The Christmas Story

It was the annual Christmas Pageant at the St. Thomas Aquinas Child Development Center this year and it was the story of the birth of Jesus.  Lauren and her class were the shining star of Bethlehem.  At the end of the pageant they all sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".  No wonder she has been wanting this song on repeat in the car.  She had a great time and afterwards she got to take lots of pictures wit her classmates which she enjoyed so much.  She gave each of them a big Christmas hug. 

Christmas in Austin

We went to Austin for our Goddaughters second birthday.  Goodness is she already two already!  After the big party we went with the Figgs to the big Christmas tree in Austin to let the kiddos run around and look at the lights.  Parking was a nightmare but we parked in an electric car spot and then we walked through the dark but we made it was a blast.  We all stood under the tree and turned in circles to get dizzy.  The little girls played ring around the rosie.  Once we were all cold enough it was time to head back to the cars.  Joey, Emmie, and Lauren had races  back to the car.  It only took about five minutes for Lauren to crash one the way home.  Good thing I put her in her pajamas because all I had to do was carry her from the truck to her bed.

Oridinary Sunday

It was a typical Sunday morning nothing really going on.  Mom had come over to have Sunday lunch with us.  We were going to cook Jeff's favorite meal deer steak and brown gravy with rice.  Sorry Mom next time you get to have milk gravy.  I decided to flour the steak like Grandma used to in a paper sack and it was so much easier and so less messy than doing it by hand.  I guess Grandma knew what she was doing all along.  

While Mom and I were cooking Jeff and Lauren got to put together the Gingerbread house this year.  I bought a pre-assembled one this year since last year it turned out more like a lean-to instead of a house.  So much easier and all they had to do was decorate.  I think this was the first time that has ever iced anything.


After lunch and nap time it was time to head outside and put up the 
the Christmas lights and candy canes. Lauren excited to head outside and get some fresh air.  The weather was so nice and the perfect day.

Conversations with Lauren

With it being Christmas Lauren has come up with alot of questions lately that I guess one would have if they don't know a whole lot about the world.  The first came when we went to see Santa for the first time this year.  She was very eager to tell him what she wanted and she had said that it was something special.  So we waited in line and she she sat beside him not on his lap though, a big improvement from last year.  When she opened her mouth she asked for a bunny, not a stuffed bunny, but a real live bunny.  On the way home I had to explain to her that Santa doesn't bring real animals because they cannot be carried in his bag with all of the presents or they would get hurt.

Lately we have been listening to the Disney Christmas CD in the car and learning Christmas carols.  Right now her favorite is "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and we have it set on repeat (at least we have moved on from "Yankee Doodle").  In this particular song children are singing and she asked if it was the elves singing.  Since we have "Abby the Elf" visiting daily she is fascinated by elves.  I told her it could be elves and it could be children because they do sound alike when they sing.

Last night Lauren wrote her letter to Santa and it included a whistle, a ball, and a "stuffed" dog since you know from the bunny request no live animals come from Santa.  She had to make sure and read her list to Abby so she could tell Santa what she wanted.  Then we placed it under the tree for Abby to pick up and take with her to the North Pole.

Today on the way to school out of the blue she asked if there is a fire in the fireplace do elves go out of the house through the fireplace.  Then she asked if Santa comes in through the chimney if there is a fire.  I explain that when there is a fire elves and Santa don't come through the fireplace.  This really confused her because she is concerned about having a fire at night because Santa can't come and Abby the Elf can't go see Santa everynight.  She is really thinking about the details of Abby and Santa coming in our house.  She was definetly put at ease to know that everynight Mommy or Daddy puts out the fire so they can come and go as needed. 

My Sweet Ballerina

Lauren has been asking for sometime now to take dance lessons.  Angelina Ballerina is one of her favorite shows to watch, she twirls around the house and most importantly she must wear her tap shoes and dress up like a ballerina to play the part.  So since she had turned four and she couldn't stop talking about it Jeff and I decided it was time for her to take lessons.  I picked her up one Monday and asked her if she would like to go see a place where girls go to dance class.  Her response was, "Please! Please! Pretty Please!"  So we drove to Suzanne's and signed her up on the spot.  She was shy at first but then she saw the ballet shoes and the leotards.  She tried them one and it brought back so many memories of when I was little and how I always felt so special when I got new ballet and tap shoes.  The smell of the dance studio was also lingering and all I could think of was Ms. Margaret.  Next it was time to try on leotards and oh my!  Leotards are not just the basic black with tights anymore.  Now you have the option to choose between black and pink, skirt or no skit, and tutu or no tutu.  Not to mention all the accessories one can have...hair bows, shoe bags, jackets, and leg warmers.  She settles on pink tights with a pink leotard that has a tutu and ruffles around the arms.  By the time we left she was the happiest girl in the world.


The next morning the first thing out of Lauren's mouth was, "Is it time for dance class yet?"  Her teacher at school said dance class was all she talked about and was so super excited.  On our way to the studio she was giddy with joy and excited to because she was going to get to be a "real" ballerina.  She jumped out of the car and even posed to take a picture before we went in.

We waited in the parents viewing room for her class to start. One by one other little girls started to come in. The first girl's name was Lauren so that was fun for her and made her feel a bit let shy. At the minutes rolled by and it was time for her class to start Lauren became more excited and nervous all in one. She wanted to burst with energy but was hesitant because she didn't know anyone. Then out of the blue we hear, "Lauren! Lauren!" It was Tori from her school. Lauren's face soon had the biggest smile and she was screaming with excitement. They gave each other biggest hug, ran into dance class, and were inseparable until we put them in the cars to go home. They danced with little wands and pointed their toes. Pilates were next with some turns. Time for a change and the ballet shoes came off and the tap shoes were put on. I thought Lauren in the house was loud but 12 little girls with tap shoes is loud. At the end they got there lollipops had not intention of leaving. We had to tear Lauren and Tori apart. It was a moment that I will never forget.

Don't wake me up!

After a summer of 100+ weather into September winter has finally come.  The past two mornings have been in the 40s and no one wants to get out of bed.  Snickers trys to snuggle with anyone that will let her to keep warm.  This morning I woke up to find Snickers in the laundry basket.  One would think that she would like the bed that I make her every night and tuck her in.  I guess it was comfy.  After I woke up lazy bones Lauren she walked into our bedroom.  I guess she found the laundry basket comfy as well.  Gotta love mornings like this!

Jell-O

What is this?  Nanny making Lauren one of her favorite treats, Jell-O!  Nanny has always made Lauren her own dessert just for them to eat.  Each time Lauren has to sit in Nanny's lap and eat a whole bowl.  Sometimes she shares and sometimes she doesn't.  It is something special that they share.

Christmas Fun!

Well is was December 3, 2011 and we all know what that is...Grand's Birthday...the most wonderful Mom a girl could have.  We decided to have some fun and go to Coufal-Prater tractor company for some Christmas fun.  Lauren wanted to bring the neighbor Elliott along because today he was her "best friend."

At first Lauren didn't want to sit in Santa's lap but I told her that she had to tell him what she wanted for Christmas and she was ready to go.  All she wanted was a "real" bunny. 

The two had a blast on the John Deere tractors...the bulldozers were the big hit!

Then they got to sit on real tractors and that was super cool!  

After that we loaded up to go the the Presidential Library for crafts.  They had Christmas performances by 

a dance company and Lauren was hooked.  She wants to be a ballerina like Angelina!

When Lauren was a baby I couldn't wait for her to grow up so I could do all sorts of fun stuff with her and now I am getting to do it.  So much fun and just her expressions and excitement about everything just makes me so thankful.  She is the sunshine to my days.