Center Stage

We survived this years primary program....barely.

practiced for weeks - check

had part memorized - check

wore the longest dress Shannon owns WITH bloomers - check

But all the prep doesn't mean much when you are sitting in the pews, helpless, hanging your head in shame as your almost 5 year old puts on what can only be described as a theatrical extravaganza for your fellow brothers and sisters in the gospel.

It started with a few harmless waves (everyone was doing it), then went a little cutsie with a thumbs up here and there. I Love to See the Temple brought a few non-church endorsed versions of Shanny sign language accentuated with some eye crossing. Upon seeing an increasing amount of panic on our faces, she moved onto the show stopper...think Stevie Wonder in a Sound Booth = eyes closed, head cocked bobbing from side to side, enunciating every possible syllable. Audible laughter throughout the chapel and visible tears of shame from her mother. With the exception of a kid who couldn't keep from laughing as he attempted to say he would try and listen to his parents and the kid who held the final note 15 seconds after the chorister ended the song and motioned the primary to be seated, I think it's safe to say we had the most people come up to us afterwards, complementing on Shannon's exuberant personality and thanking her for being "that kid" which makes each and every primary program memorable.


Practice makes perfect, right? But no body's perfect so why practice! Especially when they ended the way things did. This is how it WAS practiced and I should have seen the writing on the wall, shouldn't I?

Skeletor

Sometimes I zone out while looking at a messy room and think about all the money we've spent on junk. Bummer moments.
Then other times say, "Worth every penny."

Don't you agree? Glow in the dark skeleton pj's purchased at Gap last year sometime in December on "final sale" when this little man was 4 months old. I think I prayed all summer that he would fit into these 2Ts.

Not be too big that is.

Yes, he was that ginormous at 16 weeks old that I had the forsight to buy BIG.

Then while documenting this purchase as a pick me up for future "bummer moments", Adam parked himself in front of the camera and ZONED for pic

after pic

after pic
until something snapped and he returned to earth and back to his usual goofball self

Good to have you back.

And looking so stylin' if I may say so.

And I do.

A Room with a View

I love the view from my kitchen window. It makes me happy.

It's a little costly to maintain, but I have a high standard of living.

It's the only way I know how to live.

Angry little socks

Gruwell's don't like shoes. That's why we have nasty, cracking heels.

Maybe it's in our blood?

Maybe it's our southern roots?

Whatever the reason, my son is following tradition. With the weather turning cooler, the fact that he's starting to walk, and stores require footwear in order to enter, we've had to attempt to look civilized and started with socks. It hasn't gone over very well.

Halloween Preview

What do you think?

On a side note, why do I tell my family not to eat the "pretty" cookies because I'm giving them away. I think my priorities are mixed up.It just seems wrong.

Adam's Gone Tribal

And he's not happy about it.But I wouldn't be too happy either if my sister inked me while my mom was trying to take a shower.

Thank you Shannon for the purplish black marks all over the house. Yes, the marker was washable and I appreciate that fact. However, Adam is a very slobbery little boy and wallows everywhere, thus leaving remnants of the marker EVERYWHERE.

She's lost her markers for a week.

Buzz Worthy

After hearing Shannon whine about the discrimination she was enduring at school, Benjamin Bee finally selected her to go home for a visit. He came with strict instructions as well as the journals of past home visit with other students in her class. We couldn't have another boring entry that went something like this, "Nanna picked us up, we went home, ate lunch, took a nap. Mama picked us up, we ate dinner and went to bed."

We are so much cooler than that.

Benjamin ate a peanut butter and honey sandwich for lunch, spun circles until he got dizzy, did have to take a nap but then went on a walk and spotted butterflies and lizards, got put in time out for hitting, and finally went on a Daddy/daughter date for ice cream, but was disappointed there was no honey ice cream. He also inspired Shannon to wiggle her "stinger".

This video is for grandparents only. You don't' have to endure it unless you're blood. This is a song she learned at preschool. Listen for the slight southern accent she's picking up from her teachers.

You're Invited to Breakfast with the Hodgens

Thankfully most of you will be spared the random events that occur during breakfast at the Hodgen house. Least you be curious, here's a recap of conversations that occurred this week.

Shannon: Mommy, can I wear my goggles when I get baptized?

Me: No Shannon. I was on a swim team by the time I was 8 so I think you'll be fine.

Shannon: Who will take care of me if you and Daddy die?

Me: Melanie and Zach. But I don't plan on going anywhere for a long time. I hope that one day you'll bring your kids to my house and I will be their grandma and give them lots of treats.

Shannon CRYING!!" If I have babies then I'll have to get a shot like you.

Me: If you don't what to have babies that's ok. I'll just play with Adam's kids.

Shannon: Ok, I don't want to have babies, but Adam can't have babies. He's a boy.

Me: I give up.

Next morning...

Shannon: Mommy, I had a nightmare last night. I dreamed Daddy ran over a guy named Go Away and the guy got mad and was doing not nice things to daddy. When the guy saw me he got scared because he didn't like little girls. So I punched him, kicked him as hard as I could, and grabbed his hand and bonked him from tree to tree because I was very upset with him.

Me: No more Batman.

Later in the week

Background info: Shannon wandered off in Target and I was in a frantic mode for what felt like 20 minutes searching for her. I found her being led to customers' service by a kind lady, after which the post panic phase set in (relief, sweat, I'm so glad you're ok but now I'm going to get you, etc), so I threw everything in my basket onto a shelf and got out of there. As we were driving away I realized that Adam had a dollar bin toy in his hand. Dang. I'll have to go back and pay for that sometime, but not today.

When Steve talk to Shannon about her little stroll around Target, the following conversation ensued.

Steve: Did something happen at Target?
Shannon: Yes, mommy stole.
Steve: Why did Mommy steal?
Shannon: Because she forgot to pay.

Steve: Why did Mommy forget to pay?

Shannon: Some people forget and some people don't and Mommy FORGOT!

Steve: Did Mommy forget because she was frustrated about something?

Shannon: Yes, that she stole.

This Morning

Shannon: Mom, you look pretty when your hair is in a ponytail. But right now it looks like a mud mouse.

Me: Shannon, what's a mud mouse?
Shannon: A mouse covered in mud. Duh!

Sometimes I wake up wondering if I'm awake enough to handle the conversations that are about to take place. Statistics show that families who eat together have children with lower delinquency rates. This must be why they call breakfast the most important meal of the day.