"Big Al" movie

Grace's Aunt Sarah and Uncle Jeff wanted to do something special for Grace's 2nd birthday so they invited her out to the movies. I'll admit I was a little nervous because Grace has never sat through more than a 20 minute cartoon on tv. Apparently it went great. The three of them headed out on Thursday for an afternoon matinee of "Horton Hears a Who." They loaded up on popcorn and drinks and headed to their seats. As soon as Horton came on the screen, Grace pointed and yelled "Big Al, Roll Tide!" Apparently several times in the movie "Roll Tide" was shouted by Grace when she saw her friend Big Al/Horton. Grace sat still and watched all the way to the credits! Thanks for the fun time Sarah and Jeff!

Kids often have to learn the hard way

We had tacos for dinner tonight. For some reason, Grace picked up on the salsa. For about five minutes she kept asking me "salsa daddy, peez salsa," while at the same time pointing at the jar. Of course, I told her that it was too hot and that she could not have it. I finally told her that if she really wanted it, she could have it and I placed a small amount on her plate. I did not think she touched it, but about two minutes later I heard "daddy, my mouth hurt." She had both hands on her cheeks and kept saying "mouth hurt, mouth hurt." I cured her problem with some heavy doses of water and non-spicy food. Needless to say, she did not ask for any more salsa!

Alabama War Dogs

Many of you know that I serve on the Board of the Alabama War Dog Memorial Foundation (http://www.awdm.org/). It is a great organization dedicated to honoring military working dogs and their handlers. We are hosting an event on Saturday May 31. It will be family and pet friendly. Please consider joining us. You can register on our event's website (http://www.pawsandpatriotswalk.com/). Please do so today!

If Only This Lasts....

Jack and I have been scared to post this because we don't want to jinx ourselves...
Let me just tell you what happened yesterday. We were all playing outside and it was time to come in to make dinner. Grace was less than thrilled to come inside. She actually went completely limp and started to cry. I brought her inside and she layed on the floor in the front hall screaming to go back outside. I asked her if she needed to go in her room and she stopped crying, stood up and said "yeh..." and went into her room. She went in and sat on the floor and asked me to close the door. After about five minutes, I heard her calling for me so I opened the door and she said "I feel better" and walked right past me to play in the family room.

This "self punishment" has been going on for weeks. One day a few weeks ago she was upset so I made her sit in her room. Ever since then, whenever she gets upset, we ask her if she needs to go in her room and she goes for between 5-10 minutes and always comes out in a much better mood. It's crazy but we'll take it....

Easter Lunch/ Easter Egg Hunt #5!

The Lees, our next door neighbors, invited us over for an Easter lunch with a few of their friends and family. Grace was very excited to go to a "party" at Ella's house. Grace had a good time playing with Ella and her friends. When it was time to eat, Grace got to eat at the kids table all by herself- she thought she was so big! "No helpie Mommy"

After we ate, our little pro Easter egg hunter was on the loose again. This time she wasn't really into the egg collecting as much- more the egg/treat eating. She would pick one up, shake it and pop it open and shove the contents into her mouth. She didn't get many eggs but had a great time.

While Grace was looking for more eggs, Ella snuck in her basket... ;o)

Easter Basket

It's a Grunewald Family tradition that the Easter Bunny hides your Easter basket. Since Grace obviously understands the hiding/finding concept- we asked the Easter Bunny to hide hers this year. After some searching, she found her basket behind her tent in the living room. She was very excited. Her Nana made her basket and she was excited to see it filled with books, stickers and magnets.

Easter Egg Hunt #4

Grace did very well today at church. We were a little nervous because there was no nursery but she did great. We should have known not to worry because as we pulled into the parking lot, Grace, on her own, literally yelled "Baby Jesus, Yeah!" Just a little holiday mix-up but she had the idea. Times have changed though- we got to church 30 minutes early to ensure a seat in the back...We did sit next to her friends Miriam and Miss Cyndi (and Mr. Paul) so that helped because they were able to play a little. Today after church, Prince of Peace had an Easter Egg hunt. Even though it was so cold, Grace was pumped up for yet another egg hunt. This was the biggest hunt yet with kids of all ages but Grace held her own. After the hunt, Grace saw her teacher from Mother's Day Out and was just beside herself with excitement and told her all about seeing Baby Jesus at church. Between the eggs, Mrs. Margaret and Baby Jesus, church was a big success.

