I know I don't blog as often as Andrea, but this was just too cool not to post.
Last night was Back To School Night for Rebekah. As you may or may not know, Bekah attends the same elementary school that I attended when I was a wee lad. As we walked down the hall to her first grade classroom to drop off her supplies and meet her teacher, I said, "Bekah, I wonder if you'll be in the same first grade classroom that I had first grade in." We stopped in front of the room, and sure enough, it was the same one. Cool!
We met her teacher, who told Rebekah to go ahead and find her desk so she could stow her supplies there. Bekah walked to one side of the room and started looking around. I said, "Bekah, wouldn't it be crazy if your desk was in the same spot as mine?" I walked across to the other side of the room to where I remembered my desk being, found the exact spot, then looked down at the nametag on the desk: Rebekah. That's right, not only is Rebekah in the same elementary school I attended, and not only does she have first grade in the same classroom in which I had it, her desk is in the exact same spot, even facing the same direction, as my desk.
Mind = blown.
2011-08-26
2011-08-25
Look out for the Wee-lass
Sadly, Water-Eye Weather-Goap seems to be a thing of the past in the Grover household, but I'm still amazed at how long she lasted. After Bekah had finished having her as a regular playmate, Ana picked up where Bekah left off and had WEWG be her imaginary friend for a long time.
I think because both girls are old enough to (usually) play nicely with each other, they don't need to rely on a fictitious friend.
However, just as Superman has his Lex Luthor, Spider-man has his Green Goblin and Martha Stewart has her Securities Exchange Commission, the big girls in our house need an arch nemesis. And so they have the Wee-lass. The Wee-lass levels entire cities and leaves destruction in her wake. She's terrifying. She's horrifying.
But she's also pretty darn cute, if you ask me. See for yourself:
But as Bekah and Ana have their own opinions of the Wee-lass, I thought I'd let them share.
Andrea: Who is the Wee-lass?
Bekah: Miriam.
Ana: Miriam.
Andrea: Why is she called the Wee-lass?
Ana: 'Cause she messes up all our setups and takes things from our setups.
Bekah: "Wee" means little and "lass" means one. So Wee-lass--"little one."
Andrea: You only call Miri the We-lass when she's ...
Ana: Messing up our setups and stuff.
Bekah: Yeah.
Andrea: So what do you call her the rest of the time?
Ana and Bekah: Miriam.
Bekah: Most of the time, Miri.
Ana: But the rest of the time, the Wee-lass.
Andrea: You only call her that when she's messing up your setups. So is she kind of like a bad guy when you're playing?
Ana and Bekah: Yeah
Ana: She, like, captures people.
Bekah: And eats them.
Ana: The people scream, "The Wee-lass is here!" Then they run all around the house. Away from the Wee-lass.
Andrea: Is there anything else you'd like to tell me about the Wee-lass?
Bekah: The Wee-lass always eats your earrings.
Ana: And the Wee-Lass always eats your necklaces. And then, if she doesn't want to eat them, she runs off with them.
Bekah: And if she doesn't want to eat them, she runs off and eats our setup people.
So consider yourself warned.
I think because both girls are old enough to (usually) play nicely with each other, they don't need to rely on a fictitious friend.
However, just as Superman has his Lex Luthor, Spider-man has his Green Goblin and Martha Stewart has her Securities Exchange Commission, the big girls in our house need an arch nemesis. And so they have the Wee-lass. The Wee-lass levels entire cities and leaves destruction in her wake. She's terrifying. She's horrifying.
But she's also pretty darn cute, if you ask me. See for yourself:
But as Bekah and Ana have their own opinions of the Wee-lass, I thought I'd let them share.
Andrea: Who is the Wee-lass?
Bekah: Miriam.
Ana: Miriam.
Andrea: Why is she called the Wee-lass?
Ana: 'Cause she messes up all our setups and takes things from our setups.
