Halloween - Take 4

It's Halloween (or at least it was when I started this post)!  The funnest time of year where we decorate the house with pumpkins and witches, Grandma Kathy makes us a custom-made costume, and we have access to an endless bowl of chocolate candy. What's not to love right?

We started out with high hopes the day the costume arrived!

But after numerous pre-Halloween events we started to lose our purr.

And by Halloween Eve...

we were done with candy (I had to carry her to three houses), 

done with the scary decor (Lauren has been in our bed ever since), 

and certainly done being a cat!

Better luck next year!

Staycation 2013

As you are all likely aware, Bryon and I have been traveling ALOT this year. Traveling alot without Lauren.

So once she made us aware of this mishap, it was time to plan a "staycation".  Last weekend we packed up the Dora suitcase (including everything but clothes and jammies) and off to downtown Kansas City we went.

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. we....

• Went to the planetarium to see the "Elmo & Big Bird Moon and Stars" show
• Dined at the train restaurant
• Toured the aquarium and held a star fish
• Played at the indoor play place
• Saw a 30 minute puppet show
• Snacked on chocolate ice cream with gummy worms on top (not the parents...we had a glass of wine)
• Checked into the hotel
• Went up and down in the elevator four times
• Jumped on the bed
• Went out for dinner
• Came back and rode the elevator
• Jumped on the bed some more
• Played hide and seek in a 220 square foot hotel room
• Watched a movie
• Read Books
• More snacks (in bed)
• Slept (as much as you can with a horizontal toddler in the middle of your king size bed)
• Went to breakfast
• And then headed home for Halloween crafts and decor

Note: If you are exhausted just reading this, then you should imagine how her parents felt.

Lauren had a ball but was ready to come home, and her parents are still recovering till the next staycation. Fun!

Monthly Results

First, I want to apologize about the delay in not providing a blog update in well over a month. But spend one afternoon at my house and you will quickly realize that Lauren is not the picture-loving, captive audience that she once was.  We are running/tending/soothing/playing/feeding day and night!

Since my last post in early September however, we have had a slew of "firsts" and new successes.

Monthly Results:

1) Tour de Lauren!  Lauren has finally graduated from her infant tri-cycle  (thank you again Aunt Coni) to a real big girl bike complete with helmet, basket, and those stringy things that every kid in the 70's HAD to have coming out of their handlebars.  We are proud to say Lauren has had no major falls, and can even use her body weight to get herself up to the top of the cul-de-sac.  "Go Lauren Go"!

2) Off to the Fair!  Lauren rode her first carnival ride.  Although she still claims how scary it was, we know it's just the start of 10+ years of roller coasters. Oh my aching back!

3) Everyone Poops!  We are almost officially potty-trained.  True, we've been trying for the past six months, but Lauren now seems to prefer panties over pull-ups and we are well on our way to visiting every public bathroom in the Kansas City metro.  Whew!

In typing this, I see how quickly time passes and how quickly Lauren is growing.  We are so proud of you Lauren and look forward to the next month of "firsts".

A "Tail" for Tuesday

This past weekend as I was getting dressed, Lauren and I had a very pivotal, deep conversation for which her Mother was NOT prepared.

Lauren:  "Mama, why don't you have a tail like Daddy?"

Mom:  "I'm sorry Lauren, what did you just say?"

Lauren:  "Why don't you have a tail coming out of your bum like Daddy?"

Mom:  "Lauren, girls don't have tails."

Lauren: "Why not?"

Mom:  "Go ask your Father."

I may not know much about being a Mom, but I do know that when the conversation gets rough, send her to Daddy to address it.  Sorry Bryon!

Lauren's Week in Review

Lauren...

Is now tall enough to turn on all of the lights in our home.  Now we need to focus on the turning "off" part.

Just learned how to slam her bedroom door.  We knew this day was coming but at the age of three???  The best part is when she also tells you "you are not my best friend" while doing it.  

Has decided she has no interest in getting potty trained.  The preferred options are:  Pee on the floor; Pee on herself and then walk around in wet clothes; Or dispense of wet clothes somewhere in the house and then go back to whatever she was doing in the first place.

This past week, many of Lauren's preschool classmates have moved from the Elephant class over to the Alligator class. The rooms are joined by a bathroom.  The good news is that Lauren is going to the bathroom A LOT at school.  The bad news is that she's not actually using it, but rather using the bathroom to sneak into the Alligator room to find her friends.

Had decided that she wants to be Batman when she grows up.  Although I'm all about letting her become her own person, I think she and Daddy are watching too much TV.

Happy Friday everyone!

The Elephant in the Room

Great news!  Miss Lauren has been chosen as "Elephant of the Month" at her preschool.

Although we are new to this, I think being chosen as the Elephant is much like being voted homecoming queen or perhaps even President of her class.  Surely it's a distinguished honor since they requested photos  AND conducted a formal interview, right?

And her parents couldn't be any more proud that after three full years of endless lullabies and toddler tunes that the "Chicken Dance" is her favorite song.  Say what?

The Birthday Party

After three full years on this earth, Lauren had never had an official birthday party with pint-size people such as herself.  So we headed over to the local Splash Zone pool and Lauren got to celebrate her birthday (AGAIN) with some close friends and family.

The parents were too busy making sure the children were all afloat to take any pictures, but the pictures we took ensured that Lauren had a wonderful time!

Lauren's 3rd Cupcake Birthday Cake 

"But Aunt Jerris...I want the WHOLE cake".

"One little poke.  No one will know".

"Well it is MY cake after all".

"Now this is getting fun"

"Anyone want a piece?"