V.I.P.

A couple of weeks ago, Caleb was selected to be the class V.I.P. for the week.  It is quite an honor and one that each kiddo in Caleb's class will have bestowed upon him/her by the end of the year.  Mrs. Franklin alternates drawing boy and girl names each week to determine the week's V.I.P.  The kiddos can NOT wait for their turn to be in the spotlight. 

As I drove up to the school, the massive smile across Caleb's face told me that something pretty special had happened to him that day.  And when I saw the large stuffed dog that he was holding in his arms, I was pretty sure I knew just what it was.   Charlie was coming home with us for the weekend!

If any of you are familiar with The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, and her website, blog, and cook book, then you might already know Charlie-The Ranch Dog.  He is her beloved basset hound and even has his very own book written about him.  He just so happens to be Mrs. Franklin's 1st grade class's mascot (well, the stuffed version of him is anyway).  When you get chosen as the class V.I.P., you get an extra special visitor for the weekend.   Actually, you get two extra special visitors, because super cool Pete the Cat also comes along for the trip.

The boys totally rolled out the welcome mat for Charlie and Pete.  They made them their very own beds and gave them food bowls.  Seth even made them their own special pizza, made lovingly of paper, so they wouldn't be left out on our pizza night.  Charlie and Pete got to go on two playdates with the boys, climb trees, ride bikes, color, read, watch TV, and I am sure played Legos.  It was a pretty full weekend, to say the least, and our visitors were pretty much treated like royalty.  We were very sad to see them go on Monday morning. 

Just to note, if taking care of stuffed pets is any indication of how my kids would take care of a real-life furry creature, then I am one step closer to being sold on the idea of getting the boys a dog. However, our visitors had no "real" needs so I am pretty sure that it was nowhere near a realist gauge, even though it was really sweet to see how seriously they took having a couple of "pets" for the weekend.

Caleb had to write in his journal about Charlie's visit and include a picture of something fun they got to do together..  He also go to make a pretty cool "All About Me" poster to share with his class on Monday.  On Tuesday, he brought his favorite book to share with the class.  On Thursday, Caleb got to have a special V.I.P. lunch and invite someone to join him.  I knew that he would want his Daddy to come to lunch with him, but of all the weeks for Eric to be out of town (And Eric is NEVER out of town during the week), it was this one.  I usually eat lunch with Caleb once a week at school, so I figured me coming would not be anything extraordinary, so I brought with me a couple of surprises.  Caleb's buddies', Jacob and Nathan, are homeschooled and live right around the corner from Caleb's school, so I thought we would be able to work it out.  I also knew having lunch with them in the middle of the week AT SCHOOL would be a very unexpected treat.  Along with their Momma, the Bowden boys helped make Caleb's lunch extra special!

My favorite part of the V.I.P. week, though,  was what Eric and I got to do for Caleb on Wednesday.  Mrs. Franklin asked us to write a letter about Caleb, so she could read it to him in front of his classmates.  It could be funny, serious, and include something that the class might night know about Caleb.


Below is our letter to our Biz:

February 21, 2012

Dear Caleb (aka Biz),

We certainly named you appropriately when we named you Caleb, which means “Bold and Brave.”  You are definitely both of those things.  From the day you were born, you have had little fear and when it comes to physical challenges, you have had NO fear.  You love climbing trees, climbing mountains, and you have been riding roller coasters since you were three-years-old.  You are one of the bravest people we have ever known.  You are a protector, very strong, and a brave Warrior for God.

Caleb, you have been active from the start and ready for any new adventure that comes your way.  That is one of the things we love most about you.   Although it has not always been easy to keep up with you, it has been a lot of fun trying.  We always say that you came running into the world and have never stopped!  You were crawling when you were five months old and walking at nine months old.  You are so full of life and it shows in how much you absolutely LOVE life!  You have so much energy and use that in many ways, especially in play and in helping others.  

Caleb, you are such a blast to hang out with.  You are creative, fun, and have such a vivid and exciting imagination. You are never at a loss for having friends to play with, because you are just so good at playing.  More importantly, you are a faithful friend.  “Faithful” is another meaning of your name.  You are kind and respectful and just a great kiddo.  Your little brother absolutely adores you and is your biggest fan!

Caleb, you love Jesus and He loves you very much more.   And to Him we are so grateful, because He allowed you to be in our family.  We are so thankful for you and love you so very much!

With all of our love,

Mom and Dad

What a fun week!