Bekah: "Wee" means little and "lass" means one. So Wee-lass--"little one."
Andrea: You only call Miri the We-lass when she's ...
Ana: Messing up our setups and stuff.
Bekah: Yeah.
Andrea: So what do you call her the rest of the time?
Ana and Bekah: Miriam.
Bekah: Most of the time, Miri.
Ana: But the rest of the time, the Wee-lass.
Andrea: You only call her that when she's messing up your setups. So is she kind of like a bad guy when you're playing?
Ana and Bekah: Yeah
Ana: She, like, captures people.
Bekah: And eats them.
Ana: The people scream, "The Wee-lass is here!" Then they run all around the house. Away from the Wee-lass.
Andrea: Is there anything else you'd like to tell me about the Wee-lass?
Bekah: The Wee-lass always eats your earrings.
Ana: And the Wee-Lass always eats your necklaces. And then, if she doesn't want to eat them, she runs off with them.
Bekah: And if she doesn't want to eat them, she runs off and eats our setup people.
So consider yourself warned.
Ingenuity
What happens when this breaks ...
... and you're too cheap to buy one these?
You get creative.
See? I really don't need that $300 Kitchenaid. I've got my own mixing machine, thank you very much. Now if only I can teach Ana to whip and knead ...
2011-08-24
Where am I?
Today on the Grover blog ("Patently awesome since 2007!"™) we're going to play a little game. It's called "Where at the 'I' am I?" (No, that's not a typo.)
Here are the rules: View the images below and try to guess where on the BYU-Idaho campus Seth and Andrea are.
Any guesses as to which building has this groovy ceiling?
Here's a more obvious location within the building.
Have you guessed it yet? It's the new BYU-Idaho Center.
By the way, slide down the banister at your own risk. They've installed speed bumps.
Here are the rules: View the images below and try to guess where on the BYU-Idaho campus Seth and Andrea are.
Any guesses as to which building has this groovy ceiling?
Here's a more obvious location within the building.
Have you guessed it yet? It's the new BYU-Idaho Center.
By the way, slide down the banister at your own risk. They've installed speed bumps.
Okay, next building.
They're remodeling in this basement computer lab.
Outside a room in which Seth spent many-an-hour.
Any ideas? It's the Austin.
Where they have such posters as this. I'm still not sure how I feel about it ...
They're remodeling in this basement computer lab.
Outside a room in which Seth spent many-an-hour.
Any ideas? It's the Austin.
Where they have such posters as this. I'm still not sure how I feel about it ...
Here's an easy one:
One administrator told me he expected many girls to be proposed to in this spot overlooking the gardens.
Of course, of course. It's the Hinckley.
This is the exact spot where Seth learned that Ricks would be becoming BYU-I.
The benches, carpet and art should give it away. It's the Taylor.
One administrator told me he expected many girls to be proposed to in this spot overlooking the gardens.
Of course, of course. It's the Hinckley.
Another easy one:
This is the exact spot where Seth learned that Ricks would be becoming BYU-I.
The benches, carpet and art should give it away. It's the Taylor.
If this one doesn't blow your mind, you haven't been away from campus as long as we had:
The west entrance.
Not recognizable at all. We think this is about the spot where Andrea entered this building about a bajillion times throughout her freshmen, sophomore and junior years.
What the heck is this place?
The approximate location of the corridor/office where Andrea spent many early Monday mornings.
Finally! A recognizable feature on the completely remodeled building!
Thank goodness the Little Theater hasn't changed.
Andrea reliving a moment.
Andrea originally living the moment. (Oops. Looked like I kicked with the wrong leg in the re-creation.)
If you haven't figured it out by now, you never will. It's the Manwaring Center.
The west entrance.
Not recognizable at all. We think this is about the spot where Andrea entered this building about a bajillion times throughout her freshmen, sophomore and junior years.
What the heck is this place?
The approximate location of the corridor/office where Andrea spent many early Monday mornings.
