Well the weekend is upon us.

We've braved school, stages, Sparks, Cubbies, MOPS, Leading MOPS crafts, homework, my work, daddy's work, city coucil meetings (Mike attended to help prevent Breed specific language in the new dog control laws; Cane Corsos were unbelievably and foolishly on the dangerous animal list) and weather this week. Hopefully the weekend will lend a bit of wind down time.

I just had to share these pictures. I'm a sucker for color and there's nothing like what nature displays for us.

Wednesday night (facing EAST, if you can believe it):

Thursday morning:

This sunrise was gone in the 5 minutes I took to shower. It reminded me of how quickly life changes, children's phases, problems or even good times are over so very quickly. Stop and take a moment to see it because if we walk past and jump in the shower we'll miss something great.
Spectacular sunrises and sunsets are one thing that this city (Monroe) unexpectedly always offered us. I'm SOOO glad I got the kids to the park this week before the rain came in.

Jockey is still a "super fast ninja turtle" running around dressed in his BUZZ costume. He is insisting he is a big boy, even at bed time and that means he is tearfully protesting pull-ups. But after two nights of issues, we are now pulling rank and insisting on him wearing them.

Caleb is still in love with shooter. He goes out and sits on the edge of the hutch with the door open and interacts for 10-15 minutes at a time. (That's a long time doing anything in Caleb's world.) Caleb had three days with stages in them this week. We are hoping to get back on track soon starting with Thursday (a successful no-stage day).

My work is back under manageable hours, much to my (and Mike's) relieve. And I'm settling in at the store(s) that I visit most and they are getting to know me. It makes it more comfortable to walk in and get right to work, and I know the routine for each store and can work much faster now too.

So that's it for night now. Hope your weekend is looking fun and eventful or relaxing and uneventful, what ever you choose.

And another week begins....

I'm happy that it isn't raining today. This means that Caleb can be dropped off with a little time to play and get his wiggles out before school actually starts. I think he needs this time and in the winter I know it will be rare. So for today, I'm happy about the non-rain. And I suppose that I should be happy that it is light enough to play, I'm sure the winter will bring a dark 8:30 AM. This week also marked the beginning of a slightly longer school day for Caleb. He will now get out 7 minutes later, at 11:32. I'm not sure what that gets us/him. But the tricky part is now picking Joshy up at 11:30 and trying to get to Caleb's school in 2 minutes. (Before I had 5 minutes to commute between the schools and half the city.)

Great news report: Caleb has been without Stages (discipline at school) for over 2 weeks now!!!! He is doing great and really is proud of himself. I'm happy that he has found success and likes the way that that feels.
Mike visited the classroom as a volunteer, and Caleb really is one of the better behaved and focused students. While I was shocked to hear that, I am pleased that all the work that we went to earlier this school year has actually paid off.

Joshy is back into the housebroken habit. It is such a relief. He's very happy with himself, he also has out how success feels. He's a big boy and no one can tell him different. Of course, he also insists that he is a "super fast" ninja turtle. Yes, he is still saying super fast for everything, running, writing, walking, spinning (on the LIFE board game wheel).

We went to Papa Bill's house for dinner on Saturday. Joshy and Caleb insisted on getting into costume. They were so excited that they put their costumes on before NOON, and even took naps in the costumes (and Caleb slept in his shoes) so that they would be all ready when it was time to leave. Joshy attended dinner as Buzz and Caleb went as Spiderman, of course, by the time dinner actually rolled around, Caleb was in normal clothes and Joshy had stripped himself down to underwear (he hasn't worn clothes under the costume).

Well, time to get everyone up and dressed for the day.
Have a great week.

We are back from camping. We left in the drench of rain which threatened floods, and yes, it did finish up Friday that way. The bright spot of Friday, we saw 6 deer before we even got into our campsite! The rest of the trip was clear & sunny (or partly sunny). There was of course wind, but it only rained after 9pm when we were already tucked into the trailer for bed for family movie watching. We were visited by Grammy and Papa Dahl Saturday morning. We made it to the Farmer's market which was inside this time. We made it into Burlington, we surprised the kids with seeing the new movie "Madagascar 2" (we had coupons, so it was 100% free), we stopped into Michael's crafts for my benefit, the Christian Book store. We took evening walks and soaked in the moonlight. I tried to teach the kids about night vision (when it's dark at 5PM, this is a good skill to have). We drove around and saw neat old houses, Mike and the boys got into the community pool during and open swim time. I was able to wi-fi check my email and clear up somethings for my work (yes, it is actually turning into a real part-time job averaging about 4.5-7 hours a week, I wish someone would have told me this ahead of time, but I'm told it will slow after the new year.) Most notably, we discovered a new hike/lake: Lake Whistle. It was about a 3 mile round trip hike in. It was beautiful, if a little muddy and windy. It was peaceful and despite being only 10-15 outside of town, it really felt like we were hours into the woods. I can't wait to see it in the glory of summer. Overall, we were amazingly blessed with clear days and the 4 days of no school and no work to use on Camping trip in NOVEMBER! (This means we will not be out of town this year for Thanksgiving, does this mean I have to learn how to make a Turkey? I've avoided it for 10 years... doesn't ham sound nice? Regardless, Caleb is all about the pie!)

We are back and have plunged right in to the routine. Caleb's back at school, dreading homework and naps. Joshy can't wait to get back to school, but he doesn't have any until next week. I worked today (with Joshy). I work nearly 8 additional hours in the coming 2 days. We have Awana tomorrow, and the rest of life keeps chugging along too.

So, it's time to go make dinner, and make sure that the family world turns on an even axis too. TTFN.

