Spring, Swim Lessons, Soccer, Sleep Overs, Smiles,
Sun, Summer, End Of School Party, Cheer, Sickness, Sun, and For Sale!

We've been oh so busy these last couple of months but I'll fill you in a little.
Over General Conference Weekend Toad-o joined our family. I can neither confirm nor deny how long he stayed or weather he lived but he is no longer with his as of the next day! Caleb was disappointment in the most DRAMATIC way, of course! Also, over General Conference Weekend the sun finally came! Hope, hope for an awesome summer!!- oh Caleb took out his first tooth!
Swim Lessons continued... what you cant see is the cow girl boots that are worn with the beautiful git up! Every Tuesday and Tuesday this is what Ainsley looked like walking into the Matt Ross Center. She did really good Passing Preschool 2 and moving onto Wave 1! Caleb passed Wave 1 and Wave 2 and gets to do Wave 3!! Way to go Griners!

The minute spring was officially coming into summer we were ready! Ready for summer weather... So happy! We got to spend Easter with Andy's sister's family and drove down to Windsor. Of course, not just the Easter Bunny came but Caleb took out his second tooth so the tooth fairy came also. Of course!

Soccer over took our spring...every Tuesday Wednesday and Saturday. Caleb was actually really good!

He used his down time to wiggle his teeth loose...of course!

Aubrey loved soccer. And her July birthday put her with the 7 year olds! We asked her if she like Monday cheer or soccer best and she said it was too close to tell!!

Oh the thing kids do at school! I was a bit surprise to receive calls talking about a sleep over at my house the upcoming Friday! Say what??! Oh my daughter is so excited, said the moms! Say what??! Well, okay...I can do it. Ice cream, put some tinker bell fruit snacks in pop corn, make your own crown, laughing, chase each other, Tangled, stories, songs...7 girls...

lots of laughing, lots of screaming, lots of ohs, and hahas! Lights out by 10:40 and I heard actually snoring by 10:50! I was shocked!! But 5am came and they were awake...I made them wait until 6 but they were rearing to go!!! Lots of pancakes, 18 eggs, a thing of bacon!! Yum Yum!!! Girl Time...I think I totally passed it off! Tater the Terror!!!End of the Year Party!!! Candy Bar Game, Dance Freeze, Present Game...good bye Kindergarten!!!Grandpa and Grandpa Clark flew up for a visit and Grandma helped with final homework!They took us to T-Rex! They took the kids to a play place, baby sat the kids Friday night, and had lunch with Aubrey at school on Friday during the day!!Ainsley took the digging for fossils very seriously

Grandpa did lots of wrestling!

Its Summer...Pool time and Ainsley is a swimmer. We spend most of our days at the pool and the other night a friend took the 3 older kids for the majority of the night after 30 minutes of being home she fell asleep bum up in the air! HA!

Tate..I am starting the think he has spent the last year and a half of his life watching, observing, and silently taking note...because he is so quick to cause disaster. Category 10. He can get into Andy's protein powder and 10 minutes later dump out 3 big containers of spices directly after he will wash his hands in the toilet! Blame it on his ear infections or the fact that he has thrown up almost ever day since January but he is driving me crazy!!! At 32 pounds he is built low to the ground and can move surprisingly fast! He can also say No fast! He wont go to Nursery, he will walk right into the deep end at the pool, and he finds a way out of the back yard every change he gets! He IS OUT OF CONTROL! He does take naps though, every day at noon. Best 2 hours of the day. 2 hours of clean quietness (well, it would be if Caleb, Ainlsey, Aubrey napped but beggars cant be choosers!)

Terror of the Pool!
Dun Dun Dun!!The Tater loves the pool and since it takes up most of our Tuesdays and Thursdays I thought I'd share. Caleb is a Wave 1 graduate!! On to Wave 2. He is constantly testing the patience of the life guards doing "illegal" flips but he says he is just practicing for summer;) Ainsley is swimming underwater, on her back, and is the best belly flopper in town but must repet Preschool 2. Thats okay. We still have 3 more months until Summer! Tate is too young for winter swim lessons but likes to walk out (not holding onto anything) into the middle of the water until it comes up to his nose and just stand there, looking around. He likes to just look around and then come back. He loves the turtle slide and with is short statue and large weight he flys fast!!!!!!! We love the pool!! We Aubrey has the chance to come with us, she loves the lazy river and the hot tub! We are quite a group!!! We will start up with swim lessons at the end of the month...until then...watch out for Tater of the POOL!!!