Finally! A recognizable feature on the completely remodeled building!
Thank goodness the Little Theater hasn't changed.
Andrea reliving a moment.
Andrea originally living the moment. (Oops. Looked like I kicked with the wrong leg in the re-creation.)
If you haven't figured it out by now, you never will. It's the Manwaring Center.
Hang in there! Just two more:
Seth expressing his feelings for his first college-level calculus class.
Yes, this one is trickier because that's the only photo we got for you. It's the Romney.
Seth expressing his feelings for his first college-level calculus class.
Yes, this one is trickier because that's the only photo we got for you. It's the Romney.
Last one:
Outside another door that leads to a bit of Andrea's past.
A few of the remaining pieces of the original building.
Yup. It's the Spori.
Outside another door that leads to a bit of Andrea's past.
A few of the remaining pieces of the original building.
Yup. It's the Spori.
Thanks for playing! We hope you enjoyed the game as much as Seth and I enjoyed our self-guided tour on the nearly deserted campus. Because it's between tracks, all the labs and offices were closed. But I'm sure the few students we saw around campus enjoyed our gasps and laughs as we checked out all the new additions.
2011-08-21
New dresser
I was feeling a little inspired by this lady and these guys when I went to D.I. months ago and found a dresser for $10. I figured it would be a good replacement for the dresser that Ana had been using and outgrown (her shorts had to be stored in an empty drawer in Miri's room).
So I set to work. I bought lumber from Lowe's (which I feel really out of place doing, since I'm a clueless chick, but I'm starting to get the hang of it). And I had my dad help me use the table saw to cut it to the right size. And I glued/nailed the new lumber to the sides of the dresser after ripping off the old, waterlogged wood. And I primed, painted, glazed and added new hardware to the bad boy (check out the links for some handy tutorials). Check out this transformation:
BEFORE
AFTER
So I set to work. I bought lumber from Lowe's (which I feel really out of place doing, since I'm a clueless chick, but I'm starting to get the hang of it). And I had my dad help me use the table saw to cut it to the right size. And I glued/nailed the new lumber to the sides of the dresser after ripping off the old, waterlogged wood. And I primed, painted, glazed and added new hardware to the bad boy (check out the links for some handy tutorials). Check out this transformation:
BEFORE
AFTER
Yes, I realize it's pink. (And if you don't know why I'm even mentioning this, you can read up on my past anti-girliness here.) But Ana chose this lovely shade of raspberry, and it beats painting an entire room pink any day. (I'll even admit that it looks pretty darn awesome in their bright green room.)
Next project on my list: redoing the awesome bookshelf/headboard my dad made when he was a spry newlywed and which he recently passed on to us. (The headboard, that is. My dad's still alive and well, thank you.)
Next project on my list: redoing the awesome bookshelf/headboard my dad made when he was a spry newlywed and which he recently passed on to us. (The headboard, that is. My dad's still alive and well, thank you.)
2011-08-18
Bekahism #41
Bekah: Mom, I have a habit that I just can't break.
Andrea: What is it?
Bekah: Reading. I just can't stop reading.
Andrea: What is it?
Bekah: Reading. I just can't stop reading.
2011-08-11
Miri-ism #2
If you disagreed with my argument that Miri-ism #1 was legit, you certainly can't with this one.
At dinner, Miri was going to town on a cob of corn.
Analee: Miri's like a dog with a bone.
Miriam: Arf! Arf!
At dinner, Miri was going to town on a cob of corn.
Analee: Miri's like a dog with a bone.
Miriam: Arf! Arf!
2011-08-08
Stay classy, Ana
This is what happens when a four-year-old dresses herself:
Pretty pink bow, leg warmers on the arms, sparkly pink sandals with gems on them, no shirt, and a pair of (heavily patched) overalls that my uncles wore when they were little.
Pretty pink bow, leg warmers on the arms, sparkly pink sandals with gems on them, no shirt, and a pair of (heavily patched) overalls that my uncles wore when they were little.
