Just your friendly neighborhood Spiderman

Caleb went to school today dressed as Spiderman for Reading is Fun Day. He really wanted to go as the indian from Indian in the Cupboard that we read together this summer... But low and behold Goodwill just didn't have an indian costume when we ran (and I mean shopping in under 5 minutes kind of ran!) in yesterday afternoon! But Caleb was quick to remind me that he actually had read a Spiderman book at one point, so I guess this costume qualifies... ;)

This morning while we were waiting for his ride in the hospital parking lot, he got out of the car and was waving at every passing vehicle and "Spiderman-ing" all over the parking lot. :) Here are a few shots I caught:

Center Stage

Caleb had his first opportunity to be in a local play at our Lake Wales Little Theatre. Finally an appropriate outlet for his (overly... did I say that out loud...) dramatic personality! ;) Sorry these pictures are grainy, they were taken with my iPhone and are really posted here for the grandparents. :)

Lessons in never say never...

Today has been another lesson in "never say never"...

I don't know how I got suckered into allowing a fork-tongued, rodent-eating, slithering, writhing, serpent live in the house with us... But somehow I was outvoted 3-1... (gee, you think it is because all of the other human's living in this house are male???) And as of today, we have a new pet SNAKE!!! Yes, you read that correctly... Caleb has named him Rocky. Each boy (especially the biggest one, aka Daddy) has been overcome with excitement tonight and totally enthralled with the newest addition to our household!

First Day of 2nd Grade :)

Caleb started Ms. Lamb's 2nd grade class this week.

He is sooo excited and loving every minute of his new school year!

In 2nd grade at Geneva they study Ancient Egypt,

and even mummify a chicken!

I LOVE to hear Caleb's enthusiasm every day

when I ask him about his day!

So glad that this year he's starting off on the right foot!

Gone Fishin'

My friends invited us to go to Cabela's (an outdoorsy store) and then go fishing off the dock.  The store has so many amazing stuffed real animals:  zebra, lions, tons of various deer, and even an elephant!!!  They also have a large fish tank indoors and a stocked pond outdoors - which is where we went fishing afterwards.  

 

Justus caught his first fish!

He's pretty proud of his catch!

Mr. Joey helping Caleb catch his fish

Fishin' Buddies showing off their catch

Making a list and checking it twice

Caleb brought me this list he's been making of activities he wants to do with his Grammy.  I'll translate for ya:

1.  Sea World Beach (they put up a shamu blanket he has and set up beach chairs in his room and pretend they are at the beach.)

2.  Jump - "I don't know if Grammy can do this one or not, but she will either jump on the trampoline with me or watch me jump on the trampoline."

3.  Time - they sit on Caleb's bed and pretend they are time travelers.

4.  Race - race cars (i think)

5.  seek highdingo (Hide and Go Seek) 

I wonder if he'll revise the list once he realizes Grammy's not coming to his house this year, he's going to her house...  I'll keep ya posted...  :)

My little animal rescuer

While at "work" today Caleb and my friend came across this turtle in the fish pond.  

They released him here at a nearby lake.  (I'm thinking I wish someone would release me here, looks like a great lake to sit and read a good book!)

I love how Caleb is with animals.  I can see in these pictures how he felt the responsibility of saving this little guy (*or gal...  he can tell the difference you know!  seriously!)  and the sense of purpose and pride he felt for this accomplishment.

I am so very grateful that my friend took these pictures for me!!!

*While we were on a field trip with Caleb's class a few weeks ago, the lady asked the class, "Does anybody know how we can tell weather this is a girl turtle, or a boy turtle?"  Caleb's hand shot up and I was instantly filled with fear...  oh no, what in the world is he going to say...  no, no lady, don't call on him....  panic, she called on him....  

Caleb replied, "If the turtle has a flat tummy or a dented tummy."  Whew!  relief!  

Lady, "That's right!  A girl turtle has a flat tummy and a boy turtle looks like he's been punched in the gut."

He told me later he learned that at Lion Country Safari!  So he was listening!!!  :)  (Apparently much better than I was because I totally didn't remember that!)

I'm gonna get you... - warning: very blurry pictures ahead...

