Hello again.
Wow, we have been monumentally busy!
Last week, Mike was home with a back ache for all but 2 days of the week. The boys really liked having him home, even if they couldn't "play rough" the way they like to do. And Jockey got to have sufficient naps because Daddy was here during the pick up or drop off of Caleb so Joshy could continue his naps even while getting Caleb. Therefore, the experiment for the best Jockey nap schedule begins today... and I'm crossing my fingers.
Last week I worked a bit... And thanks to my "work" we got a free pizza on Tues. Nice!
It was my first official Parent's Night last week too. That was interesting and I got all the pertinent information, but I was saddened that Caleb might miss his first field trip due to our vacation. And I was hoping for a better parent networking system, maybe that comes later. All in all, I'm very happy with the choice of school, and I can't wait for next fall when Jockey actually gets to stay as he soooooo wants to do right now.
Last Thursday, I took Caleb to the Cascade Community church and got him signed up for Awana. We switched churches to which he will attend Awana at; the Cascade church is bigger and I hope will have more chances for friends for him. Plus, when we attend on Sundays, I hope that some of the same kids in Awana will be in his Sunday school classes. Caleb was really excited for Awana. Joshy was very upset when he discovered we were leaving Caleb and he, himself, did not get to stay. Jockey threw a public fit to include sitting in the middle of the hallway arms crossed wagging his little finger saying NO when I said let's go.
Officially, Jockey has learned how to say "I'm mad", and he says that when we tell him no (fill in action.... hitting, biting (a recent big thing), kicking, or when we take away things that he shouldn't have. The only thing that brightened Jockey's mood when we were at Awana, is taking him to the park for some one-on-one time. He seemed to like that, but he also started a fit when it was time to leave the park. Hey, he's two! And he and I are locked in a power struggle. I know that I have to reign him in now, but when he is bigger than me and 17 yrs old, I need to have the respect and obedience. He is so strong willed!
We also trekked up to the Everett Children's Museum last week. It was Free Friday. So we got in right at 3pm the whole family for free, otherwise it would have been about $30! The funny thing is that Jockey at two was enraptured with the same display that captured Caleb's attention at two... of course, it involved Balls... what else! The plane display has gotten Caleb's focus on seeing Grandma and Papa Bishop. He mentions it everyday now. I tell him to put his clothes on for the day and he asks why, are we going to see Papa Bishop? Sigh, 16 days buddy. The Children's Museum was a lot of chasing the kids around as they explored. We were fortunate that the weather was decent and they opened up the roof-top exhibits. That was huge. It had an amazing climbing structure, parts of it were 50 feet in the air. We stayed a hour and a half and we still didn't see everything. We wanted to get out of Everett before the trestle got thick with traffic. I can't wait for the next free Friday!
Saturday and Sunday were Mike's football watching days. It is funny to see Caleb cheering right along with Mike for their team. Mike has to tell Caleb who to root for, and then Caleb taunts right along with Daddy. Joshy's just in it for the football watching snacks... Sports candy (aka Carrots with ranch dip) and chips.
This week has also started out busy. The boys went to Grammy and Papa Dahl's house yesterday for a visit. And that usually means I get to relax or get to overdue chores... not this time. I spent over 4 hours in a Babies'r'us helping a friend navigate the finer points of selecting all new baby gear. A long day... followed by grocery shopping. This is finally my first time to sit down and write anything, and I still have chores I should be doing.
Kudos for the Boys:
Caleb can dress himself. And usually he does so 3-4 times a day each time with a differnt outfit. I guess that would explain why one of the big chores waiting for me is laundry. He comes up with some reason to change clothes, tags itch, something is wet, etc. I'm just happy that he is doing it himself, although I do have to ask and check to see if he remembered underwear. He is showing signs of wanting to read. He is doing remarkable at learning the spanish words I'm teaching him. He doesn't remember all of the words, but when he does say them his pronuciation is surprisingly good. Better than some of his English. Caleb is getting a stronger appetite too. Caleb is learning more and more responsibilties. Picking up his toys is a BIG one. He and Jockey are really into forts and that means all of the blankets and pillows get dragged out frequently. Caleb is doing great so far in school.
Jockey is shower obsessed. He says "sha-wee". It's cute. And he says "I'm cute". And he is praying over owies etc more often. He is good at saying sorry, coke (unfortunately), hungry and several other things. Yesterday, he recognized Grammy's house and said Grammy, which is great because it has been over two months since he has been there. Jockey is doing well at potty training, still mostly for Daddy. With me he wants to be in control and say no. Jockey has been out on his tricycle, and almost went into a ditch (controlled and guarded by Daddy) but that taught him how to steer really fast. Now it is getting him to steer in the direction that the rest of us want to walk. He is still fearful of spiders. I really should take a hose to the front of the house because if he sees them through the windows, he won't eat at the kitchen table.
Both boys are really cuddly lately, and Jockey his having separation anxiety. Sigh. That's alot of work and tears. We'll get through it.
That's all for now folks.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Friday, September 07, 2007
And Fall begins...
Wednesday was "Jitters Day". Caleb was really excited about preschool starting. I was afraid that he would be resistent and a grouch to try to get into the building. However, he was very interested and excited. He saw his new room, his own cubby for papers, met his teacher (Miss Cheryl) and tried a few of the activities that they had out to play with. Caleb went right into a bead and color/pattern matching exercise. I didn't expect it to be a drop-off day, but it was. I had to drag Jockey out of the school, he really really wants to go to school (or at least be part of what Caleb is doing.)
Thursday was the official "First day". Caleb was a little sad that he didn't have a best friend. He first told me that he didn't need anymore friend because he had Tessa, Donovyn and Gavin. But when he counted on his fingers and only counted three, he got sad and said that that was ALL he had. Then he couldn't remember any of the names of the boys at school and therefore they weren't his friends. Except he could remember "the boy with the striped shirt" showed him how to puff his cheeks up with air and then punch his cheeks flat and make a spitting/zorbitz type noise. I did ask if the teacher asked him to stop, yes, and did he stop, yes. Which is good, so I had to kudos him for listening and obeying the teacher. I worry that he is the "trouble maker" of the class, but I guess he could have done something worse, and he could have disobeyed... Caleb couldn't remember anything else about the day, other than they had Goldfish crackers for snack and he told the teacher that they didn't have food coloring. "See I told you", was what he said with his pattened, dramatic lip curl.
Because of the school schedule, I'm going to have to experiment with Caleb taking or not taking naps, and what times Josh should take his naps. It will take a few weeks to try the different combinations and get it right. I do have to get it straight because Joshy fell asleep in the grocery cart seat at 12:45pm when I was trying to get a quick trip in during Caleb's Jitter's Day.
Today, Caleb and Mike went on a hike in Lord's Hill park. 7 miles later... Caleb was zonked and fell asleep before noon! Mike said he was very talkative with the strangers on the path, which is very unusual for him I hope that going to school brings him out of his shell a bit.
Good News: Joshy is really improving on his potty training. He gets really excited and says "I did" x2, and then does his little celebratory pony dance. And my little gem still only has success for Daddy! But he is having more often and more types of success than ever!
On the other hand, Joshy is in the huge phase of "separation anxiety". He doesn't want to sleep in his room anymore. He screams for long periods of time. Last night, I said uncle at 18 minutes. A couple nights before he screamed every hour on the hour. He said he was afraid, it turned out to be a crane fly buzzing around.
Which reminds me... Joshy has an honest to goodness fear of Spiders. It started with Caleb taunting him saying that the dining room light was a spider coming to get him. From that moment on, Joshy is terrified. He keeps running inside saying something that I misunderstood as "bye" which I thought was bite, really it is "spi" "spi". He really is scared. He saw a spider in a web on the outside of the window in the kitchen. I tried to pick him up and show him that it was on the outside and he cried in terror and tried to squirm away. So I got rid of it, but it took him 2 days to finally eat in the kitchen again! I try to tell him he doesn't need to be afraid. And as Caleb tried to tell Papa Bill on Monday, God is with us in our heart and doesn't want us to be afraid and God protects us and takes the spiders away. He still is upset with them, which is one animal we had to avoid at the Zoo. We ran out of time at the Zoo anyway, but it was something making me nervous about facing Joshy's fear with him.
The boys are enjoying their jumpy house near daily. I feel like a good parent when they get to play in something so great at the jumpy house, and I know that they will have years more of fun to come bouncing to their hearts delight.
We are trying to make the most of the rest of summer. Walks, hikes, swingset playing, parks, fair, zoo, bouncy house etc. I'm even hoping to get out in the trailer at least once more. We'll see.
Happy weekend.
Wednesday was "Jitters Day". Caleb was really excited about preschool starting. I was afraid that he would be resistent and a grouch to try to get into the building. However, he was very interested and excited. He saw his new room, his own cubby for papers, met his teacher (Miss Cheryl) and tried a few of the activities that they had out to play with. Caleb went right into a bead and color/pattern matching exercise. I didn't expect it to be a drop-off day, but it was. I had to drag Jockey out of the school, he really really wants to go to school (or at least be part of what Caleb is doing.)
Thursday was the official "First day". Caleb was a little sad that he didn't have a best friend. He first told me that he didn't need anymore friend because he had Tessa, Donovyn and Gavin. But when he counted on his fingers and only counted three, he got sad and said that that was ALL he had. Then he couldn't remember any of the names of the boys at school and therefore they weren't his friends. Except he could remember "the boy with the striped shirt" showed him how to puff his cheeks up with air and then punch his cheeks flat and make a spitting/zorbitz type noise. I did ask if the teacher asked him to stop, yes, and did he stop, yes. Which is good, so I had to kudos him for listening and obeying the teacher. I worry that he is the "trouble maker" of the class, but I guess he could have done something worse, and he could have disobeyed... Caleb couldn't remember anything else about the day, other than they had Goldfish crackers for snack and he told the teacher that they didn't have food coloring. "See I told you", was what he said with his pattened, dramatic lip curl.
