Happy 4th Birthday Lauren

Happy 4^th Birthday Lauren Thomas. 

On July 3rd, you turned four-years old.  This past year has been another wonderfully chaotic whirlwind of watching you become the little girl that you want to be and it just keeps getting better. We love to hear the silly things that come out of your mouth, and the way you are exploring and trying to navigate the world around you.  You are determined to grow up SO fast. 

This past year, you no longer need a little bed with “four walls”, you are almost fully potty trained, you can brush your own teeth, and have learned to ride a three-wheel bike and swing on the big kid swing.  You put on your own shoes, dress yourself (pink, pink, pink) and have fallen in love with Justin Bieber and the movie “Frozen”.

You've been diagnosed with allergies, and learned to write your name.   You enjoyed your first dance class, went to your first daddy/daughter prom, and are just about to go under water at swim class.  You had your first school program, and still dislike Halloween.  You've been grounded, cut off your own hair, and locked your parents out of the house.  Silly girl!

I wish I could bottle you up and never forget what you’re like at this age, but at the same time we can hardly wait to see what the next year holds for you.

Thank you for the love and energy you bring to our family. We love you to the moon and back.

Your family!

Happy Heart. Heavy Heart.

Normally, writing this blog makes me so happy. Happy to remember the fun events that I'm now able to share, and happy that Lauren is growing and thriving every day.  But something about this latest round of "firsts" is just making me sad.  Sad, that she looks different every month as she grows into a little girl.  Sad, that I can no longer call her a "toddler" or "our baby".  And sad that the time is going all too fast as she approaches 4-years old next week.  And to think...all of this happened in June!

Her first "wooing" in our cul-de-sac by the neighbor boy (flowers and all)

Learning to write her name

Water Wednesday at school.  What is that pose???

Milking her very first fake cow 

(because you never know when you'll need to know how to do this)

First Minnie Mouse face painting 

(Daddy said we could do without the red lipstick)

Her first week long visit from Cousin Sam

Off to your next adventure little one...

Happy Birthday Daddy

Too cute not to post! Lauren's teachers asked her a series of questions to create her Dad's birthday card. And here are her answers. Bet you didn't know that Bryon's favorite color was pink did you?

Vacation Round #2

How could I possibly forget the only picture that we took as a family in Branson

at the Dolly Parton Dixie Stampede?  

The accompanying horse makes it feel like a true family.  

But Bryon looks a little spooked.  Ha

Vacation!

Well it's not Disney World, but Bryon and I took Lauren on a toddler-sized family vacation to Branson over Mother's Day weekend.   The entire trip was all about Lauren.  If you could ride it, touch it, buy it, see it, or eat it, we did it! A wonderful time for us all.

Getting acquainted with 2000 butterflies at the Branson Butterfly Palace.

I guess it's never too early for Daddy to teach me to drive.

Or shoot?

Dick's 5 and 10.  Possibly the greatest store on earth (for Mom and Dad too).

Perhaps Mom is a little too excited over the Flying Elephant ride.

SWINGS

We only cut paper

Cutting one's own hair at a young age is a right of passage.  

I did it, my sister did it, and I'm quite sure you did too.  

And learning how to use scissors is a key component of dexterity and coordination in Lauren's preschool.

But...

Find the one pair of scissors in the house that your parents didn't hide

+ cut you own hair during a play date  

+  hide the hair in the trash can and claim you have no idea how it got there 

+ have the parents pay $25 to get it fixed 

= A layered haircut and a huge lesson.

WE ONLY CUT PAPER

Preschool Prom 2014

Last weekend, Lauren attended her very first Preschool Prom with the best date ever...her Dad.

The theme was "Disney" and Lauren wanted to look just like Elsa from the movie "Frozen".  So her Mom found the perfect teal dress, rush ordered the cape, and added in the white gloves, tiara and shoes. Let's not forget the hair straightener, hairspray, blush and lip gloss.  Yes, I am THAT Mom.

But flashback to our past few Halloweens, and Lauren wanted nothing to do with her outfit the day of the event.

Despite deselecting all of the accessories, our princess looked BEAUTIFUL and she and her prince charming headed out for dancing, milk, cookies and fun. Feeling blessed.