New pictures:

Moses Lake State Park and the Aquatic Center.

Field Day and Last day of School

Cute pictures.

Friday...

It was Caleb's Class party and Field Day.

I went to the class party and saw a great slide show. I'll try to find a way to upload, link or take the pictures with Caleb and post it here.

I did not intend to stay for all of field day, but it turned out Caleb needed me to stay. The activities were well organizeds but the transition between was loosely termed a free for all, which didn't work out so great for Caleb. He turned shy and needed guidance to get from one activity to the other. I didn't mind and it was great to be a part of his school day. Although, I have to say that I left feeling like what I see on the outside of the school during pick up (appears orderly and planned) is NOT what I saw on the other side of the school doors (near chaos and how they would have ever found my child, I wonder). Well, next year he'll be that much older, faster, and use to the environment and routine so perhaps he'll have more self-confidence.

I did find out that next year Caleb will have Mrs. Adams for his kindergarten teacher. He's been in here class before for various other activities and he will meet her again during recess on Monday just to get use to her and know where she can be found this coming fall. I'm trying to decide whether to go for the 10 minutes Monday, or wait until the pre-school BBQ meet and greet. We'll see.

The count down to California has begun... counted by days left to do laundry and pack! But to my relief, the last time I checked their weather was in the mid-70s, NOT 90 something. The kids will enjoy it way more if the cars don't burn them when touched. And yet, it is still warm enough to visit the splash parks they specifically requested to visit!

So here are the pictures from the slideshow (field day ones still to come):

So the year has ended except for the Monday formality. The sun is out and it's perfectly warm but not hot. We are all healthy. The rabbit hasn't been peed on lately ( I mentioned that didn't I? I think the rabbit is traumatized here at our house.) Zuma is hanging in there, although with each day I worry. (her screw broke through the skin on just before Mother's day weekend, then it came totally OUT about 2 weeks later. Her foot is not fully stablized now, and I'm hoping/praying that the other screw don't move. She's not yet showing pain/distress, but we have her on very limited activity. ) The strawberries are starting to be picked, the tree out from is ripening plums, I got rhubarb at a garage sale for 50 cents (store value of $10) and it. The blue berries will be ripe by the time we are back from California. And my check engine light went off for some reason and hasn't returned!!! And I'm making significant progress on Caleb's annual scrapbook pages and begun Jockey's too (don't want to get behind). And I've planned out what items I'm going to enter into the fair for exhibit. VBS is in the 3rd week of July. This year Mike will be home for the Monroe Fair Day's Parade. So that's how the summer's looking. With lots of camping spiced in there. And I hope play dates too!

That's all for this update, time to get out in the sun.

The Woodpecker might have to go...



______________________________________________________________

Personal good news: Today for $1.90, I purchased: dishwasher detergent, Kid's toothpaste, Kid's plaque identifying rinse, and contact solution! Also, Free Shaving gel. (Well, it's the little things that make life exciting.)

We are back from Potholes (Mosquitoeville) State Park.

Did I mention the mosquitoes? They drove us all inside except for the mandatory dog walks. And even then we were hosed down with skin so soft and DEET 23%. The kids fared better than the rest of us. Although Jockey has a lump in the side of his head that is every bit as big as a large grape! The dogs even got eaten!
We did not make it to the water park on Saturday because of the huge storm that rolled in and offered us high winds, thunder and lightening (which state law says must shut down the pools). So we "camped" out in the rvs. Whoever said the eastside always has better weather, rap rap on the knuckles. Not true. And the storm didn't even drive/blow the mosquitoes away for longer than a hour.
Sunday, we packed up and tried again for the water park. It was a nice park and the kids had a great time. I could have been a little warmer outside or in the water, or a hot tub to warm up in... but the facility offered a good variety of activities and LOTS that were in the 2.6" deep range and great for the boys abilities.
We pit stopped in Leavenworth and then headed home. We are all unpacked and now unwinding before bed and the start of school and work this week.
Caleb has just 6 days of school left!
And we have just 12 days until we depart for California. (Hopefully there won't be any mosquitoes there! It looks like they really like Jockey.)
So that's it for now.

Mid-Week and alls Sunny!!!

It is beautiful. The breeze is going today so it's even pleasant to listen to. Most of the day it's comfortable, but we have family room and bedroom AC units to take the edge off.

The boys staying busy.
Monday evening we took them for a dip in Lake Tye. They had alot of fun and Jockey really showed off his swimming capabilities. The goggles are like instant brave juice for him, because he was in Lake Tye last Thursday without them and he didn't do quite as well. We had to learn walk out and swim in towards shore otherwise you end up over your head.

Tuesday we cleaned the house a bit, and then the boys panted and hung out the front window for Grammy. They were so excited. It was swimming and tennis day. They just love it.

Today, it's getting hot and yet we are still moving and packing for this weekend. We are off to Potholes state park for the weekend and things have to be prepared. I've had to dig out the boys shorts and sleeveless shirts so that they can acclimate. Jockey still hasn't figured out where the sleeves went, almost like the shirt is broken and missing something. Well, it should be nice weekend, good weather, Grammy and Papa Dahl are going to be there, the campground has a playground. Fun.

In case I haven't mentioned before: Jockey wants to hold baby cows when he grows up. (future Kobe beef massager?) But this morning, he found a belt that fits him and now he has decided that he wants to be a cowboy. OK, at least you don't have to waist 4 years and 50K on college for that.

Sadly, I have to ask:
Why are they bad to each other? Especially Caleb towards Jockey. Like he's got to push the little guy down to prove he's better, or gets better priority. Their often physical pushing around of each other or shoving to get ahead is getting frustrating and disheartening. I am worn out by the dissent between the two of them. They are great separate, but the fireworks fly while together. sigh.


In good news, it seems we have our request for reservations in at Kayak Pt for August. Can we possibly be planning that far out?! But on the bright side, the Surfaces have also put their request for reservations too. So hopefully we will be notified soon and get in. The boys will be thrilled about camping with Tessa and we are going to be close enough that they will be able to go back and forth. I think I will wait until August 1st to tell them about it because otherwise they will be asking and hounding me about "is it today that we...?" for the next 2 months!

Ok, so that's the scoop. Time to find a cool hidey-hole.

So we went camping for Memorial Day weekend. The weather was beautiful, the site had nice privacy and raccoon pawprints (just the prints, no actual raccoon sightings), the campground had a GREAT grassy field to play in with all the fellow campers, a loop to ride bikes on that was in full sight the whole time for the boys... (Jockey is a bit young and I pulled a lawn chair to the front of the site, Caleb on the other hand was old enough/coordinated enough that I had confidence in him; it felt like ringing in a new era of trust and activity levels and a bit nostalgic from when I was camping as a kid riding my bike everywhere fast and furious. A small heart smile occurred when I was watching him, and watching him make friends and join a pack.) We did one of our FAVORITE things... campfire and peel-n-eat shrimp! Simple perfection. The crab feed on Friday night was good, and the boys were still free! We got our value's worth, Caleb really likes King Crab. I was impressed with the varieties available; I tried 3 new types. And I discovered, I really do have a beer-budget taste for things (except for cheese), Good for Mike, because I did NOT like the lobster. Plain crab is way better! Of course, crab is a luxury too.
The City of Anacortes had put in a new and PHENOMINAL new park in town and the boys loved it! We went twice and still they wanted to go more. We went swimming at the pool. We drove to Washington Park and Jockey spotted our one and only live deer sighting.

That's the good stuff. Oh, and Caleb had a good time at the Zoo, and Jockey went to his last school days this week, one of which was at the park with impromptu swimming (jockey worn undies but 4 others turned it into a nudist beach) and I got burn crispy red ...even with sunblock.