One of the boys' favorite game they've made up is called "Lick Noses" where they tackle me and try to lick my nose...  Here are a few of the action shots I took during our most recent attack...  er game....  ;D   I wish I had a video or even just audio to upload because it is the best laughter and giggling ever!

This last shot is just Caleb making a silly face, but it was during an attack... um game, so I'm posting it here.

My natural salesman

I poked my head out of the door to check on my little munchkins and found this sight...

And can you guess who was the ringleader of this ragamuffin band?  Yes, that would be Caleb...  He LOVES to sell things!  And it's not just the smell of green (and silver and copper) that drives his passion, it's his passion for talking and people and the drama involved in selling things...  okay, so Caleb interjects drama into EVERY event in his life...  no really, EVERY event, no matter how minute...  We often refer to him as our little Drama King!  

This picture also depicts why Caleb and Justus get along so very well...  Jus doesn't care what Caleb's doing, he just wants to do whatever his big bubba's doing.  And Caleb thrives off of being the leader, and getting everyone, yes EVERYONE within earshot, involved in his plans.   He dragged two neighborhood kids into this yard sell, encouraging them to help him set up the table and chairs and gather all of the nasty-dirty-half broken-toys from the backyard...  vowing to pay them a portion of his proceeds.  Would you believe he suckered several passerbys out of over $5!?  Well, I guess you would if you knew Caleb...  :)

We are family

While eating dinner the other night Caleb said out of the blue, *sigh* "I have the best sisters in the whole world!"  We looked at him questioningly and he replied, "Jessie and Sarah!" *duh*

Then the other day while driving in the van Jessie was able to finish my sentence and stated, "I'm so close to your family!"  To which Caleb replied, "Close to our family?!?!  You are our family!"

Now while these precious girls are not naturally our family members, they are our dear friends and practically our family in many ways.  We are so blessed by them, which is why they consistently make my Thankful Thursday list.  

What's a gup?

...I still don't know, but I do know that Caleb is super excited to be a something-something gup green belt now in Tae Kwan Do...

Just making sure mom is watching...

Jumping up and down, so excited to get his green belt

He's such a ham, there in the middle

Came home after testing for over 3 hours straight, and wanted to teach Jessie and Sarah TKD

Lots to look forward to...

Loving Legos

...not me personally, but loving the hours of quiet legos afford me!!!  :)  Caleb can sit almost motionless for hours alone in his room (if you knew Caleb, you'd understand how astonishing this mini-miracle is...  He HATES to be alone, he HATES to be quiet, and he HATES to be still!!!)  I love to see him finally emerge from his room holding one of his masterpieces that fit intricately into some new realm he has been creating.  What a great exercise in focusing, and imagining and story telling, and I'm sure there are some mathematical brain muscles being stretched and flexed as well.  Here are some pictures of his creations.

Caleb:  Mom, I want you to put this on the family portrait.

Me:  Do you mean the blog?

Caleb:  Yeah.  I call it the family portrait because it's like a time capsule.

Did you notice the "Grabber Nabbers" on the front of the police ship?

 

I thought I heard a puddy tat!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I did, I did hear a puddy tat!  We found this little bitty kitten in our backyard on Saturday.  Now, we are not cat people as Shawna Lawhorn can attest to...  (and NO I did not intentionally launch Warf across the room...  I was very much asleep when he jumped in my lap at 3am!!!  And don't even attempt to contact PETA on this incident folks, it happened over a decade ago and it's way past the statue of limitations I'm sure...  ;}  However, Caleb has been praying everyday for the last few weeks for a small dog, specifically a Chihuahua, "but if you would rather me have another pet, then that's okay too God."  When we found this little kitten in our yard, Caleb's eyes got as big as platters as he excitedly exclaimed...  "God answered my prayers Mom!  It's His will that we have a cat instead of a dog!"  Now...  how does one argue with that? Caleb named him Prince Caspian... however, our friends Sarah and Jessie think he may be a she... in that case, Caleb named it Princess Laya... I guess we won't know for sure until the kitty's vet visit...

My Li'l Workin' Man

Make a Smilebox slideshow

My friend April "hired" Caleb to come work in her garden one afternoon a week.  He is so excited about his first "job".  He had so much fun!  I'm hoping he learns how to have a green thumb from her, since he ain't learnin' that from mama!  I can kill the most resilient plants while even attempting to diligently attend to their care...