Soccer and an Award

Today Lauren got a lifeskills leadership award. Hers was for responsibility and integrity. We are very proud of her. What a great little girl.

Sunday was Lauren's jamboree. She did good considering she had only had one practice ever. This is Amanda and Lauren playing goalie.

There are 14 little first grade girls on Lauren's team. She loves playing with all her friends.

A Princess Dinner

Aaron had booked a very special dinner for Lauren last night. They had dinner at Ariel's Grotto with all the princesses. She called me after it and said it was so wonderful.

Aaron said the food was really good. Lauren loved the dessert. She thought the Ariel on top of her chocolate was something to take with her but then she realized it was a chocolate Ariel. She thought it was very funny to be eating Ariel.

Lauren with Belle. She brought her autograph book along and got a picture and autograph of all the princesses.

Lauren and Ariel.

She also got to see Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Jane from Tarzan. She loved every minute of the dinner. Today is their last day in Disneyland. They were waiting in line to go on Space Mountain this morning. It had been closed all week in preparation for the big Halloween reveal. Apparently they changed a few rides for Halloween and the Halloween fireworks start tonight. I can't wait to see them and hear in person about all their wonderful adventures together.

Soccer Man

This first picture needs an explanation. Colin and I were at Mary and Michael's house for dinner on Sunday and Papa gave Colin a green pumpkin to take home. Colin was having a very hard time going to sleep that night and wouldn't stop crying. He wanted Daddy but finally decided the pumpkin would work. He sleeps with it and then brings it down in the morning to put it outside to "get more orange" as he tells me. It's in his bed as I writing this. So cute.

Tonight was Colin's first tots soccer practice. There were about 25-30 3 year old kids. Some kids didn't want their parents to leave their side but Colin got right out there and did everything his coach told him to do. He did great and loved every minute.

Every child got to score a goal. Colin made his with one kick so I missed the shot.

Day Three

Aaron and Lauren are still having a blast. Wednesday was very hot in California. Aaron said it was 98 in the afternoon so they did take a break and went in the hotel pool for a bit.

Lauren doing some Jedi training.

In front of It's a Small World. I really don't like this ride.

They found Minnie.

Together on Big Thunder Mountain roller coaster (thanks for the correction Cheryl). This is one of my favorites.

Last night Colin started AWANA and loved it. He is in the Cubbie class. Lauren will start when she gets home so that will mean almost 2 hours on Wednesday with no kids. I'm thinking date night with my hubby.

A Rare Moment and more of Lauren's Day

Colin and I had dinner with Michael and Mary on Sunday night and I was determined to take some pictures of Colin. I had looked through my pictures from the last 4 months and didn't have a single picture of Colin to print for my house. I took 70 pictures and got these 4 I really liked. That is really good for Colin. He is so cute but quite a stinker when it comes to the camera.

We have Lauren's picture in front of these honey pots when she was just over 2. Aaron knew I would want one in the same spot. He really does know me.

Love the look on Lauren's face. They saw two parades today.

Stayed until dark tonight. The park closes at 8 except on Friday.

A few from Aaron

I have to make a correction. I talked to Aaron and he took about 60 pictures but only uploaded the best.

Aaron set up this web page thing that he uploads the pictures to and then I can view and save to my computer. It is so awesome to have a computer savvy husband. I do have to laugh he took 18 pictures today. I probably would have taken that in the first 10 minutes but I'm not complain because he took really good pictures. I only picked 3 but they are so cute. I've talked to them quite a few times and they are having a blast.

Yeah!! he got one with Mickey.

I just love that Aaron is in the picture with princess Jasmine.

Notice how nice Lauren's hair looks. This was my big stress and Aaron is doing great. Yeah Daddy!!

Daddy's Business Trip

We have been telling Lauren for a few weeks that Aaron would be going on another business trip. This happens quite often in our house so she didn't suspect anything. She has been praying for a safe trip for Daddy (I'm really hoping lying for surprises is okay by God). This morning at 6:20 Aaron woke her up and told her there was no business trip but that just the two of them were leaving in a few hours to go to Disneyland. She was so happy.

A big smile for 6:30 in the morning but how could you not when you are headed to the most wonderful place on earth.

All packed and ready to go. I had packed while she was at school.

I asked her how excited she was on a scale of 1 - 10 and she held her arms out and said 100.

She had her Mickey earring on and was ready to go.