I had forgot to mention about the fall carnival that we attended. The boys had a very good time. They ran around excited, they jumped in the bouncy houses, they played all the games that they could find. They of course got candy. But other than the mundane happiness expected of such an evening... there was a hilarious unexpected item. Joshy would win that they would give him candy. Occassionally it would be wrapped in pink or swirly red, he would say "That's girl candy" because of the pink wrappers. I thought that that was cute and worth remembering.

Also, last night during the election. Mike and the boys were watching the tv. Caleb said, "that guy has big ears, and that guy has big ears, and that guy.... Daddy, are we electing elves?" I thought that was soooo funny. McCain didn't win (not that he was ever my very first choice, I'm truly a liberatarian, as little government as possible type of person), but at least I WON at Bingo!!!! Can't will them all, but at least the $ will help pay a little of the rising taxes to come. Or optimistically speaking... Christmas presents.

So have a great week. I'm certainly busy with my job and going camping for the weekend!

Another week begun brings another month.

Fall is still out in a bloom of color. I don't like the dark much, and I can tolerate the rain. But I really like the frenzy of colors. I like them on the trees like enormous color puffs. I like it when the leaves fall into a blanket that I like to think of as colorful snow. I like to sit quietly and listen to the wind and the or the periodic fall of a leaf, it's almost as magical as the sound of snow falling. I hope to share this appreciation with my boys. Joshy will love the colors as he is showing lots of interest in artistic things. And Caleb will like the rough and tumble in a pile of leaves and maybe the smell since you can't help but smell like fall after you've rolled in it.

We took an evening walk in the dark, the cold and the rain. The kids had a blast because it was a perfect time for flashlights. We arrived home and plunged into cups of warm cocoa garnished with today's find of Dye-free Marshmallows (for the incredible $1 a bag, rather than the 36 for $ at Whole Foods.)

Now the kids are tucked into bed and hopefully getting good rest for their school tomorrow.

We worked with them on homework tonight. Again. It sometimes seems as if we are doing more with Caleb than what he's doing at school. (Thank you Grammy and Papa Dahl for the great workbook from Costco!!! Excellent!!) He is still doing great and not getting stages at school, too.

Joshy has decided that he has to do everything "super..." He wants to run "Super fast", he wants to walk "super fast". He wants to be "super cool". He is saying all sorts of things with extreme enthusiam... "oh my gosh, that's so cool".

There was something else I was going to put on here, but I forget. I'll try to remember tomorrow.

Thursday:

Caleb is feeling well enough (and has been without a fever long enough) to be able to go to school. So Mike is taking him right now. This also means he is well enough to go to Awana tonight. This is great because Caleb's buddy, Alan, is going to meet him there and be a visitor. I wouldn't have wanted to reschedule with Alan's parents and be a hassle for them.

Joshy is so funny. The other day, he was outside playing. He has such a curiousity about things. He was playing with worms. He chose a particular one and carried it everywhere for a while. He said it was his friend and it liked him. Then he was holding it up and put his nose right on it and sniffed the worm. ??? He said that the worm smelled bad but it was his friend. This is something about boys I'll never get. But it was silly none the less.

As things always go, I'm a bit sniffly, stuffy, headachy... I'm hoping to avoid any serious illness. But as it is, this doesn't feel great either. I'll be dragging myself to Joshy's parent teacher conference this morning to see how our littlest is doing in his school. Of course I'm hoping for a good report, but we'll see. This is quite an adjustment for Jockey, from nothing to school...

Well, that's all for now.

Wednesday!

Well, yesterday was a beautiful sunny if cool day. And to treat every nice day as if it was the last because it very well could be, we met a couple of Caleb pre-K school buddies. He hasn't seen these buddies since July and it was very cool to finally meet up with them. Even Joshy gave them big hugs and said he missed them, cute. The pumpkin patch was more than just a patch. They had a big corral of corn to dive into, a hay bale maze that ended in a slide, they had excavators to dig with, a hay jump area, animals to pet, pig show, a swing set, duck races, and of course pumpkins in the fields. We were there for 3 hours of fun!

All the activities wore Caleb and Josh out. And then I noticed that Caleb felt hot at about 8pm. Sure enough, 100.8. So we loaded him up with medicine and have checked him all through the night (because he is our high fever kid). He is still warm this morning but better. So no school. He actually thinks his buddy Collin coughed in his face and got him sick. This is Caleb's first illness since last spring/late winter. I guess that I'll be plunging sooner than I thought into the the pile of $70 worth (only paid $5.89) of cough and cold supplies that I picked up. We will be spending a slow day at home today trying to get Caleb well. He's still sleeping even now.

So that's what new in our zoo. TTFN.

Another beautiful sunny crisp day.

We attended church, did some grocery shopping (I'm kinda proud of myself, getting $57.39 worth of stuff for $2.89!), and now we are taking a quick breaks/naps before we are off the Joshy's Family Fun Night.

Yesterday, we did pumpkins, the first in our family since both marriage and our children's births. This is what we came up with. Joshy painted his pumpkin because that doesn't involve knives. Although he asked me to help paint and invited Caleb to join in. At one point they had the entire pumpkin covered with goopy paint... I joked with myself that it was a VanGogh pumpkin, so when I was asked to paint I went with the idea. On Caleb's pumpkin, caleb got to help scoop and clean and eat cooked pumpkin (Yum, from what I was told)... and even a little with the actual carving, but mostly Daddy and Mommy were wielding the knife into the pumpkin. Caleb got to paint the back of his pumpkin too. Caleb's pumpkin is well over 30#, it maxed the scale so they could only charge us the maximum... Joshy's was a more reasonable $4. /12 lb pumpkin. The kids were so excited, and they wouldn't stop trying to eat raw pumpkin. I finally cooked some up for them. And Caleb is nearly insisting that his pumpkin becomes a pie in a few weeks.

