Mill Creek Elementary School Carnival

October 3rd, 2008

Our neighbor was kind enough to tell us about the local school carnival. I bought tickets and prepared the kids all day for "CARNIVAL FUN". Aubrey and Caleb were extremely excited. I told them about the fun games, bouncy air jump things, and yummy unhealthy food they would see and experience at the carnival!

When we arrived Caleb wasted no time. I was surprise although I shouldn't have been considering his recent brave (dangerous)behavior. Since it wasn't very crowded yet the ticket lady let Caleb go up and down the big slide until he was tire. Little did she know that Caleb would never be tired of such an fun slide! The bribe of food finally pried him away from the bouncy jumpy air slide. Surprisingly Aubrey would not participate. She just watched from a distance.

Ainsley was also very excited for the carnival. She had everything that was required for a fun time... her blanket, "Melanie" the pony, and her sippy cup.We let Caleb get his hair colored! At the carnival the choice of food was superb! Hot dogs, corn dogs, or pizza. Yes, I did let Ainsley try a corn dog. She had the appropriate number of teeth (9)for a supervised sample. She loved it. It was Caleb very first corn dog and he loved it too! Don't you just love Carnivals!!! Ashton and Nathan are a requirement for Griner fun. They are Aubrey and Caleb's neighbor friends. They have only known each other for a short time but you would never know from watching them.

All in all the carnival was a blast! Snow Cones, Popcorn, Soda, 2 hours, and 100 tickets later the parents were tired (kids not so much)!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Ainsley!

What a fun year we have had. Ainsley has been the most gentle, patient, and perfect baby. Her easy going personality and love for music has made her a joy to be around. I rarely see Aubrey and Caleb playing without Ainsley. They are always playing, pretending, and laughing with her.

-Ainsley started sleeping through the night at 6 months (what a surprise since Caleb/Aubrey still do not sleep through the night).

-She started standing/walking while holding onto things at 8 months.

-Her first word was at 11 months and it was MA MA!

-She loves to mimic my actions and gestures. She wakes up, takes a nap, and goes to bed at the same exact time every day!

-She loves to dance and make musical sounds.

-She loves her bunny blanket, stuffed pony "Melanie", and her book.

-She is such a beautiful and wonderful part of my life. I love waking up to her laughter. She is easy to please and she seems to understand simple directions!!!

-She loves to help me load the dryer, she always has to sit on the dishwasher door while I unload/load it, and always has to "take turns".... example: After she takes a bite of her toast she hands it to me for "my turn", I pretend to take a bite, and then I hand it back to her. This continues until the toast is completely gone. If she shakes a toy and hears something fun she hands it to me for "my turn" and then I hand it back to her. So on and so on!

AINSLEYS 1ST BIRTHDAY PARTY!

Grandma and Grandpa Griner came up for the big party. After a yummy dinner we let Ainsley open her presents. Aubrey and Caleb were very excited. They let Ainsley know exactly how this birthday thing was done!

Ainsley loved looking at all of the gifts that surrounded her. Thank goodness for Paul (Grandpa Griner) who was there to take pictures and take all of the toys out of the boxes!

Marlene was kind enough to make a cake and Caleb was kind enough to poke at it and lick it upon arrival.
Ainsley wasn't sure what to do. She tore the cake apart only getting a little bit of it in her mouth! She is not really a cake fan (she must have learned that from Andy).

Her party was a lot of fun. We love our little Ainlsey and look forward to the upcoming year!

My life with a Caleb.

I think that every mom needs a Caleb. In the past three weeks he has been in the hospital 2 times and has had 1 really close call!

Let me start....When life is hard, it is really hard.

It is either good or really bad. There seems to be no middle ground for The Griners.

Our car was in the shop, our computer crashed, and Andy's pay check was stolen all at the end of week 1.

Week 2 went fairly smooth until early one morning when Caleb got hurt. Right away I knew something was wrong when he lost all use of his arm and his tears did not stop. So after talking to Caleb's doctor Children's Mercy South was our destination. The doctor said it was Nurse Maids Elbow and he pushed the bone back into the socket. Ouch!

Last week (week 3). Thursday Caleb was standing on the kitchen table chair. He slipped, fell,and hit his mouth. He bit all the way through his lower lip. ALL THE WAY THROUGH! His lip was so swollen that he couldn't eat or talk. By Saturday his lower lip was all better. He was back to his normal self (crazy, into everything, and refusing to take a nap). He was playing behind the couch on Ainsley bike and somehow slid down the 3 stairs that lead to our basement. I ran to him and picked him up. Blood, Blood, and more Blood. I just couldn't get the blood to stop. Caleb kept yelling "My teeth are gone Mommy!". There was so much blood I couldn't really see. He finally let me touch his mouth and I discovered that his two front teeth were pushed back and up into his gums. His mouth was still bleeding allot so back to Children's Mercy South we went. The doctor said they do not really do stitches in the mouth because it heals so quickly, he told me to go home try to "gently" push his teeth back into place, call my dentist (Paul, Andy's dad), and keep him from doing any harm to his mouth for the next week. When we got home Andy pushed the teeth back into place and we waited 3 days(we needed to see if his teeth would tighten or if his mouth would reject them). Trying to keep Caleb from hitting his mouth is IMPOSSIBLE! Since he has been hurt he has hit his mouth on everything! The good news is that it has been almost a week and his teeth have tightened!