As for the Bad stuff.... Mike came down sick Wednesday. So he did not go on Caleb's field trip. And now, BOTH boys came down with the stomach bug Friday night! BOTH, projectile you know, loose the other stuff, you know. Jockey is quite emotional about his not feeling well. He is really rather disturbed by the whole experience. Not just regretful or sad, but near fearful. Caleb started getting sick at 10PM, we got him and the house cleaned up and calmed down. I put them both to bed in their rooms. Then Jockey came to be 3 times saying he was afraid of the bad stuff that came out of brother. I thought he didn't like the smell, the chemicals used to clean it up, afraid to get the stuff on his feet etc. NO, he was feeling it come on him too. So I decided to pull something else from childhood and offer to make a bed for him in the bathroom to sleep. He seemed very confused until I said I did this when I was a little kid. So ok. We make up his bed, during which time, Caleb sprints into the bathroom for his own problems. I offer to make him up a bed too. So Jockey is on the floor on a camping pad, Caleb's on an exercise mat in the bathtub. Things are set, right... No, 30 minutes later **sounds**, and I have to investigate. Jockey has made a HUGE mess that set me to wretching. So at 12:30-1AM, I'm cleaning all parts of the bathroom (except the mirror and sick) and Jockey's bedding/pad. I get done, Jockey is crying about why this is happening to him. I offer to lay down with him. So now it's Caleb in the tub, Jockey on the floor in front of the toilet, and Me laying on a couple pillows half in the bathroom and half out to sleep for the night. Every 30 minutes one of them got up, until about 4ish AM! 6:30, Jockey had moved to on top of my blankets, and I was woken up to Mommy, I didn't make it... on top of my covers, not vomit people! OK, so clean up on aisle 6. Good morning, and back to bed.
We'll be sticking pretty close to home today... despite the beautiful sunshine!

Here are some birthday pictures from Caleb's Party. Long over due, I know.

And here are some pictures from the boy's Awana Awards nights.

Caleb was up and down really fast for his awards. Apparently he didn't get the pause for a picture memo. He was up and returning to his seat before I could get him facing forward!

And pictures from our Mother's Day weekend camping trip to Birch Bay with Papa Bill and Grandma Judy.

And Note: Boys are more interested in climbing on a fallen tree's stump than clamming!

Ok so that's a bit of the catch up on events. Still more to come, I know....

Just a quick update...

Wow the sun is out and nice.

Ok. Caleb's party went well. Of course next time, I'd say just go go in the pool boys and let the cake and presents figure themselves out later. They were chomping at the bit to get in the pool when I had thought it would be miserable to have dripping wet kids try to watch Caleb open presents. The upside, everyone had fun and there wasn't a huge mess in my house after spending hours getting it immaculate. We had 5 little boys, plus Caleb, Jockey, Tessa, and two other siblings attend. The bouncy house was a nice break from the pool, and the weather couldn't have been better. Pictures to come soon.

I had Jockey's parent teacher conference today. The short story is: He had a marked improvement over the testing the fall. He can count to 14, say most his letters, attempt his name and get 2 of the letters correct, knows the names of his peers, most of his colors, cuts well on a straight line, can conceptually draw a family portrait, etc. However, he is extremely active, difficulty sitting still, easily distracted, stubborn, defiant, and lacks focus. In the words of Daddy, "we build them the same, don't we?" Yup. And the teacher said alot of this behavior is age related, and she was fully and excitedly on board with our plan for another year of preschool and then a year of pre-k after that. She said that was an excellent idea and would benefit him well to enter Kindergarten when he is a fully 6 yrs old because he would have a chance to work through his age related/maturity issues. So he's bright, but a crazy immature loose cannon. It can only get better.

Allergies are hitting us hard here. I feel like I have a whole body flu, and Caleb isn't far behind.

We are leaving town this weekend and headed to Bayview State park nearly to Anacortes but not quite. We wanted to get a reservation and they had an opening. We look forward to good weather, stops at the park, hikes, the farmer's market, shrimp, swimming/bowling, etc. Should be a good time, and Grammy and Papa Dahl, and the Surfaces will be staying in the vicinity too.

So that's it for now because I just don't feel great enough to elaborate.
Have a great weekend.

What a week.

Caleb has gone days, weeks etc without stages. Reward: tonight, Free Pizza (I won a coupon at MOPS) and a Slurpee.

Jockey, well, he got a tiny tiny slurpee, admittedly so that he doesn't whine.

The weather was decent today, and the boys and I put the long bright evening to good use. Strawberry bed weeding. Oh my, it was THICK with weeds. Hard work and finished in the dusk, but the up shot is that the blueberry bushes have their little white bell flowers on them and several of the strawberry plants have their white flowers blooming too! The boys tried earnestly to learn what a weed vs strawberry plant looked like. In the end, they were very useful at picking up the weeds that I had pulled and tossing them into the "yucky" corner.

We had a long conversation tonight about some light and heavy topics. What eyelids and eye lashes are for, where crocodiles and Sharks live, Jesus protects us and as Jockey aptly calls it with Jesus' Blood Power, Caleb asked how come we can't see angels which lead to a "spiritual realm" discussion, we talked about angels and tonight for one of the first times I told them about demons etc. We talked about the power Jesus gives us and how we don't have to be afraid. Jockey has been seemingly bothered (or just complaining enough to try to gain permission to sleep in our room at night) about bad dreams and last night it was wolves. So we specifically prayed about trusting in Jesus to protect us from the wolves.

The boys were very good tonight about picking up their toys, blankets and gardening clothes, and pop cans, and dishes. I was surprised and relieved... I was feeling quite overwhelmed by it.

We have so much going on. A birthday party for one of Caleb's buddies tomorrow. All of Caleb's party to buy for and organize for tomorrow. Caleb's party on Sunday. Laundry to put away, and more to clean. Our vacuum cleaner has broke a belt and I have to source/install a new one so our carpets are miserable, our TV broke very suddenly and will need to be replaced somehow?! eyes rolling at this moment, Caleb will attend a zoo field trip and there is a project to complete before the event. I have a MOPS end of the year thing on Monday, days of work to complete this coming week. We are going camping for Memorial Day weekend. Caleb's actual birthday coming after that. And the list goes on and on.

The boys are just about keeping up with things, and it is remarkable to watch them grow. Caleb is taking on more responsiblity in the house and even showing initiative (which I think is huge!). Caleb has decided that he feeds the dogs, rabbit and waters the rabbit. WOW. Of course he still needs reminders, but it was self appointed to begin with. Jockey is showing willingness to clean and I'm moving him up in responsiblity to replace the things that Caleb has matured away from. I am astonished by how much they understand, talk and talk about, do and are capable of. (In a good and bad way... They can do so much constructively AND DEstructively...sigh). Caleb is getting the mail by himself now. I THINK with his birthday we will graduate out of car seats entirely (I better check that.) When I attend MOPS, both boys are eager to set out chairs, tables and supplies with me. I'm training them to clean the bathroom. Other than THEIR TOYS, THEIR CLOTHES, THEIR ROOMS and little helps... the Bathroom is going to be their big job. If a boy doesn't have 100% accuracy in that room... they should learn the results by having to clean it up.

Through it all, I'm learning that I have to TRAIN them, and that takes patience (I'm not good at this) and time which often feels like I never have enough of. Today's MOPS reminded me to SLOW DOWN my life, NOW is meant to be the time to TRAIN, TEACH, MODEL to my kids their skills for life, and of course, they weren't BORN knowing how to clean, act respectfully, kindly, perservere, how to build a relationship with God, it has to be taught. (Duh, right?!) The time spent, though long, cumbersome, patience stretching, mind boggling, and logic bending and perhaps even neverendingly boring, will not be a waste in any hindsight view, it might even be useful and valuable later. MOPS called it intentional parenting. Consciously determining goals and priorities of what you want the kids to come out knowing and then setting out to train/teach with noted effort. Intent. OK, I can do that. I tried that today. I tried to show them my relationship with God tonight in our bedtime prayers...show them how I trust God, what I'm grateful for, and asking for help in the areas I need help in. The BEST thing I came out of childhood with (thanks mom) was an enduring relationship with God. I can fail and might fail in everything else, but that one area (which ironically has eternal consequences) is one thing I feel steadfast in; Iwill seek to bring that to my boys. I knew this all before, but I feel reminded and energized to act on it with more INTENT.

However, as for this exact second, it's late and I'm headed to bed. Caleb will be roaring to go with excitement and I better get my sleep.
More later, and sorry for the ramble.

We are back and in the full swing of all things usual.
School, and swim lessons which the boys adore but can't figure our which days they go.
Thursday night is Caleb's awards night for Sparks (awana).
I have received 4 RSVPs from the boys Caleb chose to invite. He's thrilled that he has friends. (again, an area I do not excell in, and strive to meet Caleb's needs in.)

Jockey has Preschool tomorrow, and I'm trying to find the balance of being there for the Mother's Day thing, but also trying to get my multi-hour work load accomplished too.

I've started on the annual Caleb scrapbook project, but am not holding my breath to complete all 12 months in time for the party. I just feel good that I have 3 of the months done in one day. I keep trying to remind myself that I don't keep a baby book for the boys, so I have to keep up on something to remind them of their growth/achievement marks.

