We have a guy coming over to clean our carpets tomorrow. They are long overdue for a good, professional, steam-cleaning, let me tell you. Yuck. He can't get here quickly enough.
You know, I grew up in a house with carpet in almost all of the rooms. The only ones that didn't have carpet were the bathrooms, the kitchen, and my mom's hair salon. Oh, and the storage room and utility closets, if you want to get really specific. But, you know, all the rooms that shouldn't have carpet, didn't. And I loved having carpet throughout most of the house. It's so warm and cozy on your feet (and I'm almost always barefoot while at home) and soft to play or take a nap on. When hardwood floor began to become popular again or even tile (bleh!), I thought people were crazy! Why would you want something so hard and cold underfoot all day long? It sounded dreadful to me.
But now--now that I have small children of my own--I so totally understand!
I hate carpet! I absolutely, positively hate it with every fiber of my being! It is so gross and nearly impossible to keep clean with a nasty dog and young, potty-training children running about. I don't even want to think about what has landed on this carpet in the last year-and-a-half since we last had it cleaned, so I won't, but I'm sure many of you can relate and imagine for yourselves.
And if it wasn't bad enough having carpet in our living room where our children spend 95% of their time, but someone had the bright idea to put indoor/outdoor carpet in our.......wait for it........yes, I'm totally thinking what you're thinking.........all you mothers out there are cringing in your seats!.......okay, I'm going to say it!........(gulp) kitchen!!! (Shudder!)
Why?? Who in their right mind would do such a thing? Why does the universe hate me so? Don't people understand how much stuff gets spilled daily on a kitchen floor especially when toddlers and preschoolers are involved? Bleh! It's so nasty, I just wanna cry thinking about it.
So I'm pretty dang excited for the carpet cleaners to come tomorrow. Not that it'll last long (who wants to bet that my kids will break raw eggs on it before the week is out?), but at least it'll be better than it is.
The moral of this story is, if you're planning to buy and/or renovate a house and you have an indoor dog or children under the age of, say, 20, put in laminate flooring. Sure it's not warm and cozy like carpet and it's not as nice as hardwood, but it's strong and durable and will wipe up oh-so-nicely. After your kids have grown and moved out and there's little-to-no chance of them moving back in with you with your grandchildren in tow (so, you know, when they're in their 40s or 50s), then you can finally enjoy the warm comforts of carpet or the luxury of hardwood floors. Until then, just go with laminate and save yourself the stress and heartache of dealing with carpet, give your nostrils a break, spare your feet from being constantly sticky, and treat yourself to a trip to Hawaii for your 20th anniversary with all the money you'll save on carpet cleaning products and services. And send me a postcard while you're there because at this rate, that's the closest I'll ever get.
Is the carpet cleaner here yet?
Side note: Seriously, don't even bother investing any amount of money into anything nice while you are raising your children. Because if it's nice and expensive and it brings you happiness and joy, your children will destroy it. (There's a little bonus lesson for you today. You're welcome.)
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Even American Ninja Warriors Get Scared Sometimes
Have you seen that show? American Ninja Warrior? I've seen snippets of it in the past, but this summer, my family and I really got into it. Especially Trey.
For those of you who don't know, it is the most difficult obstacle course you'll ever see. Hundreds of people train for years in order to beat it, and only a few dozen make it past the qualifying rounds to advance to the main course in Vegas. In Las Vegas, there are 4 stages. Before this year, after 7 seasons of the show, no one had ever passed Stage 3. This year, two did. Both moved on to Stage 4 called Mt. Midoriyama. It's a 70-foot rope climb that has to be completed in under 30 seconds. Both competitors were able to conquer it, but only the faster of the two was able to claim the prize of 1 million dollars and the official title as the American Ninja Warrior.
What I'm saying is, this competition is brutal and intense.
And Trey wants to do it. He wants to win the title of the next American Ninja Warrior.
He's four years old.