The picture above is 5 days after he got hurt. It looks much better. It is still purple but his lips and gums aren't swollen anymore!!

MY MORNING WITH CALEB AND AINSLEYThis morning while Aubrey was at school I took Caleb/Ainsley to run errands. We did really well...Target (why do my children still get excited about the big red "balls" in front of Target?) and then Sam's Club. Caleb carried this big thing of Cheese Balls all through Sam's Club. We walked around for over 40 minutes looking at all of the Halloween/Christmas Decorations and the new fun toys coming out for Christmas. Caleb never got tired. He held onto the case of Cheese Balls for dear life. The pumpkin....

Caleb has been bugging me for a pumpkin for weeks. I am not sure why he is so interested in them but he is. When we were walking into Sam's Club Caleb asked "Mommy, can we please get a pumpkin in this store. Please Mommy, I would like a big mean pumpkin!"

I said "Okay." I honestly thought Sam's Club wouldn't sell pumpkins. I do not want to deal with such a big mess so I have been hesitant to buy one. When we walked into Sam's Club there they were.....BIG HUGE PUMPKINS. I had never seen pumpkins so big. Caleb was so happy. He let me know exactly which one he wanted. I tried everything I could to change his mind but it just wasn't happening. So I left Sams Club with Milk, trash bags, macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, granola bars, a BIG PUMPKIN, and a BIG THING OF CHEESE BALLS!

Caleb's first day of "special" school.

For the last week I have been thinking of a way to target Caleb's "destructive" behavior (example: toilet paper all over the bathroom floor, peanut butter all over his shirt and the cabinet, my folded laundry thrown all over the floor,....the list could go on and on)into something more positive. Since Aubrey has started school I thought it would be the perfect time for Caleb to have "special" school at home with me. My mom gave me a bunch of preschool books and I planned my lessons for the rest of the week. I couldn't wait for today to start so that I could try this out on Caleb. Well, today started at 3am. Ainsley is still sick and very sad. Every hour after 3 my energy slowly faded and I became less enthusiastic about starting Caleb's school. By the time Aubrey and Caleb woke up all my energy was gone and Ainsley was still crying. After Aubrey had been dropped off at school the words "Don't just think about it, Do it" kept running through my mind. So, I put Caleb's new shoes on him (I figured that if I made Caleb wear shoes for his school time it would feel more special for him)and sat him up to the table.
Caleb was so excited. He took it very seriously and seemed to soak in every minute. We read a Curious George book on Making Pancakes!

Then I help Caleb make Pancakes. He loved it.

After he ate his yummy pancakes it was time to clean up.

The last part of "special" school was pretend time. I found a cheap batman mask and Walmart and he pretended to be Super Caleb while I cleaned Aubreys room.

I am so glad that I did this. He has been so wonderful and helpful all day. When school was over he took his new shoes off, put them away, and then told me all about what he did. When we picked up Aubrey Caleb made sure tell Aubrey everything he did at HIS "special" school!

What do you do at 6am?


Caleb has been waking up every 2 hours every night for the last 3 weeks. Why? I do not know (maybe because he loves me so much) but you would think he would at least sleep in. No!!! At 6am yesterday morning this is what I heard. The banging of pots and pans. That was enough for me.... that afternoon I finished painting my cabinet fronts and had Andy screw them back on. Child proof at last!!!

Today after church the kids took a long nap!! They were very excited to wake up and find the pizza ready to for topping!!!

Ainsley watched from a distance because she has the flu. She is a very sad little "almost" one year old. We hope that tomorrow she will be feeling a little better and her fever will be down.

I thought the kids would throw the toppings on the pizza and smother it with excitement. But they took their time. Placing each topping piece by piece.

50% of the toppings that Caleb was suppose to add to the pizza landed in his mouth!

TA DA!

Yum! It was a great family evening! Now that the kids are getting older they understand things better and love to help. Now all I have to do is get them to help with the dishes and life would be perfect.

*I would like to add that we have been called to Nursery. Again. I have been in Nursery since Aubrey started and Andy soon joined me. I think we hold a church record. Oh well, we only have 8 kids (one is Caleb, who is awful for us... I will count down the weeks until he is in primary) and Ainsley has a blast!!!