Because of the school schedule, I'm going to have to experiment with Caleb taking or not taking naps, and what times Josh should take his naps. It will take a few weeks to try the different combinations and get it right. I do have to get it straight because Joshy fell asleep in the grocery cart seat at 12:45pm when I was trying to get a quick trip in during Caleb's Jitter's Day.
Today, Caleb and Mike went on a hike in Lord's Hill park. 7 miles later... Caleb was zonked and fell asleep before noon! Mike said he was very talkative with the strangers on the path, which is very unusual for him I hope that going to school brings him out of his shell a bit.
Good News: Joshy is really improving on his potty training. He gets really excited and says "I did" x2, and then does his little celebratory pony dance. And my little gem still only has success for Daddy! But he is having more often and more types of success than ever!
On the other hand, Joshy is in the huge phase of "separation anxiety". He doesn't want to sleep in his room anymore. He screams for long periods of time. Last night, I said uncle at 18 minutes. A couple nights before he screamed every hour on the hour. He said he was afraid, it turned out to be a crane fly buzzing around.
Which reminds me... Joshy has an honest to goodness fear of Spiders. It started with Caleb taunting him saying that the dining room light was a spider coming to get him. From that moment on, Joshy is terrified. He keeps running inside saying something that I misunderstood as "bye" which I thought was bite, really it is "spi" "spi". He really is scared. He saw a spider in a web on the outside of the window in the kitchen. I tried to pick him up and show him that it was on the outside and he cried in terror and tried to squirm away. So I got rid of it, but it took him 2 days to finally eat in the kitchen again! I try to tell him he doesn't need to be afraid. And as Caleb tried to tell Papa Bill on Monday, God is with us in our heart and doesn't want us to be afraid and God protects us and takes the spiders away. He still is upset with them, which is one animal we had to avoid at the Zoo. We ran out of time at the Zoo anyway, but it was something making me nervous about facing Joshy's fear with him.
The boys are enjoying their jumpy house near daily. I feel like a good parent when they get to play in something so great at the jumpy house, and I know that they will have years more of fun to come bouncing to their hearts delight.
We are trying to make the most of the rest of summer. Walks, hikes, swingset playing, parks, fair, zoo, bouncy house etc. I'm even hoping to get out in the trailer at least once more. We'll see.
Happy weekend.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
We went to the ZOO today!!!!!!!!!
Yes, the bear got even CLOSER than the next picture......
We are all very tired after a very fun day, we were there at 9:30 and weren't leaving in the car until 3:45pm!!!
It started out rainy, pouring really pouring. However, we visited a few exhibits and a very neat visit to the ZOOmasium which was indoors. The kids had a great time exploring the climb-on features: boulders, slides, and a "tree". They got out a lot of extra raw energy, and when I peeked outside, it had stopped raining. So we came out of "hibernation" and went off and running. We were lucky to catch the historic carousel during it's open hours (in the past it's been closed for various reasons). Of course, the boys really like it. Tessa is a obvious pony lover. Then it was off to the rest of the exhibits. The highlights were the Grizzly bears, one of bears brushed up against the glass directly in front of the kids. They were literally inches from the bear! Amazing. Also, the Slow Laris was a neat animal because it came right up to the glass and matched up our hands with his. He really took interest in us, and we of course, were even more intrigued.
Jockey obviously was drenched in fun, and he had the wet and filthy pants to prove it. During lunch I had to take them in and dry them via the hand dryer so that they were even tolerable to wear. Though his pants were damp his spirits were in no way dampened. It was so nice to see the cousins play and really discover the animals and the neat animals and information together. Their enthusiam to share and make sure that the other cousin saw something they found interesting was heart-warming.
I'm so tired, I can't even type the rest of the details, I'll just try to post some pictures and let them fill in the thousand words....
Yes, the bear got even CLOSER than the next picture......
So that is our Zoo-tale.
Tomorrow is Caleb's "Jitter's day", a short orientation to prepare for his first day of Pre-K school on Thursday.
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA BISHOP!!!!!!!!!
Monday, September 03, 2007
Since so many people have been asking here is the Zuma Update:
She had gotten the splint/cast off:
Obviously the foot on the right is the injured foot.
A close up of the foot.
Excessive redness and extremely swollen and lumpy, I don't know if this will go away or if this is how it will always be from now on.
Scabbing, I have hope that this will heal.
The foot on the Right is the injured foot. The incision was made on the inside of her foot. It is extremely swollen, lumpy etc.
Her foot is really bothering her.
The report from the doctor is that they are happy with the way that it is healing. But FOUR more weeks of inactivity ... that means CRATE ISOLATION. She's been HATING the crate. She desperately feels lonely, she cries and paws at the door anytime we leave the room. Her personality is really being affected by the isolation. She is depressed. Being sedated and placed in "Stress x-rays" again caused Zuma a huge amount of pain. For 3 days her leg quivered in pain and she wouldn't put it down on the floor and she didn't want to move out of the crate. As soon as the pain eases a bit she'll be back to hating the crate again and we will be heavily sedating her, of course.
We have to go in again for a check up in 4 weeks where they will once again sedate her and do the "stress xrays" and bend her foot in all sorts of directions to assure that the surgery is holding everything together. Remember, all of her tendons were torn away and all the tarsals (toes) dislocated, and that means that after all the cartilage was stripped out, the joint was fused, then two screws were put in and a figure-8 wire (called a collateral ligament) was put in and that is all that is supporting her foot. It is really important that it heals correctly because otherwise she won't have use of her foot.
Zuma has a long road of recovery. After the next check up, if she is approved for activity, they will be prescribing an activity regiment/routine to theraputically get her back into shape. She has had drastic muscle loss, in her thigh it is most noticeable, but it is all the way down the leg. See picture.
I have to have hope that Zuma will eventually be restored physically and emotionally to her pre-injury condition.
Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the relationships in the family. Don Small (and the Small family) have completely refused to respond to our many attempts to communicate with them. We have emailed multiple times and Mike has called, they have not responded at all to our attempts to resolve this matter regarding Zuma's care/costs AND the family relationships. It deeply saddens (and confuses) me why they would choose not to be part of the family and choose not to respond to our efforts to resolve this situation. I feel disappointment and a sense of loss of the treasured relationships with them because of what their apparent choice is. I don't understand. I thought family was more than this. Especially Christian family.
At least Zuma's prognosis is optimistic, even if now if VERY unpleasant for her to live through.
She had gotten the splint/cast off:
Obviously the foot on the right is the injured foot.
A close up of the foot.
Excessive redness and extremely swollen and lumpy, I don't know if this will go away or if this is how it will always be from now on.
Scabbing, I have hope that this will heal.
The foot on the Right is the injured foot. The incision was made on the inside of her foot. It is extremely swollen, lumpy etc.Her foot is really bothering her.
The report from the doctor is that they are happy with the way that it is healing. But FOUR more weeks of inactivity ... that means CRATE ISOLATION. She's been HATING the crate. She desperately feels lonely, she cries and paws at the door anytime we leave the room. Her personality is really being affected by the isolation. She is depressed. Being sedated and placed in "Stress x-rays" again caused Zuma a huge amount of pain. For 3 days her leg quivered in pain and she wouldn't put it down on the floor and she didn't want to move out of the crate. As soon as the pain eases a bit she'll be back to hating the crate again and we will be heavily sedating her, of course.
We have to go in again for a check up in 4 weeks where they will once again sedate her and do the "stress xrays" and bend her foot in all sorts of directions to assure that the surgery is holding everything together. Remember, all of her tendons were torn away and all the tarsals (toes) dislocated, and that means that after all the cartilage was stripped out, the joint was fused, then two screws were put in and a figure-8 wire (called a collateral ligament) was put in and that is all that is supporting her foot. It is really important that it heals correctly because otherwise she won't have use of her foot.
Zuma has a long road of recovery. After the next check up, if she is approved for activity, they will be prescribing an activity regiment/routine to theraputically get her back into shape. She has had drastic muscle loss, in her thigh it is most noticeable, but it is all the way down the leg. See picture.
I have to have hope that Zuma will eventually be restored physically and emotionally to her pre-injury condition.
Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the relationships in the family. Don Small (and the Small family) have completely refused to respond to our many attempts to communicate with them. We have emailed multiple times and Mike has called, they have not responded at all to our attempts to resolve this matter regarding Zuma's care/costs AND the family relationships. It deeply saddens (and confuses) me why they would choose not to be part of the family and choose not to respond to our efforts to resolve this situation. I feel disappointment and a sense of loss of the treasured relationships with them because of what their apparent choice is. I don't understand. I thought family was more than this. Especially Christian family.
At least Zuma's prognosis is optimistic, even if now if VERY unpleasant for her to live through.
This last week was full of running around.
Monday, Caleb finally got to see his BFF Donovyn. He was so excited that he wanted to sleep in his clothes the night before so that he would be ready in the morning to get going fast. We met at the park and it was a beautiful sunny day. The boys ran and ran and had lots of pretend play, hiding from aliens etc. It was so great to see Caleb have a good time. I had been afraid to take him to the park because he would look for a new best friend every time and was crushed and sad when he couldn't find one... But this was great because I knew and he knew his friend was going to be there! Joshy had a wonderful time too. He did his best at keeping up. He is learning the ladders, give him 2 months and I'm sure that nothing will stop him! And once he can do it all by himself, I will finally be able to sit on a park bench and watch the fun rather than being just as active as the kids and have to help with every effort of climbing, sliding, swinging etc. But I suppose I should just enjoy being needed and the "slow" pace they are at now, because later they will be such daredevils I'll be worried.
Tuesday, we had the patience testing 2-year old picture taking session. I think the age of 2 is the hardest to photograph because they don't want to hold still and they want to say NO to everything. But I think we ended up with just a couple, which is really all we need anyways. I even did my due dilligence and took the boys to the kids play area at the mall to work the wiggles out. They really played nice with the other kids, Joshy of course wanted to be like big brother and jump off of everything. They might have gotten the wiggles out, but they certainly also got tired... not so great for the cooperation aspect of pictures. But we survived.