To the couch...:the term most often used this past month to describe the placement of the laundry.
(I had a picture of 11 loads of unfolded laundry on the couch...it was bad, that is only picture of 4 loads...thank goodness its taken care of now!)

This past month the big 26 was celebrated, along with multiple sickness' from children and husband, daily changes in the weather, and my own personal struggle we have had not a so good start to 2011. It has been rough, hence the few blogs and few pictures. We are here and we do have wonderful moments but there has been a cloud. Now that the cloud (metaphor) is clearing (minus the actual snow in the upcoming forecast:) hopefully, the pictures will start rolling and the blog with hop back into place. With the excitement of the big 26...closer to 30 not 20! I am a 26 year old mother of 4, living in Kansas with 3 kids at home and 1 in all day kindergarten. I haven't slept through the night in 6.5 years, I attend or host weekly play groups, swim lessons, cheer, up coming soccer, nightly homework, notes from the teacher, and having a child with a learning disability seems to challenge me on a daily hourly basis. I am surrounded by little people but lately I feel so alone. Its okay really. The spilled milk, super glue incident, leaving the hair gel in reach, and "what does that mean?" keeps me extremely busy. Someone is always laughing BUT someone seems to always be crying? And of course, now that the oldest two know how to sound out words spelling "secret" words to Andy is definitely SOOOOOOOOOOO 2 months ago! I do not seem to remember my mom saying being an adult was so hard? She never seemed tired, never complained, always had the laundry done, and her cinnamon rolls and seminary lessons were the bomb!!
Anyway, 10 years ago hanging out with the Stahura's or the Mullikin's was the biggest decision I had to make. First dates, driving the POS Rosebud to Shalimar, working the front window or as a runner, and how many friends we could fit in the wagon for the dance was top priority! HA! If I would have been asked where I would be 10 years from then I would have probably said married with a bunch of kids. Check...BUT I probably would have pictured it much easier with lots of sleep and my kids always clean and always happy!
Now, if you ask me: In 10 year what do I want? Well, Aubrey will be 16 (WO!), with no more babies it would be nice to start the school thing AND it will be nice to sleep through the night!! I know my children are destined for greatness. They have incredible souls, spirits, and hearts. If we can just make it to next fall without any more disaster, we're going to be just fine:) Although, if the next 10 year can be just a little bit easier that would be beneficial!
I guess the point of all of this is that I wouldn't change where I am, I love it. Even though I often feel alone I do sometime beg for some alone time..sneak into the shower and try to relax only to have Ainlsey flush the toilet (leaving me burning!!!!), Caleb running in crying because he poked his 2 eyes with his own finger, and Andy coming in frustrated because I am not using the fan he just fix after a year of me nagging! Its all just a crazy wonderful mess but I love it.
"We'll all grow up some day. We mine as well know what we want!"-says Amy on Little Women

Onto happiness...
On Tuesday after swim lessons we rushed to IHOP with the Nash family and Bethany for Free Pancakes! I wasn't sure what I had gotten myself into with 3 wild kids in a restaurant without a playplace. But the kids were wonderful and FREE FOOD!!!QUIET.... HAPPY....
(yes, Caleb is left handed...we really don't know..who really knows...he changes every day!) AND VERY HUNGRY....
Ainsley ate that entire plate of bacon and pancakes. Tate did too. Caleb ate most of his until he couldn't help himself any longer and doused the rest with a lake of syrup!! He was happy to have his Buddy Cello there!

The weather was so wonderful too! It was an almost perfect day!! We are looking forward to Spring Break, my sister STEFFANEY coming home from her mission, Easter, and SUMMER!!! It's gonna be BIG!!!
**great awesome surprise news..Aubrey bore her testimony for the first time last Sunday (it just happened to be my dad's 51st birthday too)! So proud!

