Aiden is Jawsome!

Ah Cubscouts. Where the Boys are separated from...well, the woosier boys. Nothing accomplishes this better than the great equalizer - the Pinewood Derby. So with Aiden in Cub Scouts for the first time this year, I was ultra-prepared. During one of my runs down to the Scout office for uniform supplies for Aiden, I picked up a Pinewood Derby kit - you know because I knew he'd have one at some point. You want to know what happened? The great Cub Scout guru-spirit, Akela, threw me for a loop that's what! A few weeks ago Aiden informed me that he needed to make a rocket for his Cub Scout Space Derby. Space Derby?!? I vaguely recalled seeing kits for that too at the Scout office, but that had propellers, light-weight material, and well, no wheels!

So on Monday, Aiden and I set to work on his rocket. That's when I let him in on a simple truth; at least it's a Bishop simple truth. In these kinds of events, it doesn't matter how fast your car or rocket is - it's whether it LOOKS cool or not! I mean, don't get me wrong, if you could send your racer down the track or in this case, string, so fast that it peeled the paint off the other racers, that would be way cool. However, it is also pretty unlikely. So what can you control? Make it look wicked awesome, eh!

After some discussion, we decided to make Aiden's racer look like a vintage, Army missle. We both worked on sanding the block down to a stream-lined torpedo shape. We planned out the color and decal arrangements together. Now we needed a name. Aiden said he liked the initials "TX" so we came up with "The TX - Tornado"! So at least it would look and sound fast.

Here's the results:







Last night was the big night. I reminded Aiden several times that we were there to look cool, not win. However, I knew what was pumping through those little veins - pure desire to set that string on fire as he burned up the competition. After a few test runs, he was pumped. Our chances looked good. Then it happened. In preparation for his first heat, I wound his propeller a few too many turns - SNAP - rubber bands broken, dead in the ...um air. If looks could kill, I tell you I would not be writing this entry right now. Aiden looked at me with an expression of horror combined with "old man, if you didn't think that I could come over there and squeeze the life out of you with my neckerchief, you're about to find out."

I set to work as quick as I could in trying to repair the thing. I tied the rubber bands together and worked feverishly to somehow make it so he could race at least once. Thanks to the help of some of the other dads there with tools (note to self - next time bring the whole garage) we were ready to give the race a try. Although the TX-Tornado was never quite the same after the break, it went on to race quite a few times and I watched the almost tears turn into smiles. Especially when most of the other kids would come up to Aiden and tell him how cool his rocket was. Some even asked if they could borrow it and race it a few times instead of their own.

See, Dad knows what he's talking about. Looks beat speed every time. Well almost everytime. For his efforts, Aiden got the "Jawsome Award". Overall, I think it was a good night.

Pictures of the Little One

Based on the blue carrier and puppy dog blanket, can you tell that we thought we'd be going home with a boy? Thanks to friends and her aunts, Brooke at least went home in a pink outfit (even if Kim is still adjusting to the whole pink thing).

VADER Bike

For Gage's birthday we tossed around a lot of ideas for a gift (he also makes lots of suggestions) so coming up with his gift was a bit of a challenge. Then it hit us one day. He was out riding bikes with his brothers (Grandpa John and Grandma Kathleen got them all bikes for Christmas in 2007) and I noticed his little 12" was slowing him down. Mind you, Gage is still a little on the shrimpy side, but when the boys are out riding, he has to work extra hard to keep up with Grey and Aiden. So we decided to get him a new, larger bike and let Bubs ride Gage's old bike. As we shopped though, we decided that shelling out $80 for a new one was a bit much. Then we remembered that we had a bike some friends had given us for Aiden. It worked fine, it just was not anything fancy for a birthday gift. So that is when Grandpa, Uncle Hudge and I went to work! We converted that Huffy Rock-it into an interstellar, plasma-powered Vader Cycle!

My dad helped me get all the old stickers off and clean it up. We replaced the tubes and got a new seat and hand grips. Hudge helped me make Darth Vader vinyl stickers, and Grandma Dian made a new faux-leather handle bar pad for the bike. This thing is truly an original now. Gage loves it and it felt really good to improve and recycle something, instead of just buying something new.