Jockey whacked himself good on the coffee table tonight. He was napping on the couch and rolled off and Whack! He's even got a precision line across the top of his brow; I'm hoping that the ice helped prevent a bit of the bruising.

Caleb has been invited to a party on Saturday. I'm not sure whether it was intentional or by accident, So I have to call and check with the parent and then also check with our family schedule. Caleb has gone DAYS and WEEKS without stages, so I'm thinking it is time for recognition of such. I learned today that he has been getting food coloring at snack time. I guess that would explain the no-naps and the picking on Jockey stuff. He's got a field trip coming up at the Woodland park Zoo. I think he will have fun, although I hope to get both boys there this summer. Caleb's party is on Sunday and he is stoked, especially when he starts seeing the preparatory items/actions that we are taking. He talks almost non-stop about his birthday. When did we adults stop being so excited about birthdays?

So that's the update. More proabably after Sunday.
TTFN.

Just a little catch up....

No school Monday. "School improvement day", but also probably pretty timely to see if any other would swine flu break out close to home.

We are headed out of town this weekend. Birch Bay is on the itinerary. And if weather permits... clamming, and a trip into Lynden. I'm just looking forward to slow and quiet. Life seems busy and leaping from one event to the next.

Speaking of itineraries. The boys and I are booked for a California trip June 19th through July 1st. It's been a while since we were down there and it was time for a long trip (and hopefully before their really hot temperatures arrive).

The boys are in swim lessons. From what I'm told they are truly impressive and top of their class. They are have a good time with Grammy. And they probably need a break from me and drilling Caleb through his homework.

Tomorrow night is Jockey's Cubbies Award night at our church.
Next Thursday is Caleb's Sparks awards night.
Next Friday is MOPS final meeting, and the following Monday the End of the Year leadership party.
May 11th the Free clothing exchange that I plan to attend.
And of course, Caleb's birthday is coming up soon.
And for the actual Memorial Day weekend, we are camping yet again.

Like I said Busy!
Jockey is learning to put socks on himself, wiping nether regions himself. He's becoming more articulate and independent. Really doing well.
Caleb is trying to make friends with the boy across the fence and with the boys at school.
Although, I haven't gotten any RSVP for his party, but there is still time to go for that.

more later, I am hence forth beckoned upstairs for duties less becoming. (bu** wiping time)

Back to school this week and all that normal stuff...

Except Jockey had a field trip to the fire station. I was torn between my desire to get a bunch of errands done without the cumbersome nature of carting around two kids, and being a "good" mom and going on the field trip. In the end, I was surprisingly able to do both! That felt great, and the additional list of accomplishments for the day was long and it was a wonderful day.

Jockey really liked the fire station. What does it mean when he asks two questions: 1) Do you have any trophies? and 2) Where is the kitchen? He did not want to walk up and touch the fireman after he got all of his equipment on, but he really liked climbing into the ambulance and the fire truck. Other than just showing the kids around, I really got the sense that they were trying to put to rest any fear of a suited up fireman... I guess in the unfortunate event that there is a fire, the kids don't run from those meant to help. For the most part, Jockey was really good the entire field trip, and that is a blessing, I was worried that he wouldn't listen and would be disruptive to the classes' experience. And, hey, no rain as we walked back and forth, what more could you want?!

The boys enjoyed their first swim lesson on Monday afternoon. And their second is this afternoon. They are really looking forward to it. Although, from what I hear, Jockey isn't very cooperative in his class and Mike will have to go with him this afternoon. And Caleb is the best in his class! This last weekend, Jockey stop having to just hang out at the stairs and can swim short distances. He says "I don't use the stairs. But Grammy is very important to me, cause I don't use stairs." Hopefully the swim lessons will give them both skills and a boost up for the summer ahead.

We've decided on a pool party for Caleb's birthday. 5/17 @ 2pm @ club's pool. I am cutting corners and made invitations so that it was just one less thing to spend money on. We are only doing light snacks and cake. And I'm trying to find inexpensive "favors" that the kids will enjoy. Still it's expensive for a party.
Of course, expense matters even more now! We traded in the red truck (plus additional funds) on a 2000 white Ford Excursion. It's ALL PAID FOR!!!! no payments! yipee. I had to give up over 6 months of my income, and the $ that Mike was holding for a present for me, AND the Tax return we were getting AND Mike has to work for about 14 hours for his Dad (probably something he would have done out of niceness anyway). BUT the benefits: 1/2 the mileage that the red truck had, rated to tow 9000 lbs rather than the red trucks 7200 (which was just about maxed by our trailer), same gas mileage as the red truck so no change there, the exterior dimensions of this vehicle are within 1-2" inches in size as the red truck so still the same parking, New tires, the red truck started ticking and clunking right after the dealership test drove it so that means something was coming down the pike, etc. But did I mention Paid For!! Mike questioned why I worked and what I was doing with the money, I hope this settles it a bit for him in his mind. I've also garnered a few promises/conditions (in written contract), that will ensure that we are better off than where we were before Sunday. The best part, I think God gave me the answer to the who nervousness question about $ and change which I hate: Mike has to go alone and he has to be so confident that he doesn't need me there to decide. Which in turn causes him to be more objective and meticulous in his perspective. As always, God's got the answers.

Ok, time to get the little buddies out the door for school.

Just a short update since I'm not feeling verbose....

The boys are still away, and fortunately I've (and Mike) have gotten a bunch done. Not as much as we want, but.... some is better than nothing.

I have heard good things about 3 hour swims, Caleb's good behavior, Jockey being a rascal.

The Ladies Tea went well. I realize that I may put on a pretty spread, but I still subconsciously function with the theory that if your arm works reach for the tea pot yourself. I got the first round taken care of, but the refills were occassional from me, and I was assisted by Kristina and Mary twice. But hey, the conversation was good, the food was good, none of the plates broke, the silver is all accounted for, and they all loved the decorations and favors. I had a great time with the details: using my cricut machine (thanks mom again, still) to make place cards, I always love making flower arrangements, I even glitterized push pins to hold the placecards to the rose-holding-apples. I came home WORN OUT, but I still had to wash everything and put it away.

Here are a few pictures. ( I realized when I down loaded the card, I haven't shared pictures for a long time, I'll have to correct that soon.)

Kristina hadn't yet shown up, but she was there too.

And other pictures:

Clamming:

You can see, they started out interested, and then moved on to other sights like green sea worms

Ponies, Pool, and McD's... a big day:

Jockey DID get to ride the real pony too, but he liked this one just as much.

That's all for now. It's time to get some more things done.

Quick post in chopping language:

Caleb's @ School right now. We'll pick him up, take him and Jockey to Woodinville (I'm making PBJ for them to be garnished w/ delightful oranges) and drop them off with Grammy. She will take them until Papa Dahl gets off work and they will then leave to go to Chelan. Caleb's really excited and looking forward to everything. From the sounds of it, it sounds like he is going to rule the roost this weekend. (glad it's not my roost, he's been in a power struggle with me over this one, sigh.) Regardless, I'm sure that everyone will have a great time, they will do lots of things, swim etc. Thank you Grammy and Papa for taking them.

So while the mice are away, what do the cats do? BUSY BUSY BUSY. I have several errands to run, centerpieces to make (I'm proud of the inspiration I had to turn and apple&rose&ribbon&paper into a placecard), I have Devonshire Cream and Lemon curd to make, stuff to haul to the church, set up of course. Decide what to wear for tomorrow, haul more stuff over tomorrow, be a smiling hostess, bring it all home and clean it all up and put it all away. Attend church, and somewhere in the midst of it all.... Mike would like some of my attention too (and of course, watch the NFL draft... hopefully that will keep him occupied a bit.)

So I've got them all packed up and just running through my head over and over again all the things that they will need, where to find them, and all the things that I need to do and not to forget too. The sun is beautiful out and I'm going to feed off the brilliant energy as long as I can!

Have a great weekend.

Caleb's turn...

Caleb developed a cough yesterday and my8:30pm he had a fever. Thus, he is home sick today... although he is without a fever now, the school rules still state no fevers within 24 hours. He does still have a bit of a cough though. But I'm hoping that he'll be over this stuff quick.

However, Joshy and I look more sick with the runny nose, sneezing and snuffles... ALLERGIES, gotta love the nice weather, but the dry weather floats the pollen more than wet weather.

So with a sicky, we will probably stay pretty close to home today.

