ME reads a book!

Mirabel has always loved books... but been very stubborn about trying to actually read, or to allow others to teach her to identify words. We have known that she's learning some sight words in class - but it wasn't until last night (8/14/17) that Mirabel actually persevered in pointing word by word, trying to sound them out, and then stringing together each complete sentence to read an entire book!!

I was so thrilled / grateful that I cried a little after. Seriously.

Momentous accomplishment.

Jess predicts this will be a year of breakthroughs, and I am now a bit more optimistic! AMEN.

Ask a Mermaid Anything

I was fortunate enough to catch a Mermaid and score an interview... and she's agreed to doing a series of these to help educate folks about Mer-Kind.

Interview #1 below:

Mirabel developments

8/4/15

Mirabel went away on a solo trip with her Grandparents (Pat & Ginger), and did very well. Upon return, we observed several new praise-worthy behaviors that made us feel that she'd grown up significantly just overnight!

In addition to achieving 7 consecutive days with no potty accidents this summer, she...

• Colored a picture of MLP with care for color accuracy of the characters, allowing her sister to choose and guide use of multiple colors in the correct areas. Then proceeded to color the most inside the lines that we've ever seen! Deliberate attention and focus for each of the spaces she worked on!
• Rode bike all on her own uphill, went down a ramp (assisted), actually used brakes to come to a full stop. (video pending)
• Played backyard Jenga with apparent understanding of the rules, laying pieces in correct direction, and being cautious about causing it to fall.
• Ate a chicken-thigh with bone inside and didn't try to eat the bone.
• Asked a few specific questions to me: "Daddy, how was work today?"  and  "Daddy do you like coloring?"

Separate rooms

May 17th- with the help of Don Dela Cruz, we moved MJ into the playroom- giving the girls each their own rooms for the first time ever.

This is a milestone for us the parents, because it's another testament to the unrelenting fact that they just keep on growing up darn it...

But we are very proud. They are ready. Neither one made any drama over it, and the both seemed to affectionately visit and explore the other's space. This will be a good start to learning how to respect personal space.

Let the adventure continue...

1st Crose Trip to Disneyland!!

First Trip to Disneyland completed!
Here's the recap;

Monday 10/20

• 12am - Left Pittsburg to begin the drive for our 389 mile pilgrimage to Disneyland. Jess did an amazing job of driving ALL NIGHT LONG! (but at what price?!)
• 730ish am - Arrived @ the Grand Californian, checked bags, stretched legs.
• 830 am - Breakfast with Chip & Dale at their tasty buffet. Tim gets eggs benedict on his shirt. Kids do the hokey-pokey with characters and dance around the restaurant. Lots of hugs from Brother Bear and the Chipmunks.
• 930 am - purchase a new shirt for Tim because he's such a messy eater.
• 10 am - enter Disneyland!
• Carousel ride
• Meet Frank Loweree + Family
• Mickey's Magic Scroll performance
• Explore Toon Town
• Swim
• Bed!

Tuesday 10/21

• California Adventures!
• Ariel's Grotto - Character breakfast - met Ariel, Minnie Mouse, Belle, Cinderella, Tiana
• Face Painting
• Mickey Ferris Wheel
• Bugs Life floating ride
• Silver Bullet ride
• Under the Sea Little Mermaid ride
• Soaring (virtual flying ride)
• Cars Radiator Springs ride
• Dancing in the streets with DJ from Cars
• Talking with Crush the Sea Turtle
• Aladdin Performance
• World of Color!

Wednesday 10/22

• Swim and Homework!
• Get dressed into costumes...
• Mickey's Halloween Party @Disneyland
• Meet Thor
• Buzz Lightyear laser shooting ride
• Lots of candy grabbing
• Parade
• Fireworks show
• Autopia

Thursday 10/23

• Build a Bear!
• Disneyland
• Ship ride around Adventureland
• Jungle Cruise
• Nemo submarine
• Rockets in Tomorrowland

Friday 10/24

• California Adventures!
• Grizzly Water Raft ride
• Toy Story Ride
• Disney Jr. Performance
• Muppets 3D show
• Monsters Inc ride
• Kids go to Pinnochio's Workshop
• Buying Gifts at Lego
• Dinner (Date!) at Rainforest Cafe

Saturday 10/25

• Packup and Checkout!
• Breakfast at Uva Cafe
• Shopping at World of Disney
• Long drive home started at 12pm, arriving home at 730pm

Bday party fun

fun at the gruwell family bday party!