2011-07-25
Bekahism #41
Seth grumbling while putting on his sneakers (last worn when we climbed the North Menan Butte on Saturday).
Seth: Having stickers in your shoe is the worst thing in the world.
Bekah: How 'bout getting your head chopped off?
Seth: Having stickers in your shoe is the worst thing in the world.
Bekah: How 'bout getting your head chopped off?
2011-07-21
The list grows longer ...
At this rate, we'll be seeing giraffes in our yard before long.
Of course, I'm referencing our ever-growing list of animal encounters in our lovely rural neighborhood. We've had the pleasure of entertaining wild animals, farm animals and your usual outdoor pets.
So when Seth came in yesterday to confide that we had a guinea pig hiding in the stack of wood next to the shed, I figured I had misheard him. I mean, come on ... a guinea pig? I was sure it was actually another rock chuck. Or possibly (shudder) a rat without a tail.
But sure enough, it was a guinea pig. A big brown guinea pig.
We tried cornering it, but it managed to slip past us and hide under some other planks. At that point, I figured some investigation was in order. I walked next door and asked the neighbors if they owned such a pet. The look on Tina's face could be described as utter astonishment as she exclaimed, "He ran away two weeks ago!"
Between Seth, Taylor (Tina's daughter and the owner of the delinquent pet), Bekah, Ana and I, we managed to chase the guinea pig into Tina's arms. And although the little guy (Bekah thought he was a Zhu Zhu) squeaked in alarm, he seemed no worse for the wear.
How he survived outdoors for two weeks is still a mystery. He must have used his innate ninja-guinea skills to avoid the owls. But if his main source of sustenance was my vegetable garden, no amount of stealthiness will protect him from me.
Of course, I'm referencing our ever-growing list of animal encounters in our lovely rural neighborhood. We've had the pleasure of entertaining wild animals, farm animals and your usual outdoor pets.
So when Seth came in yesterday to confide that we had a guinea pig hiding in the stack of wood next to the shed, I figured I had misheard him. I mean, come on ... a guinea pig? I was sure it was actually another rock chuck. Or possibly (shudder) a rat without a tail.
But sure enough, it was a guinea pig. A big brown guinea pig.
We tried cornering it, but it managed to slip past us and hide under some other planks. At that point, I figured some investigation was in order. I walked next door and asked the neighbors if they owned such a pet. The look on Tina's face could be described as utter astonishment as she exclaimed, "He ran away two weeks ago!"
Between Seth, Taylor (Tina's daughter and the owner of the delinquent pet), Bekah, Ana and I, we managed to chase the guinea pig into Tina's arms. And although the little guy (Bekah thought he was a Zhu Zhu) squeaked in alarm, he seemed no worse for the wear.
How he survived outdoors for two weeks is still a mystery. He must have used his innate ninja-guinea skills to avoid the owls. But if his main source of sustenance was my vegetable garden, no amount of stealthiness will protect him from me.
2011-07-20
Bekahism #40
While driving through downtown I.F.
Bekah: Mom! You just drove over a crosswalk!
Andrea: What was I supposed to do?
Bekah: (Thinks for a moment.) Jump over it.
Andrea: Well, when you invent a car that jumps over crosswalks, I'll drive it.
Bekah: Isn't there one already? It's called a jump drive.
Bekah: Mom! You just drove over a crosswalk!
Andrea: What was I supposed to do?
Bekah: (Thinks for a moment.) Jump over it.
Andrea: Well, when you invent a car that jumps over crosswalks, I'll drive it.
Bekah: Isn't there one already? It's called a jump drive.
2011-07-11
Ana-ism #12
Analee: Mom, can I jump on the little trampoline?
Andrea: Have you put all your stuff away?
Analee: Yes.
Andrea: What about that hat on the floor?
Analee: (Picks it up.) I want to wear it.
