Snow In July

Amazingly, in our home today, there was a snowstorm. Albeit, a mostly pink snowstorm made of feathers pulled off a boa, and other dress-up remains. Don't ask me what inspired this weather phenomena, except for the need to have "Utah in Texas". At least they were being creative, and while it was a big mess, it could have been a lot worse. (I disliked cleaning up the spilled milk this morning from a cereal bowl more than this mess.)

On another note, my large headed child is still topping the charts, but not quite as much as last time. At this well baby check, her head size only measured in the 85 percentile, instead of the 92nd. A small improvement due to the fact that her head hasn't grown since the last well baby check. Maybe the rest of the body is finally catching up.

Also, in an effort to cut costs in the home, we downgraded our satellite a few months back. Sadly, no more ESPN (or TLC or the Disney channel which I was bummed about). But anyways, we've had to find other new exciting shows to watch since the Sports Center tune (da-nuh-na, da-nuh-na...you know how it goes) has not been heard in our home for quite some time now. We've enjoyed The King of Queens and Everybody Loves Raymond reruns, and I took a liking to 10:00 pm Fear Factor (which my husband has deemed to hoochie with the girls in bikinis and all, so that show really won't fly most of the time if he's home or awake), and we also at times like the Food Network. I'm getting to a point- I promise! Well, we now have a new channel that may slowly become our favorite late night spot. You'll never guess...Animal Planet! Sounds lame, I know. But we really are liking it! How embarrassing is that! I really shouldn't be blogging this, huh!?! But oh well- the people on the shows are sometimes so crazy, and it is educational. And that is also about the closest I would like to get to some of those animals considering my great dislike for most wild species. So, if you're ever bored at night, you should try it out. I know it's just a matter of time before ESPN returns. There's no way my hubby can go without it during football season! And then, sadly:), we will most likely not be viewing the big AP (Animal Planet) quite as often.

Don't You Just Love It When People Ruin A Good Picture (compliments of my brother and my high school friend)!!!

American Idol, The Mother of All Tantrums, and Pics

So I guess I should never try out for American Idol. At least Elle humors me and lets me sing to her. But sometimes when I try to sing to Mya, she says "no, no, (etc)". Maybe she's trying to tell me something. I don't know how I ever made Chamber Singers (not a thing Jake thinks I should brag about). I think Todd felt bad for me. Anyways, if Mya's critique of singing is correct, I feel bad for whoever sits in front of me at Church.

Secondly, who would have ever thought she had it in her. I mean Elle can throw tantrums with the best of them. But Mya?!?! Well today Mya definitely reached a new peak on her scale of tantrums. For some reason she did not want me to put a swimmer diaper on her. When on, she was trying to get it off. In order to dress the child I had to put my leg over her to keep her from moving away. Don't ask me what the big issue was today about the swimming attire...Maybe I'm raising a nudist or a skinny dipper! If anyone was walking by our house around 4:00 today, they would have thought the child was being put through some cruel torture. But don't be alarmed, she was just getting dressed. And then I bet you can imagine how easy it was to get her in the carseat after that one. You would never believe that someone that small could be so strong or put up such a fight!

Last, but not least, for the ultimate Kauai photo extravaganza, click http://groups.msn.com/TheGruwellFamily/pictures. Hopefully this works. If not, just type in the site. Let me know if there are problems- I never claim to be a computer genius!

Why am I still awake???

Back and At 'Um

So these are just a few pics from the wonderful trip. I'll post more on our website someday (I still haven't even finished unpacking so cross your fingers that I will get that done before Christmas). I am officially rejoining the blogging world after my long sabbatical, and it's great to be back. I'm sorry if I've missed anything important in anyone's past blogs, but I can't guarantee I will get around to reading all of the missed entries. It really was kind of nice to be in paradise for a little bit. Although, my mom had it right when she said that when you are on vacation as a mom, you are just doing the same things you always do, but in a different location. And to be honest, Hawaii ranks right up there in the top choices of places to perform mom duties. While I won't pretend that everything on the trip was perfect (I did spend some quality time with Mya in a small bathroom in the middle of the night watching Dora and had to pay a hefty fine to the library for lost DVD's), I have to admit that you may become jealous when you view all the pictures. For anyone who hasn't been, put Kauai on your places to go list. If you like the beach, you won't regret it!

On another note, I have a little complaint to make. Besides the fact that the Pinecrest neighborhood pool is the ghetto, they made a nice new rule that you cannot wear arm floaties at the pool. They aren't coastguard approved. So you're telling me that it's safer to have my kids there without floaties than with them on??? Come on now! Whatever happened to the days of rusty metal playground equipment? How did we survive without 5-point carseats? Pretty soon our kids won't be able to leave the house without helmets.

Blogger Hybernation

I admit it...I'm becoming a blog-a-holic. Three posts in one day is a little extreme I know. But I have so many fun pictures to share on America's birthday. We went to some bbq's, had lots of fun, did some fireworks, ate really great food, and made a big mess (what else is new??)! So I have to close by saying Aloha to all, and I am now entering a period of blogger hybernation (I stole the word off another blog- thought it was cute!). I'm off to the beach...

"On the 8th of November"

So actually, it's the 4th of July, but I really like that new country song. And it is sort of patriotic, so it is fitting. Anyways, I would just like to say what my sis and I say...Happy Birthday America! We were reminded of this very important holiday as our neighbors so kindly were lighting fireworks a little before 2 am this morning. We had a great ward breakfast and parade this morning. More festivities to come as we go bbq hopping. Hopefully I get my packing done.
On another note, it is someone's very important half birthday today. Watch out nursery...Here she comes!

If only it were this easy...

In an attempt to pack for our upcoming trip, Elle helped out by packing a few important things in her backpack. Some of the highlights were sunglasses and rings. If only packing were that easy! (I'm actually avoiding that task right now- blogging is just so much more fun!)

Do you ever have one of those days...

Where you feel like banging your head against the wall? (That's a little violent- maybe pulling your hair out sounds better???) Anyways, I guess it really is my own fault. The day started off good enough; I got to go to the temple, and Jake watched the kids. Came home, watched end of soccer game with Jake, and then he was off to study. My plan was for me to take the kids to the pool at some time. Well, it rained, thunder, lightning and all, and so we ended up at the house. I think we were all very cooped up. Elle was tired and cranky. Mya cried because big sis was having a hard time playing nice. I had a headache and hot flashes (aren't I too young for those???) I paid some bills which is never fun. Ok, enough complaining- I could go on, but I'll spare you. That's what we get for hanging around the house all day. AHHHH! So they watched Arthur many times today, and hopefully we'll survive until Jake gets home. It was one of those days where you just wanted the time to fly by. Enjoy the happy pics from the day: Jake in his Portugal jersey (he served there on the mission), Mya wearing my shoes, and the girls watching Arthur.