MJ's 1st ride w/o Training Wheels!

We're so proud of Morriah for finally summoning the guts to claim the GLORY!
Today (3/12/14) she rode bike for the first time, all by herself, without any training wheels.

MJ Learning to read

From Morriah's teacher at Myrtle Farm Montessori:

Hi Jessica and Tim,

I wanted to share a photo of Morriah from Friday. She is now beginning to read and was able to do one of her favorite activities - the barn. We have command sentences that she was able to read and act out with the animal figures. Who knew reading could be this much fun?!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Maria
01/25/14

MJ the Actress

Morriah played a lead role in the Myrtle Farm Montessori skit about a Mother Bear who lost her cubs - and the Measuring Worm who climbed El Capitan to rescue them. She practiced a ton and did an excellent job. We were impressed because we didn't realize that she was the only character to stay "on stage" the entire time! We're so proud of you, Morriah! (12.20.13 - Age 5)

-Love,
Mom & Dad

5 years... Already?!

My twin darlings,

You girls are the best gifts that I have ever received, and I am grateful to God every day for blessing me with you both.

Morriah - you are an exceptional artist and creative lyricist. I love how you sing all the time because you truly have a musical heart. You think outside of the box and answer questions in your own perfect way (ex: "what's your favorite color?" "RAINBOW!"). You are sensitive and patient and intelligent beyond your years. Keep your heart open and soft, and seek out humility. I love you with my whole heart!

Mirabel - you are the most playful spirit I have ever met. I love how you wrestle and pillow fight. Your sense of humor is perfect and you bring joy to everyone who knows you. The way you jump & bounce makes me happy too, and I love hearing your words and thoughts and feelings. You exceed my expectations and will surprise the world (I know it). Keep on learning and persevering. I love you with my whole heart!

12-10-13 : your Dad.

The Chance Chapter in Our Family Story

We found a little lost puppy who turned out to be deaf, and adopted him. Naming him Chance, he quickly won us over with his gentle and playful temperament - but adding more special needs to our family (while it makes for a great story) was not ultimately sustainable.

You can't tell a deaf dog to get down, off, drop it, come, etc... And since neither my wife or kids had experience with a dog - our loving Chance was a bit of an uncontrollable handful.

We found him a new home with a family that has another dog and some kids, so we feel good about his next family - but within a month's time you can really grow to love a dog!

So now we're collectively grieving through our first loss as a family - remembering the things we loved best, and consolidating the lessons we need to learn before finding our next dog.

Morriah renamed her blanket from "kitty" to "chance", and shed the most tears over him.

We love you Chance, and will never forget you as our best first dog ever!

Lessons learned:

Next dog needs to be:

-gentle

-playful

-small to mid size

-trainable / obedient

-smart

-short fur

We need to be:

-able to give commands and all enforce training

-kids able to help take care of themselves and the dog
-past small toys (or at least not leaving them out)

-kids must be bigger than the dog so they can confidently control him (not scream or run if the dog jumps to play)

-free of other pets: Rabbit, (current) Cats... this way there is one pet to worry about, and it has free reign in the house and yards.

-prepared to battle fleas

-ready to attend dog training classes

First in-theater movie: Epic

The girls are 4.5yrs old and for Father's Day we went out to a family date! Dinner at sweet tomatoes and then to the pleasant hill theater to see Epic!!

Tittle-tatting

We think she means "tattling"...

 

Hello Kitty Girls!

Hello Kitty Girls!

 

Mirabel cleaned up all by herself?! WHOA

 

Loving helper

MJ is such a good sister. Tonight she chanted encouragements for ME: "go mirabel go! Pbthbbbb!" (That's a raspberry/poop sound FX)

Mom + M&M's: Making Raisins Dance

So THIS is what goes on at home when I'm not around!

Kids Sports Class

Forget trying to keep things in order. I'm just going to play catch up for a while...



Feb 8, 2013

December Videos!

Better late than never? Sorry so long overdue. Life is good but always busy...


Sequel to the highly enjoyable "Cuddles and Love". We're learning that you have to soak these moments up while you can because they are always changing...

Twin's 1st Snow Trip: Calaveras Big Trees

Alex and Cat joined the Crose Family to take the Twins to the snow. It was a first experience for half of the group: Cat, Mirabel, and Morriah! Though the snow wasn't especially deep, there were some untouched areas, and it was nice enough weather for everyone to play for as long as we all wanted! GREAT way to spend President's Day, 2012. ***Special thanks to Alex for taking great pics with his awesome camera!