Coloring the Eggs

Last night, we colored our Easter eggs. Grace had the best time as you can see from the pictures! And she did very well telling us what the colors were!

Little Gardener

Yesterday was yard work day at our house. Jack cleaned out our side yard while Grace and I headed to the store for some supplies. As we were leaving, Jack told Grace to buy him a new basketball so.... all the way to Lowe's Grace was chanting about buying Daddy a basketball. We stopped at Wal-Mart first to buy the basketball so Grace could complete her job for the day. We first picked out some flowers- Grace wanted a pink one! and insisted on carrying it in her lap through the store. As we were going down the aisles, Grace asked to "see Mick Mouse." I was a little nervous, and surprised she remembered, but we went and found him. She picked him up, hugged him and gave him a kiss, and put him back and said "Mick Mouse stay store" and then we rolled away without further incident.
We did go to Lowes but didn't buy any more plants because Grace wanted "no flowers! Grace pink one." It's just as well, we always buy too many anyway.

Grace is 2!

Today, two years ago, Grace was born! As we did last year and hope to do every year, Jack and I spent the entire day with her. We had a great time!
We woke Grace up this morning and she showed us her present and balloons right away. Last night, Jack and I moved out her rocker and put in a new chair and desk. She was very excited about having her own chair and desk. She ran right over to it and sat in the chair and opened the drawer. She loved the balloons so much we had to take them in the car to breakfast...

The first stop on the birthday train was IHOP. Breakfast has always been Grace's favorite meal so we decided to take her out for breakfast. She loved looking at the menu of all the breakfast food and choosing the Dr. Suess Horton breakfast with decorated pancakes, ham and eggs. The IHOP service was less than stellar and Grace did a great job waiting for her food for the 30 minutes it took. She did start saying quite loudly "Where food? Food coming! Food cooking? Where food! Grace food!" They finally got the hint and brought her her food. She was excited to eat her fancy pancakes and loved the ham.

After breakfast, we went home for a short nap for Grace because we knew we were going to have a big afternoon. She was less than thrilled "no nappie!" but snoring about five minutes after we put her down.

After about an hour, we woke her up for the next event- the Habitat House dedication. Jack has been coordinating a Habitat build for our church and today was the day of the dedication. It was great to celebrate with the new homeowners. Grace was super excited about the cake offered at the end....

Next- the highlight of the day. Chuck E. Cheese. We had told Grace the day before that she was going to Chuck E. Cheese and she definitely hadn't forgotten it. We pulled up to Chuck E. Cheese and saw the 20 person line outside to get in. We thought about going home for about one second before Grace literally started a Chuck E. Cheese chant and dance in the backseat. We've never seen her so excited. So, we got of the car and waited in the very long line that took us about 20 minutes to get through. Grace just didn't understand what was going on. She did entertain everyone with her excited Chuck Cheese dance. She rotated between that and "See Chuck Cheese. Come on Mommy- Chuck Cheese." At one point Jack was holding her and she was pulling his shirt saying "See Chuck Cheese, come on Daddy, push, push, push!"


We finally were able to push into Chuck E. Cheese where Grace had a great time playing and eating. She LOVED putting the "money" in the machines and would grab the cup of coins and just start putting them in the machines. Jack and I played many games we had no intention of playing but the money had already been paid... She was out of control with those coins. And she liked pulling the tickets almost as much- those were also "money." We stayed at Chuck E. Cheese for close to two hours and had a great time. Grace loved picking out her prizes with her ticket "money" and really liked the stickers she got which she placed all over her legs and the dollies on the way home (Jack wiped her face after lunch....)