But he's off to an early start. Already he's climbing everything and jumping parkour-style from the couch to the chair. He's working on his dismount from the kitchen bench to the carpet in the living room. He's climbing up the wall in the hallway with a foot on each side or with both feet on one side and his back on the other. He's even setting up his own obstacle course across the living room floor, running across it and slapping the buzzer on the other side (and by "buzzer" I mean "thermostat").
He has a goal, and he is determined. And if he still wants this in 15 years and the show is still on the aire, I believe he will be an American Ninja Warrior.
But as of right now...well, I think he's getting a little ahead of himself.
Yesterday we went to the park. Trey's favorite thing to do at the park is climb up the playground and zoom down the slides. Ally's favorite thing is to swing. And swing. And swing some more. So most of our park visits look like me pushimg Ally in the swing, Grayson relaxing in the baby swing, and Trey playing by himself on the slides. But this particular day there were quite a few other people at the park, too, which is always great because the kids have other little people to run around with, and I don't have to feel so bad that one of them is feeling left out.
So yesterday, Trey was playing on the slides with the other kids, and I was just putting Grayson into the baby swing so that I could give Ally a good and proper pushin' when out of nowhere, I heard that noise--that dreaded, horrific sound that no parent wants to hear while on their outing to the park.
I heard a bloodcurdling, fear-induced, out-of-control scream.
I looked up at the playground to see whose kid was screaming bloody murder, and of course, it was my kid. It was Trey, and he was on top of the slide--on top of the outside of the tube slide, mind you--and he looked absolutely terrified. And for good reason, because it's a pretty dang high slide. It's one of those playgrounds that has stairs up to the first level and then a ladder up to the second level where the slides are. So he had to be, I dunno, 20 feet off of the ground. Pretty high. Poor kid.
So it's great when there are other kids at the park to play with, but it's not so great when those kids are a little bit older than your preschooler and they show said preschooler how to do naughty things like climb up the outside of the slide. Yeah.
So I ran over to Trey, and he was freaking out. He had tears running down his face, and he yelled down to me, "I'm so scared!" My first thought was just to get him to calm down because he was not going to be able to climb down sobbing like that. So I told him that he was okay, we were going to get him down, and to take a big, deep breath. All the while, I'm thinking How the heck am I going to climb up there and get him down??
Thankfully, the same kid who led him up there in the first place and then left him up there climbed back up and helped him down. There was also a dad who was helpful in calming him down and reassured him that we would get him down. I'm very thankful for those two because I so did not want to have to climb up there myself! I would've, if I had to. But I'm glad I didn't.
So all's well that ends well. But my little American Ninja Warrior learned a valuable lesson about heights that day and will hopefully save his skills for scaling Mt. Midoriyama for the show and not for the improper use of playground equipment.
For those of you who don't know, it is the most difficult obstacle course you'll ever see. Hundreds of people train for years in order to beat it, and only a few dozen make it past the qualifying rounds to advance to the main course in Vegas. In Las Vegas, there are 4 stages. Before this year, after 7 seasons of the show, no one had ever passed Stage 3. This year, two did. Both moved on to Stage 4 called Mt. Midoriyama. It's a 70-foot rope climb that has to be completed in under 30 seconds. Both competitors were able to conquer it, but only the faster of the two was able to claim the prize of 1 million dollars and the official title as the American Ninja Warrior.
What I'm saying is, this competition is brutal and intense.
And Trey wants to do it. He wants to win the title of the next American Ninja Warrior.
He's four years old.
But he's off to an early start. Already he's climbing everything and jumping parkour-style from the couch to the chair. He's working on his dismount from the kitchen bench to the carpet in the living room. He's climbing up the wall in the hallway with a foot on each side or with both feet on one side and his back on the other. He's even setting up his own obstacle course across the living room floor, running across it and slapping the buzzer on the other side (and by "buzzer" I mean "thermostat").
He has a goal, and he is determined. And if he still wants this in 15 years and the show is still on the aire, I believe he will be an American Ninja Warrior.
But as of right now...well, I think he's getting a little ahead of himself.