These pumpkins will be both our home decorations and decorations at the Family Fun Night tonight.

Results of our efforts:

Sorry some of the pictures are so dark, they were taken outside at night without a flash... as tey were intended to be viewed.

So it is time for my break before getting ready for tonight and this coming week which already seems so packed with things to do. Including a playdate that I'm trying to get going for Caleb, Awana with a special buddy of Caleb's coming too. Lots to do!

It's the weekend!

The vaccines I went forward with against my better judgement. Mostly just to go with the mainstream flow for school and not be a problem. But the vaccine took it's toll on Joshy. Thursday early evening he developed a fever. Mostly he just wanted to lay down, hold still and sleep. He woke up at 2:30 in the morning and came into my room to cuddle. He was really hot, and when I got up to take his temperature and get him medicine, he thought it was time to get up, eat, and be as chattery as a monkey. He just went on and on and on and on, he went from one subject to the next without stopping. I just got to the point that I decided that I should just record it. I've always know Joshy was more talkative than Caleb, but this really was a vivid example of his speaking and subject variety. I would have like to share them, but they took forever (over half hour) to even give me an error... thus too big to share. But it was funny no less.

Gratefully, Friday midday found Josh back at a normal temperature and activity level.

I'm already looking ahead at the holiday season. We are going to try to squeeze in so much that I have to plan or something gets left out. We are, of course, going to get our very affordable $10 (plus gas) tree in the forest this year again (12/6); it's always night and fun day of family & forest adventure. We would like to get to Leavenworth for their city/tree lighting(12/19,20?), and this year we also hope to get to Warm Beach for the Lights of Christmas (12/13,19,or 21?)... we were rained out last year on the night we had planned to go. I'm hoping for better weather this time because it is such a nice safe, no huge crowds or cars, Christmasy feeling place with it's lights, animals, carolers, storytimes. With those three activities, that eats up December weekends before Christmas for us. And my hope is that we might get to California right after Christmas, but I have to watch airfares for that plan's feasability.

With all the "turn off the TV" time, we are finding ourselves playing board games more. Scrabble is the current addiction. Sure, we could be cleaning SOMETHING, organizing/planning SOMETHING, but we are spending the time doing things together.

Today Mike has begun and hopes to finish installing a new toilet. When the old one was out, Joshy finally admitted what was wrong with the toilet. Lets just say, that was one expensive and time consuming toy dinosaur. I thought we had made it safely out of this common pitfall of childhood, but no.. the dino ate my toilet.

On that note, it's time to go eat lunch. Have a great weekend.

Happy Thursday, the week is almost over for most of you. This is Caleb's last day this week due to conferences. And Mike's last day too as scheduling turned out. I have to work Saturday and go to the conference tomorrow, but that's manageable. I'm looking forward to seeing how Caleb is doing in school both behaviorly and academically. Especially since we had a darn near intervention with him eariler this month.
The sun looks like it is going to come out strong today (strong for an October day, but nice anyway). The boys and I took advantage of the weather yesterday and went for a walk. We were cut short at our time at the park because the little man decided to have an accident. I'm hoping that walking home nearly a mile in wet pants was a good reminder as to why not to have accidents. We'll see.
We also updated the boys vaccines yesterday. It is unfortunate that they now know the place and specific room that they get shots in, because now they are a little nervous with just being there. Caleb only got nervous when they actually went to stick him. Joshy we had to hold down and restrain. 4 minutes later they were picking out stickers and wiping tears away, but still it was hard to do this to them.
Caleb got a new Bible, it is actually really really cool. He's very excited and that's part of what made the decision. This one should last him until I get the mature 2 decade long Bible for him. This one has COOL pictures, commentary, quotes, etc. And it's appropriately named (to match it's themed decor) The Adventure Bible. He's very interested in it. Joshy was also really excited to get a Bible, which was actually the reason I started looking at Bibles to begin with. But when I started looking, I realized that if I got him a Bible now, he can't read so he needs pictures mostly. And by the time that he can read, I'd LOVE (say that again LOVE) to get him the Adventure Bible for Early Readers. He was clinging to it in the store and already had sat down and was looking and flipping pages to look and discover. Maybe for his 4 yr old birthday or something. However, one expensive kid Bible is all we could spring for, and since Caleb is now requested to bring a Bible to Awana, I thought that he would find excitement and enduring interest if he was exposed a little further. Caleb generously offered Joshy his old Bible, which would be ok for just reading since I do that, but we went to Value Village to see what their selection was. Mike purchased another book and they ended up giving him Joshy's selected children's Bible for Free! Good price for the little boy who would carry it around with him EVERYWHERE if he was allowed (this one is not the pocket new testaments he had been glued to). So everyone was happy yesterday. Daddy got a Bible, Caleb got a screaming neat Bible, Joshy got one. (I'm a traditionalist when it comes to Bibles, I cling to my long enduring NKJV, highlighted and covered in notes of my personal thoughts and growth Bible like a warm cozy, iron clad blanket and solid ground for my feet. 3 yrs ago Tigger chew my 2 decade old Bible to pieces, it's the one time in my life I thought I was capable of murder.... and I still keep the pieces! So I'm happy with the old reliable 3 yr new Bible.)

Lastly, I'd like to share something that was just emailed to me:

http://www.catholicvote.com/

The music alone was worth watching for me! I'd love to know what it is, anyone a music expert?