Cousin Tessa came out to our house on Wednesday with Grammy and Papa Dahl. Caleb was really excited. The kids played in the bouncy house and on the swing set the majority of the time. Tessa also got to hunt for raspberries on our bush, a favorite past time of my little guys. And yes, the raspberry season is still going strong for our small patch of bushes. It was great to see the kids have such a great time playing with each other.
Thursday and Friday Mommy worked. Thursday Joshy went with mommy to work, Friday both boys stayed with Mike. Then Mike took off for the weekend. Saturday, the boys and I went to surprise GG at her house for an afternoon walk. The day had turned out nice and sunny and just cool enough to make the walk pleasant. Joshy and Caleb were very happy to see GG, Caleb talked all the way down to her house that he didn't want a hug but instead wanted to hold her hand and walk to the park. Which he did just that. Both boys walked nicely next to the busy street, and both were relieved to run into the safety of the park and play heartily on the play equipment. They shocked me at how quickly they learned to watch out and get out of the way of the bikes on the Burke-Gilman trail (which runs through the park). GG kept a good eye out for Joshy while I made a quick run to the restroom with Caleb. Caleb and Joshy showed off for GG with all their confident stunts. She quite generously took us to dinner. Caleb chose Chinese food. I'll admit that I'm not practiced at Chinese food, and I was very afraid to go to the restaurant with two boys by myself. I don't generally like to go to restaurants with the boys, and I have NEVER dared to do it by myself... but they did 95% great and I kept holding my breath waiting for the behaviour to get bad, which it never did to my relief. I guess being seated next to the aquarium helps! I think Caleb impressed GG with how much he ate, and he had to explain that it was so that he would get big muscles and grow strong and healthy... then he flexed his muscles for her to see. At the end of the evening, GG said that being around my silly boys made her feel happy and silly too, I think this is great, isn't that was the young unfettered joy of children is for... to remind us of happy, uncomplicated simple joy.
Daddy came back early from camping/scouting. And we are off to the fair with our free admission coupon.
TTFN. I'll get the Zuma update posted soon.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y J O C K E Y!!!!!
It's Joshy's birthday today!
"We're gonna' party, we're gonna party, We're gonna' party like it's your birthday!"
What better way to celebrate than to go to a loud, crowded, festive place where they are throwing candy at you.... a PARADE! And that's just was we did. Jockey liked to wave and point at the interesting things. He did awesome at staying close to the stroller or the curb, I was prepared to leave if he wanted to wander off and go into the road. Even better than having candy thrown at you and stock piling it so that we have potty training candy to last us for a week, Joshy was given a little real toy. A plastic dog on wheels that makes noise and songs. The Lord's provision is great, isn't it! Caleb had a great time as well, although if you asked him what he saw, he'd say candy. Jockey was a boy after Uncle Brian's heart, candy candy candy. Of course, he didn't always finish the piece in his mouth to try the next one that was thrown at him. In the words of a parade participant "Here little guy, here's some candy because your face isn't quite sticky enough."
We (and I use that loosely) are going to round off Joshy's birthday with the Seahawks game and left over cake.
In other news, Caleb "cleaned" our TV and broke it. Yup, totally completely dead, irreparably. :( So the afore mentioned football game is being watched on a 13" portable tv. Somehow that hasn't dampened the volume of shouts being yelled at the screen by it's viewer.
Zuma is incredibly crate weary. It is really starting to bother her. In the last few days she had gone from the drugged up, weak acceptance of not feeling good and content to just staying put, to a crate hating depressed resignation. I can actually see her forlorned depression and sad acceptance of what she thinks her life now consists of. She is also starting to hold her leg differently. She use to just hold it tucked up, but in line with her body. Now, she holds it at an odd angle as if it's hurting her just to have it attached. I am going to be calling the vet on Monday to see if there is an earlier time to get her seen. She is absolutely miserable and now it's emotional AND physical.
We are going to try to go to the fair tomorrow. We've found discounts and coupons that have reduced the price so that perhaps it's doable, and the kids are free. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.
Pictures as promised of the birthday party and today at the parade:
Thursday, August 23, 2007
A long time coming update:
Zuma saw the doctor on Friday last. The report is that she is doing well in her recovery. She was examined, her stitches removed, and her leg re-splinted. She is doing fine in healing, however she suffers greatly in other regards. For such an active dog is it brutal on her to be locked away in her crate for another two weeks! She is finally feeling a might better which makes her want and attempt to run, play, jump, and follow us room to room. She is not allowed to do any of these things, so she is rellagated to spent her time sedated. It is fortunate that she is healing and not chewing at the splint, but it is very difficult to hear her whimpering and pawing at the crate door to get out. It also makes me heartsick to see the muscle in her haunch wasting away. She will see the doctor again on the 30th, when she will have to endure sedation and "stress" x-rays again to see if she is healing internally. At that time we will know Zuma's fate of a splint or padded bandage and the prognosis more time in the crate or not.
As for other news, we took a second trip down to GG Dahl's house and painted again. We are trying to do our part as her family and as Christians showing love and support for the widows as commanded by the Bible. We are happy to help, and from what I'm told, the house is already getting a good nibbles since being on the market. We wish GG a quick, successful and happy house sale.
After painting we made a snap decision to use the restof the summer as must as possible. We asked Lynda if she (already being in Anacortes) could take a spin through Washington park and see if there were any sites left. There were so off the family was to rapidly pack and race up to Anacortes for a nice camping weekend. Grammy, Papa, Aunt Kristina, Tessa, and Uncle Ryan were already up there camping, so it was a miniature family reunion. We went on walks, Mike hiked, firewood hunting...in the dark, marshmallow roasting around the fire, and visited farmer's market. There were a few highlights... 1) at Sunday brunch, there were MANY seal sightings that were exciting to show the kids. 2) Tessa was unusually cuddly with me, which was great. and 3) BOWLING. It was Joshy and Tessa's first bowling experience and Caleb's second. The kids were set up on a lane with the special apparatus (typically used for handicapped persons) that has a ramp off the front. They just sat the ball up on the rack and then pushed with all their might. It was great.... but the ASTOUNDING news.... Jockey scored a 112! Out of all six of us (Ryan, Daddy, and Mommy) Joshy scored the second highest, beating everyone but Mike! My Two year old beat me at BOWLING!!!!!!!!! I hung in there by coming in third, though still not breaking 100. One of the best things was when Jockey threw up his arms and did a little hop and pony shuffle dance when he pushed the ball successfully...often long before it ever reached the pins... the successs was all the same to Joshy. He was a joy to watch, all the kids were really.
So that brings us to Tuesday. Joshy's birthday party. It was mommy's first time throwing a pool party, but when Caleb was asked what he thought Jockey would like best... I got the answer swimming! Joshy ran around eating a chicken drumstick, but when he spotted the cake it was all over. We had no choice but to sing to him and get the dessert served! He didn't exactly know what to make of the candles, but eventually he started feeling the excitment andjoy of the day. Jockey really did have a great time and he sure looked cute in his new goggles. He paddled and splashed and did it all over again in the hot tub. Thank you to all who attended for your presence and presents. It was very nice to see the family. Thank you especially to Cousin Tessa who gave up her newly grown out of TRICYCLE to little Jockey. He was so very excited when he saw it. He even took a spin on it in the nude right after swimming. I forsee many delightful times with Jockey crusing on his new wheels. And thank you Grammy for adding to the safety factor and getting the adorable helment. The whole party was a huge success. I can't believe he is TWO!!!!! Yikes, he's not a baby anymore! He is turning into a really sweet boy with great abilities.
A little news about Caleb: He is in love with his sword. He is always running around with it jammed in the back of his shirt. Funny, his sword has a scabboard, but he insists on stuffing in the back of his shirt with it hanging on the neck of his shirt by the hilt. It's aways a chuckle to see. I think he got the idea from TMNT, one of the turtles wears his swords this way. He wears them with pride as he swings from the swingset or marches through the stores with me.
Joshy is also blessed with a sword too. As Mike helped sort through things at GG's house, he stumbled upon the sword he played with when he was little. Mike brought that home and it is a huge hit with the boys, they switch around often but it is officially Joshy's. The two swords look remarkably similar. Of course, with swords come sword fights and fights over swords. The typical boy stuff I'm sure.
Joshy is talking even more. He can say complete sentences and I understand about half of what he says. He says Please Help, Cay (what he calls Caleb) Okay, Fanks (thanks), I Nake (I'm Naked), I fall (this one is perfectly clear), and he has 5 different ways to say NO. And just a couple of days ago, Joshy said his first prayer! He had remembered that my head hurt and he put his hand on my head and said a prayer... just like big brother showed him. I melted in awe.
The boys are getting along totally or complete bent on bending each other. Surprisingly, Jockey can hold more than his own. He can really get the upper hand. But regardless, they are spending a large portion of their summer playing in the sandbox converted to a pool, playing on the swingset, eating berries, and playing with the hose. I love letting them have fun free time, as long as they are playing, not fighting over who splashed who. I do have to admit I am the parent of two tanline-less boys, I can't keep clothes on them to save my life. On the bright side, Jockey is starting to potty train. He's starting to figure out when he does things in the diaper. He tells me when he toots (it took him a while to know it was just air). Most brilliantly, he only uses the potty when Daddy takes him!!
Jockey it also completely into "guns", it started with Caleb's nerf bullet gun and is prolific with squirt guns. He ducks behind the couch in a very cute way, pops up and with a sly smile and squirt....
Caleb has taken to dressing himself. This is really good because I can focus on getting Jockey ready, this is very humorous seeing the various outfits he comes up with. Today he was wearing long navy blue pants, a tank top (tourquoise) with the sword in the back of course, and a red knitted skiing hat.... on a near 70 degree day! It was very funny, but I'll encourage this type of independence... at least it's not a tattoo.
I can't believe how quickly the summer has gone. Caleb starts school in the 6th! And this brings in "parent" functions for me as well. Buying school supplies, Jitters day, etc. Am I ready for this? Caleb is just jumping for the chance to meet friends, I'm praying for a great friend for him. He needs a boy his own age to get to know and play with.
