Pictures finally...

Camping/crabbing at Kayak State Park mid-august with Dahls Sr. and Surfaces.

HOT day at the lake with buddies

An evening at the Children's museum... Jockey discovered he liked Rapelling down the rock wall.

Caleb attends a go-cart Birthday party.

Emily stays over night and plays with boys.

Jockey's Pool 4th Party with his great painting rocks idea

The fair, this time most of us were big enough to go on most of the rides. And painting stuff too.

My scrapbook pages, one of which won. (The one that won is the one that I was told last year that no one would want to see...)

Lastly, ROSIE the RABBIT!!!!!!!!

She looks like she's praying.... hopefully she's praying blessings on us all...

Ok, we've done it.

We have Rabbit #2 and a new-to-us (craigslist) hutch.
A female, Rex, roan colored, soft like a chinchilla rabbit.

It took longer than it should to name her, but it is finally decided to be "Rosie" (like Caillou's little sister). It's suppose to be Jockey's rabbit, and he does love Caillou (a tv show for all of you not up on your children's cartoons.) Rosie was a better name than.... "Tony Stark's (Ironman) butt crack". Which was also the boy's idea. Her rich fawn/reddish so the name fits with that too, although I wanted to call her Bambi. (Mike wanted Trixie, so we were both out voted by the boys).
As a rex breed, she'll be just like Shooter although not a mini just a standard size. She is just as soft, and will be a little bit bigger. She is coming up on 3 months old and already the same size and edging up close on being bigger than Shooter. She is getting use to being handled and the noisy-ness of our house. Once she is in our arms she immediately calms down and holds still for long term petting (until she gets a bit to warm, then she stirs.) She seems to be loving her hutch which is twice the size of Shooters and has a built in nest box. It was a great find on craigslist and was able to be pressure washed to perfection. Jockey, the less suave handler, can reach over and pick her up too. Which is really nice since we are trying to use this experience as a tool for responsibility.
WHY? I know that's the big question. Off the top of my head, here's why:
*VERY LOW cost. The whole year will be under a generous estimate of $75 for the entire year.
*LOW, LOW maintenance, especially for this breed. A quick rub backwards with a wet hand and the occasional toe nail trim. That's it.
*their cage's large volume feeders and water bottles allow us to leave for the weekends without trouble (even less problems than the dogs really).
*their droppings is sooooo few, and all in one place, and technically perfect for gardens... less troublesome/burdensome than the dogs.
*no problems meeting other dogs/people like dogs do out on a leash.
*they are available for love, and then easily put away.
*we've placed them near our back door and they can see us and actually part of our lives.

So that's it.
I'll get pictures up soon.
Yesterday, I took the boys to the skate park to use their rollerblades and scooter; Caleb had a buddy over last night, and I cleaned up the back yard a bunch.
I have to go help Auntie Brittany move into her house now.
Tomorrow is blackberry picking (again, yeah, I know.) and an ice cream social with last years school buddies.
Thursday, I work.
Nothing until Sunday, another great day at the fair.
TTFN.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Another busy day in Dahl-world.

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

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

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

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

TTFN

Friday was a full day...

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

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

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

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

More Later or tomorrow.

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

The short version

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

So that's the up shot.

Back to life.

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

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

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

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

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

TTFN. Stay cool.

Back from camping...

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

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

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

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

TTFN.

So the boys are back in town...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stay cool and have a great week.

Today, the car said it was 113, but the bank said 108. Either way it is HOT HOT HOT. The INSIDE of our home is 94, except our two refuges of TV and master bedrooms. We are holed up in there doing various projects and TV watching. A little mundane but way cooler.

We saw a free movie today and met up with some buddies. Then went to a playland McDonalds and stayed cool for another 2 hours. Then it's been home and hot ever since.

Tomorrow I work, and then we'll see what can be done to stay cool. I'm ready to break down and actually PAY to see a movie or Pay to go to pump it up or something inside! We'll see.

Until then, I'm getting out of the hot office.

How hot is it???