The Final Bishop Has Arrived

I'll post more details, pictures, etc., soon, but I had to get this information out. We now have a GIRL!!!!!

We're dealing with a little post traumatic stress right now and really trying to let it all sink in. After the delivery, she just kept announcing to the the whole room (while she kept hitting me in the chest I might add) that we have a daughter.

So Brooke Carolan Bishop arrived on Mar. 19th at 9:15 p.m. She weighed a healthy 8 lbs. 9 oz. and is 19 inches long. She has a very short crop of blonde hair and blue eyes. She definetly looks like a Bishop baby, just with the other kind of plumbing.

Mom and baby are doing great and we hope will be home from the hospital soon. Stay posted for all the adventures that the 5 Bishop Brothers +1 Sister are able to conjure!

A Quick Post to Answer All Your Inquiries

Greetings to all! We just wanted to make a quick post to let people know there is still no baby, but we are thinking it will be soon. I did get incredibly itchy (which happened with Jace if you remember) so they tested my liver, and I am fine. I guess since I had my gallbladder out last February that helps with liver functioning. The liver takes over and does better when it does not have a sick organ to rely on. I guess the itchiness has been a result of slightly elevated bile levels, but still in the normal range so no harm to the baby. This is a huge relief, as I certainly did not want to be induced if at all possible! SO the wait continues, but I have been contracting and at my doctor’s appointment last Friday, I was well on my way! We may be able to welcome a new, nameless one very soon.

Many have asked if it is a boy or a girl. We do not find out, but we have a pretty big hunch that it is a boy. I am really fine with either! Actually a boy would be very welcomed as I have all the necessities for a little slugger! Boy number 6 must be left unnamed, though! Mitch and I read list after list and are still left unsure. Perhaps we will have to meet him to know what to name him.

The weather has been delightful so we have enjoyed bike rides, walks, and park days. Mitch took them bowling on President’s Day and the boys LOVED it! I stayed home with Jace and Coop as 9 month pregnant women have no grace on the alley floor! Last weekend we went and saw the North Las Vegas model airplanes fly and how cool that was! My boys stood lined up at the chain link fence ogling the retired air force guys as they played with their beautiful and very expensive toys! Too funny!! Some things never change—boys and toys forever more!

Well we wish you all well and Mitch hopes to post soon on the details of the new arrival! Oh and the stories we will have to tell about how Cooper deals with a new baby sister or brother! We fear for the life of the defenseless one. Perhaps the baby will have to live on the washing machine. One of my kids had to do that—can’t remember now which one, but…. Probably should have written that in the baby book. You know I have so many good intentions!

Busy Boys and More

February 8, 2009

Well I realized I have done no updating on the crazy shenanigans of five little boys so I decided to sit down and post on the blog today!

We are trying to come up for air every once in a while, but it seems like this will be impossible from now until the unborn baby is 25! It does not matter how much I try to plan and anticipate craziness, all my preparations are foiled and another curve ball is sent our way. It really is fine with me, though. Life is NEVER DULL!

Aiden has earned his bobcat award and is working tirelessly on his wolf badge! He LOVES scouts and can not wait until Thursday evenings. We had the blue and gold banquet last week where he had a chance to dance his traditional Samoan dance. I had to miss it because I was home with Gager, but everyone said Aiden was quite the ham. I wonder from where he gets that?

School is going well and he just finished up his first report on Jupiter! He loved learning about the great gas giant and loved even more working with his dad on the model! I am sure it does not surprise you, with Mitch at the helm with his creative genius, the project was museum worthy! Aiden was so thrilled to go to school and share his knowledge with his friends. He has three little friends in his class who love learning and school as well and they talk about animals, planets, and the like while on the playground and at lunch. It is better than potty humor which is the typical topic at the second grade lunch table! He did ask me the other day, though, if I thought he was a geek because he liked to learn! No Way, Buddy!