Hopefully, we are going to get to the zoo and perhaps anothe camping trip before the weather turns.
Well, time to go. I'll post the pictures of the camping trip, bowling, birthday party etc soon.
Zuma saw the doctor on Friday last. The report is that she is doing well in her recovery. She was examined, her stitches removed, and her leg re-splinted. She is doing fine in healing, however she suffers greatly in other regards. For such an active dog is it brutal on her to be locked away in her crate for another two weeks! She is finally feeling a might better which makes her want and attempt to run, play, jump, and follow us room to room. She is not allowed to do any of these things, so she is rellagated to spent her time sedated. It is fortunate that she is healing and not chewing at the splint, but it is very difficult to hear her whimpering and pawing at the crate door to get out. It also makes me heartsick to see the muscle in her haunch wasting away. She will see the doctor again on the 30th, when she will have to endure sedation and "stress" x-rays again to see if she is healing internally. At that time we will know Zuma's fate of a splint or padded bandage and the prognosis more time in the crate or not.
As for other news, we took a second trip down to GG Dahl's house and painted again. We are trying to do our part as her family and as Christians showing love and support for the widows as commanded by the Bible. We are happy to help, and from what I'm told, the house is already getting a good nibbles since being on the market. We wish GG a quick, successful and happy house sale.
After painting we made a snap decision to use the restof the summer as must as possible. We asked Lynda if she (already being in Anacortes) could take a spin through Washington park and see if there were any sites left. There were so off the family was to rapidly pack and race up to Anacortes for a nice camping weekend. Grammy, Papa, Aunt Kristina, Tessa, and Uncle Ryan were already up there camping, so it was a miniature family reunion. We went on walks, Mike hiked, firewood hunting...in the dark, marshmallow roasting around the fire, and visited farmer's market. There were a few highlights... 1) at Sunday brunch, there were MANY seal sightings that were exciting to show the kids. 2) Tessa was unusually cuddly with me, which was great. and 3) BOWLING. It was Joshy and Tessa's first bowling experience and Caleb's second. The kids were set up on a lane with the special apparatus (typically used for handicapped persons) that has a ramp off the front. They just sat the ball up on the rack and then pushed with all their might. It was great.... but the ASTOUNDING news.... Jockey scored a 112! Out of all six of us (Ryan, Daddy, and Mommy) Joshy scored the second highest, beating everyone but Mike! My Two year old beat me at BOWLING!!!!!!!!! I hung in there by coming in third, though still not breaking 100. One of the best things was when Jockey threw up his arms and did a little hop and pony shuffle dance when he pushed the ball successfully...often long before it ever reached the pins... the successs was all the same to Joshy. He was a joy to watch, all the kids were really.
So that brings us to Tuesday. Joshy's birthday party. It was mommy's first time throwing a pool party, but when Caleb was asked what he thought Jockey would like best... I got the answer swimming! Joshy ran around eating a chicken drumstick, but when he spotted the cake it was all over. We had no choice but to sing to him and get the dessert served! He didn't exactly know what to make of the candles, but eventually he started feeling the excitment andjoy of the day. Jockey really did have a great time and he sure looked cute in his new goggles. He paddled and splashed and did it all over again in the hot tub. Thank you to all who attended for your presence and presents. It was very nice to see the family. Thank you especially to Cousin Tessa who gave up her newly grown out of TRICYCLE to little Jockey. He was so very excited when he saw it. He even took a spin on it in the nude right after swimming. I forsee many delightful times with Jockey crusing on his new wheels. And thank you Grammy for adding to the safety factor and getting the adorable helment. The whole party was a huge success. I can't believe he is TWO!!!!! Yikes, he's not a baby anymore! He is turning into a really sweet boy with great abilities.
A little news about Caleb: He is in love with his sword. He is always running around with it jammed in the back of his shirt. Funny, his sword has a scabboard, but he insists on stuffing in the back of his shirt with it hanging on the neck of his shirt by the hilt. It's aways a chuckle to see. I think he got the idea from TMNT, one of the turtles wears his swords this way. He wears them with pride as he swings from the swingset or marches through the stores with me.
Joshy is also blessed with a sword too. As Mike helped sort through things at GG's house, he stumbled upon the sword he played with when he was little. Mike brought that home and it is a huge hit with the boys, they switch around often but it is officially Joshy's. The two swords look remarkably similar. Of course, with swords come sword fights and fights over swords. The typical boy stuff I'm sure.
Joshy is talking even more. He can say complete sentences and I understand about half of what he says. He says Please Help, Cay (what he calls Caleb) Okay, Fanks (thanks), I Nake (I'm Naked), I fall (this one is perfectly clear), and he has 5 different ways to say NO. And just a couple of days ago, Joshy said his first prayer! He had remembered that my head hurt and he put his hand on my head and said a prayer... just like big brother showed him. I melted in awe.
The boys are getting along totally or complete bent on bending each other. Surprisingly, Jockey can hold more than his own. He can really get the upper hand. But regardless, they are spending a large portion of their summer playing in the sandbox converted to a pool, playing on the swingset, eating berries, and playing with the hose. I love letting them have fun free time, as long as they are playing, not fighting over who splashed who. I do have to admit I am the parent of two tanline-less boys, I can't keep clothes on them to save my life. On the bright side, Jockey is starting to potty train. He's starting to figure out when he does things in the diaper. He tells me when he toots (it took him a while to know it was just air). Most brilliantly, he only uses the potty when Daddy takes him!!
Jockey it also completely into "guns", it started with Caleb's nerf bullet gun and is prolific with squirt guns. He ducks behind the couch in a very cute way, pops up and with a sly smile and squirt....
Caleb has taken to dressing himself. This is really good because I can focus on getting Jockey ready, this is very humorous seeing the various outfits he comes up with. Today he was wearing long navy blue pants, a tank top (tourquoise) with the sword in the back of course, and a red knitted skiing hat.... on a near 70 degree day! It was very funny, but I'll encourage this type of independence... at least it's not a tattoo.
I can't believe how quickly the summer has gone. Caleb starts school in the 6th! And this brings in "parent" functions for me as well. Buying school supplies, Jitters day, etc. Am I ready for this? Caleb is just jumping for the chance to meet friends, I'm praying for a great friend for him. He needs a boy his own age to get to know and play with.
Hopefully, we are going to get to the zoo and perhaps anothe camping trip before the weather turns.
Well, time to go. I'll post the pictures of the camping trip, bowling, birthday party etc soon.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
A Zuma update:
We received the call yesterday about 4:30pm. Zuma had her surgery and was just waking up. Everything seemed to go smoothly (I was really worried because she has allergic reactions to all sorts of medications). The surgeon was very happy with the way the foot came together and said that the post op x-rays show a superb alignment and repair. Everything went fine.
If nothing has arisen overnight, she will be picked up late this afternoon. Then she will begin her six weeks of internment and sedated isolation in a crate. The surgeon was very clear that if she irritates the foot or if the splint's position is altered in anyway that we have to take her in immediately otherwise the foot will heal incorrectly. So we will be watching her closely.
I'm relieved that she made it through the surgery (our last little pup didn't if you remember), and I'm relieved to know that the prognosis for Zuma's post-op function is suppose to be 100%.
I was surprised that Caleb didn't ask where Zuma was, and he hasn't asked yet today. Of course, Zuma often goes with Daddy to work and Daddy didn't get home until 9:30pm, so not a great deal of time for him to observe her absence. I'm glad in a way, he has been through so much in losing 2 dogs and 2 cats (one went to live somewhere else) in 18 months.
It is in the fires of adversity that you learn whom is your family and advocates. For those family members who have sent their best wishes and prayers for Zuma, THANK YOU for your support.
We received the call yesterday about 4:30pm. Zuma had her surgery and was just waking up. Everything seemed to go smoothly (I was really worried because she has allergic reactions to all sorts of medications). The surgeon was very happy with the way the foot came together and said that the post op x-rays show a superb alignment and repair. Everything went fine.
If nothing has arisen overnight, she will be picked up late this afternoon. Then she will begin her six weeks of internment and sedated isolation in a crate. The surgeon was very clear that if she irritates the foot or if the splint's position is altered in anyway that we have to take her in immediately otherwise the foot will heal incorrectly. So we will be watching her closely.
I'm relieved that she made it through the surgery (our last little pup didn't if you remember), and I'm relieved to know that the prognosis for Zuma's post-op function is suppose to be 100%.
I was surprised that Caleb didn't ask where Zuma was, and he hasn't asked yet today. Of course, Zuma often goes with Daddy to work and Daddy didn't get home until 9:30pm, so not a great deal of time for him to observe her absence. I'm glad in a way, he has been through so much in losing 2 dogs and 2 cats (one went to live somewhere else) in 18 months.
It is in the fires of adversity that you learn whom is your family and advocates. For those family members who have sent their best wishes and prayers for Zuma, THANK YOU for your support.
Friday, August 03, 2007
The Zuma Update:
The good news is that it could have been worse. (It could have been farther up the foot joint, which would have meant permanent immobility to the majority of the foot.)
The bad news is that.... it is bad news.
First, the vet-surgeon said he didn't have enough information to make an informed decision with just the regular vet's adequate, but not detailed enough, x-ray. The only way that he could provide an educated suggestion for Zuma's care was to remove the splint, for Zuma to be put under and perform "Stress X-rays", which is where they bend and flex the injured portion of her foot to see the exact part of her foot that is injured and how extensive the injury. In an attempt to stem costs, we negotiated with him to see if there was any way that he could examine Zuma's foot before she was put under and the series of x-rays were taken. He agreed that under sedation he could examine and palpitate her foot to asses the "stability" of the foot, but if he did not find sufficient stability, then he would have to perform the x-rays to get a thorough picture of the injury that would have to be surgically repaired. (Sufficient stability would mean that it would be possible to treat her foot "medically" with just a cast/splint for an extended period of time.) We left Zuma with Dr. Messigher and he took her right back to perform the procedure. Today's procedure cost $489.
