Ho Ho "Heck No!"

If a picture tells a thousand words, then Lauren has much to say about 

her ever-changing relationship with Mr. Ho Ho

2010

2011

2012

Naughty is the "New" Nice

With Christmas just 24 days away, little Lauren has made her official Christmas List for "Ho Ho" (aka: Santa Claus).

1) Baby Dolls

2) A Tator Head (we presume this is a "Mr. Potato Head" but it's anyone's guess)

3) A Watermelon 

Our shopping is complete and Lauren will indeed be getting her Christmas wish (well except maybe for the watermelon which will be difficult to find in Kansas in the month of December).

NAUGHTY or NICE?  Which will it be? 

To be continued...

The Big, Brown, Hairy Monster

She'll launch across living room furniture like a rocket.

She'll go down the stairs head first just to reach her destination sooner.  

And she'll fearlessly run around the house with a sharp object while yelling "Come get me".

Fearless as she might be, it seems Lauren has FINALLY met her match when it comes to her fear factor.

This past weekend, after putting Lauren into her crib for her usual nap time we endured over 20 minutes of screams and shrieks coming from her room.  Upon checking on her (as these weren't the normal "I'm trying to get out of taking a nap" screams) we were met by the BIG, BROWN, HAIRY MONSTER.  

That's right...all one centimeter of him.

It seems a small tuft of hair had come off of Lauren's brown teddy bear and scared that child like no other.

Once we convinced her that it was NOT a big, brown, hairy monster 

she settled on it being a big brown spider instead (which also was not well received).

 Lauren was so upset that she skipped her nap entirely and teddy bear has been instructed to no longer lose his hair.

The culprit

The big, brown, hairy monster (Actual Size)

D D D D...Dora

"Dora the Explorer".   Otherwise known as the main character of Lauren's favorite show. Dora is an eight-year old girl who embarks on a trip in every episode in order to find something or help somebody.

Well we can officially tell you that Dora has found us!

Not only do we watch approximately three episodes per day, but we are the proud owners of one huge tent, seven cups, five outfits, three books, four dolls, 1000 stickers, eight figurines, four videos, one car, and enough bath toys to fill up our bath tub.

Oh...and don't forget the life-size stuffed animal that is larger than Lauren and goes with us EVERYWHERE!

Dora has taken over our home and little Lauren couldn't be happier.

If you aren't familiar with "Swiper", he is a sneaky fox who attempts to steal key items that help Dora and her friends on her adventures.

I wonder what it would take to get Swiper to come to our house?

Halloween 2012 "Take Two"

Happy Halloween!  In November! 

Yes, our latest blog update is already outdated but October has been a very busy month with various Halloween activities and getting ready for the big day.  Including...

• Pumpkin Carving Party
• Daycare Party
• Work Party
• Neighborhood Party
• Church Trunk or Treat Party
• and an Adult Costume Party for Mom and Dad

and all before 10/31. 

Here are some of our favorite "ghostly pics" from this past month. Another big thanks to Grandma Lola for the wonderful costume. It was just perfect!

 

 

 

 

Halloween 2012 "Take One"

So 2011 wasn't a great Halloween for the Thomas Family.  Lauren tuckered out before we left our driveway and her costume was off before the sun set (see proof below).

So in 2012, I figured Lauren was now two years old and would enjoy the pumpkin patch, fun and festivities as much as her Mom does. Boo to that!

Good nap = done

Cute Halloween shirt = done

Perfect weather and a date with the Crews family = done

So off to the Pumpkin Patch we went.  

Step 1 - "Momma I want to go home"

Step 2 - "Caroline you can't convince me this is fun"

Step 3 - Mom becomes a pumpkin in the hopes of forcing a smile on Lauren's face.

Step 4 - "Momma, please can we go home?"

Step 5 - Caroline is STILL having fun!

Step 6 - "Things are looking up. I can't wait to ride a yellow school bus."

Step 7 - "What's bigger?  The pumpkins or my tummy?"

Step 8 - "Lauren see how fun inflatable horses are?"

Step 9 - Mommy on a horse.  Now THAT's something funny!

Step 10 - Jack Crews hunting his pumpkins "tractor style"

 Step 11 - Good-bye pumpkin patch. 

I'm going to take my ghoulish self and head home.  Till next time...

What did you say?

Oh the vocabulary of a sweet two-year old. 

As Lauren continues to learn new words and phrases, Bryon and I are amazed at the things that come out of her mouth.  Here is just a sample of Lauren's deep thoughts and their translations. 

"Mama.  Me and the bed are all done" =

My 12 hours of sleep has ended and so has your peace and quiet

"Cookie Monster make it rain" = ???

"Opus ate me" =

Opus the cat got within 5 feet of me and I need someone to tattle on

"Mama is that your new purse? I love it" =

I want a cookie (and flattery gets you everywhere)

"Don't touch my Follie Lollies" =

Don't touch my cheerleading Pom Poms

"I be good" =

I'm about to do something bad

"I be careful" =

 I'm about to do something bad AND hurt myself

"Is that your beer?" =

You are drinking something out of a can (and after a long, hot Summer for the parents I'm knowledgable about beer consumption) 

"I want just ONE Dora" =

I'm going to watch endless episodes of Dora the Explorer until my parents poke their eyes out

"Turn it off" =

Turn it on (and vica versa which is very confusing to the parents)

"I love you"=

All previous statements and actions are forgiven

 

Labor Day 2012

For the Labor Day weekend, the Thomas family loaded up our wagon (not literally) and headed off to Iowa to spend a fun-filled weekend with Aunt Coni, Uncle John, and the Knaisch Family.  

Lauren did a TON of new things that she'd never gotten to do before.  She got to visit a real, live farm complete with kittens and corn.  She also learned how to pedal a bike.   Iowa is the 

"field of opportunity" after all.

Lauren showing her giddy excitement
about getting in touch with our Iowa family roots.  

Getting to hold the feral cat = 1 point
Getting to hold Opus and Marley = 0 points

Let's run Sam.  This barn stinks!

Aunt Jerris and Sam headed off to pick corn.

Whew. This farm work is exhausting.
Let's go back to the city and have snacks.

Baby Girl pedals her first bike in the field of dreams.

I'm Two

The "I'm two" update (6 weeks since Lauren's 2nd birthday)

I'm smart as a whip

And growing like a weed

I like to explore new things

And find new places to put stuff

My favorite food is still "blue candy"

I have no problem telling you how it is...Or how it's gonna be

I'm small, sassy and ready to take on the world. Off I go!

I feel pretty, Oh so pretty

I feel like I need an activity

 

And luckily Aunt Jerris made me this fun make-up kit

(for ages 5 & UP)

 

But even two-year olds need to find their inner beauty

 

So Lauren found hers...

 

Tiger stripes and all,
the prettiest girl in the world

Made with love

This past March, Lauren and I went to visit Grandma Kathy and Pop Pop for a much over-due visit.  While we were there we shopped till we dropped and spent hours shopping for the perfect fabric and embellishments for her "Baby and Me" Summer wardrobe. 

The unveiling of the "pants" section of the Baby and Me wardrobe. 

Someone sure is spoiled!

"Baby, now that we are dressing alike, we'll need to start working on your ability to accessorize".

I'm cute...

Cute as a red ladybug that is

No outfit is complete without the proper purse, hat or in this case - stroller. 

Happy belated birthday to Lauren from Grandma, Pop Pop and many other dear friends for making her the perfectly decorated baby stroller.  

Made with love for sure!