My Starbucks Knock-Off

I don't know if anyone has been in Starbucks this holiday season, but they have the coolest decorations.





I curse those merchandising people in Seattle, because they know their clientele, and know what will touch the heartstrings, and make everyone swoon in joy (and I am not just talking about the decorations - I can't forget the Cinnamon Dolce Latte)





But miss Kara, of Inspired by Kara, came up with a step by step process for making the lovely yarn wreath of 2008.





So I decided to make one of my own for my mom. She is a yarn nut (in case you haven't seen my socks or my hats, you will just have to trust me on this one.) So I thought I would help add to her Christmas Decor.





Here is my finished result...

I think it turned out okay.....

Happy New Year, everyone!

Happy New Year!

I completely skipped Christmas. For this, I apologize.

And it has been pretty exciting here. I mean, the big guy stopped by and all, so I should have plenty to share.

Over the past several weeks, however, I have learned some very important things....

• The Kansas City Cheifs are a HORRIBLE football team......


• I don't really like football (Scratch that, I already knew that)


• I am addicted to the internet


• My daughter is a fudgeaholic.

Yes, I am now able to admit, I am raising a daughter who is addicted to chocolate. All along, I knew she would have to pick her path.......would she follow her father, who is into all things salty? Or did she inherit her mother's insatiable sweet tooth?

Like mother, like daugther......

I think in the past two weeks, she has eaten an entire 8 x 8 pan of fudge herself. I, being the sweet, kind, mother I am, I enabled her. And told myself it was Christmas, and all part of the experience.

I finally determined we had a problem when we got home from the grocery store yesterday afternoon, and I had to inform her that the last of the fudge was gone....

She still tried.....

I couldn't wait

I got tagged by Sara, and although I thought I would wait to see what my computer held, I thought I would do a little digging and see what my mom's computer held for pictures.

This is fun :)

Instructions:

1. Open up the 4th folder in your "My Pictures" location.
2. Select the 4th picture
3. Post said picture
4. Explain
5. Notepad your account (oh wait, crap, I am not at work......)

Anyway, here is the picture..

.
Over the past few years, my mom has been perfecting the art of cake decorating. The best part of decorating cakes is the frosting (at least in the opinion of most. Myself, I like the cake.)

Jaina, however, falls into the norm, and LOVES frosting. I can't even explain to you how much she loves frosting.

In this picture, Grandma and I are working on decorating her cake for her 2nd birthday, and she is reaping the benefits of the frosting making.

The part you don't see, is that we have a picture of me doing the exact.same.thing when I was 2. That picture, of course, is not digital.... :)

Stone Soup

Yes, it has been a while.

It may be hard to believe, but life is not that exciting with a four year old........right?

Don't get me wrong, she says a lot of hysterical things. But usually too fast, and too many to be documented in one sitting.

Today, we had Stone Soup at pre-school. I wish I could tell you what stone soup is, but we never heard the story. Evidentially, it has to do with pilgrims, soup, and soldiers. I heard it is a complex story for four-year-olds. But the soup is pretty tasty.

So, we watched our "pilgrims" sing five songs, and then we got to have Stone soup? And let me tell you, all of the adults LOVED it, and all of the kids.....not so much. Must have had something to do with the vegetables.

Here we are at stone soup....

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pumpkin Patch 2008

I LOVE fall.

There are so many great colors, and great weather, and it lasts a full week in our neck of the woods. :)

But every year, I love to take Jaina to a pumpkin patch. And I go crazy taking pictures.

This year, we went to a pumpkin patch about a half-hour outside of Des Moines (Cambridge, Iowa, to be exact). We were visiting my parents, and while we were there, decided to check out the local patches.

Wow, have pumpkin patches come a long way since I was a kid. Instead of tromping through the mud being a requirement, it is now a privilege. Along with corn pools, petting zoos, apple slingshots, and pumpkin catapults. These places have it all (and charge you to go see it).

And here are the pictures to prove it...

Disclaimer: In looking back at previous posts, I have noticed a recurring theme of a multi-colored striped shirt. Let me assure you that Jaina does indeed own other clothes, and even frequently wears them. Her mother has a fondness for this shirt, and without any thought, tends to put it on her daughter whenever pictures may be taken. Now that fall is coming, you are sure to see additional outfits, I promise.

Bombs Away! (at the apple slingshot)

On the jumping pillow (don't ask)

In the corn pool

And of course, the pumpkin patch.

Happy Autumn, everyone.

Future Profession

Sometimes, I like to imagine what Jaina will be when she grows up.......

A world class basketball player? (Hmmm, maybe, but she wasn't exactly blessed with height)

A world renowned doctor? (Hmm, a possibility, unless she faints at needles like her mother...)

An oscar winning actress (This is actually a real possibility, especially if you have met her :))

But, after this weekend, at the old school house in Cambridge, Iowa, I think we found her true future profession.......

Like so many Groens before her.....

"Please write what I have on the board."

"One more word out of you...."

And if that wasn't enough to seal the deal. She has already inherited........ the look.

Oh yeah, she is going to teach young minds. Mark my words.

Sincerely, 404 South Randall

Dear City of Rock Rapids,

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for all of the miraculous changes I have noticed in my neighborhood over the last several days.

I never really did enjoy the peace and quiet here on Randall Street. I was always looking for something, more, invigorating. And you answered.

I always thought that driveways were pretty useless, anyway. I mean, why park in the driveway when you can park in the backyard.

But I really want to thank you for the gift of grass. The new grass I will now have to place in my yard that was dug up. I realize that I don't actually own the land between the sidewalk and the street (I just have to mow it), but I didn't realize that I would also receive an extra present on my yard. Thanks for the extra trench. Maybe it will help with water drainage?

And my neighbors would like to thank you for the new lawn furniture.

But most of all, I would like to thank you for the bill. Only $4,000! Oh, you are too kind.

Sincerely,

Erica Groen