Last Friday at MOPS, there was a speaker whose topice focused on Training your Children in Chores. I really enjoyed it, and chores have more benefits than just me getting help. They will gain a sense of responsibility towards our home, a sense of their value as contributors to the home, a self of self-confidence in their success, they will be better team players as employees, they will be better spouses to learn how to clean and help in their future homes. Tips from the lecture: Boys are more difficult to train, make chores a routine rather than what can be perceived as an interruption to their life, set perceivable goals and consquences, and the most difficult part for me... taking the TIME (1 hours for a bathroom, sigh) to teach and make them learn rather than doing it in the fast 15 minutes (My mom was a house cleaner, I know how to work good and fast) and just getting it done with. It is so tempting to just do it, get it done and move on... but I really can't if this lesson is important. So we embarked on learning how to clean on Saturday. It took a really long time, a bit of frustration, and yes they are difficult, easily distractable boys. They were all about getting the rag wet (rather than the instructed damp), spraying the cleaner because that's cool, and moving on to the next before completing the first task. That's boys for you. I really did my best to reign them in. If I left it to them, they would be standing on the counter twirling dripping wet rags in the air in a fog of airborn cleaning chemicals. And cheering and squealing with glee. YET, I had to keep them on task and the cleaner used in an appropriately way. It worked sort of. Hard lesson from the lecture #2: Don't follow right behind them and to it right, they will see that they aren't successful and that will stunt their desire to learn/sense of accomplishment. So maybe tomorrow when they are at school there will be a quick tidy up. But at least we have begun the process. I can then give myself permission to dream of the cleanliness of my home in the future, or them rooming together in an apartment at 22 and 24 that's isn't close to being condemed as a environmental hazard or waste dump.

Jockey saw the neighbors have a party to include a pinata. It must be the sticks and whacking, but now that is what he desires for his party. Of course, Caleb will jump in the bandwagon too. What is it about pinatas that make me want to phrase an invite like "full face helmets will be provided"? Instead for Caleb, we will be having a pool party. And Jockey has informed us that he wants to go to Chuck E Cheese (without friends, this might be managed for him).

Jockey is practically living in the Buzz Lightyear costume (he calls himself Jockey Buzz). Caleb has condescended to wearing at least pants in the backyard now that he is older. Their greatest joy is to play with the rabbit still, or climb on the swingset to the highest possible point... and then talk to the neighbors if applicable. I just shake my head. Especially when I hear "Daddy, she's not wearing any clothes." I HOPE he is talking about the 3yr old, not the mom over there.

Ahh, summer.
TTFN

What a week...

We went clamming last week-Friday, I think we caught a cold... Jockey and I that is. We came own sickish on Easter, missed church sadly. Jockey missed school on Tuesday, which meant that I had to postpone work to Thursday. He and I are both on the mend, although still suffering from allergies. Caleb's doing well at school, although he forgot his backpack all week. MOPS this morning, which turned out well, lots of people enjoyed the craft. This weekend not that many plans, but hopefully a little calmness will ensue.
Next week promises to be busy, I'm going to host a table for the Ladies Tea. It's a stretch for me, but I think I can wash and transport my china/silverware which is at least 50% of the task. And that weekend, it looks like the guys are going to go camping, so I will have the time needed for the set up, prep and actual attendance. And if there is any scrap of time left in the weekend, then it is time to work on Caleb's 12 scrapbook project.
Caleb's birthday is also coming on quickly. He's decided a pool party, I've started designing the invites (a cost cutting device so that we can focus on the favors/fun at the party.) He's just going to be happy to have the buddies there, everything else after that is gravy in Caleb's mind.

Well, time for a late nap, missed that all week and it's caught up with me. The boys will be delighted to be allowed to sleep in each other's bedroom for the next two nights. Gotta love sleep overs.
So that's the tales of the "dahl-nut"-shell.

Thought this was fun to try...

Thank Goodness for Little Boys ...


GOTTA LOVE LITTLE BOYS
Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day,
picked out a box of tampons and proceeded to the checkout counter.
The man at the counter asked the older boy, 'Son, how old are you?'
'Eight,' the boy replied.
The man continued, 'Do you know what these are used for?'
The boy replied, 'Not exactly, but they aren't for me. They're for him. He's my brother. He's four. We saw on TV that if you use these you would be able to swim and ride a bike. Right now, he can't do either one.'


Papa Bill forwarded this to me... fits perfectly, right up until the time Caleb convinces Jockey to lay on the swing set glider, pins him down with a hippty hop and glides while jumping on the hippty hop with a wailing Jockey below...

How to start a weekend?

Well, we picked up Caleb and headed up to Camano Island to attempt to find clams. I say attempt because that is exactly what we did... attempt. We tried 3 differenct beaches and looked for two others... visited the state park. Really we came back with a bucket of mussels, and a bit of time spent with Great-papa Severson (who is for all of you keeping track... 95, turns 96 this coming New Year's Eve!) He told some great stories: the big Seattle earthquake in '49 that broke the water tank/tower loose from the Fredrick & Nelson building and flooded the store; Big a cook for 3 years and the 3 nights the hookers came in and ordered Omlettes; that it was Watermelon rind (the part between the juice red and the outside green peel) that my Grandmother would pickle; the trailers that they owned; my great aunt Muryt (murt) who loaned them the money for their trailer; how he got his Camano lot for $1000 and his mobile home for $6800 (imagine a whole home for that!!!!) and delivered all the way from near Tacoma for only $75!!! Pardon what might seem uninteresting to you, but I'm writing these stories here and now so that I won't forget them and will be able to tell my sons when I'm older.

So anyway, we cheated a bit and bought clams and came home and ate them with our harvested mussels. Good. Dipped in butter just the way they should be. (P.s. GG Dahl, guess what I found Jockey eating this morning... butter straight from the butter dish as he sat and watched TV!)

We stopped at our church for the Good Friday celebration. VERY unique and very cool. We entered the sanctuary and it was very dim. There were donated/loaned trees & shrubs everywhere. The first stop on the path was a fountain that we were offered the touch and remember that Christ is the Living water that quenches the soul... the second stop was a cross all lit up, but the had huge stamps and we could go up and stamp the cross with the word "FORGIVEN", and then we could enjoy worship songs and then the last stop was a room with communion. Caleb was explained the whole meaning of communion as we listened to the songs and he decided that that was what he wanted to do. So Mike took Caleb to take his first communion. Caleb is very excited about it. While that went on, I took Jockey to the parking lot and he got a hand to bum talking to for disruptive, disrespectful behavior (it's been going on for 3 days now).

Now we are settling in for the night and trying to find a bit of peace and quiet. Tomorrow I work briefly, we have the Egg Hunt and then we will see...
Have a great RESURRECTION Sunday celebration!!!!

A Pretty Smooth Week

We visited the park twice this week trying to use the weather to the best of it's ability, and it helped the boys run off some energy! They promptly came home, ate lunch and began to play more in the backyard! I remember the times when I even slept outside as a kid, so those days/years must be approaching. They don't care how dirty they get, somehow dirt is just something that happens that Mom and the shower can remedy quickly, and they love the shower too!

Caleb his begun nagging again about his birthday, and it is almost time to actually start planning something. He's got some CRAZY ideas. All red frosting cake, hello, aren't you the kid we try to keep away from food coloring?! Maybe a Homemade Strawberry glazed cake, of course, that would call upon my less than stellar talents of cooking... but if it's what he wants, I can try to impress a 6 yr old once a year. As long as he's happy and it's not expensive. Joshy is even starting to get excited over the friends Caleb is talking about, AND planning his own birthday party too... sigh.

Easter is this weekend. The Egg Hunt is Saturday Morning. Church of course on Sunday. If I can talk myself into taking my children out on Friday, there is a unique walk through experience to commemorate Good Friday and the rest at our church. Mike is craving Clams and wants to drive up and get some. I guess a clam permit can eventually pay for itself in clams, ammoritized over several meals it should become affordable by the end of clam season. I'm sure the kids will love digging them, it's like hunting for buried treasure in a dirty way... dirt, boys, seafood= perfection in their world. I work tomorrow, and briefly on Saturday; Mike works an extra shift Friday morning. I'm hoping the weather cooperates for the egg hunt... And I hope that my kids go forth and hunt with boldness and come back with lots of eggs rather than a basket of full of disappointment.

So that's our week and our coming plans. Hope you all have blessed weekend of rememberance of our saving Lord.

Spring break week had just flown by!