FIRST DAY OF PRE-K

Yesterday I went to the Pre-K school and met with Aubrey's Principal, Teacher, Nurse, and the student teacher. I went into her classroom and if ever I have had deja vu it would have been that moment. Sitting there listening to them talk about "Centers", "Criss Cross Apple Sauce", School Pictures, Recess, and the "Scholastic Book Club" made me a little teary eyed! I looked around the room and saw the class hamster, circle time, and rows of little desks. A chalk board with the ABC's, a painting center, and little name tags on everything! The teacher went over the "Core" curriculum, how much school lunches were, and showed me the new "Progress Report Cards!" I wanted to look around for my mom! I keeped thinking how can I possible be old enough to have a daughter starting school. I do not think I am ready. Have I taught her everything she needs to know? Have I told her how I love her and how proud of I am of who she has become at such a little age? This is crazy!!!Well, this morning finally came. Aubrey was so excited. It took me 30 minutes of begging but I finally conviced her not to wear a fluffy dress or skirt with dress shoes. Of couse she had to have her nails painted, hair curled, and lip gloss on. She wanted to wear a clip, bow, and head band but I was able to talk her into just one. She said "Oh Mom, I had such good dreams about school!"

Her new backpack was a big hit!

Since Aubrey was ready for school an hour too early she waiting excitedly on the couch asking/saying every 3 minutes "MOM, WE ARE GOING TO BE LATE. Are we going to be late? I do not want to be late MOM!" (I would just like to add that this morning was the first time EVER that Caleb didn't wake up at 6:30....I actually had to wake him up-not good, he is just like Spencer, very CRANKY) It was finally time to go and get in the car!!! I find it funny that when I wasn't looking she added a necklace and bracelet to her outfit. It took another 5 minutes just to convince her that princess necklace is for home and shopping. Not for school!
Then the 15 minute car ride. Of course Aubrey's school is all the way across town. By the time we got there I was very nervous. We pulled up to the front entrance where all of the teachers were standing and waiting. A teacher opened our car door took Aubrey out and Miss Susan came over, gave me a kind smile, and took Aubrey's hand (of course the batteries in the camera ran out just then). Hand in Hand they walk to join the rest of the class.

As I drove away I thought "This is weird". I only have 2 kids for the morning...what will I do with my self. Well, Caleb cried all the way home "Aubrey wants me to go to school with her mom! Please mom! I want to go to school too! I am very big! I want Aubrey!" He cried for about 5 more minutes in the house and then all was forgotten. When 11:00 rolled around and I was waiting in the car line to pick up Aubrey I was so excited. Miss Susan put Aubrey in the car, said she did wonderful for her first day, and closed the car door.
I couldn't wait to ask Aubrey "What did you do today?"
"Nothing!" was her reply.
I took Aubrey's back pack and looked inside (the teacher gives a note/list of all the activities she participated in and her behavior).
I said "Aubrey did you paint?"
"NO"
"Did you play outside?"
"NO"
"Did you learn Math/Science? Did you meet any new friends? Did sing any songs?"
"NO. NO. NO."
"Aubrey, Yes you did!"
And with that all I got was a big cheezy smile!

I forgot

Since I forgot to take Aubrey's picture on her first day of class I thought I would take a picture of her 2nd day! Every Monday since January Aubrey has gone to a special class at the local elementary. She loves it! Since we have moved she kind of had to start all over again: new teacher, new school, and new classmates! It is only 30 minutes every Monday so while Aubrey is in class I take Caleb and Ainsley to the Library. Caleb loves it and has recently learned how to whisper (finally!)! Ainlsey just sits in a little chair and looks around listening patiently.

Caleb is a little short and wide for his age and Aubrey is really skinny and tall! What will Ainsley be?? Next week Aubrey will start pre-k and we were excited to find out she gets to go every day from 8-11! What will Caleb do with out Aubrey? Ignore the background...we still have to paint the banister, the walls, and put the trim back down on the wood floors. Such is life.

GOOD NEWS FOR THE DAY:
Our family room is almost done.... 8 more hours!
It is raining outside but I found Pinnochio so that makes the kids much more agreeable since we are still stuck up stair today! But today is the last day!!

IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THEN THIS! I can not remember the last time I heard absolute silence. This morning the kids started to get cranky, the dry wall guy was in the mist of all the puddy, and up stairs just wasn't cutting it. Then it hit me (literally a light bulb appeared in my mind like on a cartoon) water painting. Pure excitement and sudden awe came over Aubrey and Caleb. Never had they seen anything so wonderful in their entire lives.

Both Aubrey and Caleb were silent and painting in pure amazement! I thought since they were being good that I could leave them for 2 minutes and give Ainsley a quick wash down. Why did I think that would be okay? Even now that I think about it...HOW STUPID!

In just 2 minutes Caleb put the paint from his paper to his face, fingernails, and hair. Thank goodness it washes right out! Getting it off Caleb's face was a challenge though. Tears and cries of sorriness were involved.

Aubrey is in love. She has spent the last hour and a half painting. When I asked what she was painting she said "Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Snow White, Jasmine, Faith, and Grandma!"
Although Caleb loved the paint I was easily able to entertain him with clean/quiet fun!

**Good News of the Day:
Aubrey got into Pre-K,
Seth is engaged,
It stopped raining
And I am almost 100% sure Ainsley said Mama. Even ask Aubrey...she heard it too!