After Chuck E. Cheese, Grace went home for a much needed nap.
She woke up excited to celebrate more birthday. We went outside for basketball and playing. Grace had the most fun with some bubbles and ended up soaking all of us with her blowing efforts. She had the most fun "painting" her Daddy with the bubble wand. She thought it was hysterical and so did Mommy who kept re-dipping the bubble wand ;o)

The final stop on the birthday train was a stop at Bruster's Ice Cream. Grace asked for chocolate ice cream and ate it quickly. Elliot was also treated to ice cream. After ice cream, Grace wanted to play on the playground until her Daddy suggested she help her Mommy finish hers. That was uncalled for because I wasn't looking for help and didn't have another bite after that comment.... Grace ran up and took one lick and said "oh, I sit right here with Mommy." She ate all my ice cream and I thought I would at least get the cone but Grace said "oh, eat Mommy's cookie." After eating the entire cone, Grace had a great time on the playground and was sad to go.

Grace had a great birthday and Jack and I had a wonderful day with her. Thanks to all the family who called- sorry she was a little distracted today....

Time with Nana Jeanne

Most of you know my favorite client, now known as "Nana Jeanne," since she has been a part of our lives for the past 4 1/2 years. She is moving to North Carolina next month and we are going to miss our visits. I took some pictures of our visit with her yesterday to "pay her bills"- which is usually a trip filled with rolling around on her bed, watching Grace run around her apartment, and lots of hugs and kisses for Nana Jeanne (Grace, not me ;o))

Yesterday, Nana Jeanne took Grace out to lunch for an early birthday treat. The waitress heard that it was Grace's birthday and had the staff sing to her. I wish I had the camera out to capture her "what the heck do you think you are doing" look on her face as they sang and clapped for her. It was a pretty mean stare ;o) The stare vanished when she saw the birthday sundae...

Easter Egg Hunt #3

On Tuesday, Anna came over to play with Grace. We had the eggs left from Sunday, somehow Grace never realized there were treats in the eggs, so I "hid" them all over the living room. It took Grace and Anna about two seconds to realize there were "treats!" in the eggs. Grace was very good sharing with Anna. Grace would find the eggs and bring the ones with cheerios in them to Anna. (She ate all the others herself).

Basketball Time with Daddy

Several times a week, Jack and Grace spend time together on the basketball court. Jack shoots his ball with Grace cheering him on - "Shoot Daddy! Shoot!" About 30 seconds into their time together, Grace wonders into the garage to find some toys. Lately it's been her beach toys and shells. She usually plays with them for a few minutes and then watches Jack again. Grace and Jack love their time together and it gives me time to make dinner or clean up around the house.

Easter Egg Hunt #2

Sunday afternoon we were invited to the Monte's house, friends from church, for a toddler Easter Egg Hunt. Our little Grace is quite the pro. She had been carrying around her eggs since Friday from the last hunt and she was very excited to add to her collection. We did have a little problem walking into the house because she saw the eggs all over the yard and didn't understand why we had to wait. But once she learned there was food inside the house- she ran past the eggs.
Lots of Grace's friends from church were at the party and she had a great time playing and searching for eggs. She filled her basket!

"Cooking"

One of Grace's favorite activities is "cooking." We are going to an Easter Party today so we found a treat to bring that Grace could help with- Peeps dipped in chocolate and sprinkles. As you can see, she did very well.

Easter Egg Hunt #1

On Friday, my MOMS group had an Easter Egg Hunt. Everyone had to bring eggs that were filled with treats to hide. Thursday night I sat down with the eggs and treats to fill and Grace wanted to "helpie." She actually did a really good job handing me the egg to open and then choosing the candy to place inside. And she sat still assembling all 12 eggs!

On Friday it was raining so we did our egg hunt inside. That didn't stop Grace. Just like last year, she loves the hunt. She was running around with all the big kids trying to find those eggs. And she LOVES her eggs. Of course she ate all the treats before we were out of the parking lot and had the stickers plastered to her body parts. But, she is stilll walking around with her basket filled with open eggs. We take it everywhere!

Another Milestone

We were playing with Grace and her flashcards. We showed her a plain white card with cookies on it. She said "oh, cookies ... Cook Monster eat cookies." Mommy and Daddy were most impressed!

