Lauren Kate- 5 yrs young

Our Lovely Lauren turned 5 last month and she had quite the birthday. Her friends joined her for a bear-building party and had lots of fun.  Lauren is having a big year this year as she finishes 4K and heads into Kindergarten this fall.  She is definitely ready with her numbers, letters, etc. She now reads books at night and knows a lot of the words!  She loves to dress up like Elsa and perform. We have watched Frozen 8 times and listen to the CD every day in the car. Lauren is a GUM fanatic. (Aunt Erin, you will have to have a pack ready because I clearly remember that framed picture with letter to LK upon her birth that you would always have gum as her aunt :) ). She likes to color, play UNO, play soccer, perform ballet, swim and pom pons. She is our little competitor, especially when it comes to winning at UNO or getting down the stairs first. We love everything about her. XO LK

 She woke up to a surprise balloon avalanche.

 Opening presents...she received a LeapPad and she was thrilled

 Ready for the big Build-A-Bear Party

Happy Easter

The kids had a blast this year doing the egg hunt at North Hills and then receiving their baskets and Easter gifts. (who wouldn't?) Here are the highlights.

Hawaiian Day at school, wearing the Kauai shirt from Nani & Papa

Same for LK, grass skirt and coconuts.

HAPPY EASTER

The hunt for the baskets begins. LK is on a mission, and MC is trying to get to the egg before LK.

Elsa dress made by Grandma. Lauren was in heaven.

Batman cape made by Grandma.

Pillow Case Race

What a beautiful day today!  Yes it was still cold, but we got to spend a lot of sorely needed time getting fresh air today.  After naps we went out and the kids sat in a snow fort while Chris and I chipped away at shoveling the packed snow from the driveway. It felt so good to get some air without fear of frostbite.  And then the kids spent some more energy doing pillow case races down the hall.  Overall nice day!  xoxo

Video wouldn't upload, sorry.

Psssst

I am potty training!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And it is going really really well.  I just had one accident the other day, but am on day 3 of wearing my new big boy underwear.  I start in my new classroom at daycare today too and will be going on the toilet at school regularly (mom's words, not mine)!  Lauren helps cheer me on too. Fun times!

Tiny Dancer 11/23/13

Lauren Kate- Tapper

LK had her very first dance recital.  She was in the "Americana" themed group doing a tap routine to Shirley Temple's Polly Wolly  Doodle.  She did wonderful considering she didn't even have a dress rehearsal on the large high school stage.  She did so well and looked so beautiful.  It was a so fun to watch and brought me back to my old dance days.  How odd sitting in the crowd watching MY daughter now.

BOO- Pumpkin Time

Pumpkin Carving: 2013

LK loved the pumpkin carving this year. MC, not so much...he'd rather not touch the goop. 

Ariel and Spiderman

A Flower Girl, A Balloon Fight, A Dancer

My cousin Matt got married on  8/3 and LK was one of the flower girls along with Natalie.  The girls did great and the wedding was so much fun.  It was a lot of fun and Chris earned the title "Dancing King."  My favorite is that he said he danced to Toto's Africa with my mom.  How do you fast-dance to that??!

Grandpa Jordan

Sarah (maid of honor), LK and Natalie, priest, Matt (groom)

only decent family pic of the bunch

Cousin Tayler, John, and Natalie

LK and Natalie belly bumping

Our kids, like most kids, love water balloons.  You need to fill a bunch before you tell them about them or Michael throws the balloon as soon as you fill it, 2 feet away lasting all of 1 minute.

  

And Lauren started Tippy Tap a week ago.  She is having a blast tapping away in her little leotard.  Can't wait for the recital in November.  I'm sure she'll be wearing something that is adorable...not the craziness Erin and I wore at Dance Defined.    Here is LK dancing on her bed the first day of tap.  She was excited to go!