We got the call about an hour later. Not good results.
Per the report, Zuma has "SEVERE MEDIAL INSTABILITY OF THE LEFT TARSOMETATARSAL JOINT", and she only has some lateral stability; meaning, that the dislocation of the bones and her muscular structures/ligaments are so injured, that left to heal on it's own, it would not support her weight and she would not have use of her foot. SURGERY is NECESSARY, there is no other way to treat this injury. The surgery will actually fuse the joint, two screws will be put in and a figure-8 shaped wire would be put on the screws to simulate a ligament and provide the needed stability; the surgery is called a TARSOMETATARSAL ARTHRODESIS. Cost is estimated for the surgery at $2200 to $2300, with the nurse suggesting the later amount as more likely, and payable at the time of service, no financing.
With no other possible course of treatment as an option, we had no choice but to book the surgery for next Tuesday, August 7th, waiting will only allow time for scar tissue to form and complicate the surgery. Zuma will be facing 1, potentially 2, nights at the vet's office, and SIX WEEKS of LIVING ISOLATED AND SEDATED IN A CRATE, this is non-negotiable. And then at least one, more likely 2, follow up check-ups at $100 each, to include x-rays, to monitor the repair and healing.
Zuma was sedated and VERY sensitive to having anyone near her foot for the rest of today. We are watching for nausea and vomiting. So that was what the rest of our day was like today. Except that a pipe burst at the club and Mike was called in to duty.
This is a very stressful and heart wrenching time. I keep looking at Zuma (who's splint is bright red like Caleb's cast was) and she yelps and looks at me as if begging for help, and there is nothing I can do. But I wanted to say thank you to Grammy for watching Caleb and Jockey while we attended to the needs of our other family member.
The good news is that it could have been worse. (It could have been farther up the foot joint, which would have meant permanent immobility to the majority of the foot.)
The bad news is that.... it is bad news.
First, the vet-surgeon said he didn't have enough information to make an informed decision with just the regular vet's adequate, but not detailed enough, x-ray. The only way that he could provide an educated suggestion for Zuma's care was to remove the splint, for Zuma to be put under and perform "Stress X-rays", which is where they bend and flex the injured portion of her foot to see the exact part of her foot that is injured and how extensive the injury. In an attempt to stem costs, we negotiated with him to see if there was any way that he could examine Zuma's foot before she was put under and the series of x-rays were taken. He agreed that under sedation he could examine and palpitate her foot to asses the "stability" of the foot, but if he did not find sufficient stability, then he would have to perform the x-rays to get a thorough picture of the injury that would have to be surgically repaired. (Sufficient stability would mean that it would be possible to treat her foot "medically" with just a cast/splint for an extended period of time.) We left Zuma with Dr. Messigher and he took her right back to perform the procedure. Today's procedure cost $489.
We got the call about an hour later. Not good results.
Per the report, Zuma has "SEVERE MEDIAL INSTABILITY OF THE LEFT TARSOMETATARSAL JOINT", and she only has some lateral stability; meaning, that the dislocation of the bones and her muscular structures/ligaments are so injured, that left to heal on it's own, it would not support her weight and she would not have use of her foot. SURGERY is NECESSARY, there is no other way to treat this injury. The surgery will actually fuse the joint, two screws will be put in and a figure-8 shaped wire would be put on the screws to simulate a ligament and provide the needed stability; the surgery is called a TARSOMETATARSAL ARTHRODESIS. Cost is estimated for the surgery at $2200 to $2300, with the nurse suggesting the later amount as more likely, and payable at the time of service, no financing.
With no other possible course of treatment as an option, we had no choice but to book the surgery for next Tuesday, August 7th, waiting will only allow time for scar tissue to form and complicate the surgery. Zuma will be facing 1, potentially 2, nights at the vet's office, and SIX WEEKS of LIVING ISOLATED AND SEDATED IN A CRATE, this is non-negotiable. And then at least one, more likely 2, follow up check-ups at $100 each, to include x-rays, to monitor the repair and healing.
Zuma was sedated and VERY sensitive to having anyone near her foot for the rest of today. We are watching for nausea and vomiting. So that was what the rest of our day was like today. Except that a pipe burst at the club and Mike was called in to duty.
This is a very stressful and heart wrenching time. I keep looking at Zuma (who's splint is bright red like Caleb's cast was) and she yelps and looks at me as if begging for help, and there is nothing I can do. But I wanted to say thank you to Grammy for watching Caleb and Jockey while we attended to the needs of our other family member.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Hello everyone.
Just a little update, or brand new news for those on my side of the family.
Monday, Zuma and Molly got into a dog fight in the midst of the family gathering.
Most of those present saw Don Small interrupt the fight when he grab Zuma by the collar, stand up lifting her from the fight, turn and then throw Zuma approximately 4 feet in the air and a distance of 6 feet. She landed with a yelp in pain.
For the next 17 hours, Zuma did not place weight on her foot at all.
The update:
Zuma finally was seen by the veterinarian and x-rays taken, anti-iflammatory and pain killer medications prescribed and a temporary split applied... $197.00. This is to hold Zuma over until the surgeon is seen and a high probablity for surgery because she has been very seriously injured. The injury Don's actions have imposed on Zuma is: Traumatic Luxation (dislocation) of her left tarsal-metatarsal joint with possible fracture. She has 3, possibly all 4, of her toes/metatarsals dislocated and a possible fracture. Right now, they say she must be seen by a surgeon who specializes in and repairs these types of injuries. The current vet said that surgery is very likely, without surgery, if left to "heal" on it's own, it is likely she will not have use of her foot. She will be seen on Friday by a surgeon who will view her xrays and make a recommendation as to Zuma's care.
Surgery has been estimated between.... $2,000 and $4,000.
Even with the splint, she still isn't putting weight on it, and she has started to periodically yelp. The splint is a weight she isn't used to, so not she is off balance, hobbling and has a hard time getting up from a laying position.
With the information we have right now, I suppose the choices on the table are:
1) Proceed with all needed medical care to repair the injury Zuma has sustained.
2) Do nothing and live with an untreated injury leaving Zuma crippled in both body and quality of life because of someone's "accident".
or
3) the unthinkable, some would consider putting the her down if she was to live crippled.
I feel that, even in the events of "accidents", reparations have to be made. That's true in cars, children and in the Bible.
As you can imagine, despite the summer weather, a dark cloud has descended upon our home and emotions. I don't want to think about any of these choices, and I really don't want to have explain them to Caleb. He loves Zuma so much. Until Friday and more information is available, I am most concerned with watching Zuma to ensure shock or other secondary side effects are not observed, praying that the best possible prognosis is found for Zuma, and keeping the kids and Tigger away from her until Friday.
I most likely will not be able to update this posting until after Zuma's appointment on Friday.
If something specific changes in the lives of Zuma or the kids, I will of course post and update.
Just a little update, or brand new news for those on my side of the family.
Monday, Zuma and Molly got into a dog fight in the midst of the family gathering.
Most of those present saw Don Small interrupt the fight when he grab Zuma by the collar, stand up lifting her from the fight, turn and then throw Zuma approximately 4 feet in the air and a distance of 6 feet. She landed with a yelp in pain.
For the next 17 hours, Zuma did not place weight on her foot at all.
The update:
Zuma finally was seen by the veterinarian and x-rays taken, anti-iflammatory and pain killer medications prescribed and a temporary split applied... $197.00. This is to hold Zuma over until the surgeon is seen and a high probablity for surgery because she has been very seriously injured. The injury Don's actions have imposed on Zuma is: Traumatic Luxation (dislocation) of her left tarsal-metatarsal joint with possible fracture. She has 3, possibly all 4, of her toes/metatarsals dislocated and a possible fracture. Right now, they say she must be seen by a surgeon who specializes in and repairs these types of injuries. The current vet said that surgery is very likely, without surgery, if left to "heal" on it's own, it is likely she will not have use of her foot. She will be seen on Friday by a surgeon who will view her xrays and make a recommendation as to Zuma's care.
Surgery has been estimated between.... $2,000 and $4,000.
Even with the splint, she still isn't putting weight on it, and she has started to periodically yelp. The splint is a weight she isn't used to, so not she is off balance, hobbling and has a hard time getting up from a laying position.
With the information we have right now, I suppose the choices on the table are:
1) Proceed with all needed medical care to repair the injury Zuma has sustained.
2) Do nothing and live with an untreated injury leaving Zuma crippled in both body and quality of life because of someone's "accident".
or
3) the unthinkable, some would consider putting the her down if she was to live crippled.
I feel that, even in the events of "accidents", reparations have to be made. That's true in cars, children and in the Bible.
As you can imagine, despite the summer weather, a dark cloud has descended upon our home and emotions. I don't want to think about any of these choices, and I really don't want to have explain them to Caleb. He loves Zuma so much. Until Friday and more information is available, I am most concerned with watching Zuma to ensure shock or other secondary side effects are not observed, praying that the best possible prognosis is found for Zuma, and keeping the kids and Tigger away from her until Friday.
I most likely will not be able to update this posting until after Zuma's appointment on Friday.
If something specific changes in the lives of Zuma or the kids, I will of course post and update.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Aquarium pictures:
OK, I admit to "borrowing" these from Kristina's Blog. I wasn't there, but someone with a camera was, and I have Grandparents that check out this site that aren't Grammy and Papa Dahl who were present for the aquarium event. So thanks for the loan of the pictures. Isn't Caleb and Tessa cute?! And they held still and both looked at the camera at the same time!
Wow that was the easiest posting ever. TTFN.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Good Morning.
Caleb spent this last weekend with Grammy and Papa Dahl. He had a great time. They visited the Aquarium with Tessa, Auntie Kristina, and GG. He was excited to see sharks. He told me about petting a starfish with one finger. Caleb also did a great job swimmng; he's going to greater and greater distances each time he tries. Caleb is getting tall enough to stand flat footed at the shallow end of the pool, which is great for his confidence. One of the nights, Caleb went to sleep at 6:30pm, now why doesn't he do that at our house?!
