more fun stories!

1. At the time I received my calling and after Amy introduced Joseph to President Allen, he asked for clarity, “President Allen ‘Thomas’? Amy’s reply was that he wasn’t the Prophet over the whole Church, such as, President Thomas S. Monson, but instead he was our Stake President in the area where we live. Unfortunately, despite Amy’s best efforts, Joseph’s face grew a look of bewilderment.
2. After a family workout of cycling and taking the boys behind me in a bicycle trailer, we head to a nearby park and I do some lap runs around the soccer court and playground area near the boys. After I finish, they decide to do a workout of their own and they run about a quarter mile screaming and smiling. Oh, just before getting there, I notice that Joseph’s shoes appear to be shrunken and I tell him that he is going to need a new pair because he has been eating all his food so well and is therefore growing so ‘BIG’. He takes this in and decides to do a strut walk into the park joyfully smiling and acknowledging the idea of his growing masculinity.
3. Derek and Amy have been going through some rough potty training this week, but I think Amy is more determined to break him in. She has created a method of positive reinforcement by checking a daily calendar of dry versus wet days. Attached on the chart is a photo of his reward after he is done, a remote control truck. Joseph, who was reading the deal and understanding clearly that this had nothing to do with him, asked if we could also get him one. Amy, not wanting him to feel left out, agreed and made a similar calendar listing small chores, like being nice to Derek. After doing some chores Joseph says, I'm ready for my remote control Monster truck now! Amy says, not yet, you have to do a lot of work first. It will take a few days. Derek’s reply to all of this was, “You gotta keep your underwear dry, Joe!!!”
4. For family night we gave Joseph his own copy of the Book of Mormon since he's a big boy in primary now. He is so proud of it! He sleeps with it and then when he wakes up he brings it to the couch and sits down and says sweetly, "Do you want to read scriptures with me?"
5. Last week Joseph got into trouble a couple times during naptime. He plays quietly in his room while Derek naps in his crib. Well, one day Amy went to check on him and as soon as Amy opens the door our dog Chico comes running out as fast as he can. Amy says, Joseph why is Chico scared? Joseph looks at his bed and says, "There is nothing in here." Hmmm...let me SEE that there is nothing in there. Lo, and behold a pair of scizzors and a ball of fur were confiscated. Needless to say we've had some discussions about scizzors and haircuts!
6. Last night we were preparing to have a family over for dinner and Amy was setting the table. Joseph was upset because she had a purple sippy cup out for Joseph's friend Molly. No, mom, she needs PINK because she is a GIRL! Amy says, but purple is my favorite and I'm a girl. But mom, LITTLE girls like pink!