*** Read no further if you're sensitive ***
Anyway, I heard yesterday that whatever is on the web is accessible by all. So this is the largest forum for my voice and I want to do my part.
I say "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" found in the book of Joshua (ironically enough) in the Bible. And to that I would as that if I care about people then when I vote, I will vote in a way that will effect the greatest good and for persons' with stregnth of character and consistency. For me, I'm adamantly opposed to socialism, terrorist affiliations, and the crushing tax burdens; I will therefore will vote for patriotism and for individuals who living according to their values (not just talk about it) in McCain/Palin.

Thinking on Caleb's stregnth when he spoke to the man in the store about Halloween (and it turns out he spoke out to some waitress too), there are times I need to learn from the simplicity of a child. What is wrong with me that I wouldn't share what I should when a child is willing to share. He showed courage as a child, why should I be a cowardly adult? When did I out grow my courage? No more, and thank you Caleb for the lesson.

On the lighter side: From an 8 yr old girl "I want to be an adult because then candy and tv aren't bad for you anymore."
We have shut off the TV in our house. Not 100% TV free, but at least after 5pm for 95% of the time. A huge improvement in several areas of life.

Well, it's Parent Teacher conferences week at Caleb's school. Caleb has M, W, and Fri off of school. But he has long days on Tues/Thurs. It was his first time taking his lunch to school, and it's a late release day at 12:55pm. A long day, I'm interested to see how he does with an extra 1.5 hours tacked on to the usual time.

Joshy's conferences are next week. I'm curious to see how the first conference about Joshy goes.

I have to work 2-3 days this week. So that will be good.

The sun is currently out, so I'm feeling less under a dark cloud that I did yesterday but I'm still a little tired. I might get out for a walk??? But boy is it getting a little chilly. I've got things to do here of course, but I don't want to waste a sunny non raining day. I do have to get ready for work though.

Mike opens all this week, so he was out of the house at a time of night/morning that should never exsist.

I was very proud of Caleb yesterday. We went to the grocery store and were shopping. A man was near by in one of the aisles and asked if he was ready for Halloween. Caleb proceeded to tell him that we don't celebrate it, it hurts Jesus' feelings, that it is bad and celebrates bad things and Jesus is the Savior of the world because he learned that in Sparks class.... etc, etc. It was really great. I had to give him a kudos talk when we got home, because most people don't have the boldness to share the truth like that and I don't want him to ever be shy or ashamed. He was really happy to be told I was proud of him, but he also was a little like, well it's the truth why wouldn't I say so. Funny, sound familiar.

Ok, that's enough for now. TTFN.

Here are the pictures of Joshy's Field trip.









I don't have Caleb's pictures because they were taken with Mike's camera, which I haven't found to pull the card on yet. So those are still coming.


I've woken up to a sunny Saturday! I am hopeful to once again get out for a walk and it enjoy it as if it is the last one before the winter rains/cold closet me in. I am hopeful that I can push the kids out into the backyard to absorb their vitamin D too. And of course there are other chores/tasks I need to get to, so I hope I can accomplish everything I would like.

The boys are really enjoying the Veggie Tales movie :The Pirates who don't do anything. If they don't do anything, how could they make a 1 hour movie about it? Still they are really liking it. While I still think veggie tales are a little silly, at least I don't have to worry about the content.

Last night, Joshy got quite a huge bump on his head! Actually it's wasn't an actual bump, just a loud thud when he hit his head on the coffee table. It sent me into action. Ice, flashlight for checking his eyes, popsicle to cool him off, checking him ever 5 minutes to make sure he didn't fall asleep. He's fine now, but it got the heart pumping. Consequently, because of his head thump, I had to keep him up late from bed to make sure he was ok before making him sleep. Again, he's fine, but it was a late night the boys. (And me as it turns out, Brittany was over for a little scrapbook fun and talking).

Well, that's it for now. Caleb's pictures are still coming, check back again soon.

Field trips completed!

Mike took Caleb and it turned out ok. He was watching 4 kids and basically came back with the idea that Caleb is 100% normal in his even bad behavior. Although, he was mostly really good today. It did drizzle on them, and Mike came home tired, BUT they did have fun and pick out pumpkins and ride the rides. Everyone came home without injury so it was a good trip.

Joshy and I went to "the Farm", his first field trip ever. It tried to drizzle on us and the wind did pick up... BUT Joshy also found a delightful pumpkin. At first he wanted a green pumpkin, then he wanted an orange one, and finally he decided and picked right off the vine an orangy-yellow pumpkin. He was really excited and intent on choosing the perfect one, although his idea of perfect his very unique. He liked the slide in the hay barn, we went thorugh a hay maze, a petting zoo to include puppies and kittens, went on a tractor wagon and wrapped up with ice cream (interesting despite the weather, but so be it.) He kept running off, but in the end he did have fun and I was glad to be there to wrangle him. It was a good time all in all.

I'll have to post pictures when I get them transferred out of the camera. Look for those soon.

Right now, I'm going to finally eat dinner. I had to help with Awana tonight and so I'm alot tired and didn't get a chance to eat until now. So that's what I'm going to do.

I bid you "have a great weekend", if I don't update again.

It's the start of a new week!
Undeniably it is Fall. Though the colors are beautiful, it is starting to be wet and dark. It makes me tired and remember that last year the boys and I were able to visit sunny California when this season hit. We are way less footloose and schedule free this year (and for the next 15) and won't be making an October trip because Caleb's school is important and we can't just take a week or more off. But I miss the sunshine pick up.
Caleb had a stage today, but he is not taking it as hard as he did last week. He got a stage 1 for playing with a grasshopper and trying to show the teacher when he should be in line to go in from recess. That does sound like a boy, doesn't it? I'm proud of him for telling the truth, I'm pleased that his spirit wasn't crushed as it was on Friday by his perceived "failure". Tomorrow is fresh with no mistakes in it yet. And Caleb's understanding of the world around him is growing everyday.
Jockey was whisked away for a day with Grammy. Initially he said no he didn't want to get up, until Daddy said that it was to go and see Grammy, then he was on board. I don't have the report yet on how that day went, but I do know that they are going to go swimming. Josh loves the pool and swimming, he'd have a pool in heaven if you asked him.

