Christmas Cheer

The Grohs family is at it again and nothing says Grohs like the holiday season. Our Christmas cards are officially out again before the population says it's appropriate and our whole house is a buzz with lights and holiday smells. We cut our tree today with the neighborhood at our favorite Roberts Christmas Tree Farm and Elena and Michael have received their Portable North Pole greetings from Santa. I believe I'm 98% done shopping and we are packed for Cabo San Lucas (leaving in five short days).

Yep, it's safe to say, things are status quo. Now, it's time to relax and enjoy the season...with Corona's and shrimp baskets.

Novembrrr....

Oh, it's still Crazytown, USA around here. We've been sick as dogs, Daddy ran his first (and last)marathon, we've seen the Beauty and the Beast musical, Yo Gabba Gabba, watched the neighbor kids overnight and been altogether nutty.

I wonder if these kids will someday think their own children have so much more than they did...but it doesn't seem possible. We are all so blessed.

We eagerly await the holiday season and our upcoming Mexican vacation. Ay, ay, ay!

Spooktacular

Meet Richard Simmons and the Winter Princess. It's understandable if you guffaw. I think it's safe to say young Michael's costume won the heart and laughs of many this year. He owned that character...marching up to doors and though he often forgot to say, "Trick or Treat," he did proudly tell each homeowner that he was, "Rishard Simmowns." Then he'd gallop away, singing, "I'm a pony!"



Elena was a lovely princess, but I believe Michael is this year's official, Hallo-weenie. What a riot.

Ready or not...

October, though not a particularly chilly month this year, has brought us the coveted beginnings of the holidays and Elena and Michael are prepared for the first of those holidays, with their Halloween costumes ready to go. Though they both got a kick out of Papa's mask (as seen), this is not the costume either will don on all Hallow's eve...stay tuned for more on that.

For now, Elena has adjusted to her six year old duties and though she continues to have trouble with excessive talking in Kindergarten, she is improving in soccer and attitude at home (Thank you, Love and Logic). She was also awarded a special necklace for raising $30 for the PTA from her lemonade stand proceeds (seen below with neighbor and best pal, Kelsey). It was a proud day and she felt very grown up.

Michael has developed his own little sassy pants and loves to hit his sister in the face. Though I have to say, his rage is rare and he is still the calmest two-year old boy I've seen. He wakes in the morning to lay many kisses on his Mommy and profess his love. He gets forgiven some things for this, I admit.

Mommy and Daddy have each had a girls and boys weekend away (respectively) and though I'd love to show some photos from Daddy's weekend, nothing seems to exist (snicker). Daddy also started his MBA program on Thursday and we're just beginning to get a taste. I remain very excited for him and equally nervous about the impact on the family. I'm hoping we all adjust soon.

That's all for now...time is increasingly limited and I need to start the annual Blog Book and Photo Albums for the kids. Ready or not, here those holidays come!

Gumdrops and lollipop sticks...A Candyland party, Elena is six!

Well, our girl is officially six. She enjoyed her birthday morning and all the way through the Saturday Candyland extravaganza. I think she'll remember it all for the rest of her life. From the iPod to the welcoming of 30 children to our home to indulge in silliness and candy buffets, it was certainly a party fit for a big girl.

Buck

So it's almost Fall and I couldn't be happier to see it cool down and welcome the season. We have a fabulous Mexican vacation in the near future and it'll be the ideal time to get away and when we return, we shall do so in the weather we adore. Cabo San Lucas ought to be perfect this time of year too. In the meantime, young Michael is growing (literally..at about 36 lbs) and thriving. He is pure joy. His vocabulary is expansive and his spirit is like none I've seen in a little boy. He loves to cuddle and hug and he reminds us all to laugh and hug and be grateful.

He is my little buddy and I can't imagine a life without him.

Elena, the amazing five- (going on 20) year old.

Elena's new thing...A secret 'passage-way' to her friend, Kelsey, who lives next door...They pass notes and 'wishes' (aka tree leafy things) to eachother through the fence. It's insanely cute and the kind of play I love to see. The creative stuff. The stuff that makes you feel so secretive and special and girly. I remember it as a kid and the feeling of having forts and special secret pathways...My little girl is SO growing up. And with SIX looming in a few days, I find myself staring at her with nostalgia and pride. My baby, my La, my tiny adult...how I love you. (and P.S...Elena MADE this framed vase with my Mom for my birthday. She even pressed the flowers for the vase. So we framed it and hung it on the wall).