We came back from a pleasant (though a bit wet) weekend from Anacortes on Monday. Anacortes was nice on Sunday, but we still kept busy on the rainy Saturday. Mike and I went to the St. Mary's rummage sale and filled up a bag full of stuff for $3.00 (by item count, everything turned out to under .10 Each.) Mike took the boys swimming with the Skoog family. I took the opportunity to let the dogs run a bit in the dog park, visit a second hand store on the hunt for books (note: cheaper prices than used bookstores, but hit and miss success if looking for something specific), and picked up a luxury coffee for Mike and I to warm ourselves up with because the cold is seeming to seep into our bones. The other highlight of the weekend, Thank you Peter and Lynda, was the indulgence in the seafood buffet on Friday night. The crab was delicious, firm and sweet, and quite a breed variety to sample. The kids were barely containable in their excitement the moment that they heard the words crab and casino. They are crab crazy, gee wonder where they get that from?!

Tuesday, Grammy treated the boys to a Pump it Up session in which they played with cousin Tessa. It was very fun, and worked well to get their wiggles out. We ate lunch (again thank you Grammy), and then met Mike for a bit of swimming at the club. Quite a full day!

Wednesday, I treated the boys to a playgroup that met at the Burger King. They needed to see their friends, get wiggles out, and it was raining... so where were we going to meet that didn't include cleaning up someone's house so that the kids can ransack it all over again? Worked well. And then I grocery shopped.

Thursday, I worked while Daddy watched the kids.

Friday, I worked while Daddy watched the kids. Then we scouted the prices of things for a MOPS craft that is coming in May.

Saturday, I worked and took the kids (isn't that nice), then we visited the Friends of the Library book sale and scored a few cheap books (probably could take them to the used bookstore and get trade in credit for more than I paid to get the book.) Then it was a quick bike ride in the neighborhood and then who knows....

Sunday, church.
Monday, back to the regular school, work, cleaning, grocery shopping, work, clean, routine.

The kids are enjoying more and more of the outdoors. And sigh, they have discovered the joys of MUD. A little mud never hurt anyone, well their theory... Alot of Mud is a laughing matter and results in an equally fun shower. They are trying their hand at baseball-esque activities, although occassionally they are misguided in their attempts to see how close they can aim the ball at Shooter Rabbit (who is equally excited by the out of the cage freedom that the nice weather brings.)

So that's a little catch up. Hope all it well with you.

(Carolina, if you're reading this, you are my new inspiration for positivity under stress. Book give-away contests to commemorate spinal taps, brillant and I'm in awe of your perspecitive and outlook. Still praying for good results on those tests for you.)

The weekend is here!

As soon as Caleb is out of school, we are going to head out to Anacortes (Washington Park) for the weekend. Well, more than the actual weekend, with Spring Break next week, we decided to stay through until Monday. So it will be like a mini-vacation. Mike is very excited for the first trip this year/season, and he's messed with the truck a bit and has to try it out.

Both boys are very excited to camp. Caleb has though we were leaving that day for the last 4 days. And they are fighting over who gets to sit in Wyatt's lap, since our friends are coming up to Anacortes too (although they are are not staying in the same campgrounds as us). The rain might come, but right now it's just overcast. So I'm planning on a dress warm, lucky if we get a fire, maybe a garage sale or two, hot cocoa with a good book kind of weekend. And MAYBE the boys will go swimming and/or bowling. I say boys because as of yesterday, I'm come down with the icks. I'm still trying to be optimistic that it is just allergies really bad... but a fever is kind of the defining difference and I had a low grade one yesterday. But at least we get to do something with Mike's long weekend. And I'm hoping that some daddy time will straighten out Jockey a bit, he has really been acting up this week, especially at school and Awana. Won't listen, won't obey, disruptive talking and even called something stupid. So hopefully we can get back on track with this weekend.

The rabbit stays here and should be fine. We are taking the dogs with us, but I have to watch Zuma carefully. One of the screws from her leg repair has started to move/shift and work it's way out. It's been doing so for the last 4 months. At first it was just a small lumpish look, now it's quite obvious that it is the head of the screw. The area is now pink and beginning to lose it's hair. I'm not sure if it will callous over, or whether it will break the skin and become a source of possible infection. Should the later happen we will forced to face some difficult choices: 1)euthanize, 2) amutation, or 3) another costly repair that we hope will last longer than a couple years. I've already had to start talking to the boys about maybe having to send Zuma to heaven and not to harass her in her small amount of time left here. It's sad to have to talk about this now when she would have had another 3-5 years to go minimum. But I've made the choice to begin preparing my sons for the eventual inevitable, rather than shock them later. I think it will ease the experience for them if they understand the circumstances and can slowly get used to the idea that our time left with Zuma is temporary and to slowly say good bye. I do worry about them, of course, and the best way to deal with this. The last time Jockey was too small, and Caleb was very small but still asked questions about the time we didn't think he even remembered Ike.

Sorry to end on a low note, but that's our life today. Rainy, gray camping and animal issues and a bit of illness. Maybe the weekend will give me a chance to rest up because next week I've got plenty booked to accomplish.
Have a good weekend.

Tuesday and all's well.

Caleb was blissfully ontime for school. In kid language that means he had time to run around crazy before the bell for class. And today, they are actually going to the Imagine Children's Museum in Everett for a field trip. He was really excited, which was a big rebound from thinking he wasn't going to go because he had forgotten to bring home and return the permission slip. I had the parent-teacher conference yesterday and it was brought up much to my surprise. So I got the paperwork taken care of then, but perhaps cruelly let him bring it up later so that he would understand the consequences of not bringing home work/papers. I hope that he learns his lesson with something like this before the issue is really big later. He was still tearful that neither Mike nor I could accompany him, but I explained that that was also a consequence of not bringing home the work he should have. He seemed to understand that he had made the choice and now he just has to stay close to his chaperone. So it's a 2pm pick up for him today.

As to the results of the parent-teacher conference... He has shown some areas of improvement, and some area's that are confusing as to why they slid back a bit. He went from being about to count to 21 to 43. His reading comprehension showed improvement, though the teacher admitted that the first test was taken in a group and the second was one-on-one which may mean more focus and better results. He can comprehend and complete patterns very well. His handwriting has improved and shifted to using the lower case letters; we are also working on this at home with the piano and stregnthening his hands. He knows his letters, though still turns a few of them backwards. At home however, it did take well over 30 minutes and help to get the lower case written out. I find that the Font that the paperwork chooses sometimes confuses Caleb, like the small t, with it's little tail... to him he starts thinking it's a j. The teacher seemed to say that Caleb wants to be right so badly, that often he chooses to copy other's rather than act independently. He also sees everything very black and white/right and wrong and tries to get others to follow along with what's right. (Gee, wonder where he got that???! :) ) He is caring for others and tries to adapt so the seat changes that occur every week now. Caleb has also discovered soccer, not that the teacher told us, it's just something he finally talks about. And of course, he has been discussing/planning/inviting (and dis-inviting Jockey each time he's mad) from his birthday party... for the last 2 months! I finally told him to stop talking about it until April 15th! Didn't work by the way.

Jockey, still 3 and crazy as ever. *TMI warning* I want him to learn to wipe, but NOOO, he just "assumes the position" most often leaning into the bathtub and waits for me and hollers until I get there. He's in love with showers. He wants to be a superhero. He's still whinny, but is also picked on a bunch. He's starting to put his socks on by himself, but WANTS us to do it... a battle every morning. He's still not such a great eater at the table... but would each 3-4 apples a day and a carrot too if I let him. This morning in the car, after dropping Caleb off, he saw the crossing guard and their flag... he says to me "S-T-O-P, stop." I'm thinking WOW, hello, WOW. Did you read that buddy? "No, it's just in my brain." Do you know why you go to school? No. To put more stuff in your brain. We were a bit early today, he joyfully played in their art/messy room. Water and a turkey baster were the focus catchers of the day.

Tonight we will be going to dinner at Grandpa Dahl and Grammy Dahl's house. We will see Cousin Tessa, Kristina (I don't know about Ryan). Jockey will spend the night with Grammy and Daddy will bring him home after work tomorrow. Should be good. He is so different by himself. He talks alot, and will also sit and draw by himself, and talk to himself. Very different from Caleb who wants to be entertained by others.

Have a great Tuesday!