Lauren has an amazing Daddy and they will have a blast. They will be in the park for 5 days. She told me while I was getting her ready that at first she thought she had to go on a business trip with Daddy and was confused but no confusion about going to Disneyland.

Ballet and Soccer

Tuesday was Lauren's first day of dance. She is doing ballet this year and there are 14 little girls in the class. She seems to enjoy it and there were quite a few girls she knew.

Tonight was Lauren's first soccer practice. She did great and after some talking she said she had fun.

Colin played for a bit on the play structure with Daddy. He was having a blast.

A little video of our "star".

Stories

I just had a few cute stories about my little girl.

Last night we went to pizza with Jen. I was coming out of the bathroom with Colin and asked where Lauren was and Jen said she was going to the bathroom but I checked and she wasn't there. Jen knew she had walked down the hall to the bathroom so I walked to the boys bathroom and talked through the door and sure enough that is where she was. I told her to hurry because she was in the boys bathroom. I asked her if she had seen the urinal and she said yes but it was only one. Not sure why one doesn't count. So silly.

I had received an email from Lauren's teacher answering my question and she asked me if she should know something about Lauren's eyes because Lauren was telling her she couldn't see. I told her Lauren was farsighted but nothing else. I asked Lauren about it and she said her eyes were fine she couldn't see because she is short and there are kids in front of her. Her words - Mom I'm just short that's why I can't see. I love that she realizes this but really doesn't care.

Tomorrow Lauren starts soccer so I will have some pictures from dance and soccer coming.

Colin's First Day

Colin had his first day of preschool today. It went great. He loves school and after realizing I would feed him lunch at home he is ready to go back on Monday. I had asked him if he wanted to go back to school and he said no just lunch. Silly little man.

I went home after visiting with Jen for a bit and enjoyed the quiet of my house. Normally I will just be at the gym so this was a treat for me.

Sonic Dinner

Tonight our family tried a Sonic. The kids thought it was so cool to order and then have the waitresses deliver our food wearing roller skates. We ate in our car, which was a first, and finished with dessert. Lauren's comment was this was a great evening.

Lauren got a grape slushy. Yummy!!

Colin got some ice cream.

I'm not sure what to say about this one.???

First Day of First Grade

Lauren had a wonderful first day of school. She loved everything. Today the highlight was buying a hot lunch. Friday will be Colin's first day. Time for the school routine to get fully started.

The End of Summer

Well, I guess today marks the end of our summer. Lauren starts school tomorrow and Colin on Friday. We really did have an amazing summer. The first layout is from the trip that Jen and I took to the coast with the kids. It took me awhile to complete because I was feeling very uninspired with my products so I broke down and bought a new kit. I love how the layouts turned out. Sometimes I need something new to get me back into it.

Then I felt inspired to do a summer recap. I started with trying to only pick 18 pictures but couldn't narrow it down that much so I changed my layout to include a few more. Another joy of digital, it's so easy to just change things.

I'm sad that summer is over but do look forward to the routine school will bring. We should be a little busier this year then last but it should be good. Lauren will continue with Daisies and dance. Both kids will be doing AWANA and soccer. So much fun.

Pictures

Since my memory card messed up last night Aaron told me to take lots of pictures today to see how it was. I didn't take lots but all I took were fine. Still not happy about not having the pictures but I will take more. Today marked the end of our summer swimming lessons. Both kids took lots of lessons and made huge improvements. Lauren swam 6 laps lasts night in her final lesson. Colin not crying and "swimming" by himself.

He will now jump in without holding any hands.

This is him "swimming" by himself.

We also went on around a 6 mile bike ride with Papa today. Lauren and I tried the bike attachment that hooks a third wheel to my bike. It was interesting. She can correct herself and almost tip me over so I got a good balance workout. She was getting better by the end but it was a little scary at times. It is a weird sensation to not have control over your bike because at any moment you could get a jerk from the back. We will need to practice more.

Meet the Teacher

We were able to meet Lauren's teacher tonight. I really liked her and took this really cute picture of Lauren with her and then got home and my camera had messed it all up and there is no picture. She has about 8 people that she knew from last year so that is comforting for her. Lauren is very ready to start first grade. Sorry no pictures.

At least I changed my blog so you all have something new to look at.

Today

Lauren got her hair cut for first grade. It looks so cute.

Colin is almost done with his swimming lessons and has been doing so good. We will take a little break but will probably continue a little during school.