Lauren Outside

Beautiful Day

Lauren is trying to get her footing, walking in the grass for the first time!  The weather is unbelievable for early March.  It's been almost 70 degrees.  I'm thankful I'm a little slower than usual at work right now because I've been able to come home early and play with the girls. I'm loving it...and out comes the camera!

 Hannah loves playing outside and on the swingset. She is getting really strong and I've already noticed a difference from what she was able to do in the fall and what she can do now. 

Lauren also is enjoying the swing....and the playset.  While I was cleaning up after the dog, Lauren climbed up the ladder to the top of the clubhouse and started laughing as she positioned herself to go down the 10 foot slide on her stomach (feet first, thankfully) by herself.  She was loving it.  She laughed so hard when she got to the bottom and squealed as she walked around to do it again.  Needless to say, I am watching her a little more closely as she's running around outside!

 

 My ham

 

 Lauren is getting to play in the sandbox for the first time. She's only eaten a little sand and really likes getting to play with Hannah.  There are a lot of afternoons where we'll let Hannah outside by herself to play. Now, Lauren stands at the back door and beats the door, screeching that she wants out too!

Sleeping Beauty

She fell asleep in the car and transferred to her crib with her coat and shoes still on.... so cute.

Grant's 1st Birthday Party

We went over to Rachel & Ryan's to celebrate Grant's first birthday.  As usual, Rachel went all out on the birthday cake and did an Elmo cake for Grant.  It turned out fantastic, and despite your thoughts on red icing (I usually don't like the way it tastes), it was really good.  We had a small pizza party, which was perfect...and the kids enjoyed playing with each other.  It was the first time we'd seen them in a while this winter, since the boys were trading colds most of January and February.

 The Elmo Cake

 The Kids Table

 Birthday Boy, waiting on his cake

 
 He loved it!

 By the time he finished, he had to be stripped!

 Despite what it looks like, Gavin wasn't actually trying to choke Hannah

 Mommy & Lauren

(after she had her cake....and take notice of the 1/2 dozen hair clips on my sweater that Hannah decided she didn't want to wear anymore)

 Grant opening presents

 He loved his ball from Aunt D and Uncle Josh

Lauren!

Ponytail Girl

Hannah doesn't like to wear things in her hair, but occasionally she'll either request that I put something in her hair (like the day she requested I use all ELEVEN tiny lobster claw clips in her hair in the color order she requested) or she'll say "okay, Mom" (complete with teen-like sigh) and let me put in a clip or put her hair in a ponytail.  Of course, I'm sure our sitter would prefer no hair things ever because she requires they be out for naptime....but it's better than when she was younger and she'd take out hairclips before she even made it to Lisa's house and Jon would have little hairclips all over his car!  Today Hannah let me do a ponytail and requested I take a picture before she left for school.  She's looking so grown up!

(Aunt D - Notice the Hello Kitty umbrella and her raincoat? The preschool drop-off lady loves it. Hannah insists on putting it up as she gets out of the car, even though the lady meets us at the car with a huge golf umbrella...She's a hoot!)