07 December 2009

American Idol?

Lauren will be celebrating her 3rd birthday by taking a few friends and partying down this Saturday at Pretend City, a "children's museum" where kids are allowed to pretend to be adults in a mock city environment. This past Saturday, we decided to do a "site visit" to see if it would be something that Lauren and her friends would enjoy.
Simply put, she loved it...

You can visit a grocery store to do some shopping:


And then go to the Self Check-Out:


Pick your fresh produce at the farm next to the grocery store:




Work on a builder's job site and then play hopscotch in its playground:



Work in the kitchen of a restaurant and then eat (pizza and Vietnamese noodles) out front with your customers:



There's also a "water park":




We weren't too surprised she liked to play in the areas listed above (among others). BUT...then we found ourselves at the Amphitheater, where live neighborhood performances take place on a lighted stage. What we then witnessed was the emergence of a performance artist demonstrating a mixture of Stevie Nicks, Liz Phair, Sheila E, and a little bit MC Hammer. You have to see it for yourself...




And finally, the performance captured on videos:








Stay tuned to see how her birthday celebration goes this weekend...

01 November 2009

Beautiful Butterfly

For weeks, Lauren has been putting on her Halloween costume and saying "Look at me: Butterfly!" and then proudly turns around to boast her beautiful butterfly wings. Our little performer has been entertaining us a lot lately. She showed her true acting skills last night trick or treating by turning on the charm and an intricate strategy to get double dips at each doorstep where candy was to be had. Her script at each house went a little something like this:

Lauren: Trick or treat!

(Lauren receives candy.)

Lauren: Thank you! Look at me: Butterfly!

(Lauren turns around to show person with stash of candy her butterfly wings.)

Lauren: Trick or treat?

(Receives MORE candy because she's so darn cute.)

(Parents become embarassed by their butterfly's behavior.)

A few photos of the little bugger:







With her friend, Sophia:


With Jack, Owen, Kate, and Sophia:


With Grace, Alex, Sophia, and Katarina:

19 October 2009

They're Gonna Be Best Friends

We got back from Ohio and thought I'd share a few photos of Russell & Lauren (AKA Peas & Carrots). They were so cute together!

Settling in on the first of two airplanes we take to get to Ohio---





Russell and Lauren reunite---





A day at the pumpkin patch---

















15 September 2009

Labor Day Fun

Can you believe I started drafting this entry right after Labor Day weekend? Well, it's a little late but I'm posting it anyway!

Hope everyone had a nice Labor Day weekend. We enjoyed a weekend full of family - Mom, Dad, Helen & Bruce, and Dawn & Johnny. JohnDawn flew into town for the weekend to spend time with us and Lauren couldn't have been happier to see them again. The photos say it all...

A few family shots...





How cute is Lauren with MeMa and Papa?


So cute that I had to see that face up close. Look at that smile...




We had a breakout of yoga fever that weekend in our home. Johnny, Dawn, and Lauren were striking poses like crazy. These are my favorite photos from the weekend. Enjoy!















01 August 2009

New do for Lauren

Lauren loves her new little bob. She is constantly looking in the mirror to admire herself : )