Joshy had a great time here at the house. I think he likes being an only child sometimes. He was significantly less cranky, whiny or crying. He played, he cuddled, he talked. He liked the peace and quiet. He curled up with books. Josy did try to get into my scrapbooking supplies, but that's the worst things got. He was more easy going, although definitely still TWO. He says "No" and crosses his arms in the cutest and most frustrating way.
Last week was the end of VBS for the summer. That leaves the next 5-6 weeks plan free, with the very rare exception. I have got to come up with activities for the boys to keep them busy and mischief free. Maybe the zoo. Maybe open gym time at the local gymnastics facility. I don't think I'll try to manage both in the pool at the same time, but maybe I'll do a system of taking turns and using the Club's daycare. We'll see. Of course there are the parks and walks when the current rain clears up. And Blackberry picking is just a few weeks away. If the kids can pick more than they eat, then we will get ahead for storing berries for the winter.
So there isn't much else to tell right now. Time to get the guys moving for the day, maybe grocery shopping. Who knows. But have a great day and talk to you later.
Caleb spent this last weekend with Grammy and Papa Dahl. He had a great time. They visited the Aquarium with Tessa, Auntie Kristina, and GG. He was excited to see sharks. He told me about petting a starfish with one finger. Caleb also did a great job swimmng; he's going to greater and greater distances each time he tries. Caleb is getting tall enough to stand flat footed at the shallow end of the pool, which is great for his confidence. One of the nights, Caleb went to sleep at 6:30pm, now why doesn't he do that at our house?!
Joshy had a great time here at the house. I think he likes being an only child sometimes. He was significantly less cranky, whiny or crying. He played, he cuddled, he talked. He liked the peace and quiet. He curled up with books. Josy did try to get into my scrapbooking supplies, but that's the worst things got. He was more easy going, although definitely still TWO. He says "No" and crosses his arms in the cutest and most frustrating way.
Last week was the end of VBS for the summer. That leaves the next 5-6 weeks plan free, with the very rare exception. I have got to come up with activities for the boys to keep them busy and mischief free. Maybe the zoo. Maybe open gym time at the local gymnastics facility. I don't think I'll try to manage both in the pool at the same time, but maybe I'll do a system of taking turns and using the Club's daycare. We'll see. Of course there are the parks and walks when the current rain clears up. And Blackberry picking is just a few weeks away. If the kids can pick more than they eat, then we will get ahead for storing berries for the winter.
So there isn't much else to tell right now. Time to get the guys moving for the day, maybe grocery shopping. Who knows. But have a great day and talk to you later.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Welcome back. Has it been that long?!
Well, let's see what the family has been up to...
We took a long camping trip. We left, Tuesday, July 3rd and headed to our favorite Anacortes. We were there until Sunday, July 8th. It was a nice long trip, great weather. We saw deer everyday, including the Mother and Fawn that we saw in May. It was nice to see little bambi growing and getting along well. Caleb and I even got to creep up on bambi and got about 20 feet from him. It was special and amazing. It made a big impression on Caleb, so that everytime I spotted a deer but he didn't get a chance to see it he was a little sad.
True to form, our boys were boys and played in the rocks, dirt, sticks and tried to poke the fire. It was a challenge to keep them out of the fire or from adding extra things to the flames, but in the end, they were satisfied with Mom and Dad cooking the special jam and butter biscuit treats...as long as we kept them coming! Marshmallows have food color, so we use ready made biscuits pressed over the end of stick which is covered in tin foil. It takes a little while longer to cook that a quick to burn marshmallow, but when it is finally toasty brown it is delicious to pull off the stick and coat the inside with butter and jam. Caleb doesn't even know that he is missing out on something, probably because he's not.
We went on quite a few walks, visited the park, threw rocks at the beach. We drove to the dog park, attended the Farmer's Market. Visited a few thrift store, luck Joshy got size 6 shoes for .75 cents... because I couldn't find his shoes, he had been crammed into 5 1/2s for the first few days! Mike and I both picked up a little something to read. Mike liked the idea because it meant that he relaxed and slowed down enough to read. We watched movies to wind down each night. It was great family time and a great price... movies are free this month due to one of mommy's "jobs". The other major thing: Caleb is showing all signs of being a little shutter bug, like mommy! He is really into taking pictures and then seeing what they look like. He wants to look around and capture certain things. Of course, his interests are bowed by being a boy, so he thinks bum shots are entertaining. But he took some great shots of me and Joshy. I was actually shocked and impressed, and grateful since I don't often pictures of me with the kids. I'm always the one behind the camera, but if Caleb is going to start showing interest and skill in photography, I think that is great! I wonder if he would like to enter a picture into the contest at the fair?! I'll have to ask. I'll try to post some of the pictures Caleb took here so that you can take a look for yourself.
Caleb took these:
We arrived home safely, and just in time for a hot week. Caleb got to spend the mornings of this week at VBS at Cascade Church. Next week it will be VBS at Peace Luthern/Little Doves Preschool. He likes keeping busy and doing all the crafts etc. He needs time independent of Joshy (and me I think too) and yet he is always so great at excitedly greeting me when I pick him up. Joshy also gets to have one-on-one time with me. We read, chat, and do errands. He doesn't have to fight over toys either which is a plus. Joshy says "I'm cold" and does a little fake shiver, so cute. He also says "I'm cute", "I did it", "Hot".... and ones I'm not so proud of "poop" and "more coke", oh, and the near constant "NO". It was just two weeks ago that I was hoping he would stop saying poop non-stop, but now that he has exchanged that word for NO... What was I thinking?! This is something amazing about Joshy: He is learning the sounds of his letters and the alpahbet song. He of course is not exact and has no understanding of it's significants, but he is doing both with weekly improvement! Caleb is also skyrocketing with his alphabet. He can name 90% of the letters and their sounds, and from there we sound out words together; he is truly doing awesome!
Tomorrow is the last VBS this week. I am a mom-helper tomorrow, sigh. I like my kids, but a gaggle of strange children seems daunting. But I have to do what I have to do. We don't have plans until next week where we plunge into the next VBS week. I guess we will have to occupy ourselves with having a good time in the great weather, which is easier to do since Daddy brought home and help set up the bouncy house in the back yard. That has been a daily treat for most of the week. I am so pleased with the joy BOTH boys get out of this apparatus. Joshy has shocked me that he can get in all by himself without help... which is a miracle since I don't have the endurance to stand in the sun for an hour helping to lift him in each time. And they play so well in the bouncy house, and I am so grateful for the foresight of buying one with a slide included. That is 50% of their fun. Daddy even snuck into the bouncy house with Joshy today!
Well, it's late. I will try to attach a couple pictures of the camping trip. Good Night.
The following pictures I took, but they are only the second part of the trip.
Mike is howling, Tigger joins in, Caleb is whacking everything insight with the bottle, and Joshy is bare-bummed. I sit calming in the back.
Joshy, our little pink pirate. Head wear made from an imfamous "Shirt".
And, Our boys, of course, with sticks:
Note: Caleb's summer SHORT haircut. I'll try to get a better shot soon.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Here we are for just a little catch up...
Monday, Caleb saw his best friend Donovyn. He had been saying for weeks that he missed him. So finally we got them together for a playdate. Caleb was excited and relieved. Of course, I got a call just after noon that asked if I had changed my mind on having Caleb in the Summer camp at his preschool. Apparently, I got my dates mixed up and thought that summer came was in July, but here is was at the end of June. So he missed the first day, but attended for the rest of the week. He had a wonderful time and did so many crafts. He is the best kid to run up to me shouting Mommy I missed you, each time I pick him up.
Caleb got his most extreme haircut to date on Wednesday. I decided for the summer to cut his hair really short so that he didn't need haircuts all summer and maybe he'd stay a little cooler. Mike is really happy with it because he looks like a cool little boy. I think that it is a little too short in the bangs, but hair will always grow.
Yesterday the whole family made a very, mad scramble to the movie theater. I found the gift card from the Surface family (from Christmas) and it was just in time to see the new animated, kids film "Ratouille". VERY CUTE! and a good number of chuckles. We got there just in time for the start of the movie, but missed most of the trailers. And Joshy was great up until the last 10-15 minutes when he ran out of things to eat (also purchased with the gift card) and needed to get up and stretch his legs. I thought that was pretty good for him to sit still for an almost 2 hour show. It was a great way to spend a rainy day and only spend $1.56 for the whole family! I'd recommend the show to anyone needing a light chuckle, has kids, or doesn't like the bad language in other movies. I look forward to the day the library finally has this one in circulation so we can see it again!
The boys and I ended the day with dinner and freshly made, home made Strawberry Slurpees. We have been so blessed with our berry patch this season. I had enough berries to make 3 drinks and freeze another whole bag. Caleb was thrilled to slurp down a RED slurpee that did not have food coloring. Not to mention totally organic and sweetened to perfection.
So all of that is the upside. The down side.... Jockey is entering the Two-year old phase. "No" is his favorite answer for everything. He says it for any question we ask just to show he is making decisions, and oh boy does he not like being contradicted. Can we say STRONG WILLED! and LOUD protests! He is talking alot more in general though. Full sentences even. You kind of have to be around him for a while though, because not everything is bell clear. One thing, unfortunately, totally clearly understood... "eat poop". This is repeated numerous times a day by our little Jockey-man. I can't imagine where he picked that up.... CaAAALEEB???!!!
In the meantime, the boys are loving life, the summer means swings, slides, sand and of course berry picking! For July, Caleb is signed up for two different Vacation Bible Schools, which I'm excited for. This will mean he is still around kids all summer, will learn some cool lessons, and I will get time with just Josh. Plus, one of the VBS is held by the church that I want to start attending. It is a bigger church with more structured programs consistently offered for both the kids and adults, as well as several programs not DIRECTLY church related: MOPS and boyscouts! So this is great!
Ok. That's all for now. Have a great sunny day.
