Back to School

Back in September Lauren went back to school. Well, two days a week anyway. But they are full days for sure. We are still struggling with the 7AM wake up call, but we're getting there. Lauren loves her new class. They are the FROGs (Fully rely on God). Which is hilarious because my pledge class at ACU was the FROGs (Flames rely on God). It maybe kinda funny, but I think it was God's way of reassuring me we were doing the right thing. I had linger doubts about if we chose the right program for this year. Originally, we were going to put her in a 5 day half day program, but that really didn't seem manageable with a new baby on the way. And I considered looking at 3 day programs. But in the end we ended up where we should be. We were all excited to see she had several friends from her class last year and has already made a special bonds with some new kiddos. She is blessed with 2 great teachers that have already taught her so much. She is has a wealth of knowledge about apples, the letter A, and families. This year I actually get feedback from her on how her day was and what she learned. I love it. She loves school and is always asking how much longer until she goes again. Here are some pictures from the first day.

Summer Recap

Sad. Summer is over, just the high temps linger on. (Well, when I started this they were, now it's actually just awesome weather) I love summer, the heat, the sun, the swimming, the vacations, the carefree days. All of these we so enjoyed this summer. I have tried my best to make the most of this summer, knowing how different life will be next summer with two sets of hands to hold. I think we succeeded in making lasting memories in our last summer as a family of three.

Lauren enjoyed VBS at Oak Hills and Concordia. We had a fun visit from the Heflin family that included a day at the zoo and 2 days at Seaworld. Lauren attended Ballet Camp at Oak Hills along with several of her playgroup friends. Our family of 3 had an awesome vacation in Seagrove, FL. A few trips to the ranch thrown in there. August was more of a stay at home month, but we filled it with lots of swimming including swimming lessons, visits from Grandparents and play dates. Here are some pictures highlights.........

Zoo Trip

Seaworld

Swim Lessons

Ballet Camp

Seagrove

Conversations with Lauren

Lauren : When the baby gets here, will you still call me baby
Me: Sure will, you will always be my baby
Lauren: You can call me sweetheart.

And she is just that, my sweetheart and my baby forever.

Happy 4th Birthday Lauren

My baby has been four for over a week now, so it's time to do a big 4 year old post. This year we started the celebration only a week early with our traditional once a year trip to Chucky E Cheese with Lauren's dear friend Caroline. The girls had a blast, Doug and I just tried to keep up with two munchkins.

Sweet friends

This year's party was at Artworks. I wanted to go easy this year and have the party done for me and out of the million of choices out there, Lauren wanted an art party. She had all of her playgroup friends there and a bunch of friends from school. We were also blessed to have a lot of family in town to celebrate the big occasion!

Me with two of my favorite girls!

The pink flower cake. Could you get more girly?

Listening to instructions.

Busy with play doh

Posing with Papa

The family shot

Sweet School friends Claire and Maggie

Jenna & Lauren

Caroline and Lauren

Alonzo, Brynn and Lauren (school and soccer/ballet)

Mallory, Lauren and Avery

Lauren is so excited to be four and all of the things being four means. To her being four means, playing soccer, a ballet recital, becoming a big sister, swim lessons and going to beach. (All upcoming plans.) In tradition from last year, here are a few of her favorite things, only this time in fours!

Favorite Colors
1. Pink
2. Blue
3. Orange
4. White

Favorite People

1. Mommy
2. Daddy
3. Caroline
4. Addison A

Favorite Shows
1. Max and Ruby
2. Olivia
3. Yo Gabba Gabba
4. Wow Wow Wubzy

Favorite Movies
1. Hotel For Dogs
2. Bolt
3. Wow Wow Wubzy
4. Cinderella

Favorite Foods
1. Mac n Cheese
2. Lunchables
3. Ham and Cheese
4. Cheese Enchiladas