The Tater's New Words: Baby Girl (I think just because we are surround by them and because he got to home one last Sunday)
Dance
(D)OGGY
Poop Yuck
Hungry
Cracky Peese
Gum
Ball
Light
Fan
Hair
Ouch
Go GoodBye

Goodbye January, Hello February

To say that January was a bad month for us Griners was an understatement. We never really recovered from our Christmas sickness'. Instead we were overrun by "THE DOUBLE EAR INFECTION!" We did still manage to have a good new years. We got the kids really excited... Set all of our clocks ahead 4 hours so when "midnight" hit the kids went outside, banged pots and pans, sang the New Year song, danced, and had a speacial treat!!! Woot Woot to 2011!
Aubrey was excited to go back to school but with the upcoming PTC with the Principal, Teacher, Speech Therapist, Reading Therapist, and Psychologist I was less then excited. The meeting did go well, the correct interventions are put in place, and the next meeting is scheduled for the end of February! Aubrey started Cheerleading again, received her first trophy, and is group leader!!
Caleb went to his first pre-Kindergarten get together. For all the kindergartners for fall 2011! I was very excited and although he was a little overwhelmed at first he was glad to have his neighbor friend Nathan by his side!
Ainsley started up Preschool again. Adding another mom/child and house. After a long Christmas break getting Ainsley out of her footsie's just wasn't going to happen so I put a skirt over her footsies and called it a morning!!
Tater..has been sick but happy. His ear infections have not been able to heal or improve but his speach is incredible! Aubrey, KK, pee, Banana's, Go Bye, Ball..I hear him all day long! He loves to dance, and does really well with his breathing instrument as long as he gets to hold the piece that goes in his mouth! He loves to hug, hide, and he carries his pillow pet everywhere! We spent January going to the Johnson County Museum with friends and we were surprised with a big birthday party on the 28th along with a new painting! We have been without a main floor tv for 2 months now. I will say that I miss my morning Sesame Street and Syd the Science Kid! But is it so much more peaceful without it.

2 Snow Days and a "Too Cold" for school day...left me almost wishing that tv was back in the family room.The kids like the snow for about 30 minutes. The decision that sand is much more enjoyable was unanimous! Burrrrr!

After a week being stuck instead we decided to get out of the house and head into KC for the free Exhibit!

Tate was a little unsure about the uneven ground!

We are excited to have January gone. The snow is still here but it wont be much longer until Spring is here!!! Caleb and Ainsley both get to participate in preschool now and they are both signed up for swimming lessons!! Its going to be a fun February!!

Christmas Eve lost...Christmas day sick
For some reason all of the pictures from Christmas Eve are on a memory chip that is lost...But we sure did have fun! Andy worked Christmas Eve morning and then we headed down to Windsor for the usual Dinner, Christmas Nativity Program, and Presents!! The kids did pretty good this year as Mary, Jospeh, and the Angel...with Paul as the narrator!
The kids enjoyed the many presents from there Griner Grandparents and Aunt Judy and ate lots and lots of Black Berry Cheese Cake. On the drive home that night Aubrey was so excited...telling Caleb and Ainsley all about the excitement of Christmas Morning! 30 minutes from home excitement turned into the stomach flu for Tate. So for most of the night we rotated between holding him close and showers. Tate did not handle being sick very well and it was hard to get him to calm down. How could we not feel bad for poor Tater though!!!! We tried our best to set everything out and get everything ready!Our sad sad sad tree. Only the top half was decorated but it was a sad looking tree decorated or not.At midnight the fun began...Aubrey started throwing up...every 30 minutes all early morning!!By the time it was time to wake up, we finally got Tate to fall asleep. Ainsley was so excited (wearing the pj's she got from my parents and her tinker bell dress from Andy's parents)....down the stairs they went!!!
It might as well have been the best day of Ainsley's life! She loved everything, and was excited about everyone's gifts, and it was just wonderful to watch her!!

Aubrey was so very sick. Every 15 minutes she required the assistance of the ugly green trash can...she was pretty much out of it all morning.

Caleb was ready to destroy and the fact that Santa gave him Bakugans after Mom/Dad said no more made him very happy!

Tate woke up mid-present opening and was not happy. Still sick and NOT happy!

Not even Tate being sick and cranky could crash Ainsley magical excitement!!
Ainsley used her new Elmo doctor kit to try and make Tate feel better!

As soon as the presents were open Aubrey went to bed, waking up in the evening to be excited all over again!
Aubrey spent the rest of Christmas night cutting, drawing, and coloring...those scissors 10 minutes later were what she used to chop off the front of her hair!
Later on Christmas Night Ainsley got sick followed by Caleb. It wasn't exactly the Christmas we had imagined but it will definitely be one that we remember!!

2 days after Christmas everyone was all better and ready to play outside. Tate likes to sneak outside and jump/fall all over the trampoline!!