So everyone is healthy. It is the start of a new week. It looks like it might be a really nice day out if a bit chilly. I know what's for dinner for the next three nights and so I don't NEED to drag the kids into a grocery store iminently. I work 2 days this week, Mike 4 and then we are off the Anacortes for camping this weekend. Because it's Caleb's spring break next week, we will most likely make it a long weekend and use the vacation time while Caleb has it.

We went to Jockey's preschool Easter Carnival/Egg Hunt/ Fundraiser. It was ok. PACKED with people, which is good for the school but hectic for us. The Egg hunt was poorly organized and suffered from a false start leading to my sons tearfully upset over only getting one egg each...(BUT the bright side is that for the first time in 4-6 years, Mike will have Easter weekend off work and we will be able to seek out other egg hunts for the kids and he will be there to manage the kids with me... after nearly loosing Caleb at one when I was by myself, I'm a little crowd shy.) Jockey did win the Cake Walk, and the fished for toys. The items we donated brought in decent money. The bouncy house was wet and being finicky, my boys didn't jump in it. Jockey loved the sand art, but chewed a hole in the cross and the sand started sifting out. Sometimes, I just don't get it.
Yesterday ended with dinner at Papa Bill's and Grandma Judy's. The boys are still unruly, even when we did bring things for them to do. But at least they harassed the dogs less than usual. And when asked, yes, they would like just ice cream for dinner next time. (rolling my eyes at the silly kids, of course, that is their preferrence, mine too right?)

Saturday we attended a choir concert for a friend of ours. It was good music, but making our sons sit for 1.5 hours in chairs was a test of creativity, endurance and patience. At one point, they tried to make and throw paper airplanes! Then, Joshy got to brush my hair to keep him quiet. It worked for the longest period of time. But Mike and I were both worn from trying to keep them contained and quiet for that long in a 4'x2' area.

So that's the update. Have a great week.

Thursday!

No fever, no hives, the barest of coughs... these kids will finally get out of the house and get to school. They have cabin fever really bad. But I couldn't let them out with fevers to play in the back yard, nor did I feel right about dragging feverish kids through stores infecting everyone. But today finally, they will get out among the short half of our population, run a little and laugh (hopefully) alot.

Caleb is growing so much. Most of his shirts are in Joshy's dresser in the place I put those things in limbo between the boys. He has grown 1 1/2" in the last few months! His pants are suddenly pulled on and look like Urkele (old TV show) pants without the suspenders. And just today, we discovered that his shoes no longer fit and had to move him up to the next size (fortunately, we had those on hand). He's still a little peanut comparatively with his peers, but he is progressing!

Joshy is growing in his own right. And he can't wait to be a big boy. It's hard to say good bye to the cute clothes as he grows out of them. BUT, after going through 2 boys and most often we bought them used or were given them... the clothes are looking their best, rag bin quality not donation quality. They play hard, what do I expect?

I have more to say, but I have to get the kids to school and myself to work. More later.

Wednesday...

Here we are, Caleb still hasn't been to school yet. Fever has kept him out for the last few days, but yesterday morning started with hives of a sort. And I thought that the antihistamine and hydrocortizone cream had taken care of it, but then this morning it was double the problem... 80-90% of his body is covered including his face. So I have given him another antihistamine, gave him a shower, fresh towel to dry off, fresh clothes, and slathered him in the hydrocortizone again. I'm in limbo now to see if that is going to work, or if I have to get him into the doctor.

He hasn't has any new foods, so the nearest guess Mike and I have come up with is 1) For Caleb's fever we've given him a new kind of children's Advil... a ocean blue one with Cool Berry Taste. It could be the food coloring in that, but he's never had a skin reaction to food coloring before. or 2) zuma is shedding and her little needle hairs can pierce the skin and if pollen is on it... instant reaction. This one I doubt. It does appear to be an allergy type thing to a untrained observer, but I really hope it's not some virus strain that is going around.

So in limbo I will be for a little bit more.

We did get word that the interested parties involved in the conference with Caleb could not make the rescheduled time, therefore, they went ahead and approved the paperwork for Caleb's retention. All Mike and I have to do is sign it, and it's done. I don't know quite what changed their minds from needing a conference to not needing a conference, but I'm glad; I hate red tape and hoops. So, hurray, it's Kindergarten again for Caleb. He'll be happy, know 1/2 the things already, on the brink or fully reading and thus at the top of his class, in a familiar environment hopefully we are still waiting to hear about the intradistrict transfer. I expect him to be more mature and stronger and able to deal with learning and even failure better.

With him being out now 4 days straight, I feel less pressure about trying to cram in and catch up on what he's missing since he'll see it all again next year.

Joshy is on the mend. He's down to maybe 6 coughs a day, and the nose down to a dull strickle. I think he can get to school tomorrow. Caleb, still not so sure about. I have to work tomorrow, and I have MOPS on Friday. And that's a snapshot at the rest of our week.

Monday---
Home and sick.
Jockey is congested, runny nose and coughing.
Caleb has a 101.2 temp last night at 6, so no school today. He's pale, coughing, and moving slower.
I've also had to cancel his parent/teacher conference and am waiting on the reschedule date. As it turns out (without telling me, so it feels like an ambush) there were going to be other people involved in the parent teacher conference, the principal &/or the school psychologist, maybe the school counselor too, with the intent of further discussing Caleb's retention for next year. I'm glad that the retention issue is going forward, but I hate ambushes, and there has been ample amounts of time to tell me who will be added to the parent-teacher conference. So perhaps I showed my cards a bit too much when I said that if this one lady that I've come in contact with before is the psychologist, then I don't want her there and prefer the principal. I didn't like the way she stood between my son and I; nearly an anti-family vibe from her. Perhaps this is a adversarial approach, but I view this as a battle. And as a strategy, I have to take out the opposition one by one and the "easy" way with a simple request first. I can deal with those people who don't force my hackles up on sight. So now the meeting will be rescheduled, and hopefully with people whom I've dealt pleasantly with in the past and feel truly have Caleb and his family's interests in their sights.
Caleb and I had to have a talk today about no adult at school gets to have a meeting/conference/talk with him without me knowing. Our family is a team, they aren't always on our side, especially if they don't understand Jesus and follow our Bible. Mom and Dad are going to be with him and on his team long after he leaves the 6th grade where as they are not. They will try to be sneaky in their questions and it is mom's job to fight for him and our team. It really was a revelation to him when I told him that Grandma Bishop had to have this same talk with mommy when she was little in school. Wow, for him; deja vu, for me. He is now to say "No meetings without my Mom, Call my Mom, I don't feel safe." (speak in their terminology and they might get it.)

My sick boys are playing Hungry Hippoes. I'm still fighting the getting of it with just a mild sore throat but I'm holding out hope that I won't get it full blown. We'll be staying close to home and resting trying to get better. So that's our day.

Caleb stayed home from school today. A bit of a fever on that one.
Joshy is acting normal, but occassionally still has a bit of a cough. We're keeping it under control with a natural honey based cough syrup.
Mike's recovered enough to spend the next three days off of work.
I get to go out with the MOPS ladies tonight, if I don't come down with the ick between now and 7pm.

Until then, we are enjoying a peaceful day at home in the sun. The boys (despite being sick) are in the back yard in the sun and fresh air doing their darnest to plant apple seeds in the hopes that one day they will have a tree that bursts with apples on which they would never have to ask permission to gorge. The rabbit is hopping blissfully around them enjoying an exploratory jaunt after being couped up the last few cold and snowy days. The dogs are blissfully hoping to get their chance at the rabbit or their turn in the yard. Mike has taken it into his head to cook something... what do I care, I'm going out tonight. And I'm going to take an easy day and scrapbook and read.

It's turned out to be a fine day despite the illnesses in the household. In fact, more days could be like this and it would be fine with me.

Still sick.

Mike's recovered. Last night was the first night he wasn't coughing up a lung and all his stomach contents.
Jockey though, his fever climbed to 101... hence, he did not go to school today. He's a little seal cougher right now too.
Caleb... well, he felt a little warm, but I'm going to check him in a little bit to determine about tomorrow.

I think we are going to skip Awana tonight. Joshy wouldn't be able to go, but dragging him back and forth in the cold/dark to drop off and pick up Caleb would be hard on him. Caleb's completed 97% of his book with 2 months to go anyways, so there is plenty of time to work on it.

