And so it begins...

...the wave of birthday parties! Lauren and her classmates are all turning 3 and celebrating in grand style!

Jackson M's Birthday in the Park

Lauren goes down the BIG GIRL slide on her own!

Daddy let Davis try the slides too. He had a bit more help and hand-holding than did his Big Sister!

Boy! We love that smile and sunny disposition...

Keeping with the Rockin' theme, Lauren plays her blow up "Manectric Guitar" (i.e. electric guitar). She loves to sing, and pretend to strum...a future American Idol? We've got some great video clips for them to play during one of her childhood montages. "Down By the Bay", anyone?

Enjoying cupcakes, ice cream cups, and a juice box w/ her best friend Sophie.

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Holly's Party at the Young Chef's Academy

Lauren and Sophia are mixing up the dough for their very own personal pizzas!

While their mini pizzas were cooking they each got to decorate their own cupcakes. Look at that focused little face!

TaDa! A masterpiece.

Spring Fling 2010

Lauren's class had a Spring party last Friday, and it was my first official "Room Mom" event. After naps, they had snacks, and donned their "Spring Bonnets"...complete with a ladybug for my Ladybug!

They even got a story out of their Room Mom...Lauren picked it out from the "Monkey the George" (i.e. Curious George) book. It was Curious George Goes to the Library. Lauren had to tell everyone in her class that the library is where her Mommy loves to take her so they can borrow BOOKS!

She was so excited to have me there and show me off to her friends. We had a great afternoon!

Sleeping Babes

My sweet kiddos both fell back asleep the other morning-- one on each side of me. As I slowly maneuvered myself out of the bed, they just naturally cuddle back in with each other. I quite literally made my heart melt.

May they always love each other this much.

What a total and utter blessing!

Surprise Visitor from Out West

We had a surprise visitor a couple of weeks ago when Todd's cousin Ashley stopped by Atlanta on a roadtrip with some of her college friends. She plays volleyball for Dakota Wesleyan, and they were en route to Florida for Spring Break in Daytona. She hadn't met Davis yet, and last saw Lauren when she was about 4 or 5 months old. Lauren was super shy at first, but spent the next several days asking "Where's Ashley???".

Davis & Ashley

Papa Fish, Lauren, Davis & Ashley

Papa Fish gets in some snuggle time with his little monkey.

Once school got out for the day, Mimi joined us, and we all went out to a dive BBQ joint for some good eats.

It was so great to see Ashley, and to meet her friends. She's always so much fun to be around, and brings laughter and smiles wherever she goes. Let's just try to keep our next visit under 3 years, k?

Grandparent's Day

Lauren's preschool had a celebration for Grandparent's yesterday, so Mimi and Papa Fish came by for a surprise visit. She was so excited to see them both! They did lots of activities, had a snack, planted some seeds, and played outside in the warm sunshine for a bit.

They even brought Davis in for a little visit!

Lauren cried when her Mimi had to go back to work, so Papa Fish stayed a little bit longer to play outside on the swings. I think she thought they were coming to pick her up for the day, versus just popping in for a visit!

The Lord's Prayer

Every night, faithfully, Lauren says the Lord's Prayer, then adds on her "special prayers" for family, friends, and loved ones. She always, ALWAYS, tacks on "and that I feel better tomorrow" at the end. Guess a girl has to cover all her bases! It is one of our favorite parts of the day, and certainly of the entire bedtime ritual. Something sweet and innocent about her earnestness.

Davis is 9 months!

Davis is 9 months old-- we can't even believe how fast the time is going! He is thisclose to crawling, but seems to get his one foot caught up behind him. Probably for the best, as we can already tell he is going to be into EVERYTHING. Guess it's time to get out the baby gates and re-baby proof the house again!!

He continues to display a sweet and happy disposition, easily amused by the antics of his parents and Big Sister!

He is growing "SOOOOO BIG". At his 9 month well baby visit, he measured 30 1/2 inches and weighed in at 25 lbs, 2 ounces. Both were greater than 95th percentile. Once again, he's off the charts!

He looks more and more like Lauren, and to see the two of them enjoying one another so much makes Todd and I so happy! Lauren rejoices in each and every milestone, and loves to be his 'helper' or teacher, showing him the ropes on this and that.

We are really starting to see him looking more like a little boy, and less like a baby. His giggles are contagious, and he is a great little snuggler. We love you, Little Big Guy!