We have survived 2010...it was not a good year for scissors or stamps. We did have a lot of fun and as we grow older we get to experience new things like...swim lessons, sleepovers, and loose teeth. 2010 will be the year we made friends and lots of them!!! Caleb learned a little Hebrew, Ainsley finally started to go to Nursery, and Aubrey's cheer team made regionals!!
Ending with the flu was like ending with a big bang!!! GOOD BYE 2010!!!Hopefully, we wont be so cranky in 2011!!!

The Griner Family 2010

This year our yellow brick road has lead us through moments of stress, laughter, and messes. Along with our new discoveries, new milestones, and new priorities came obstacles and a party at every corner!! Sickness flooded our winter, therapy and evaluations challenged our spring, the pool overtook our summer, and the trampoline has been the highlight of our fall!

Andrew (31)- He loves going to work. He devotes himself to his patients and in September received the “Whatever It Takes Award” for going above and beyond to serve and take care of his patients! He has also enjoyed the occasional daddy/daughter date night!

Aubrey (6)- She loves kindergarten and she loves being 6! There is hardly a day that goes by without one of her friends coming over to play and she loves her weekly Cheerleading practice!! She spends her free time being a great big sister and drawing for hours! She loves swimming at the pool (in the deep end) and even went off the high dive!!! She especially loves her SHORT hair which she did herself! Aubrey loves going to church and at her school Thanksgiving program when she was asked what she was thankful for she said loud and clear “Jesus and Heavenly Father!” She is a wonderful example for her brothers and sister. Although, math seems to be hard for her we were excited to know that she was released from the IEP program.
Caleb (5)- Where do I start!!!! He never sleeps, eats non-stop, and learned how to whistle, really loud! He can count to 50, he remembers everything, and begs to do homework. His school teacher described him as kind and wonderful even though he had a tendency to tell jokes and make the class laugh! He loves to swim (even in the deep end) and the life guards were a little shocked to see a short little 4 year old jumping off the diving board!!! He like to do flips on the trampoline and enjoyed participating in karate and flag football!! When it came to football I do not think there was a single practice he didn’t get hurt and he even acquired his first bloody nose! Caleb has such a wonderful heart and in his mind “everyone” is his friend! I didn’t realize how true that was until 44 kids showed up at his birthday party!!! Caleb has made it very clear that he WILL BE a Tornado Chaser when he grows up!
Ainsley (3)- This year has been a big growing year for Ainsley! She has surpassed the 24 pound mark and is growing taller everyday! She loves Elmo, always wears dress up shoes, and she changes her clothes at least 3 times a day! She loves swimming and even swims underwater! In January Ainsley broke her elbow, she loved wearing a cast and was sad to have it taken off 6 weeks later! She loves having her own room, finally started to go to nursery alone, and she loves food. ALL FOOD! Along with attending nursery she also loves going to Preschool 2 times a week!! She has to do everything herself, she loves to build things, and she loves to play with the neighbors.

Tate (1)- Call him what you like…TD, Tater Tot, or Tater. He is a favorite among everyone. Friends from school, friends from church, neighbors, and even adults love to be around Tate! He is wonderful. He loves to clap, dance, jump, and give hi-fives! He weighs 27 pounds and I think it is mostly in his legs and rear end! He loves to say ball, go bye, mom, dad, santa, and hi-five!! He climbs on everything and seems to always have a black eye or bruised cheek but always with a smile! He loved spending time at the pool and goes down the kid slide. We thought he might grow up to be a chubby tackle but now that his obsession with clogging the toilet has started to cause problems (we have removed a mini batman, a domino, a dart, a my little pony, and the top of a toy speed boat all from just ONE clog) he might grow up to be a really chubby plumber! We love our Tater!

Sara (25)- This year I have learned that sometimes I am just right and as a mom I just know best. I have learned that preschool is wonderful and counting down the days until kindergarten 2011 probably isn’t good! I have learned that a $85 summer pool pass not only bought my sanity but a really great tan!! I have learned that craft time can end in cut hair, a broken elbow and cut hair can occur on the same day, and kid stamps are never really used on paper! I have learned that our trampolines can fly…right through our fence, that our pipes from the Washer can freeze, and that sometimes not even a plumbers snake can unclog the toilet! I have learned that every life, every moment, and every day matters. Every uh-oh!, oh no!, and I love you make the growing process that much more entertaining!! After all, our family is forever and there is truly “No Place Like Home!”