Jack

Mick Mouse Lives at Wal-Mart

Grace and I went to Wal-Mart yesterday to pick up a few items. I made the mistake of allowing Grace to walk around the aisles of Easter items instead of riding in the cart. She walked directly over to a Mickey Mouse Easter basket, yelling "Mick Mouse! Mick Mouse." She proudly carried Mick Mouse around all the aisles placing items in the basket and wearing it on the inside of her elbow. She even picked up a little bunny and showed it to me saying "for Bella" and placed it in the basket. I thought when we made it to the checkout line, I could hand it over to "pay for it" and ask the lady to put it away because we did not need it- she has several baskets. This trick has worked many times. But it did not work this time. She refused to give it to the cashier. We checked out and paid, with her gripping Mick Mouse the entire time. I told her to tell Mick Mouse goodbye and grabbed it from her before she realized what was happening. She went into the "silent scream" and didn't breathe or utter a sound all the way until the door. The cashier was yelling behind us "she's not breathing! not breathing!" She screamed, not silently, the entire way home for Mick Mouse. I kept trying to explain to her that Mick Mouse lives at the store and he couldn't leave. She screamed until she finally cried herself to sleep for her nap. When she woke up- the first thing she said was "go store- see Mick Mouse." We made it through the rest of the evening without any mention of our lost friend but sure enough, when I woke her this morning, the first thing out of her mouth was "Go store- see Mick Mouse." Before any of you get any ideas- we don't need or want a Mick Mouse Easter Basket ;o)

First Easter Basket of the Season

Grace has a special friend, Sarah Grace, who watches Grace when Jack and I have meetings at church together. Grace loves going to play with Sarah Grace and looks forward to her visits. This week, Sarah Grace gave Grace a basket with Easter goodies. One of items in the basket was bunny ears which Grace likes to wear and loves to say "Grace, mirror, look in mirror, Sarah Grace" and then she giggles at herself. Another goody in the basket was a package of peeps. We gave her one of the first night, and much to my own disgust and Jack's delight, she loved it. Every night since then, after she finishes her meal, she says "Peeps, Mommy, Peeps" without any prompting. (I believe there was also chocolate in the basket but thanks to her daddy, she never saw it). Thanks Sarah Grace!

Good Deeds... Sort of

On Tuesday, Grace went to a nursing home with my MOMS group from church. The kids wore bunny ears and passed out crafts they had made and little treat bags. Grace was pretty shy but did manage to shake everyone's hand. Then one of the residents gave Grace a craft from his stack. Her mission then became going around to everyone to receive a "prize" from them. We left with three times as much stuff as we came with.

We took a picture when we got home (she was more interested in playing basketball than taking a picture) but the chocolate you see on her face is from one of the many treats she took back from the residents.

A phrase we hope to never hear again

Yesterday, I was sitting on the couch working while Grace was sleeping in her room. All of the sudden I heard yelling from Grace's room. I listened closely and realized she was saying "Mommy, put diaper on. Put diaper on!" Uh oh. I ran to her room but not before she made a puddle on the carpet. I still don't understand how she made a puddle on the carpet and almost completely missed her sheets. She was still in her crib. She must have been standing at just the right angle. Oh well, at least it was just a puddle...

MS Walk

Every year at least some part of my family walks in the MS Society's Walk in honor of my mom who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when I was in college. This year my entire immediate family is walking. Our team is "Maintaining Stride" (note the creative use of "MS" ;o)). We walk with our matching green t-shirts my mom made and we are excited to add a new team member this year with an extra small shirt- Isabella, my 5 month old niece.

The walk is the last weekend in March at the Birmingham Zoo. We are excited about seeing the animals and supporting MS!

Here are our participant pages-

Thanks for your support!

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/michellegcarney and

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/jacktcarney

Here is the 2007 Team

Our Little Dancer

Grace got her first "real" dancer outfit to wear to dance class this week. She was so cute!

Let's Go Fly a Kite

Grace spent most of the weekend with her Grandma, Pop and Great-Grandma. She had lots of fun. On Sunday, they took her to the park where she flew her first kite! She had a great time.