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

Does this end?

The lack of communication between myself and my daughter?



Me: Hi Honey, how was school today?



J: Fine



Me: What did you do today?



J: I don't know (followed by shrug)



Me: Did you sing?



J: Yes.



Me: Can you teach me a song?



J: N0, not without my teacher.



I hear this doesn't change as she gets older. Great.



On a lighter note, I think I found my new exercise video.



And you thought Sweatin to the Oldies was bad....



Happy Labor Day!

First Day of School

Yesterday was Jaina's first day of school.

The only one who was not excited was Mom. See... Dad's excited (Yes, this IS his excited face)...

Jaina was excited (Not her most convincing excited fact :).....

Mom was anxious, and not at all excited....

It seems too soon. It seems I was just cradling her, watching diving on the Olympics, and wondering if I would ever sleep again. Oh wait, that was four years ago....

And it started to show. On Sunday, for some strange reason, I could NOT stop tearing up. I would look at her, and cry. Mike would try to console me, and I'd cry. I came up with every reason in the book (because I just KNOW that she is going to get lost wandering around the school, and then some creepy person will come snag her,) to determine why she shouldn't go.

Jaina would hug me, and say "It's okay, Mom, I won't let you down." I cried harder.

But, once I tucked Jaina into bed, that is when I had to pull myself together. If for no other reason, I had started to scare her. Suddenly, she felt she was too little to go to pre-school, what if kids were mean to her? What if she got left when the daycare bus took off? And what about that dreaded red light?

I had to stop myself right there. Erica, you have got to pull yourself together.

So preshool, here we come...

After walking to school with one of her best buddies, we realized that Mrs. P had already decorated her locker to celebrate Jaina's birthday! What fun!

And to add to it, we brought treats!

How could pre-school be so bad?

And once I saw the lines (Mike had consoled me by indicating that pre-schoolers NEVER go anywhere alone, and always in a line), I took a deep breath, kissed Jaina good bye, glanced one more time down the hall. And left. And then I went shopping.

So, all in all, it was a good day. :)

My baby is four......

I have exited Toddlerhood.....

Which means I will have to change the description on my blog. Bummer.

Jaina turned the big 0-4 this weekend. And she won't hesitate to tell you about a moment of it.

For months, all we have been talking about is when she turns four, she will get to play on the computer at Kid's Club, she will be able to go to school, and in general, will be a big girl.

So, of course, she partied like a rockstar.

On Saturday, she had her birthday party with the family. Grandma & Grandpa Willer, Grandma & Grandpa Groen, Auntie Sara, Uncle Justin, Baby Leo (who is turning into a little boy more all the time) Auntie Mindy, and Auntie Jodi were all there to celebrate the big event. (Unfortunately, in the world of medicine, someone always has to be on call. This weekend, it happened to be Auntie Alayna, or else she & Uncle Chris would have been there too.)

First..... Grandma Judy & I made the cake.....

Then.... Mommy got creative with some cupcakes......

And then, it was party time!

We did the cake first. (because, in NW Iowa, when it doubt about what to do, you eat. Although I don't think that is limited to NW Iowa. :))

We sang..........

And she blew out the candles...... and blew....... and blew........ :)

And then the presents. Jaina made a HAUL. Good thing I went through some old toys last week, because we needed to make some room.

She got a truck from Auntie Sara (for more on this story, click here)

Barbies and game from Aunties Mindy & Jodi......

And a dolly and cradle from Grandma & Grandpa Willer......

A CD player from Grandma & Grandpa Groen....

And games from Mom & Dad!

Whew! We should be set for a while.

Happy Birthday Baby, I can't wait to see what this year will bring....

What's in a name?

Evidently, a lot. A lot of freaky science fiction.

So, back when I was pregnant (which, was four years ago), Mike and I would frequently go back and forth about what to name our unborn child.

Early on, he mentioned the name Jaina to me, and explained how to spell it. (Previously, I had only heard the name once, and it had been spelled with a y instead of an i.) So I asked him where he got it. Turns out, he got it from a book.

And now you all get to learn the Groen's deep dark secret? What is the name of said book where Jaina's name came from?

It is Star Wars.

If you follow the Star Wars story (after episodes 4, 5, and 6, that is), Han Solo and Leia Organa (Skywalker) fall in love and get married (that is not a surprise.) They proceed to have twins.

Any guess as to the names? That's right, Jaina & Jacen. And odd, Mike's other suggestion for a boys' name was none other than Jacen. Hmmm. (In case you care, they named their third child Anakin, after Leia's twisted, self-absorbed, diabolical father, aka Darth Vader)

So tonight, I decided, how many Jaina's are there? So I googled her name. Turns out, there aren't that many. But there is a LOT Of information on her namesake, who albeit fake, has quite a life story.

Jaina's first light saber?

So, for those of you who are fans of Star Wars, I can no longer call you geeks. I am one of you....


But hey, at least it looks like I have the force with me......always.

Nah, it's just a bracelet