We have to be done walking by 10, done playing on the playground by 10:30, upon JOCKEY's request to go home. The boys have spent the last 3 nights sleeping in the TV room because that is the other air conditioned room in our house. I ACTUALLY got into the club pool and laster about 2 hours rather than 20 minutes. And now for the second day in a row, the spoiled rabbit comes inside during the day and stays in a crate in our air conditioned bedroom!
I saw 100 degrees today, and it's listed as 48% humidity. I never thought I'd have to visit California in July to get cooled off!

We went to the pool today and were there a very long time, and then into the AC at Grammy's motorcoah and then to dinner. At 10PM, my car still says it's 86 outside! It's sticky.

So despite being tired now, tomorrow I will be taking the boys to the movie, and then perhaps the pool again. I don't think I can even sit in the shade and watch them play at this temperature/humidity. I'd like to but I have to know my limitations.

Well, that's it for now. The office is hot and I must now retreat to the AC'd bedroom.

VBS ended with a nice picnic. The boys were entertained, Joshy more than Caleb. Caleb was very vocal on not enjoying the singing. Josh stood slumped over during the final performance, but at least he didn't sit down and face backwards the way Caleb did...
We've visted the parks several times, gone for walks.
Today we went to church and we are working on steam cleaning the carpets (I know, we nearly couldn't have chosen a hotter day to do this.) The carpets are really starting to look better. Mike's put in the majority of the work, although I've done a large amount too. I've also taken the time to wash down all the walls while the furniture is pulled away, and then cleaned the bathroom. The boys are loving visiting with Uncle Brian who stopped by, and watching Muppets in Space in the air conditioned TV room.
What's on the plate for this coming week.... we are going to try to find many ways to beat the heat. The first is going to a free movie on Wednesday in Everett. Ok, it's at 10AM before it REALLY gets hot, but it's something. And I think we will have to discover the splash parks in the area.
I work on Thursday.
Next weekend, we are trying to plan a camping trip towards the crab. I mean ocean water where putting out some crab traps is possible with good results. Cool crab around a campfire... only peel and eat shrimp/prawns beats it.
So that's the plan.
The following week: the boys are enrolled in swim lessons and will be with Peter and Lynda for 4 days. I'll be using the time to clean and work on projects to be entered into the Evergreen State Fair.
So that's the dahl nutshell.

So what happened in our weekend????

The Children's musuem was great...but as for the rest lets see.

Saturday the boys stayed home and played with Mike while I took Auntie Brittany out for her birthday. When I got back we shot out to Snohomish and saw the street fair, ate food, and watched the parade. We were home around 8:30 or so. They had a great time and we saw different things than the Anacortes fair.

Sunday, the highlight was that we drove up to Flowing Lake for a little water splashing, playground, and picnic time. Grammy and Papa Dahl drove up and joined the boys in the water. The boys had a great time, but Caleb kept thinking that any number of water animals were just waiting to snatch him under the water. He kept a keen eye out for sharks, sea turtles and fish...I don't think he understands the difference between saltwater and lake water. I don't know where he got concerned about fish nibbling his toes but he is. Fortunately, we dug out the legendary boogie boards (the ones I used in Hawaii when I was in 8th grade). They were quickly skimming the surface and trying to surf as they were towed around. It wasn't too hot out and it wasn't too cold in the water. The mosquitoes didn't bother us either. The food was good, the lake sounded cheerful and peaceful. The boys had a good time. Can't think of a better way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon/evening. The boys were worn out by the time we got home at the young hour of 7:30... we carried them into bed and that was that. Making for a calm night too!

Now, we are moments away from going to VBS. This is the first day of the next 5 days. I had forgotten that they were taking Josh too, so now I have some days with a bit of "free" time. Of course, then I look at my schedule and find I work two out of five days... so not so much "free" time after all. Well, regardless. The boys should have a lot of fun and hopefully learn a little, and maybe they will even meet up with a few familiar faces. I have hope at least, Caleb's already sad that they aren't going to have recess with soccer. But he's promised to have a good attitude. I'm crossing my fingers.