My "alone" weekend was nice. The trailer was cold still but I managed wearing sweats, a heating pad and 2 heaters. I picked up some movies at the King County library, I read a little, took a nice 4 mile walk that was a bit much for my feet, I played bingo twice (and won on Friday night). I slept in until 10 on Saturday and 9 on Sunday. I realized that Zuma has me trained to wake up in the middle of the night to let her outside. I am very grateful for the weekend. I tried to relax and enjoy the sunshine. I sat in a chair out in the grass and just absorbed, good thing too because it very well might have been the last sun until March. I did my best to relax, but I was also called upon (at 2AM) to help a friend with some pretty severe life shattering problems. I was glad that I had time to dedicate to that friend, I wouldn't have had that time with kids hanging on me and trying to scream/talk to me. I was glad to have been there for my friend even though it cost a little of my relaxation, what kind of a friend would I be if I wasn't willing to give when I was more than able.
The boys were more than excited to see me when I got home. I barely got out of the car before they were yelling they missed me and giving me hugs. And with great relief, the house was in better condition than when I left. The kitchen was picked up, the house had been vaccumed and dusted, the toys were picked up, the hideous box and it's packing peanuts were off the porch. I still have things to do (it's there always more to do), but at least I didn't have to start from scratch with EVERYTHING to do. That was probably one of the highlights to my weekend away, that it wasn't a crushing weight of mess when I returned home. The kids and Mike had worked hard. Thank you.

The rest of the week appears predictable: school, Awana (which I help at this week) and field trips for the boys. Jockey goes to the "Farm" out in Snohomish and Caleb goes to Remlinger. And Mike is back to work on Thurs/Fri nights and Saturday. Like I said, predictable, barring natural disaster.
So that's it for now.

A little VICTORY in our world!
Caleb's had 7 days without Stages!! WOW.

Stages include reminders, so that means that Caleb hasn't even had to have reminders! He is really doing well and he is proud of himself for this achievement. His teacher was highly responsive to the suggestion that he would like to feel useful and needed, so she asks him to help put up the chairs at the end of the day. He's very proud of that and does feel like he's something special. He has really improved and hasn't "shut down" in the last week during homework time at home! I've tried to vary the rewards. He got pizza last Friday, he was allowed to skip naptime one day, he gets to play with his video games, and we attempted to get him a slurpee but the machine was broken. The 7-11 lady was nice and gave him a sticker though when we explained why we were there. I'm really excited for his success.
Caleb's teacher is great. She and I are in good communication and she is open in her ideas and with her cirriculumn. I try not to be a bother, and I appreciate any time she gives to Caleb and myself. This is our first year at a public school with a student and we don't know the ropes quite yet. Caleb's teacher is working well with us and is very understanding and sensitive to Caleb's needs, both in food restrictions and emotional.
Halloween is approaching and, of course, that raises a lot of issues when Caleb is in school. Caleb's teacher has been helpful and understanding the whole time. Through a discussion with Caleb (not trying to lead him into any decisions), we've decided to not send Caleb to school on the 31st. I explained that the holiday's intent (at the core) is to celebrate things that Jesus doesn't like so we don't celebrate it even though others do. He totally understood and in fact felt a compassion towards the others that did celebrate. I told him what he would see at school... costumes and that they would get in a line and walk around the school. He really didn't want to walk in a line. He was even fine not wearing a costume while others were, UNTIL he realized that the kids wouldn't JUST be wearing spiderman/batman/princess outfits. He said that seeing other children dressed as witches etc would "hurt his heart deep down inside" and he said this multiple times. And then without being told that it was an option, he asked not to go to school that day. Mike and I discussed it and decided that would be best. Now we have to reschedule the reading assessment that is to occur on that day, but again, Caleb's teacher is really easy to work with and understanding. So no school on the 31st for us, which might not be a bad thing since Dad will finally be home from hunting and will need to catch up with the boys after being away for over a week.
Awana tonight, and both the boys are doing well with their verses. Of course that is before the stage fright of having to say the verses to someone else. We'll see tonight.
Today, I have to gather things together for a little get away of my own for the weekend. I'm on system overload, especially boy overload and extreme lack of REM sleep. So I will be camping this weekend. I will get two mornings to wake up when I want to, not when the dog says she needs out, when the kids say they are hungry or some other disaster drags me out of bed. I want to do nothing and lots of fun things all at the same time, so I will have to find a balance. About the only thing I know I will do is play bingo at some point and sleep. Maybe read. Sleep. I suppose I will have to eat at some time, but??? that just takes up time when I could be enjoying absolute silence. I never thought I would miss silence but I do. I use to think that silence was swirling around emphasizing boredom and aloneness.... now it is the gateway to peace, the balm to a stress headache. So I will be getting weekend of self-determined activities and silence! I told Mike I wanted a cottage that no one visits, and I guess the trailer is as close as I'm going to get, but it is enough for now.
Joshy has decided that he and I will go to heaven together some day, and that his place now has a pool. He also said his first official prayer to God yesterday. Which I'm highly proud of and joyfully tearful about. He prayed that he and "brudder" would always be friends and that "brudder" would be nice to him. Ahhhh. Joshy is getting so much more developed in his thoughts and speech, it's amazing. He can count to 5 by himself, he can sing half the ABC song with accompanyment, and he can say about 6 letters by himself. He loves to be read to, although he stops me ever 20 seconds with an eager question. And of course, he loves his rabbit.
So that's it for this morning.

