Lauren's Holiday Program 2010

Lauren's class sang, "Dreidel", a Kwanzaa song "We All Must Work Together", and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". They got off to a slow (read: quiet) start, but by the end they were singing their little hearts out! I think all the parents' faces must've thrown them for a loop at first! Stage fright...


Lauren's teacher, Ms. Jackson, was awarded "Teacher of the Year" the day before. We love her!

Lauren and her BFF Sophie.

And...the grand finale...lovely. ;)

Visit with Santa -2010

We took the kids to see Santa at Perimeter Mall. There was a wait list, so we ate some lunch, did some browsing, etc., while waiting for the call that Santa was ready for us. Naturally, the warm mall, and all the busy-ness put Davy to sleep just as we approached the front of the line. Woudl this bode well for his first visit w/Mr. Claus?? As he woke up, we asked him if he wanted to see Santa. His response?, " No, NO!". However, he sat on his lap and just kind of looked at everyone involved, as if to say, 'Are you people for real?!".

This Santa was so wonderful. When we walked up he said, "Lauren! I've been wondering when you were going to come and see me...". She was tickled pink! She thought for sure he remembered her from our earlier visit to the mall around Thanksgiving when he waved at her! :)

Turkey Time- 2010

My little turkeys...Enjoying their visit from Nana and Umpy. We picked them up at the airport and both kids were so warm and loving; I could tell it pleased my parents to no end! Todd's family joined us for a wonderful meal and fellowship at our home.

Then, the day after Thanksgiving we decked the halls with boughs of holly for an early Christmas celebration with my folks. It was fun to watch the kids open their gifts. Lauren would exclaim after each gift, "Coooool!". Davis took a bit to get what was going on, but now he's an old hat and ready for the real day! :)

Umpy and Lauren share a snuggle while watching "Elmo's Christmas Countdown" for what is for sure to be the first of umpteen times this holiday season! Definitely a favorite around here...

Nana treated Lauren to a carousel ride at Discover Mills mall.

While out shopping, we naturally had to stop by Bass Pro Shops. Here Lauren peeks at the big fish tank.

We had a such a wonderful visit. We didn't over-extend ourselves this year, and just took each day as it came. Our kids l0ved having their Nana and Umpy here, as did 'the big kids' too. Definitely thankful for our loved ones this year!

Bipitty Boppity Boo!

Lauren's cousin Kaitlyn had a Disney Princess party for her 4th birthday, and all the girls came dressed as their favorite princess for an afternoon of makeup, glamour, and all things PRINCESS! Here they are with their fairy grandmother (Mimi).

Davy tries to get in on the action too, sporting his handy-dandy wand.
Lauren loved getting glammed up, with sparkling eye shadow, lip gloss, finger nail polish and press on tattoos!

My pretty princess!

Lauren wore "Cinderella's wedding dress"...it really is a beautiful play dress up gown!

Halloween 2010

Halloween 2010 was so much fun this year. Both kids had fun dressing in their costumes, trick-or-treating, and carving the pumpkin.

We took the kids to "Trunk-or-Treat" at our church. Lauren's favorite part? Sharing her costume title in the microphone at church. Kids crack me up!

All the events at preschool were held on the Friday before. So much fun! Daddy was even able to sneak away for a bit to watch the parade.

Davis was a dinosaur...GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Me and my little Georgia cheerleader!! We had to search high and low for an authentic costume ("That doesn't look like what they wear on TV!"). We were in a bit of a panic when the one from the UGA bookstore was on back order for so long, but we found one at a local sport fanatic store. WHEW! Then the on-line search for the perfect pom poms and "Georgia G" face stickers...she a was absolutely thrilled with the end result!

After the parade, Lauren changed into her black cat dress for her class party. Loved it!

Whew!

So....we are officially caught up, my dearest blog stalkers. I hope you enjoyed this marathon view of our Spring and Summer as much as I did as I reviewed the photo memories. Let's do this again soon, 'k?

xoxo.
KM

Fancy Nancy

The girls and I had a chance to dress up in our poshest clothes to head over to our local branch of the library for a Fancy Nancy Soiree last weekend. We got to read a story, sing some songs with the librarian, and make fancy crowns. After we got home we made some ice cream parfaits (ie. FANCY sundaes!!), and put our feet up. It's very hard work to be THIS fancy!!!