This coming Monday, I have a regular progress teacher's conference with Caleb's teacher. I'm hoping that she'll report some improvement. However, it was discovered that he was 'copying' off his neighbors often in the attempt to 1-complete work on time and 2- correctly because he didn't want to be wrong or late. Of course if undetected, leads us to believe he's finishing on time, correct work when he truly isn't and needs attention/help or more time. Time to buckle down again and stand like a hawk over his shoulder and see what he can actually complete without help or prompting. And obviously, I have spoken with him about not looking at his neighbor's paper and instead raising his hand for help or saying when he didn't understand something. We'll see what the teacher has to say.

We are looking forward to a calm weekend with a bit of recovery for the sickies. And if we are recovered, dinner at Papa Bill's is scheduled for Sunday. So far, I'm not yet sick, and I'm still hoping I don't get it.

Have a great weekend.

Sick-ies again?

Mike is still sick. And now, Jockey appears to have gotten it. He's developed a cough and a low grade fever. So I guess it is a good thing that I don't have to work tomorrow since the chances are high that I'll have to keep him home from school. I haven't seen any sick signs from Caleb yet, and I'm holding out hope.

On the bright side.... the $74 of cough and cold meds that I bought for "Free" (ok, $7 of sales tax) is coming as a huge blessing and being put to use! The cough drops are natural, the child cold syrup, the Theraflu for Mike, the elderberry immunity booster that protected Caleb and Joshy last bout, etc.etc. I thought even I was a little excentric "buying" a whole lot of free cough/cold stuff in July/aug, but turns out to be a huge blessing brought on by a little wisdom from above coupled with opportunity, and the innate excentricity, of course. (Note to friends, read "Death of a Garage Sale Newbie" to truly understand my tangibly, physical, pathological inability to buy anything at regular retail cost.)

Caleb spent a nice weekend with Grandpa and Grammy Dahl. The weather was a bit cold (snowy) and wasn't cooperating with the bike riding plans. But, none the less, they had a good time, Caleb came home with thrift shop/garage sale treasures and the tale of eating a whole crab at the casino.

Jockey and I made the most of the weekend with attending a birthday party for not-so-baby Emily. And the of course we dragged out every artsy thing he had. Markers, crayons, finger painting, water color painting, play doh. He loved it. He spent hours doing these things. And watching Caillou. A near bliss weekend for him. (THANK YOU GRANDPA AND GRAMMY, of course he'd love to be the one to go camping next occurrence.)

So, that's the update. Enjoying the snow out there? We did, but now it's melted, dark and SO cold. But we'll all be cozy in warm blankets soon. Good night.

How did the meeting with Caleb's teacher go?

Well. I had filled out a questionaire, and so had his teacher. When the scores were within 5-6 points of each other and both scores fell into the "good candidate for retention (i.e. repeating kindergarten)". The counselor was there too. We discussed and wrote out the pros and cons, something that Mike and I had gone through at home, but they needed to know what we were thinking. There were dozens of pros, one maybe two cons that's it. Most importantly, this is 1) what we want as parents and 2) when asked, this is what Caleb says he wants. Those weigh heavily into the decision. Mrs. Gillespie fully supports our decision and can see the value in it based on her experience with Caleb. The counselor commended us as parents for looking at this decision so maturely and with such an open mind, most parents seem to think that a child's age mandates them into a school grade... you're going into kindergarten because your 5, come hell or high water, etc. She thought that it was great that we were trying to make a good Caleb decision. And that is our intent, not just to make a good '09-'10 decision, but a good decision that will give him a good footing for the next 15 years.
Thinking on the various points brought up at the meeting brought a dawning revelation to me: Caleb in his personality truly wishes to lead and be a role model to other kids. However, right now he lacks confidence and is so afraid to fail and face humiliation (points brought up by his teacher) that it is actually stunting that desire in his true personality. Thinking on that, coupled with the idea of not fighting my child's nature as lectured on at one of our MOPS meetings, I've developed the belief that maturity gains easier comprehension, full comprehension leads to confidence, confidence leads to leadership. I will be affirming Caleb's nature and personality by giving him the opportunity to mature and build into himself comprehension, success, and confidence.

So all in all the meeting went well. I have the teacher and counselor on board. The counselor has paperwork to fill out and to meet with the principal to make the final decision. I was told that at another school this might not be possible, but that our principal is in favor of retention when it is appropriate; this makes our intra-district transfer that much more critical... turned that paperwork in today too. And while I was at it, I told them I needed AM kindergarten for my job... I figured I'd get all my demands out on the table while I was in the building. So we are just waiting on paperwork and a meeting that should be pretty cut and dry because we (the parents and child) want this so strongly. I'll be praying and holding my breath in the meantime.

That's the results for today. I have to get the kids to Cubbies and Sparks.
Caleb has school tomorrow and then will be going camping with Grandpa and Grammy Dahl in Anacortes. Jockey and I will have some quality time (maybe slow bike rides and painting) while Daddy is working most of the weekend. So that's it in a nutshell.

"MOMMY, I dressed myself today!"

That was how I was greeted today (after a potty run) by Josh. This is the very first day that he had ever picked out his own clothes, put them on and came out ready for the day. Minus socks of course. But still. He did really good and totally independent! I keep staring at him some days because he is morphing into a big boy every day. It's happening right before my eyes and I'm amazed.

Caleb is on the big boy cruise. He's growing taller, 1/2" in the last 2 months or so... but he is about the same daily. He'll be on this big boy cruise phase for a while I think. We asked him again his thoughts on Kindergarten and he is sure he wants to do it again. I received the questionnaire that they have parents fill out to see if the child would be a good candidate for retention. The questionnaire only confirmed my decision to put him in Kindergarten again. Very few questions had any academic components, very reassuring. They had questions like: are there more than 3 grades difference between siblings. Yes. Is your child significantly, slightly smaller or significantly/slightly larger than most kids in his class... significantly smaller. Where is the child's birthday in the calendar year? What kind of interest does the child display in school? These things only reinforced my belief that this isn't an academic decision, but rather a maturity and developement decision. So now it's going through the red tape with the school.... Starting this Thursday, meeting with the teacher.

Mike's on his second week of working opening hours. I think he might be adjusting and hopefully that means more family time with the boys in the afternoons.
I have put in my request to be on the craft team again for MOPS next year. It was gladly/gratefully accepted. I'm working today. I received my meds and will embark on a hopefully life changing process at the end of this week/weekend... although it will probably be rough and a huge shock to my system. Patience to just wait it out and let the meds work and see what improvements come of it. I'm hopeful.
That's it for now. Time for school and the day to start.

A pretty smooth week.

Everything has clicked along as expected. With the exception of snow on the grass, roof and trees yesterday morning... followed by beautiful sun in the afternoon and this morning.
We are looking forward to the weekend. Mike is off for the next three days. Caleb has a birthday party to attend, his first birthday party for a classmate this year.

I have an appointment to speak with Caleb's teacher and discuss her observations about Caleb's development in comparasion to his peers. I hope to get a confirmation to the general decision we have made in terms of putting him in Kindergarten again. Everyone I've spoken with has confirmed the decision in various ways. But, the red tape starts with a teacher conference, therefore that's where I begin.

So that is all for right now. Have a great weekend.

Just a little catch up...

Friday was MOPS. Jockey loves going and eating the mommy's food. Mike picked up the boys so that I could pack everything away after the craft at MOPS.

Friday night we had "movie night" at Jockey's preschool. They wore pj's and watched some cartoon that had them entertained. Mostly it was just something to do and hang out with Jockey's buddies. The mommies got to talk a bit too.

Lots of "stuff" to do this week without anything major to report. Household chores etc. Sunday was church, nice. Grocery shopping, laundry, the usual.

Joshy had decided that he likes girl's bums and their long hair.... don't really know why.

Caleb's opinion is that he would like to be in Kindergarten again and learn everything fully, be the oldest and biggest and smartest in class and read... So I'm going to look into what it takes to re-register for Kindergarten. He can always take AP classes in High School, do running start, or be skipped ahead a grade, but it would be awful to endure being the smallest (too small sometimes) for sports, youngest to get his license etc, and too young to be mature enough for college.

So another week has begun and pretty much more of the usual.

Hello and happy Sunday.

Life is just clicking along here on President's Day weekend.

I passed another kidney stone (not as bad as Nov or July's, but not painless mind you.) In church, I was reminded once again of the blessing of the God-given/provided ways and tools to deal with this reoccurring event in my life. Sometimes God takes us around the same tree (aka, trial) because we didn't learn or didn't learn it all the first time, but sometimes we have to go around the same tree of blessing to be reminded of God's constantcy, renew our gratefulness, and see the depth of the blessing and provision for us. So another stone passed with a few bumps, and for those who are counting, that is 3 strained and caught in 8 months!