Yesterday we went to the park. Trey's favorite thing to do at the park is climb up the playground and zoom down the slides. Ally's favorite thing is to swing. And swing. And swing some more. So most of our park visits look like me pushimg Ally in the swing, Grayson relaxing in the baby swing, and Trey playing by himself on the slides. But this particular day there were quite a few other people at the park, too, which is always great because the kids have other little people to run around with, and I don't have to feel so bad that one of them is feeling left out.
So yesterday, Trey was playing on the slides with the other kids, and I was just putting Grayson into the baby swing so that I could give Ally a good and proper pushin' when out of nowhere, I heard that noise--that dreaded, horrific sound that no parent wants to hear while on their outing to the park.
I heard a bloodcurdling, fear-induced, out-of-control scream.
I looked up at the playground to see whose kid was screaming bloody murder, and of course, it was my kid. It was Trey, and he was on top of the slide--on top of the outside of the tube slide, mind you--and he looked absolutely terrified. And for good reason, because it's a pretty dang high slide. It's one of those playgrounds that has stairs up to the first level and then a ladder up to the second level where the slides are. So he had to be, I dunno, 20 feet off of the ground. Pretty high. Poor kid.
So it's great when there are other kids at the park to play with, but it's not so great when those kids are a little bit older than your preschooler and they show said preschooler how to do naughty things like climb up the outside of the slide. Yeah.
So I ran over to Trey, and he was freaking out. He had tears running down his face, and he yelled down to me, "I'm so scared!" My first thought was just to get him to calm down because he was not going to be able to climb down sobbing like that. So I told him that he was okay, we were going to get him down, and to take a big, deep breath. All the while, I'm thinking How the heck am I going to climb up there and get him down??
Thankfully, the same kid who led him up there in the first place and then left him up there climbed back up and helped him down. There was also a dad who was helpful in calming him down and reassured him that we would get him down. I'm very thankful for those two because I so did not want to have to climb up there myself! I would've, if I had to. But I'm glad I didn't.
So all's well that ends well. But my little American Ninja Warrior learned a valuable lesson about heights that day and will hopefully save his skills for scaling Mt. Midoriyama for the show and not for the improper use of playground equipment.
Monday, September 28, 2015
Grayson at 8 months
Grayson's new discoveries this past month include crawling--actual hand-over-hand, knee-after-knee crawling--and pulling himself into a stand. He just adores standing all by himself while holding onto the couch or some other at least semi-stable object. While at the park today, that object happened to be me. I was lying on my stomach on a blanket next to him and he grabbed ahold of my back and pulled himself right up. He then spent the next 20 or so minutes moving from my butt to my shoulder, back and forth, back and forth, ever so pleased with himself.
He just loves to stand on his own. He yearns for it, he craves it, I daresay he's nearly addicted to it. It's getting so bad that he now fights me every time I stuff him in that once-beloved-but-now-infuriatingly-confining bouncer of his. He doesn't want to be supported or safe from the ever-present dangers associated with being exposed on the floor with two kids and a stinky mastiff roaming the house. No, he wants to be wild and free, to go where no Gronenthal baby has dared gone before...
And so, a new level of Mommy Vigilance must be reached by me once more. How draining it is...
On another note, still no teethies for this little one which is pretty surprising for me. I saw them peeking through his gums when he was only two months old, and I thought for sure he would get them sooner than the others. Trey's first tooth made its appearance at five months and it seems likes Ally's was shortly after that. But here we are at eight months and not a tooth in sight. I looked it up, and it's normal to not get them until 12 months, so I'm not going to worry about it until after that point. I'm just going to enjoy the fact that he doesn't have them yet because even with just his gums, this kid can bite hard!
And in other news, our little Gray-Gray is starting to be more vocal. His favorite "word" is "da-da" (I put that in quotes because he doesn't associate it with Brian yet. It's just a fun sound to say), and he's beginning to say, "Nah-nah-nah," when he's hungry. That's interesting because that was also Trey's word for num-nums or food or, you know, me. Do other babies make that noise when it's time to nurse or is it just my boys? I can't remember if Ally did that or not.