Monday, Caleb saw his best friend Donovyn. He had been saying for weeks that he missed him. So finally we got them together for a playdate. Caleb was excited and relieved. Of course, I got a call just after noon that asked if I had changed my mind on having Caleb in the Summer camp at his preschool. Apparently, I got my dates mixed up and thought that summer came was in July, but here is was at the end of June. So he missed the first day, but attended for the rest of the week. He had a wonderful time and did so many crafts. He is the best kid to run up to me shouting Mommy I missed you, each time I pick him up.
Caleb got his most extreme haircut to date on Wednesday. I decided for the summer to cut his hair really short so that he didn't need haircuts all summer and maybe he'd stay a little cooler. Mike is really happy with it because he looks like a cool little boy. I think that it is a little too short in the bangs, but hair will always grow.
Yesterday the whole family made a very, mad scramble to the movie theater. I found the gift card from the Surface family (from Christmas) and it was just in time to see the new animated, kids film "Ratouille". VERY CUTE! and a good number of chuckles. We got there just in time for the start of the movie, but missed most of the trailers. And Joshy was great up until the last 10-15 minutes when he ran out of things to eat (also purchased with the gift card) and needed to get up and stretch his legs. I thought that was pretty good for him to sit still for an almost 2 hour show. It was a great way to spend a rainy day and only spend $1.56 for the whole family! I'd recommend the show to anyone needing a light chuckle, has kids, or doesn't like the bad language in other movies. I look forward to the day the library finally has this one in circulation so we can see it again!
The boys and I ended the day with dinner and freshly made, home made Strawberry Slurpees. We have been so blessed with our berry patch this season. I had enough berries to make 3 drinks and freeze another whole bag. Caleb was thrilled to slurp down a RED slurpee that did not have food coloring. Not to mention totally organic and sweetened to perfection.
So all of that is the upside. The down side.... Jockey is entering the Two-year old phase. "No" is his favorite answer for everything. He says it for any question we ask just to show he is making decisions, and oh boy does he not like being contradicted. Can we say STRONG WILLED! and LOUD protests! He is talking alot more in general though. Full sentences even. You kind of have to be around him for a while though, because not everything is bell clear. One thing, unfortunately, totally clearly understood... "eat poop". This is repeated numerous times a day by our little Jockey-man. I can't imagine where he picked that up.... CaAAALEEB???!!!
In the meantime, the boys are loving life, the summer means swings, slides, sand and of course berry picking! For July, Caleb is signed up for two different Vacation Bible Schools, which I'm excited for. This will mean he is still around kids all summer, will learn some cool lessons, and I will get time with just Josh. Plus, one of the VBS is held by the church that I want to start attending. It is a bigger church with more structured programs consistently offered for both the kids and adults, as well as several programs not DIRECTLY church related: MOPS and boyscouts! So this is great!
Ok. That's all for now. Have a great sunny day.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Caleb and Joshy are back from their camping trip. It was a big success. Caleb talks about riding his bike, going down a big slide, and the various things he did in the pool. Joshy has learned the new word "cold" about a week ago, and he uses that word to go into the hot tub, get cuddled in Mommy's bed or to sit with Mommy on the couch... or just about anything as long as he gets what he wants he is "cold". The cutest is when he holds his little hands together almost in a praying has pose with a touch of wistful added in, then he fake shivers and says "cold". He learned "cold" when trying to run through the sprinkler, it was not like the warm shower water he was expecting, it was "cold"... he didn't want to shower for a few days after the sprinkler because he was afraid that the shower would now be "cold" too! Anyway, he also had a good time with Grammy and Papa Dahl. Both of the boys wanted to sit on me for a long time after they returned, which way nice, except I was trying to cook dinner at the time. Caleb know can thoroughly explain how Papa Dahl checks for sugar in his blood (he is Diabetic.) Caleb gave Auntie Brittany the full run down yesterday. He really is a smart little kiddo. I wonder what else he will have picked up this weekend that I'll get to discover.
Yesterday, we went to story time at the library. Joshy was a hoot to watch. For the first 8 minutes he wanted to sit on my lap and just watch. (Caleb too.) Suddenly, he wanted to get up and dance and stomp and clap as the librarian directed... then he wanted to run around and squeal happily and then land and sommersault on their special little blanket that they put in the center. Lots of the moms were chuckling at him and commenting on how happy he was. Joshy truly did want to interact and be center of attention. Caleb wanted to blow the bubbles, but he was so shy he missed a couple turns before I could convince him that it was no big deal, just go up and ask. I don't know what makes him so shy and afraid to ask. I was that way too, and I just can't figure out how I got through it... sometimes I'm still not, so how can I expect a child to get through it.
The sun is out, the berries are now getting very plentiful... at least the strawberries. Monday night I made Strawberry (and banana) milkshakes for everyone. It was a special treat, and I still had enough strawberries left over for a morning of strawberry topped pancakes. And there are STILL MORE berries to be picked. I might have to start cutting them up and freezing them for the winter just to keep up with the maturity rate. All of this, and I still have little guys out there picking when the like and heading off some of the growth by eating green ones!
We had family movie night last night. We watched Disney's Tarzan from our bed... good thing it's a king size, room for everyone. We had water and popcorn to make it a true movie experience. Joshy got to stay up later to finish watching the movie, he just relished the cuddle time. When they started wrestling, it was near the end of the movie anyway. Then off to bed time.
Caleb his now the proud owner of a new wardrobe. Grandma Bishop, ebay save extraordinaire, found a great lot of clothes and won them and had them shipped directly here. They are all nice, and Caleb is outfitted for good, well probably for the next 15 months... Caleb shouted I love this, when he saw the Pj top of Batman with the attached cape. Then life was complete when he saw the pj tops of Spiderman and "Mr. Incredible". Caleb changed clothes 3 times in a hour... and kept them on too. Normally Caleb might go through 3 outfits in day, but that is because he keeps taking his clothes off and I keep trying to put them back on. This time he actually stayed dressed. Then he wore the Batman top (with cap) to the library story time because in his words "everyone will think my shirt is cool". Caleb called and said thank you, although his excitment didn't really come through the phone, he really is excited. And Joshy would be happy if I tossed the pile on the floor and let him roll around on them. Go figure.
No real plans yet for the weekend. Daddy doens't work. Mommy doesn't have anything lined up as of yet. So I guess we are free agents dictated to only by weather and $. We'll see where it takes us.
(On a personal note, I loved my weekend "off". It was great. I got 5 pages of scrapbooking done, in goal of getting 12 done for Joshy's birthday party. I turned off the phones and didn't get a single phone call from anyone wanting to refinance my house during any naps. I watched movies that I didn't have to cringe because of little ears in the room. Plus, I got to watch Phantom of the Opear, a gorgeous cinema set, that the boys would never understand! I admit to eating food coloring, but did so without fear of having it nabbed and scarffed by little guys. Tigger was a ball of nerves. He would sit on Caleb's bed and bark out the window at the wind or whatever. He didn't pace but it had the same effect, even with going on walks and the chew bones I gave him. Can we say Co-Dependent....On MIKE! Zuma was a delight of low maintenance, just don't ask her to move once she was in a cozy sleeping spot. Anyway, it was nice time that I do feel different, better, to take on the kids for the time being. )
And speaking of kids... back to them... talk more later.
Yesterday, we went to story time at the library. Joshy was a hoot to watch. For the first 8 minutes he wanted to sit on my lap and just watch. (Caleb too.) Suddenly, he wanted to get up and dance and stomp and clap as the librarian directed... then he wanted to run around and squeal happily and then land and sommersault on their special little blanket that they put in the center. Lots of the moms were chuckling at him and commenting on how happy he was. Joshy truly did want to interact and be center of attention. Caleb wanted to blow the bubbles, but he was so shy he missed a couple turns before I could convince him that it was no big deal, just go up and ask. I don't know what makes him so shy and afraid to ask. I was that way too, and I just can't figure out how I got through it... sometimes I'm still not, so how can I expect a child to get through it.
The sun is out, the berries are now getting very plentiful... at least the strawberries. Monday night I made Strawberry (and banana) milkshakes for everyone. It was a special treat, and I still had enough strawberries left over for a morning of strawberry topped pancakes. And there are STILL MORE berries to be picked. I might have to start cutting them up and freezing them for the winter just to keep up with the maturity rate. All of this, and I still have little guys out there picking when the like and heading off some of the growth by eating green ones!
We had family movie night last night. We watched Disney's Tarzan from our bed... good thing it's a king size, room for everyone. We had water and popcorn to make it a true movie experience. Joshy got to stay up later to finish watching the movie, he just relished the cuddle time. When they started wrestling, it was near the end of the movie anyway. Then off to bed time.
Caleb his now the proud owner of a new wardrobe. Grandma Bishop, ebay save extraordinaire, found a great lot of clothes and won them and had them shipped directly here. They are all nice, and Caleb is outfitted for good, well probably for the next 15 months... Caleb shouted I love this, when he saw the Pj top of Batman with the attached cape. Then life was complete when he saw the pj tops of Spiderman and "Mr. Incredible". Caleb changed clothes 3 times in a hour... and kept them on too. Normally Caleb might go through 3 outfits in day, but that is because he keeps taking his clothes off and I keep trying to put them back on. This time he actually stayed dressed. Then he wore the Batman top (with cap) to the library story time because in his words "everyone will think my shirt is cool". Caleb called and said thank you, although his excitment didn't really come through the phone, he really is excited. And Joshy would be happy if I tossed the pile on the floor and let him roll around on them. Go figure.
No real plans yet for the weekend. Daddy doens't work. Mommy doesn't have anything lined up as of yet. So I guess we are free agents dictated to only by weather and $. We'll see where it takes us.