Grey is doing well too. He has been having legitimate anxiety attacks and nightmares about fires because of the emphasis on the fire drills at school. He fears fire, and gets all worked up about the potential fire drills that may or may not occur. He did master a drill the other day which we must celebrate because he is way too young to have panic attacks! He had a melt down here at the house too when while cleaning the oven in the self-cleaning mode, the debris caught on fire! Of course, he had to witness that. Poor kid! I do feel genuinely bad for him, but I also have no idea how to alleviate his fears!

Gage has been feeling a little under the weather! We even had to cancel preschool on Tuesday due to the Rotavirus. He picked it up at a birthday party last weekend. He actually has had a mild case of it, but I still have been doing laundry every day- sometimes four loads each day. I Lysol and Clorox Clean-Up every surface in the house. I really do not want the Coops to get it. Our little neighbor also got it, and he had to be put in the hospital to be put on an IV because he was so dehydrated! So horrible!

We did have preschool on Thursday, though because I thought he was just fine. At 5:00 that night, he did toss his cookies just as we were trying to go to the Blue and Gold Banquet! Again, wash the rugs in the bathroom and the shower curtain—how is that the sickness reaches everything within a 3 feet diameter? I am grateful though that it did not get on the carpet! I love tile and the fact that he is almost 5, therefore, far better at getting to the bathroom even if it does not make it in the toilet!

He had a great time with preschool in any event. He loves it when we host. We learned all about our body parts! He got to play Twister with his friends, got to put letter stickers all over his different body parts, and practiced his writing in rice! What more could a young guy want?

Jace loves it when I teach as well! When I teach, he gets to go to school too! He, unfortunately, got the virus last night so I am home with him today. He keeps telling me that he is not sick, and he needs to go to Sunbeams! I am sure the other moms are grateful that he is not with the other sunbeams! Jace also loves books and asks me to snuggle with his each day and read books. He may be my earliest reader yet! Speaking of snuggling….Jace has begun the wonderful stage where he climbs into our bed while we are sleeping and joins us in our bed because he is cold! Oh how Mitch and I hate this stage. We can not wait for warmer nights. When those come, he does not wake up in the middle of the night to find Daddy’s body heat. Mitch will welcome that most of all!

Cooper is still not talking much! Oh it is so frustrating for me. I hate the grunt and point stage! I, of course, make him sign, but he initiates so few of the signs. I know that it will come, but I hope it comes sooner than later. He is great at making demands even if his manner is not appropriate. Try telling his four older brothers to not give him what he wants when he yells at them and points to what he wants! We are all learning a lesson in Baby Communication 101!

Well I picked up two more tutoring students so I am up to 7! I only tell good friends yes, but there are a few who I just can’t turn down. The boys want to do sports, but seeing that I tutor everyday after school, it makes it tough! Hopefully I can figure something out! I have goals—that is the first step!

Mitch is OK too. Work has its good days and bad. He has way too much to do and not nearly the time to focus on it all. It will all smooth out, I’m sure, but it makes for some stressful days. He is glad to come home to Indian Rain Ct. where it is calm—now that is saying something!

And our last piece of news is that we got a new car! Yes, we had to since as soon as the baby arrives (Yes, we will welcome the little one next month.), we would have grown out of our van. Gage and I were the saddest to say goodbye to the van. Gage cried half the way home. The dealings with the dealership were pretty painless. We got a 07 Suburban for $23,700. After taxes, etc. it was just over $25,000. We cannot complain about that! It is beautiful and has only 20,000 miles on it! I am not quite used to it yet, but I am getting better. I freak a little with reversing it, but I have figured out how to get between the while lines while parking. I think parallel parking is next, but I am not holding my breath that I will master that any time soon. The SUV is gargantuan!

That’s it for us right now. Think healthy, calmer days for the Bishops!

OK - I only think my truck is as cool as the one in the last post.

This is what my truck looks like - still. Thanks to thieves that only break a few things that are not noticeable to the naked eye.

Well...

Truck's back. Final cost: $850. No signs of damage. I have aged a lifetime in the week that this ordeal has taken from me. Oh well. The family is safe. We're healthy. We're warm this Christmas and there is food in the pantry.

Merry Christmas to you all (including all you random web stalkers out there). We your family (thanks for reading, Mom) and your friends wish you a wonderful day commemorating our Savior's birth.