Mike and I have made a huge decision to register Joshy for a second year of Preschool rather than put him into Pre-K for the '09-'10 school year. He is chronologicially allowed to move forward, but after talking with other moms of boys with close to the cut off birthdays... and thinking ahead... It is our choice to give Joshy the advantage of being the oldest, more intellectually developed, probably still not ever going to be the tallest, most socially developed kid in his class. He'll be 16 when he starts his sophmore year (rather than just before Junior), he'll be 18 his entire senior year, and a full19 when he goes into college. We looked at all the advantages and there was just one disadvantage of having peer pressure to buy smokes in the senior year. He will be legally able to get a job, old enough to drive to it, he'll be able to get to more extra-cirricular activites/sports etc. I think we are making the right choice, although I had to face my selfishness in trying to get more time for me sooner and get him into Kindergarten in '10 rather than the pre-k he'll now go into that year. Once I swallowed my selfishness, I was able to see the advantages and started to feel objective about this choice. I do worry about putting that much more time between the boys in school/peers, but then again there's more time between having to pay for college for the boys now too. I do worry about Joshy sooo wanting to be a "big boy", but I really don't want him to be the runt in his class (more than just the inevitable physical). I think this is a good decision, and I'm hoping that the undeniable confidence in the decision will come the closer we get to it. If anything, I'll get to keep my "baby" with me longer, right? Does this mean I get to stay in MOPS longer too?!

So no school tomorrow, but lots of errands.... with both kids, sigh. Well, it can't all be sun and roses.
That's all for now, have a great week.

The boys both had their valentines day parties today. (No school until next Tuesday).
They are both delighted with the goodies that they received.
I think we have entered into a new phase though. Caleb promptly sorted out all of the girly valentines (pricess, dora, fairies) for disposal; thanks for the candy but, he didn't want them because they are girly. He kept the TMNT, Transformers, Spiderman, Batman, Power Rangers etc; these are all tucked away in his room. That's boys for ya. I know we are in a phase, I can only pray that it lasts until he's out of his teens for a less complicated life... and then swings definitely and inevitably back for his twenties. I was just surprised and humored by his opinion of girly valentines.

The snow stayed on the grass, lucky for us... I guess. So School is on a normal schedule. Maybe we'll get more tonight!

Well, It's SNOWING (and sticking at least in the grass).... we'll see what that means for tomorrow!

Another week has begun... with a little of the white stuff.

Yes, we have a trace amount of snow lining our grass this morning. Nothing on the roads fortunately, which meant that school was on schedule. The sky is now a crisp blue with just bit of white clouds beginning to roll in. I checked and we aren't forecasted for more snow, but we can always hope! Tuesday night/Wednesday is good for me.

Caleb and Joshy were excited about the snow, and I can be that this afternoon is going to be an outdoor, wet, cold and fun kind of day followed very closely with hot cocoa and naps... Sounds like a great day to me!

Joshy (unfortunately) is beginning to follow in his brother's footsteps. Since we began to take the pacifier away, he has begun to suck his thumb. sigh. Just when you think, hey we did ok with this one, we can ALWAYS take away a pacifier, he switches and gets ahead of us. Why don't these kids come with a rule book?!

Speaking of rule books....

Last Friday was MOPS. It was probably one of the most impactful topics (for me) to date. Basically it was on reinforcing/affirming the Nature of our Child. The nature of our child as defined by their gender. The long story short, reinforcing and stregnthening their gender defined role to increase self-awareness and self confidence. For me, I paid attention mostly to the boy specific details being as that is most applicable in my life. What I came away with has given me insight to boys, and a little bit of grace for their stupid actions.
Boys should be trained up in a manner that will form them into good men. Good men are Priests (spiritual leaders of the house), Providers (of more than just financial) and Protectors (of all aspects: emotional, social, psychological, physical, etc). Because of these future roles they will behave in ways meant to develope these aspects of their lives.
Jumping off the couch is not mere an attempt to disobey and annoy Mom (please note, mom is a girl and it isn't built into her the need to do this). Jumping off the couch is a way for boys to conquer and explore. Conquering the couch is a boy expression that developes them into courageous protectors. Understanding this, I can change my perspective and be a bit more graceful and less high strung. Boys will turn everything into a weapon, it is a natural expression of the wish to protect. Granted they need direction with in that activity that will prepare them for the role.
These boys will need to be trained to be "gentlemen", not because women are able to open a door or walk on the correct side of the sidewalk... but because it affirms, rather than contradicts, the boys nature to protect (and women will inherently feel protected by these actions).
As married men, my boys will have to be the leaders of the household and ensure the spiritual wellbeing and growth. This has to be modeled to them. HOW to do this role. Pray with the children to teach them HOW to pray, and often to teach them to be in the habit. I must pray for my children of course because I can't do this on my own. They will need to be taught HOW to study, How to pursue God's will, How to living in the morals the Bible teaches... and to be strong enough and wise enough to lead others in these skills too.
And Providers, obviously there is the financial, but it is so much more. They need to provide environments where others can express themselves. To provide information, skills for care-taking, finances, etc.
NOW, I know how to appeal to their boy nature in their discipline and training. Caleb hits Joshy, now I say... that doesn't follow God's law (golden rule), that doesn't follow God's command to be your brother's keeper, and as family Caleb need to protect Joshy not hurt him. And then later in the day, Joshy hit Caleb and we go around the tree again... different boy. I know that I will attempt to draw to one of these three roles into my disscussions and discipline of/with the boys. They need to be following God, they need to be responsible for the care of others, commitment to providing for the tangible needs of their family. And as a Mom (and Dad MUST help too as the BIGGEST role model), it's my job to get these boys trained. I'm not just trying to get them through childhood alive and eating with a fork while sitting at the table.... It's a bigger job than just making them civilized. I have mini-men that need to know how to do it right.

Like I said, the best MOPS to date.

That's all for now, have a great week.

Happy Friday!!!!!!!!!

The weekend gets to begin for a lot of us (not Mike unfortunately).

MOPS is this morning and Jockey is looking forward to his class. Caleb gets to go to school. And of course, I get to hang out with the Ladies of MOPS. And drum roll, I'm going to go to Snohomish for their annual city antique sale! Kind of excited to go. Still probably won't buy anything... but it's the idea that the dream is 10% off and therefore 10% closer. Like having 4 of the 6 numbers in the lottery insteal of just 3. (3 #'s in the lottery equals just going to the antique stores without children).

So the kids and I are going to kid back with a $5 pizza and hang out tonight. Should be mellow. Talk to you later.

Sick....


I've still got the bug, mostly in my throat and chest. I thought it was over on Monday, but, yesterday I think I had a fever in the morning while I was working.
Jockey is better.
Caleb (CROSSING MY FINGERS!!!) hasn't gotten it. I gave him Elderberry Immunity booster (part of my free stuff purchased months ago) and I'm hoping that it will help him avoid the flu.
Mike, he says he isn't feeling well. But he's still getting to work because no worky no payee.

Jockey is still adding "ee" to everything he says. "truckee" "brotheree" "shirtee"

Caleb's done excellent at school having gone several days/weeks without stages. Everyday I ask him to tell me what he did at school... he says patterns. I'm looking for Reading, Counting, Math, Money, etc...

For Awana, Caleb is learning the challenging feat of memorizing the 27 books of the New Testament. It's been rough drilling him, but he's gotten it in chunks, the final test is saying all 27 together!

Well, off to school for Caleb, and I have to drive.

Uh-oh, Sick.

I came down with the flu/cold last night, literally within an hour I went from feeling normal to shoving Comtrex in me and heading for bed. Joshy's got it too. Ick.

It's hard to find separation in the house to prevent anyone else getting sick. The boys will sneak sharing drinks and food. And right now they are curled up with Mike watching Football, which means breathing the same air. It's pretty much a foregone conclusion when one person gets it, we will all get it. Frustrating.

I'm already looking at paring things down to the minimum for myself and the boys. I'm hoping I'm over this fast. I have to get to work tomorrow (a job I can/do take the kids with me). And I can push everything else back until Thursday. I am suppose to help with Awana Thursday, but if one of the kids is sick I have to stay home with them and can't help. Sigh, how inconveinent. I don't want the boys missing any more school. Caleb's missed so much due to snow and floods...

Well, it's not in my control so I guess I'll just get over it and find some yummy soup.