Hello.


Well, it's taken me longer to get back here than I thought, but here I am finally.



I think the meeting with Caleb's teacher went well in terms of the spirit of cooperation and teamwork. I was a little saddened by not coming up with an earth shatteringly wonderful solution, but we did try to brainstorm a bit and decipher what is going on. We talked a little about his adjustment into Kindergarten and all the new rules etc. Caleb's teacher seems to care about what is going on and based on her actions on Friday (the day after our meeting) it appears she is highly responsive to the suggestions/ideas we did come up with. I suggested that Caleb really wants to be needed and wants to be a helpful participant, anything.... Friday Caleb was very proud to annouce he had helped his teacher put the chairs up. So I think that created a positive response in Caleb and show excellent responsiveness in his teacher. Even better, Caleb did not have any "stages" (levels of discipline) for 3 whole days this last week. This is great! And Caleb is proud of himself. I try to give him verval accolaids, but also at this early phase in a hopeful "reformation" I am showing him rewards (ex: Pizza on Friday). I want to show positive response, but also not get into the habit that all good behavior deserves kudos... we should just be happy we were not bad and not in trouble.



We went to Awana on Thursday, it was also my night to stay and help in Caleb's Sparks class. He said his verse and earned "shares" with makes him eligible to buy stuff on Store night. And Joshy at the end of his class was able to get over his shyness enough to say his verse. It's the only time I have ever seen Joshy shy. If it wasn't for his verse, he would be running around happy as a lark playing with the kids and toys. Performance anxiety? Whatever, we survived.



I'm not looking forward to Oct 16th, a field trip day with all the kids in Caleb's class (which I voluteered to be a chaperone for) AND that night I have to help in the Cubbies class with the wild 3-4 yr olds. That's going to be the longest day ever. I love my kids, although some days it's tough to say I LIKE them (or more accurately, their ACTIONS)... but I don't love other people's kids and don't especially like them either. So Oct 16ths is a full day of other peoples kids. yikes and yuck. The price I pay for being a parent. This account is getting overdrawn.



We did nearly nothing yesterday except I gave all the guys hair cuts. And today, although the weather is nicer, as a result of yesterday... the Club is without power and Mike had to drive down and run things and wait for PUD to come. There is a branch on the lines that both knocked out power and caught fire. So we are on hold waiting for him and what is going to happen. I suppose I could drag two kids to the grocery store if I wanted to torture myself. And I might have to do that since Joshy is still a potty-backslider and I need to replenish the stock of Pull-ups. sigh. And I'd love to get rid of the headache that's been plagueing me for the last few days.

As for the lighter side of life. I don't know if I have mentioned this before, but I will again because the boys said it again. They are both loving the idea of going to heaven. They have both decided that the best part of heaven (since Jesus goes to prepare a place for each of them special) is that their house/room is going to have a bathroom in the bedroom. No more going across the hall for them, it's too far, they want potties in their bedrooms and Jesus can make it that way. Caleb also says that his friend Alan is going to stay with him for a while because it is going to take Alan's parents a while to get there. I thought that this was metaphorical, but also considerate of Caleb. Caleb's also decided that he wants a bunk bed in heaven.

Caleb and Joshy are really into having sleep overs in each other's rooms. I'm keeping that to a weekend only activity just in case they are staying up a bit later with a bit of talking. Last night I heard Poopy-head yelled for 5 minutes after I closed the door.

OK. That's enough for now.

Happy Mid-week.

Tomorrow is my "date" with Caleb's Kindergarten teacher. Hopefully she and I can figure out what is going on with Caleb and find some good solutions. We are trying here at home and about 50% of the time he seems reined in and the other times he is just as frustrating.

I've started pulling back on the "mothering".... after three weeks of school he knows every morning he must eat, get dressed, brush his teeth, put on his shoes and socks and grab his backpack. So now I just make the breakfast, have the clothes laid out, & put the paste on the brush (can't leave the paste out, Joshy will get it), and tell him when we have 5 minutes before we leave. He's 5, he should be able to do those 5 things. And I don't need to start every morning telling, telling, huffing, begging, pleading, yelling, threatening lateness, etc. It's unpleasant for me and it has got to be for him. So I have resigned from the nagging role and will expect him to know the routine and do it. 5 things are not too much for his age group or intelligence. It's not like I'm asking him to cook eggs or oatmeal for himself, just his own shoes/sock, etc. I lay out the clothes each night, make and put breakfast on the table and paste on the tooth brush, that is enough. Especially with myself and Joshy to get ready and going.

Caleb has learned his second verse for Awana, so we all know he is capable. I just don't know what the triggers/buttons are that make everything click without him getting frustrated and shutting down.

Joshy has backslidden a bit on the potty training. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I am discouraged. After the 2nd outfit today, I refused to dress him again and would not let him play outside as a consequence. Maybe it will get through to him. Until then, I am forcing pull-ups on him for school and Awana. I will not inconvience those kind people again.

Once again, I am renewing my efforts to make Tigger a downstairs living dog. Once again, in the SAME spot no less, he has bashed into the wall with a mighty shoulder or hip and created a huge hole. This time it was so big that even my attempt at spackle wouldn't work. The mud was so thick to fill the bashed in area that it still wasn't dry on the third day... which became a spot of amusement and entertainment for the kids who of course had to poke their fingers into it and create a mess. Mike has said he will cut out the hole and put in a new sheet of drywall. Very nice of him. But we would be idiots if we take no steps to prevent a THIRD injury to the same wall. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me, fool me THREE times, I'm an idiot and shoot the dog. (Or make him live outside no matter the climate.)

