What?! A Bishop Update?!

Yes folks, it's true. Kim has graced the cyberspace relm with her presence to give us this Bishop Update. I vaguely recall those things. They were the more complete summaries of the Bishop Family happenings than I could ever hope to pen. I pretty much just jot down a simple line or two with some funny photos and call it good. Kim, thank goodness, actually tells you what we're doing. So hunker down with your favorite frothy Ovaltine and cookie of choice, because here is the July 2008 Bishop Update:
- Mitch

In honor of our pioneer heritage (or at least our adopted pioneer heritage), we decided to share how we are blazing trails here in Las Vegas!

Aiden has taken first grade by storm! He earned perfect attendance for the year, straight A’s for the year, and all E’s in citizenship for the year! Way to go, Aiden. He truly is self-driven, and we would be delighted with much less if it was his best effort. He strives for perfection- he is much like his father in that way! (Hey since I am writing this, I get to write whatever I want.) He also earned the mini grand prix award for his class and was pleased as punch. (Is punch really pleased?) He will be in Ms. Ferland’s class next year. We are jazzed about this since she is the Inclusion teacher for the second grade. He will be in the class with 5 to 8 special needs students as well as about 5 to 8 typically developing peers. This will be great for Aiden. We hope next year will be a success and look forward to the new trails he will blaze.

Greyson has graduated from preschool and daily anticipates the new path into Kindergarten. He will have morning Kindergarten with Ms. Bailey. He knows that Friday marks the beginning of August, and that is the month he will be venturing into the unknown trails of public school. I hope that he speaks up because his timid voice may be the end of his teacher. All in all though, she will fall in love with his sweet disposition for sure. Greyson has also begun to read more and more. He just loves it and I know that in no time, he will be reading a new picture book entirely independently. He can’t wait to get to the library and pick a new Rookie Reader- he read one the other day with no help at all! You go Grey!

Gage is heading the trail to improved behavior. My Gage the Rage is turning into the old Gage is in the cage and the new Gage has turned a page! We are thrilled with the changes. He still has his moments of melting, but it typically revolves around TIREDNESS. I will admit that he definitely gets this from his mother. He also talks your ear off and comes close to deafening you with his endless descriptions, new discoveries, inquiring questions, and countless tales from his imagination. I do enjoy my one on one time with my verbal master of communication. We had our first date to Honk, a clever spin on the fairy tale of the Ugly Duckling. He fell asleep literally in the last ten minutes. This tells you what an invigorating date Gage had. (The play didn't start until late, so he actually did really well). Hopefully his next date will be more impressive than his mom! Gage is also doing well with his sounds, numbers, letters, and writing his name. He truly wants his very own library card, so he is working on penning his name independently.

Jace blazes the trail of independence. He wants to brush his own teeth, dress his own body, wipe his own nose, and go potty in the big boy toilet standing UP! If I would just work on potty training, I know he would do it in just a few hours probably. I just do not want the whole ordeal of going to the bathroom 3 times in every trip to the store. Perhaps after our camping trip, I will muster the courage. We all have goals! Jace is also talking soooooo much. It took grandma a few minutes to decipher what he was saying, but he gave a full account of how the missionaries had come to the house to get their bikes that we were storing in the garage! With Mitch being the ward mission leader, we have nearly daily visits with the elders. The boys just eat it up! I think Jace sings, “I hope they call me on a mission” in his sleep! He is literally growing up way too fast!

Cooper is a pioneer in his own right as well! He longs to walk, but our fearful one, just plops down and stays to the ground on all fours even though he so badly wants to be just like his brothers. He also explores the journey into the world of music. Whenever he hears a tune- familiar or unknown, he stops what he is doing, waves his arms and keeps the beat! Perhaps he will be our musical prodigy. Seeing that his mom literally has no musical ability, he must take after his father as well. His mom discovered during her freshman year of college when her music teacher informed her to try a new talent, for piano playing would never be an acquired skill despite her daily practice! Cooper loves music, and I am all for encouraging this skill!

Mitch is venturing out in the unknown as he continues to scheme. My husband is constantly planning and trying to come up with what will be next for this family. His current plan revolves around a pool in the backyard. Ever the thinker he is continuously looking at the design, choosing materials, asking about what type of equipment would be best, etc., etc. I know we'll all be glad for the thought he puts into these things. It was his planning that lead to our adding the extra bathroom to the outside of the casita for backyard/pool access. Way to go Mr. Bishop!

Kim pioneers everyday in her efforts to raise five young men while balancing the demands of the house, demands of tutoring 8 students, and demands of service to those around her. Most days she welcomes the challenges. Other days she asks for reinforcements, and Backyard Grandma always answers the call. ( My mom lives in the casita in our backyard.)

Please stay in touch and look for new installments of the Bishop Family on the Frontier!