Ok, that's the update. Here we goooooo!

The puppet show Wednesday night was great. Really thought provoking, although Caleb was more interested in this buddies than the show.

Thursday, I worked and then we hung out at the house until we skipped accross the street and played baseball at the park with the neighbors. (The neighbors from behind us that Caleb has been talking to, the same ones we went to the puppet show with.)

Today, Friday, we went to MOPS in the Park for an hour and a half. It was nice to see the ladies. The boys burned off a lot of energy... but not all of it. By 4 pm we needed to get them tired again. We ended up in Everett at Forest park for a while, and then at the Everett Imagine Children's museum for their FREE admission night. What a nice way to spend a quality family Friday night. And inexpensive. What's more, one of Caleb's classmates ended up being there and instantly they were off playing and doing boy horsing around. An impromptu playdate, perfect!

We are going to tuck them into bed and then relax ourselves.
Tomorrow, I'm taking Auntie Brittany birthday bingo playing. Then in the afternoon the boys will be treated to the adventure of Snohomish's Kla-hy-ya days. Street Fair, "Taste of Snohomish" food, chalk art, chili cook off, salmon BBQ, carnival rides, and a parade at 6pm. Sounds fun.
Hope you're weekend is just as exciting. TTFN.

Just a little update.

We went to the park yesterday for about 2 hours. It was a little chilly, but it was way better than trying to keep the kids occupied in the house. We met a family that we knew from last week, and then one of my MOPS acquaintances (her son was in Caleb's Kindergarten class) stopped by. So we had and unplanned playdate.

Then today, Mike came home sick. But he took Caleb out to eat for lunch.
Jockey and I chilled at the house until they returned.
I went to work today.

Caleb has been literally hanging over the fence making friends with the boys that live behind us. Today he was invited over, in fact Josh was too. So they went over there for about an hour. This is the first time I've had a playdate that I didn't attend myself and watch them. Any others I have been at, stayed at, etc; and it's rare that anyone but Grammy (school or Auntie Brittany, briefly) watches the kids, no babysitters here. So it was a shock to feel like a new phase has begun for the boys and myself. They are getting big enough to have social lives outside of me. At least Caleb is, Jockey is still a tag-a-long. He doesn't really see a difference between himself and Caleb's age group. It's a strange feeling. There is a huge trust issue that goes along with this. Can I trust other people to act safe/appropriate with my kids? Are my kids going to behave? It's a whole letting go thing.
I did receive a good report and told they would be welcome back anytime. We were also invited to a church puppet show performance tomorrow evening. I'm planning on going since the cousins of our neighbors will be there (the ones Caleb is REALLY interested in). These cousins (at least one of them) is in Caleb's Awana. So he knows them. But the intriguing thing is that Blake has been hounding his mom to get together with Caleb too. So I'm happy to hear that other's are wishing to seek Caleb out too. I have hopes that this will lead to some good friendships. (shared faith, similar ages, similar physicial capabilities, etc.)

Tomorrow, we will swim in the morning and see cousin Tessa. A nice but all too infrequent occurrence. I won't be telling them until the morning though because I don't want to be badgered about it for the next two hours. The morning will be enough.

Thursday, I work. I don't have significant plans for the boys.
Friday, MOPS in the park in the morning, IF we are still in town. Still toying with the idea of going somewhere.

However, right now the house needs alot of attention and work. I had the boys seriously excited and enthusiastically helping clean the bathroom yesterday. I hadn't ever seen this kind of cleaning energy from them, but I suppose the 1/4 box of Q-tips I let them use to clean the crannies was a unique experience. (We are working on the deep clean areas that often get neglected in the quick punt to get the general space clean...ex: the molding ledge, perfect q-tip width.) Spraying the cleaner was also a thrill. I'm hoping to train them now that they have to be a part of the cleaning since they are part of the household inhabitants. And if I have to go through an entire box of q-tips (only $1 at $-store) to get some help... so be it!!!! And I bribed them with gum, I admit it.