I'm exhausted and worn despite getting a break yesterday and having accomplished much today as far as the house and errands go. I've already started on Christmas planning/preparing/projects. The early bird is less stressed on Dec 15th by lack of time and budget! My eagerness entices me to stay up later than I should sometimes and I pay for it the next day. I do it to myself sometimes, but often I'm just tired for no reason. I'm trying a b complex vitamin on the advice of Grandma Bishop, we'll see how it works.

So despite the darker mood of this posting, I do have one humorous note:
Caleb asked if I could speak to Daddy about going back to Yellowstone because "It's so cool. It's so hot, it's like chicken." I don't know where he came up with that, but that's what he said. Also, Joshy insists that he has a big boy bum, whatever than means.

Well, I'll post the results of my meeting with the teacher sometime soon. Good Night.

Well, here we are again.

First the good news. 1) After a nearly two weeks, Shooter is holdable by adults and Caleb again (assuming stern admonitions against squeezing). Joshy is still too rough. Shooter is happy as can be when in the backyard. He hops, nibbles, digs and hops again. Inside, he's a pellet dropper, and he circles me again like he's wanting to make me his bunny bride. He's hot inside (when it feels cool to me) which reassures me that he is ok in the increasingly chilly days and NIGHTS. That dense soft coat is doing it's job for him. 2) Caleb's backpack was recovered and now it brandishes his name in puff paint. 3) We got a good hour in at the park before an accident occurred.

The down side of this mid-week update:
1) It's starting to be grayer more and more.
2) Jockey had his first accident at school. He did all that he should (ask and go to the bathroom) but the aim was a little off and the fluid ran out of the bowl and onto his clothes rather than back and into the water. I can't fault him for being too small for a big commercial size toilet and not being able to scoot far enough back to be over the water. It was in the last 5 minutes of school for which I was 5 minutes after picking him up. However for the first time in Little Doves history, a child (my son) refused to put on the back-up clothing. Just flat out cried and refused both teachers attempts. Luckily I got there in time. Later he told me he thought the replacement clothes were wet. The staff was wonderful and understanding and overall great. They even made sure to tell him that they looked forward to him coming back on Thursday for show and tell day; I had to ask them to do this because I had told him all summer that he would get kicked out of school if he peed in his pants. Well this was truly and accident of gravity not his own negligence so I feel ok sending him back to school and I just have to bide my time until he's tall enough to stand at that wall contraption. (Right now he'd need a stepping stool, but that's what you get with pipsqueak cute boys.) And I wasn't worried about it, that is until today.
2) We were at the park and he asked to use the bathroom. Of course he had to run have the distance of a football field and I picked him up by the tummy to get there faster... no such luck. So we had to leave the park today. Maybe I giggled it out of him over the long distance, but it's not a good streak this week.
3) The most depressing issue, however, is that Caleb has been in school 3 weeks and I've already been called into see the teacher for Caleb shutting down and increasing defiance. Sigh, do I have to deal with this on such a gray, pee soaked day? I responded to the teacher with a yes I'll meet you any day any time and then I sat down to speak with Caleb. He said he had a good day, no "stages" (levels of bad behavior), and no problems. So I asked him about pictures and his teacher, nope no problems. So then I read him the email from the teacher, and we talked about it. Turns out he was afraid of the picture man who was new to him and he was afraid of the red feet on the floor. He didn't know why the teacher wanted to have him stand on them, and he didn't tell the teacher why or what he was afraid of. And the other defiance? He had no excuses or examples. I don't know what's going on. I feel puzzled about how to affect change.

So he's spending the rest of the afternoon in his room. When I heard him playing with toys, I bagged everything except books, puzzles and one bear up; he was tearful, angry and then helped (that threw me too, but I put on a stoic front). I gave him a letter sheet and a math workbook and a pencil. He can work on those, stay in and think and take a nap. Daddy can have a talk with him at home because Caleb pulls the same defiance with me. I don't know what to do. I have to communicate the seriousness of this to him. And I felt awful about the toy thing until I remembered that it was done to me and it did leave and impression that I learned from. I have to get this stopped now.

I wish I was wrong about this, but I thought I'd have to be HIGHLY involved at school with Caleb. Now I've already been to orientation, PTA, 2 other brief talks with the teacher, dropping off separate snacks, searching for a lost backpack, Cirriculm night tomorrow, and now this! (On top of the Awana behavior issues too!) Ever have a job you want to resign from?

Why can't it always be sunny, pee-free days at the park, getting along with the sibling days, and "I love you mommy" and "Jesus told me" days?!

Ok, back to life, more as it comes.

Welcome to another week in life.

It's started out gray and cold. I've got Caleb to school without event and was productive while he was in school. From here is kind of goes down hill.

Caleb's backpack was accidentally picked up by someone else and now is missing.
Grocery shopping took 2 hours! When does it ever take me two hours! And it was soooo very hard to get all the things that I thought we needed and try to stay on or within reason of the budget. It hasn't been this hard in months. I guess we must be stocking up on things I'd let our stock run out on. And my feet and calves were in agony by the time it was over. I just gave up the idea to get to the library. (Maybe the new shoes bought at 60% off will help, of course it's probably why it took longer to shop.) I just got an email reqgarding my work that the stores were wrong in telling me they didn't have the Halloween product/display, so I have to go BACK and re-work the stores! sigh. I spoke with Mike, Joshy turned up sick today, of course he really wasn't awake until he was already at Grammy's house. He was so excited to see her and he drew her special pictures, but then he ended up sleeping alot during his visit with her.