And I am so pleased to report (more like brag) that he has not had a single bald spot since before birth! As you all know, he was born with a full head of at least 1-inch long brown hair, and as his birth hair falls out, new light-blond hair seamlessly fills in underneath. And he has had 2 1/2 hair cuts so far. Love his hair! (Be jealous, each and every one of you. I give you permission.)
All-in-all, Grayson is a happy, healthy, smiley, beautiful, easy-going, and handsome little guy, and he gets compliments all the time while we are out and about. He wins them over when he flashes them his adorable grin, and he loves everybody. Not only will he go to anybody to be held, but he wants to. He reaches for anyone standing close enough to grab onto. I love that about him, and I hope he continues to see the good in people throughout his life. He's such a sweetie, and he lights up my life! We are so blessed to have him!
Sunday, September 27, 2015
A Writing Challenge!
Okay, people, it's time to get serious now. Time to challenge myself!
As you can see, I have not been taking this blog very seriously since I started it a year-and-a-half ago. In that time, I've posted a grand total of three posts. Pathetic.
I didn't intend to be so nonchalant about this. That wasn't my goal. I wanted to write a blog in order to get back into the writing game with something other than my journal. I wanted to have an audience, to receive feedback, to practice, and to improve. I wanted to write one post a week and work on my novel as well. And although I have several posts half-done, I haven't worked on them for the past few months, and I can't remember the last time I pulled out my novel.
Enough is enough! It's time to stop procrastinating and start writing! Time to stop making excuses and to start filling pages!
So, I'm going to issue myself a challenge:
I challenge myself to write and publish a post every single day for a month beginning right now.
I don't know what I'll write about. Anything and everything. Whatever's on my mind. Funny things my kids say or do, an article I read online, my thoughts about The Best Time Ever or General Conference or my new part-time job...whatever. Anything and everything is fair game.
I'm not going to worry about them being worded just perfectly. I'm not going to post pictures with cute little captions. I'm not going to pretend that I'm working on a professional blog for which I'm getting paid. Because let's face it--I'm not.
The goal here is simply to write. To post something each day, even if it's just to say, "I'm tired, so I'm going to bed now. Good night." Something.
So check back in and see what random crap I can come up with. Some might be interesting, full of wisdom and insight that will change your life forever! And some might just help you fall asleep that night. Either way, no skin off your nose, right?
Oh, and any encouragement would be appreciated. I'm calling this a challenge for a reason--it will be difficult for me. I will struggle with it. But I believe I can do it. With you holding me accountable, it will be that much easier.
Wish me luck!
As you can see, I have not been taking this blog very seriously since I started it a year-and-a-half ago. In that time, I've posted a grand total of three posts. Pathetic.
I didn't intend to be so nonchalant about this. That wasn't my goal. I wanted to write a blog in order to get back into the writing game with something other than my journal. I wanted to have an audience, to receive feedback, to practice, and to improve. I wanted to write one post a week and work on my novel as well. And although I have several posts half-done, I haven't worked on them for the past few months, and I can't remember the last time I pulled out my novel.
Enough is enough! It's time to stop procrastinating and start writing! Time to stop making excuses and to start filling pages!
So, I'm going to issue myself a challenge:
I challenge myself to write and publish a post every single day for a month beginning right now.
I don't know what I'll write about. Anything and everything. Whatever's on my mind. Funny things my kids say or do, an article I read online, my thoughts about The Best Time Ever or General Conference or my new part-time job...whatever. Anything and everything is fair game.
I'm not going to worry about them being worded just perfectly. I'm not going to post pictures with cute little captions. I'm not going to pretend that I'm working on a professional blog for which I'm getting paid. Because let's face it--I'm not.
The goal here is simply to write. To post something each day, even if it's just to say, "I'm tired, so I'm going to bed now. Good night." Something.
So check back in and see what random crap I can come up with. Some might be interesting, full of wisdom and insight that will change your life forever! And some might just help you fall asleep that night. Either way, no skin off your nose, right?
Oh, and any encouragement would be appreciated. I'm calling this a challenge for a reason--it will be difficult for me. I will struggle with it. But I believe I can do it. With you holding me accountable, it will be that much easier.
Wish me luck!