Andrea: No, I think you just don't want to put it away.
Analee: Did you just read my mind?!
Andrea: Have you put all your stuff away?
Analee: Yes.
Andrea: What about that hat on the floor?
Analee: (Picks it up.) I want to wear it.
Andrea: No, I think you just don't want to put it away.
Analee: Did you just read my mind?!
A riddle
Q: What do you get when you cross a toddler and a piece of licorice?
A: A stinkin' adorable mess.
A: A stinkin' adorable mess.2011-07-04
Camping
We had the pleasure of going camping Friday-Saturday with Seth's family in Island Park. I know what you're thinking ... "What the what?! The Grovers go camping in July? Impossible. They only go camping in September, and only when they're searching for elk." Well, folks ... what can I say? We're breaking out of the box.
Although I was paranoid that we'd never find a spot north of Ashton without having reserved it 364 days prior, Seth's parents knew of a little bit of paradise right next to the Island Park Reservoir. And so we were able to enjoy:
... some four-wheeler rides,
... some tasty s'mores,
... playing on the beach,
... shooting guns (Seth would like me to point out the brass that's been ejected from the gun and caught on camera),
... and (not pictured) sporadic sleep due to Bekah's nighttime freak-outs, Miri's sleepy whines, and Ana's painful bug bites; a friendly little leech that became attached to Bekah's arm; and the sand that Miri decided would be worth eating.
You can tell it was a successful trip by this photographic evidence, shot while driving home:
Bekah in the back seat of the pickup.
Ana in the back seat of the pickup. (Ignore the fuzziness. Apparently our mommy camera doesn't like being told to not use the flash.)
Miri in the back seat of the pickup. (Again, dumb mommy camera.)
Although I was paranoid that we'd never find a spot north of Ashton without having reserved it 364 days prior, Seth's parents knew of a little bit of paradise right next to the Island Park Reservoir. And so we were able to enjoy:
... some four-wheeler rides,... some tasty s'mores,... playing on the beach,... shooting guns (Seth would like me to point out the brass that's been ejected from the gun and caught on camera),... and (not pictured) sporadic sleep due to Bekah's nighttime freak-outs, Miri's sleepy whines, and Ana's painful bug bites; a friendly little leech that became attached to Bekah's arm; and the sand that Miri decided would be worth eating.
You can tell it was a successful trip by this photographic evidence, shot while driving home:
Bekah in the back seat of the pickup.Ana in the back seat of the pickup. (Ignore the fuzziness. Apparently our mommy camera doesn't like being told to not use the flash.)Miri in the back seat of the pickup. (Again, dumb mommy camera.)2011-07-03
Glasses
When I took the girls to the optometrist last week for an annual checkup (Ana for the first time, Bekah for the second), I figured we'd just do some tests, read some letters and come home. Bekah sportingly did her exam first so Ana could see how it all goes.
When Ana took her turn in the chair, she started reading letters. And then stopped reading letters. My first thought was, "Have I not taught her the ABCs well enough?" But when she guessed the Y to be a V and the D to be an O, I realized it wasn't because she didn't know the alphabet; she just couldn't see the wall well enough.
The doctor said she could benefit from wearing glasses. He made sure we knew that they wouldn't be necessary, but beneficial. But if glasses would help our little girl and the insurance would pay for them, we decided it would be worth it.
Ana chose the frames all by herself. How do you think they look?
When Ana took her turn in the chair, she started reading letters. And then stopped reading letters. My first thought was, "Have I not taught her the ABCs well enough?" But when she guessed the Y to be a V and the D to be an O, I realized it wasn't because she didn't know the alphabet; she just couldn't see the wall well enough.
The doctor said she could benefit from wearing glasses. He made sure we knew that they wouldn't be necessary, but beneficial. But if glasses would help our little girl and the insurance would pay for them, we decided it would be worth it.
Ana chose the frames all by herself. How do you think they look?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)