I caught myself saying "Caleb, stop drawing poo coming out of the animals."

Jockey woke up this morning with an unusual rash. I'd be really worried since it covers thickly, except it is only on the TOP half of his body... as if he didn't get an exposure while wearing pants. Thus, I'm thinking it's an allergy not a viral type of thing. We washed him up, popped a benedryl, and slathered hydrocortisone cream. Now we are just waiting and hoping for the best. It's not bothering him, but it does look disturbing.

Today, we attended a birthday party to one of my MOPS friend's little boy. He turned three today, and I can't express the relieve that they had rented a bouncy house and I didn't have to wrangle the boys INSIDE someone else's house all afternoon! One of Jockey's school/awana buddies came too. Jockey came away saying "That Curry(the birthday boy) is a nice boy". So I'm glad it was good day for the boys too.

Jockey is all set up to attend Little Doves again this year in a Pre-K class. MWF, in the AM. He will have classmates that he knows so it should be very fun! Caleb is going to be a big time, full-time, take my lunch with me, first grader! I should remember to call and find out the teacher and the classroom#... since Caleb can't remember at all from last year's pre-orientation. School starts for us this Wednesday.

We also got word that our church has lost so many leaders that they have suspended the Awana program. So as to not be idle, we have registered them for the Awana program at the church down the street, the First Baptist church..... the church Caleb FIRST attended Cubbies at. He has begged me to return and finally he will get his wish (we had wanted to find some continuity from Sunday AM class to Awana for peers until this point.) The good news is that it will be on a Wednesday night and Daddy will be home to help get the boys prepped and taken/picked up/parent help WITH me rather than being a Thursday formerly and it all came onto my plate. It was often hard to juggle their program and my other obligations to MOPS craft team leading. Now we will be able to walk as a family to this other church while the weather is good and it's light enough to see safely. Good family time, good God times, and good exercise. Starts the 15th.

MOPS starts the 17th, with a Leadership retreat on the 11th for me as the craft team leader. This will be an interesting year having to train not just lead since it will be my last year (I think) in MOPS due to graduating out. Mike has fire training on Thursdays (and Tuesdays) which has shifted my work hours often to Fridays... so it will be a fine line balancing act this year. Well, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

I'm not ready to say good bye to Summer, and neither are the kids. They still think every night is the perfect night to stay up and have a campfire. I guess when it is dark by 5:30pm, it will be a great time for campfire... and a blanket, and a hot cup of hot cocoa... Hmmm, I wonder if an electric blanket would work if I stretched out an extension cord. Well, in 20 years, I want them to remember the great times, not how cold it was for me.

We have just 7 baby rabbits left now. One found a home yesterday with the daughter (for her birthday) of one of our town's council members. It is possible that little "Streaks" as we had been calling her, will become a 4-H bunny! So 2 boys and 5 girls left.... However, 2 little girls will be going to one of Mike's co-workers on Tuesday. So really just 3 girls and 2 boys left. We are undecided if/how many of the girls to keep. And the boys change their mind nearly daily, I'm hoping for the same answer to "how's your favorite?" to occur two days in a row. They are adorable, soft, friendly, and getting to be near Rosie's size more than Shooter's this time around. Maybe summer bunnies eat more and grow faster. Either way... there is a special fondness for each regardless for who we keep.

There is just one thing I wanted to do this summer and it's not yet done... get Jockey to ride a bike without the training wheels... so that clock is ticking and I'll be squeezing that in, in the next week! And birthday pictures for Jockey, and maybe a zoo trip since last Thursday turned into "clean the whole house" day.

So that is the update. Sorry it has been so long. Somehow the time flies and there's never a great time to sit and just type especially with nice weather, guests, parties, bunnies, and a home remodel going on... ok, luckily that last one is done!
More again as it happens, and hopefully sooner than 3 weeks between posts!