Shooter had jumped out of my arms when spooked by the kids and kind of hurt his foot. By he's been on temporary isolation (he's allowed out, but no holding because in the kid's case that also means squeezing). I sit at the hutch entrance with the door open and allow him to hop into my lap. (This is how I know he IS putting weight on his hurt foot, although it is the last foot to come down when he hops.) He seems to be improving each day which leads me to believe it was a straing of a muscle or a bruise. He hops like lightening and stands and it stretching in and using it for grooming now, I'm just going to give it a few more days of non-holding to ensure a full healing. He is really enjoying the times that I allow him to run in the backyard, and while the weather is tolerable, I should do so. He just hops and nibbles his way through the yard and then comes back to check in and then is off at the speed of light again. Mike even made a ramp for Shooter to hop back into his hutch if he wanted to. I'm still always out there for supervision though.

Kindergarten Cirriculm night is Thursday, same with Awana. Last Thursday night was PTA. And last Thursday, Caleb was acting so disobedient and crazy that the director actually got him and Jockey confused and sent Caleb back to the Cubbies class... We had a talk. I am hoping that he will understand the seriousness of the situation and improve his behavior because he is learning his verses which was impressive to have learned it as fast as he did. So we will see.

So I'm keeping busy and trying to keep the kids busy too. Caleb and I played catch, trimmed back the trees, bushes and weeded yesterday too. I didn't get any household cleaning done today but I'm still exhausted. Joshy kept me up late last night, maybe that's why.

Ok, I'll keep you posted. Bye for now.

Greetings from Mid-September. I can't believe it, this month is flying by. We are so busy that I know I'll wake up in three years (or July) and realize that the time flew past me while I blinked.

Josh is well established in his class. Miss Lisa said so today, he's doing great. He has been attending without pull-ups on, and much to every one's relief, no problems yet. I get home the work he's painted and cut... and when he cuts, he keeps on cutting until the whole page is in pieces. He is really excited to run into school each day, which is unique as it turns out, I heard many a wails in the halls today at drop off time. In the meantime, when Joshy is not at school, he is in LOVE with the Caillou show. He begs for it all the time, at all times of the day. It's a cartoon about a little boy and his adventures with his family, Canadian based. Perfectly acceptable content, but definitely something I don't want to sit down and engross myself in. But Joshy is in LOVE with it. This is Joshy's phase similar to Caleb's Buzz Lightyear infatuation.

Caleb is learning, but I can't help but wish I knew exactly what was said and what topics were broached. It's a public school, so of course I'm on guard. I was told today they learned about space bubbles (I know, sounds like something out of Star Wars.) And they are learning which problems they should try to resolve on their own through sharing, talking, or walking away... and which are big problems that require and adult. On the surface, I agree, but I can't help but think of the exceptions or worry about the child's judgement skills... or the ramifications later (Caleb choosing which problems to tell me about and which ones he THINKS he can handle.) We've already had to have formative discussions about certain books we don't want him to choose when he is given the opportunity to choose. I'm truly surprised that he remembers what I tell him when it comes to this type of instruction (subjects that oppose Jesus' rules), yet he still can't remember that I asked him to pick up his toys. When he can repeat back the things I instruct him about Jesus and his choices at school, I can't help but feel a confidence him though; I'll always have to watch out for the insidious things, because he won't see it coming at this point. But that's my job.

I'm considering going to the PTA meeting this Thursday. I don't know if I want to be on a committee, but I do want to be aware. Curriculum night is coming up, and it is also an open house night for Caleb to show me around his class. I'm going to take the opportunity to find out what books Caleb is exposed to, and a list of other things. Joshy will be at Cubbies and Caleb will be in the school's gym during the parent's only portion. I think it will all work out ok.

Speaking of Cubbies. Both of the boys have been to their first night in Awana for the year. Josh is in his own class for Cubbies with his own vest and book. Oh boy was he excited about that. The first verse was hard since he was handed the book 30 seconds before, and the teacher was new. BUT, he's already working on this week's verse and doing well.
Caleb is in a new class too, called Sparks. He gets a brochure to learn one long verse, accomplishing that earns him his verse and book. We're working on it. He is having some problems, and they are in a new league with higher expectations for him than in the old Cubbies he was used to.

Personally, I'm trying to take note and enjoy these few days of beautiful sun. I have a sense of the grains of time sifting away before the looming doom of gray settles over in October. So I'm trying to get things done. I'm frantically working to live up to my own expectation of completing Joshy's 3rd year scrapbooking pages, only 2 left, so I feel mostly accomplished. I have bigger projects coming and I promised myself I wouldn't start those until I completed this. Also, I worked (outside of the house) the last two days while the mice were away, my does the time fly.

Joshy spent Monday with Grammy Dahl. He was VERY excited about the idea of going swimming. He is now pushing off and going out 6-8 feet into an awaiting adults arms. He loves to dive under, look at and retrieve items. Josh also went to Wiggle Worms, but he was by far too advanced for that program. I'm so glad that this isn't his challenge; I've met two moms this week with autistic children and I am blessed to just have disobedience to deal with.

Shooter has begun to enjoy backyard free for all time. I sit out and supervise him, but he loves to get a good distance of hopping/running in and discovering all the yummy munchies in the yard. Our yard is simply a treasure trove for bunnies (and it's great he instinctively stays away from the bad plants like rhodies, buttercup, etc.). He loves the fresh air and the chance to cool off in the long, damp, green grass. He also loves to cuddle outside; I got a full 1/2 hour one evening of him nestled under my chin and ear. This is something my childhood rabbit never did and I think it's something I missed.

As for the rest of the week: Caleb has a dentist appointment on Thursday. I work on Friday and have a MOPS meet and greet. Mike works this weekend, I am trying to build up the energy to have a garage sale and boys at the same time. And I might go play bingo and have some Me time. Well, see. I just can't believe how busy life has become. I feel like I'm on a merry go round, fun, but so fast everything is a undeniable blur.

That's all for tonight.