Growing Grohs

My babies, darn them. They just won't stop the growing.


It's so obvious with Michael on a daily basis...he knows his colors (pretty much), can count to 1o and has completely stopped uttering, 'mmmm' for 'yes' and instead now says, yes or uh-hum.' Two weeks ago, he said, 'I you' for 'I love you' and today he says, 'I yuv you.' He speaks in 5 word sentences and just yesterday morning woke up to say, 'Me toot. Pancakes.' The kids knows what he wants and yesterday, he wanted to toot and eat. He also climbs into bed on his own and last night, slept there all night (SO rare). He has not once climbed out of his new big boy bed and has done so well without his pacifier...it's only a memory now. Gosh darn kid. His recent 'facial yeast infection,' a result of the old pacifier, is almost gone, but some funny doctor office and remedy photos are posted here.


Elena is ridiculously growing up with fury that fills her pink cheeks and passion that makes her embrace us and pour out words of affection at unusual times. She dresses herself every day and almost never picks out something that looks wrong. In fact, the kid's got style and will add bows, necklaces and the right shoes most of the time. We rode bikes together tonight (while Daddy and Michael went to gymnastics) and as we stopped at the library, she read the 'Open' sign. She does that a lot lately with short words. Kindergarten will propel that ability, but she has a great start and it's nuts. Fairly soon, Ryan and I will have to start finding code words instead of spelling our four letter spewings. Though Elena has her moments, we are finding our way together and I pray that kid grows up with the heart she has now. Pure love. And it goes right back to her.



Pictured here are Elena's lemonade stand at my Mom's a couple months ago...not sure I ever posted. And our weekend trip to Hooverville on Saturday, complete with live rotisserie pig. Makeup on Mommy, Michael's 'facial troubles,' his new train (a pacifier-free gift) and a nice one of my Mom and Dad laughing together. I just like that one.

Bye, Assey.

Today, Michael said goodbye to his pacifier, his "Assey." Honestly, it was too soon in my opinion, but he has a rash that develops from it and it's gotten to be too much to manage all the time. So my brave boy who sleeps in his big boy bed, now does so without a pacifier. Granted, he's only had the one nap and it was rough, but he did it and he's growing up. Please also see his 'fake sleeping' photo, his first drawing of a face, his art project and a family bike ride. He is such a part of this family and I wonder what we ever did without him.

First day of Kindergarten

My Kindergarten baby is anything but...it almost felt anti-climatic (though I wept like it wasn't) because of Junior K last year. She is in the same classroom (20) and Mrs. Carr even helps out in there. Her new teacher is also new to the school and lovely and young. She is Mrs. Boggini and Elena loooooves her. She is in the class with neighbor, Kelsey, with whom we carpool and another child from last year. She seems very comfortable and happy to be there. She grows up so much every day and just this morning, made toast and coffee (she poured cold coffee from yesterday's carafe) and brought it to us in bed this morning. That gal...my goodness, she is loved.

Camp Grohs

I tried. Once upon a time, I loved to camp and I tried to resurrect such a feeling with what sounded like the best place to go, "Ghost Mountain Ranch," conveniently located in Pollock Pines, 30 minutes up the road. It was described as an old ghost town with restaurant, soda fountain, movie theater, pool, trails and more. But the ^%@# place was so huge, our campground was only within driving distance of this, the bathrooms were far and we forgot the mattress. Essentially, we spent the first night sleeping on rocks and I was not feeling well. I hated it. Luckily, one of my besties, Christine and family joined us and she felt the same. So on Saturday, we packed up the little ones (Michael and Gavin) and drove back from the site so Sean and Ryan could keep the girls and finish the camping experience without their lame wives messing it up. And we were as happy as two girls have ever been, sipping wine and giving ourselves face and feet treatments. So I love camping now...as long as night #2 done our way, is always an option. Oh and p.s., the kids loved every minute, though Michael seemed to not know the difference.

Beeg BOYYYYYYeee

Michael is taking major steps away from 'babyhood' these days and his big boy bed is sure evidence of this. We prepared for his first nap and night in the bed with the gate close at hand, but darned if we haven't needed it once. The kid stays put (just like Elena did) and though he still pads in around 11 p.m., we love that and are more than happy with the situation. My baby is growing quickly and is so proud that he is becoming a, "Beeg Boyeeee, Mom."

Catching up is Grohs

My blogging days are still beloved, but admittedly, less frequent than they once were. Elena will start Kindergarten on August 10th and has Mrs. Boggini. She's very excited and eager to start the school year again. Though Kindergarten is such a big deal, I think my tears last year felt like the beginning and I'm less sad to see my baby start this big milestone. She's such a sweet girl and impressed everyone on our Bend trip, by riding her bike miles upon miles with little trouble. She's also becoming a nice little swimmer with more time in the pool this year. Elena really uses bigger words and sentences (even thoughts) than some kids and though she gets it right most of the time, the occasional sentence can cause a lot of laughter. (i.e. On vacation when she said, "Dad, how come Mom is carrying everything and all you have is your beer?" Or, "Mom, am I too adjusted?" (congested).)

She's a ham. And she just folded all the laundry. Blessed, brilliant, child.


And there's Buck. What a sponge that kid is these days. He is singing his ABCs (kind of) and gets to LMNO....(elllemanzo) P before he stops without help. He's huge, of course, and copies everything Elena does. His mannerisms are even hers. Yesterday he told me to "Wait" and he no longer says, "mmm" for yes, but actually says, "Yes or uh-hum." I'd love to upload videos of these acts, but I can't get my phone to do that now. Darn thing. We are close to potty-training, taking the pacifier and putting him in his big boy bed, but not today. Today he is still my baby in diapers with his "assey" and his crib.

Love these kids.

Happy Birthday, Papa.

Our trip to Bend for Papa's 60th may be over, but the pictures say it all. It was a lovely trip with lots to do and enjoy. The memories made make Papa's 60th a total success, I'd say.