(On a personal note, I loved my weekend "off". It was great. I got 5 pages of scrapbooking done, in goal of getting 12 done for Joshy's birthday party. I turned off the phones and didn't get a single phone call from anyone wanting to refinance my house during any naps. I watched movies that I didn't have to cringe because of little ears in the room. Plus, I got to watch Phantom of the Opear, a gorgeous cinema set, that the boys would never understand! I admit to eating food coloring, but did so without fear of having it nabbed and scarffed by little guys. Tigger was a ball of nerves. He would sit on Caleb's bed and bark out the window at the wind or whatever. He didn't pace but it had the same effect, even with going on walks and the chew bones I gave him. Can we say Co-Dependent....On MIKE! Zuma was a delight of low maintenance, just don't ask her to move once she was in a cozy sleeping spot. Anyway, it was nice time that I do feel different, better, to take on the kids for the time being. )
And speaking of kids... back to them... talk more later.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Howdy.
Joshy has learned a few words in the last 2-3 days. He now answers "noooo" with cute little puckered lips, like he is sucking on a straw. (Of course, I know there will be a day that he says no in defiance, but for right now he is just answering my questions.) He now says "Okay", and "Coming daddy", and "Caay" which is for Caleb. He is getting so good as using words, and as always he is a wonderful babbler, he babbles in the same cadence as words would sound in a foriegn language. He must be speaking alien boy-ese.
This is Caleb's first week without preschool. He's already saying he is missing his friend Donovyn, but we can't afford to drive to Granite Falls... so I'll have to come up with something else to keep him busy with.
The boys are going camping this weekend. Mike is taking them with Papa and Grammy Dahl to Toppenish. I'm sure that they will enjoy the time at the pool, the park and riding their bikes. And I will do my best to get refreshed and recharged while they are gone.
Today was icky off and on as far as weather, but that didn't stop the boys from running outside and picking berries. Yes, our raspberries are just barely coming in, and our strawberries will be going full blown here in another week or so. Of course, that is all hinging keeping the boys, Joshy especially, from picking the green ones. I try to tell them that green ones never get the chance to turn red and yummy if you pick them. Joshy still doesn't get it. But I guess we have all summer to learn.
We also made a fort today in the living room. The boys really like it. But what is it with forts and having to be naked in them?! I just don't get it. Caleb asked me today how come God fgave me two boys instead of a boy and a girl, and today I was reminded that I would rather build a fort than have a dress up tea party any day of the week. As for Caleb's question, I just told him that God had the best plans and I'm going along with it.
Well, off to the rest of life's duties. Talk to you later.
Joshy has learned a few words in the last 2-3 days. He now answers "noooo" with cute little puckered lips, like he is sucking on a straw. (Of course, I know there will be a day that he says no in defiance, but for right now he is just answering my questions.) He now says "Okay", and "Coming daddy", and "Caay" which is for Caleb. He is getting so good as using words, and as always he is a wonderful babbler, he babbles in the same cadence as words would sound in a foriegn language. He must be speaking alien boy-ese.
This is Caleb's first week without preschool. He's already saying he is missing his friend Donovyn, but we can't afford to drive to Granite Falls... so I'll have to come up with something else to keep him busy with.
The boys are going camping this weekend. Mike is taking them with Papa and Grammy Dahl to Toppenish. I'm sure that they will enjoy the time at the pool, the park and riding their bikes. And I will do my best to get refreshed and recharged while they are gone.
Today was icky off and on as far as weather, but that didn't stop the boys from running outside and picking berries. Yes, our raspberries are just barely coming in, and our strawberries will be going full blown here in another week or so. Of course, that is all hinging keeping the boys, Joshy especially, from picking the green ones. I try to tell them that green ones never get the chance to turn red and yummy if you pick them. Joshy still doesn't get it. But I guess we have all summer to learn.
We also made a fort today in the living room. The boys really like it. But what is it with forts and having to be naked in them?! I just don't get it. Caleb asked me today how come God fgave me two boys instead of a boy and a girl, and today I was reminded that I would rather build a fort than have a dress up tea party any day of the week. As for Caleb's question, I just told him that God had the best plans and I'm going along with it.
Well, off to the rest of life's duties. Talk to you later.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Happy Saturday!
Well this last week was Caleb's last week at preschool. He had a regular day on Tuesday and then on Thursday we went to the park for a picnic. It was a gray, chilly, occassionally misty day, but Caleb had a lot of fun. I felt like a good mom that day, I remembered scrap towels to wipe the slides and swings down. (Often it feels like the "good mom" days are rare.) Caleb got to feed the ducks, run around with kids, and eat lunch with the little girl that he kind of likes more than any other kid in his class. He played hard and I look forward to having him back in a peer group soon.
Joshy and I baked cookies this week.
Papa Bill brought over Burger King and played with the boys on Tuesday.
Grandma Bishop sent Caleb some new clothes; Caleb especially likes and looks like a cool dude in this vibrant red hooded sweatshirt. Then we got a really big box this week. It was a basketball hoop for the boys, particularly Joshy. I didn't get it all the way set up and Joshy already had grabbed the ball and started to say THROW THROW. And he did make a few baskets all by himself. The hoop is twice the height of him at the rim. He's having a great time. Caleb has learned all the places he can throw the ball from and still makes a basket. So far his favorite is standing on the couch in the living room and tossing it the distance... sigh. The other one he likes is standing on the piano bench and tossing it in while jumping. again, sigh. Boys.
No big plans for this weekend. Daddy works today, and ALL day tomorrow. But he mowed the lawn yesterday and now the kids can actually navigate outside... and since it's overcast right now, I might be able to convince them to keep their clothes on for warmth.
Well, gotta get back to it. Talk to you later.
Well this last week was Caleb's last week at preschool. He had a regular day on Tuesday and then on Thursday we went to the park for a picnic. It was a gray, chilly, occassionally misty day, but Caleb had a lot of fun. I felt like a good mom that day, I remembered scrap towels to wipe the slides and swings down. (Often it feels like the "good mom" days are rare.) Caleb got to feed the ducks, run around with kids, and eat lunch with the little girl that he kind of likes more than any other kid in his class. He played hard and I look forward to having him back in a peer group soon.
Joshy and I baked cookies this week.
Papa Bill brought over Burger King and played with the boys on Tuesday.
Grandma Bishop sent Caleb some new clothes; Caleb especially likes and looks like a cool dude in this vibrant red hooded sweatshirt. Then we got a really big box this week. It was a basketball hoop for the boys, particularly Joshy. I didn't get it all the way set up and Joshy already had grabbed the ball and started to say THROW THROW. And he did make a few baskets all by himself. The hoop is twice the height of him at the rim. He's having a great time. Caleb has learned all the places he can throw the ball from and still makes a basket. So far his favorite is standing on the couch in the living room and tossing it the distance... sigh. The other one he likes is standing on the piano bench and tossing it in while jumping. again, sigh. Boys.
No big plans for this weekend. Daddy works today, and ALL day tomorrow. But he mowed the lawn yesterday and now the kids can actually navigate outside... and since it's overcast right now, I might be able to convince them to keep their clothes on for warmth.
Well, gotta get back to it. Talk to you later.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Joshy's new phrase: "I did it!" and he lifts his little fists in the air for a big hurray! See picture, although he didn't really use the potty, He just said "I did it!"
Joshy now "Smiles" for the camera. Actually he, himself says "Cheese" and you get the following smile:
And I love this shirt that Joshy is wearing... it fits perfectly when I caught the boys hollering out the bedroom window looking at the things they had thrown out the window onto the roof.
That's all for now. Have a good day.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Well the camping trip for Memorial day weekend when great.
We got to the camp grounds at 9:50 in the morning and got the VERY LAST site! Including the tent sites.
We saw a deer and a very small spotted fawn before we even parked the trailer and then about a 1/2 dozen after that. We saw a bunny, chipmunk, and a ferret on leash.
We ate shrimp around the fire. Uncle Brian and Aunt Brittany came up Saturday afternoon. Papa Bill and Grandma Judy came up Sunday and met us at a park and watched the kids play. On Saturday, Caleb's actual birthday, we met Barb, Don, Matthew and Tyler at Chuck E. Cheese. Caleb had a great time! Joshy lost a few pacifiers this weekend, so we had to make a stop at Wal-mart in Burlington. And then on the way home, we stopped in at Barb and Don's for more visiting. Caleb had such a great time he was very sad to leave. He wanted to stay and play.
Caleb jumped right back into preschool this week. The surprising thing is that I think Joshy is just as enthusiatic as Caleb. He marches right in with Caleb and gets in line to wash his hands. And a couple times he has tried to join circle time... It is so cute! The teachers have already labeled him a "real go getter", especially on the playground. He is also very social and waves to people and tries to get their attention. I'm wondering if I should put him in the Two's only class in the fall at this school. I'll have to look into it. I'm sure Joshy will love having an activity and he is already so use to the routine and environment. I will have to make sure that it won't affect Caleb negatively to suddenly have Joshy move in on his territory. But the strange thing is that Caleb often seems to depend on the company of Joshy for social situations, bravery, companionship and all. I remember being that way with my brother; it just seems odd that the older child needs to have help doing something on their own, when he has spent 2 years on his own before Josh ever came along. Josh on the other hand, he has never had time alone and seems like he is bursting out and flourishes when he's finally independent.
Well, time to get Caleb ready for school again. The count down has begun. His last day is a picnic on the 7th! What will I do with that kiddo all summer?! He will have to be kept busy somehow, but in the heat like we had yesterday, I am afraid to let him spend so much time in the scorching sun with his fair skin. And especially since he most often is in the sun, NAKED! Caleb says "Grammy calls me naked boy". Never a truer word spoken.
Talk to you later.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Caleb's Awana Awards night was really neat. It was Caleb's first awards program ever, Awana is the first organized program ever (other than preschool). Caleb was blessed with the presence of Grammy, Papa Dahl, Papa Bill, and Cousin Tessa, in addition to our immediate family.
He had lots of fun, he showed all the grandparents his classroom, and he stood nicely in front of the crowd. He thought he was there to learn more verses and was a little sad when I told him it was an awards night rather than a class night. Caleb won 3 awards. A small bear, a bear pin and a patch for his vest.
So here are a few pictures with the brief moments I have left.
That's all for now, I've got to go to work.
As most of you might know, we are going camping this weekend. So I won't be posting until we get back.
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