So that's the week in an upshot.

TTFN

Hitting the ground running....

We got back from California, and within 12 hours of walking in our front door, we were pulling away from the house again and heading to Anacortes for the July 4th weekend.
(and of those 12 hours, we slept some, and I went to work, and loaded the trailer.)

The weekend was nice. Couldn't have had better weather. The new Off Bug repellant clip on thing seemed to do the job. We had nice campfires and delicious shrimp. The boys are slowly learning the peeling shrimp technique. Caleb's better at it, but he's had more years to learn than Jockey. We went on walks and hikes looking for deadfall firewood. We visited their parks. We met Papa and Grammy Dahl, we went to the Farmer's Market and the Parade. We watched the city's firework display from the cozy comfort of the motorcoach which had a perfect view being parked at the marina. On Sunday, we even got to visit with Grandpa Bill and Grandma Judy who drove up with their dogs.

It was a sort of quiet week trying to get the house back in order after having been gone so long. (still not their yet). We visited the park (and got stood up for a playdate) and met a new kid for Caleb to play with and perhaps befriend. Turns out Gage had Mrs. Adams for Kindergarten last year, and this coming year Gage's sister will be in Caleb's class. So it's possible that Caleb already has a "friend" (yeah, a girl, but still.... did I mention he's begun his only boys phase) for the first day of school.
I worked Thursday and Friday. On Thursday, Caleb left with Grammy and Papa Dahl and headed with GG to the Oregon Coast for the weekend. I hear all good things about the trip, though he's not back yet. Jockey and I have used the time to paint, play with play dough, finger paint, and a special treat of a movie on a TV in his room. (no fighting over the movie selection was a big treat.)

So here comes another week and we have high hopes for decent weather and good times.
Have a great week yourselves.

We're back safe!

It's late and I STILL have things to do before I can go to bed so I'll leave the update at that.

Home Safe. And we are heading to Anacortes for a camping weekend. More later!

A few pictures from California:

Chalk drawing

Just a little Goofy

Fairytale town with Liam and Charlie (Carolina's boys)

And other cute stuff

Hope this gives a snapshot of our CA experiences.

It's gettin' hotter here. Hovering around 100 (give or take) for the next week!

I've washed our clothes already so we all the tanks tops we brought available to us.

Our pictures turned out well. We pick them up on 6/30. The colors were very complimentary. The boys did start to get energetic ,crazy, silly and not exactly obedient. But it's been worse. We got group shots, boys shots, and just Caleb. And I think that overall it was a good run at it.
Afterwards Grandma and I took the boys to a park to play. This park was suppose to have a water feature... but contrary to all logic, they shut the water off from 1-5 pm, you know when it is hottest and you want to cool off. Go figure. But they had fun anyway and played and made a friend in some kid name Jacob. At home we went into the hot tub. Grandma and I were reminescing about how well the boys were swimming and contrasting that with when they were babies just bobbing about. Now they are little fish and splash-o-matics.
Later this evening, I went out and got snacks for the following day and sidewalk chalk for the patio. They thought that this was great and when they were done (mutli-colored with chalk dust), Grandma sprayed them off with the hose. Which they thought was hilarious and fun.

Yesterday, we went to Fairytale town and met my friend Carolina and her two boys. The eldest boys were best of buds from the start, Jockey did his best to tag along and Charlie being the smallest happyily pursued his own interests. The boys buzzed around the whole park running from one attraction to the next and chasing ducks and roosters in between. They climbed on things, went down all the slides, pumped water with the old pump and did it all over again and again only stopping for water or snacks. Luckily there were picnic tables in the shade that were pretty central because they were flitting so fast it would have been too much to track every step. After a few hours, we unexpectedly headed to Funderland (3 minutes away). The boys were able to go on all rides with the exception of 2 rides (one was closed for maintenance, the other they were too short for). The majority of the park was wide open for their adventure. A few times we had to coach them on which boy had to take a younger brother to meet the heights and accompaniment requirements... but mostly they were happy just to be there and having fun. We bought the wristbands and got our money's worth in just over 2 hours! Then of course, it was getting pretty hot and it was time to head home for a quick nap and back into the cool hot tub. A few turns at playing computer games on the computer Papa Bishop especially configured for them and they were ready for a wind down watching Transformers, brush teeth and into bed.

