THE GRINSTEAD FAMILY

I'M BACK

Yes, mom I know it has been a LONG time since I posted. Life just got away from me! So, here I am back & will catch you up on what's been going on!

• The Hansen Giving Tree went up at the beginning of February. This is an event that I co-chair for the PTA. We had the teachers give us leaves of classroom wishes. Parents then buy them the item on their leaf and give it to the teacher.
• Allie had many dance classes. She took her friend Skylar to the bring a friend to dance day. She decided at the end of February that she was going to quit dancing. I was surprised, but let her end the month & now we are free from ballet and tap class each week.
• Jake had his last basketball tournament in New Hampton at the beginning of February. The got first place in the tourney. My parents made the journey up to see him play. I'm not sure who was more excited, Jake or my dad!
• The kids had their friends Nicholas & Skylar over one Friday night. We took them to Carlos O Kelley's for dinner. Nicholas spent the night too.
• We spent Super Bowl Sunday at a restaurant with friends. We came back to our house for the 2nd half since the snow moved in. It was a fun night.
• Allie brought birthday treats to school to celebrate her half birthday. She brought them on my birthday, so I made several dozen cupcakes for our 2 classrooms.
• Jake and Allie both had their annual musicals for school. Jake's was called "We Haz Jazz". He was less than thrilled about the play. Allie on the other hand, couldn't have been more excited. Her play was called "The Principal and the Pea". She had a speaking part and did a great job. My mom snuck away from work to see her big performance.
• Valentine's Day came and went. The kids had parties at school and enjoyed the games and treats.
• Jake finished up indoor soccer. He enjoyed keeping active all winter.
• Allie finished up her clay class. She came out of it with several new pieces that are displayed around the house. My favorite is a bowl of peas.
• Both kids had conferences and did really well. I couldn't be more proud of the two smart, friendly and well behaved (for the most part) kids that I have.
• Both kids had dentist appointments. Allie checked out just fine. Jake has an infection in a baby tooth that will be pulled tomorrow. He's not thrilled, but it has to be taken care of before it gets worse.
• Jake's basketball team got to scrimmage some other local teams and they did very well. They also were invited to play at half time of the UNI women's basketball game on a Sunday afternoon. It was in honor of breast cancer awareness. One of Jake's teammate's sister has cancer and she was being honored at the game. It was really a cool night.
• Jake has been having baseball practice at one of the indoor gyms at UNI. He is ready to be outside practicing.
• The kids and I gave up soda for Lent. We are doing really well. I have had a soda in 41 days, but who is counting?
• Allie had a Brownie meeting. Cookies have been sold and distributed to the buyers. She sold a ton! Her prizes will be in soon.
• We are ready for Allie's upcoming 1st Communion. She still fits into the white dress she wore when she was in Kim and Michael's wedding. She is excited!
• Allie had playdates with friends Sklyar & Renee at their houses. Fun. She also went to her friend Maddie's birthday party.
• Scott and I went to a Murder Mystery Theatre with some of my co-workers. It was a good time.
• Allie went to a fundraiser with our neighbor. It was for one of my co-workers. She adopted a little girl who has been hospitalized for many months out of state. Allie loved the movies and games.
• Allie went to the doctor to have her mole on her upper lip checked. We have been referred to a plastic surgeon to see about having it removed.
• The Hansen science fair came and went. Jake and his buddy Paul had an entry about which falls faster, snowflakes or raindrops. They went to a lab at UNI and did several experiments to see. It turned out really good.
• I volunteered in Allie's classroom. I got to help out with math and a giant dinosaur construction project.
• Jake got to spend the night with his friend Paul and see a UNI game. He also stayed with his friend Adam and went to a Black Hawks hockey game.
• I went to my annual doctor visit and have been referred to an allergist to see how severe my shellfish allergy is (or if that is what I'm allergic to).
• I had several PTA meetings where I'm happy to say that I didn't volunteer for any new jobs!!
• My job is going really well. I love my class and am really enjoying every day with them.
• Jake played in a 3 on 3 basketball tournament for Spring Break with some friends. They took 3rd place, but had an awesome time.
• Scott took a couple of days off over break and has tiled the basement bathroom floor, repainted the bathroom, put up a basketball hoop and cleaned out the garage (hauling 1000 pounds of trash to the dump).
• Coming up...both kids have sleepovers (date night for Scott & I), Jake is having his tooth pulled, I'm visiting my family, Jake has a pool party, Jake has baseball practice and the kids have religion. Pretty quiet week and a half ahead!

I think we are now caught up. I hope to go back to weekly posts. Oh & I'll be posted pics in the next couple of days.