Favorite things to do
1. Hug Mommy
2. Ballet
3. Love on Abby
4. Art

Favorite Songs (CDS)
1. Weezer
2. Glee
3. Muse
4. Wade Bowen


Favorite Trips
1. Beach
2. Disney World
3. Ranch
4. Trips to grandparents

Favorite Animals
1. Puppy
2. Panda
3. Lady Bug
4. Bear

4 Random Favorites
1. Sleeping
2. Her bed
3. The baby
4. Soccer


Favorite Games
1. Dora game
2. Leap Frog game
3. Trouble
4. Lady bug game

Favorite Places to Eat
1. Subway
2. Mexican
3. Willies
4. Chick fil a


Lauren,

I could never tell you just how much joy you bring to my day. Your smile, your laugh, your hugs make each day better and brighter. I really don't know or understand how out of all the parents in the world God chose us to have such a good kid. The best word I can think of to describe you is sweet. You are so sweet. Always quick with hug, always thoughtful and concerned about the will being of others, always giving and sharing with you friends. You never cease to amaze me. This past year has been so much fun. I have loved watching you at ballet and soccer, had the best time on our beach trip and love to hear your stories about school. You have grown leaps in bounds in just about every way possible. I love our conversations, playing games and making crafts together. I can't wait to see what next year brings. We have so many things to look forward to as a four year old. Right now you are so excited about summer, ballet, soccer, but mostly about being a big sister. I will never forget telling you about our baby and how your eyes lit up and your jaw dropped. I love listening to you talk about "your" baby and all the things you are going to teach hm or her and how you are going to help me. You are going to be such a big sister and I can't wait to see you fill that role. Thank you sweet girl, for always being you, for loving so big, for shining so bright that you warm the room. Happy 4th birthday to my baby, er um my big girl! Love you bigger than world, wider than my arms stretch and higher than the moon!

South Padre

Shortly after our first soccer game (and when I say shortly I'm mean less than an hour) we were on the road to South Padre. Neither Doug or I had been in such a long time we thought we should check it out. We try to take Lauren to a beach at least once a year. (At the time we thought this would be our one beach trip of there year, but plans change.) In years past we went to Port A, but after the disastrous nose issue of last year, Doug banned it from our to do list. So off to Padre we went. I have to say the beaches are much nicer, and since we went in March we almost had the beach to ourselves. It was a little chilly (the first day I was wrapped in my towel for the first half of the day and then swaddled in my bed for the second half.). But we managed to have a great relaxing time and Lauren absolutely loved the beach, sand and all that goes with it. In fact we all loved it so much, that Doug and I decided to cancel our adult only trip to NY and instead the three of us are headed to Seaside, FL in July. I am so excited, I can hardly wait! I love the beach and I love watching Lauren love it.

Soccer Mom

At last Lauren is old enough to play soccer and at last I get to be the soccer mom and Doug the coach. I have to say, I think I am probably more excited about it than anyone. I love that Lauren is old enough that I can go buy her stuff at Academy and get her all dressed up in sports stuff. Not so sure we have a future soccer star as she is too nice to take the ball away from the opposing team. She really like the social aspect of it and cheering on her teammates. Our first game did not go so well, not that I expected our group of 3 and 4 year olds to dominate the field, but we did look cute and that counts for something, right? Hopefully as the season goes on they will start to get it a little more, or play a team even "nicer" and less aggressive than ours. Here some pictures of my little superstar and her team. Go BULLDOGS!

Pre Game


Not sure why she is all by herself?

This picture below cracks me up, there is always someone crying, just proud that Lauren's eyes stayed dry.

Let's Start again

Some how time has gone by. We passed through Christmas, ran through the new year, hugged valentines day and celebrated the birthday of the man of the house. And a million other little things have been experienced and passed through our lives. So, do I go back and document all of that, or just kinda start anew? I have tons of pictures of the fun we have had, that would be nice to put on here, but I'm just kinda thinking, that's not gonna happen. If you want to the see them, they are all on facebook. So let's just start again. Forget that about 4 months have passed since my last entry. If anyone out there still checks in from time to time be on the look out for more entries in the near future, maybe even today.........