Wearing their FANCY crowns!

Waiting for story hour to begin...they were definitely some of THE poshest girls there...

Ooh! La! La!

Star Student of the Month

Lauren was the Star Student of the Month for August. We got to put together a bit poster board that was all about her to share with her class! She also got to bring in a special treat one afternoon to share wtih her classmates. She picked out special cupcakes from the bakery that had little crayola crayon rings on top of them. :)

Random Summer Fun

Here is a compilation of moments from our summer:

Wacka, wacka, wacka! Funny girl.



The girls had a princess weekend at Mimi's for Labor Day. They got matching pajamas and Mimi's undivided attention for a whole weekend. They were in heaven!

Lauren checks out the shark's teeth at Bass Pro Shops.

Ladybug has changed so much this summer. She's really quite the little lady now-- no more toddler left in her!

As her guitar gently weeps...practicing for American Idol 2025. The girl takes her music VERY seriously.

Blowing bubbles one glorious Sunday afternoon.

Mimi got a paddle boat for her birthday. Lauren loves to ride around their lake.

Our little devil with a pitchfork!

Look at that sweet face. Love you, Davy!

Riding the swings with Daddy. Go Braves!


Hmmm....now who does this face remind you of? Daddy, of course!

Lauren dresses up for Princess Day at school .

Summer Sleepover

Once we got back from Wisconsin, Lauren really wanted to see her cousing Kaitlyn, so we arranged for a weekend-long visit. The girls helped me make brownies, they played in the wading pool, we went out for ice cream, played hopscotch, and blew bubbles. They had too much fun together...

Kaitlyn is all smiles while playing in the water.

Lauren, on the other hand, takes her pool time VERY seriously!

Davis ensures he's got a fish for each hand, AND his paci in his mouth! Definitely a must while playing in the pool, right??

Enjoying their ice cream cones!

Lauren hops, skps, and jumps!

Blowing bubbles...

On Wisconsin!

We had a wonderful 10 days of visiting with my family in Wisconsin over the summer. We had plenty of cool lakefront breezes, warm, sunny afternoons in my mother's beautiful garden, lots of visits with family and friends. The best part was that we didn't have a super strict agenda, but just planned each day as it came...nice and relaxing! I was worried it would be hard on my folks to have a houseful of guests for that duration, but I think everyone really enjoyed spending time together.


One of many afternoons when Davy was crashed out from too much fun!

Lauren loved helping Nana plant flowers and work in the garden, but Davis was just a bit too young to be of much help. He could pull weeds, but might also pull things we didn't want him to, so we tried to keep him entertained near by.

Curly "Sue" on one of trips to visit with friends!

Lauren had so much fun helping Nana decorate for the 4th. In the box of decorations she discovered the crown Nana bought just with her in mind. Our 4th of July Princess!!

After about a week of hanging out, going to story hour, and watching Umpy work baseball games, my siblings came into town for the 4th of July weekend. It was great to have everyone home! Sarah and Allon arrived first from NYC, and while we waited for Paul and Kelly to arrive from Minneapolis, we took the kids to the Racine Zoo, picturesquely situated on the shores of Lake Michigan. It was one of the last remaining free zoos in the United States until relatively recently. It's a beautiful small zoo, and we love to visit it when we are home!

Lauren loves her Aunt Sarah. Here they share a quiet moment while looking at the duck pond and water fountain.

Davis really just sat back and took it all in. He liked to see the animals, but I think next year he'll really be excited to recognize the animals and make animal noises!

Sweet Lauren, checking things out!

Nana loved showing the giraffes to Lauren. They sure seemed taller than the last time Nana took her to see them!

Aunt Sarah and Uncle Allon took Lauren for a ride on the Zoo Train to check the place out! Nana, Umpy, Davis and Mommy took a break on the near by bench and just enjoyed the lake breeze.

They have a beautiful bird exhibit where you can go in and feed the birds off of a stick. They'll fly right up to your hand. Lauren was so intrigued...

Allon holds Davis to rest Mommy's weary back.