Today, Papa took the boys to the free showing of Star Wars (clone wars, animated) and then took them to McDonalds to burn off their wiggles in the air conditioning. It is getting quite hot here in the afternoons and there isn't a way for us Northwesterners who are not used to the heat or lack of humidity to play outside when it is this hot. In fact, it is nearly 7 and only starting to be tolerable to be outside... in the shade. But the boys were well behaved and old slightly figdity in the theater. They played a long long time and ate all their food. They came home for a nap and are now playing outside, blowing bubbles. We'll let them have another run at the chalk and then pop them into the hot tub for a washing.
Mom and I bummed around today, mainly at book stores looking for things we haven't read and swapping thoughts on authors/books. We went to a nice place that is a salad-made-to-order restuarant. You choose the lettuce type, the toppings, the meat if desired, and dressing. Just what you like, just as you order it. Great on a hot day! And left overs for tonight too.

The next few days we don't have a plan yet other than beat the heat. I'm toying with the idea of lots of Sunblock and visiting the Roseville Aquatics complex. 0' depth beach with a play structure in 18" of water... similar to Mose Lake's and it will be in the hundreds here. A great way to cool off.

Well that's all for now.

Hi all from California....

Before I begin to tell all about California. Please rememeber Grammy and Papa Dahl in your prayers, their home has suffered a sever house fire. It will be a long road requiring patience and lots of decisions to make, and emotional recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.

Ok, so on to the CA update.

We arrived safe, though the boys slept only 20 minutes of the flight (so I was a little worn out by their figiting.)
Grandpa turned on the sprinkers for the boys to run through. I made up beds for the boys to sleep on. They ran around and around in the backyard. Mom and I dusted after the concrete guy made gritty concrete dust in their house. Jockey ate a carrot like corn on the cob and then drooled it on my pants, and then he drooled chocolate on my capris... so while wearing my third change of clothing, I began a load of laundry. The boys played soccer in the backyard until after dark... at which point they thought that it would be a good idea to roll in the grass. They were itchy, red speckly, and bit by some bugs... so they went in for a bath and a 1/2 Benedryll. They fell asleep within a half hour and stayed asleep until 8AM the next day.

Papa made us all a French Toast breakfast. The boys ate, watch cartoons and ran around the house. Later Papa came back from Starbucks and took them to McDonalds to play and play and play. (The boys had begged to go). Mom and I went to Penney's to find coordinating clothes for pictures on Monday and then went to Grocery Outlet for boy-food (hot dogs, mac'n'cheese, apples, bananas). Papa went to a Rivercats ball game; we had mac'n'cheese for dinner and the boys played again in the backyard running around and around. I turned the hot tub on, but they didn't want to wait to go in. They got in when the temperature was 78, and got out 15-20 minutes later when it was 80. And then back to running and playing.

Yesterday, a slower morning and then we hit a splash park and the boys ran through the water and played for hours. The weather has been so temperate that it has been very nice.. not too hot. Although I think that that is changing with this week. But it was more than comfortable in the shade while watching the boys. Then it was a family dinner with my aunt and cousin and second cousin over. The second cousin in just 2 weeks younger than Josh. Mr. Phineas didn't end up coming but I have hopes that we will see him before we leave.

Today, we have an appointment for taking pictures and I hope to get good happy faces out of Caleb and Jockey and have a rather painless experience. After than we don't have a plan yet.

Tomorrow, Fairytale town where we are meeting one of my friends and her boys (near the same ages). Funny that she lives in Bellingham and we in Monroe, but we have to be in California to meet. I haven't seen her for 3 years! It's time, and hopefully Fairytale town will be exciting to keep the boys busy.

So that's the update. Pictures will have to come later.

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.