Less naptime, more outside time

I know I keep saying Lauren likes to be outside, and just so you know, I am not kidding. The kid lives and breathes the out of doors and constantly talks about going out, being out and when she can go there next.
She also has a strong interest in rocks. Not just pretty, neat, smooth and shiny rocks. I mean, all rocks. Driveway rocks, broken pieces of cement, pebbles...anything that resembles a rock. I am afraid that on our upcoming vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains, we will need to rent a U-Haul on the way home in order to transport our newest rocks.
Like mother like daughter, I too was a rock collector. Maybe she will be a geologist...

I just can't emphasize enough Lauren's needs!!

She NEEDS to be outside and "Pay basketball, pay colors Mommy!!" or "'Mon Mommy!! Bubbles!" When I even hint that we may need to go inside, even for just a minute, she throws herself onto the ground in protest.

The other day, I was leaving our house with Lauren in tow, and when we turned out onto a busy street, she said, and I am not making this up, "No Mommy! Wees other way!" Translation: 'Hey stupid, go to the park. I have told you all day I want to play outside, swing on the swings, play in the sand and now you are going to wrong way. Do I have to do everything?'

She is an outside, going, doing, finding, investigating, giggling, running, coloring, bubble blowing fiend. And I love her for it!!

Party Pics On-Line

Click on the link above to see our family. Cute, huh?

who could ask for more

God! I love this kid!!!

We had a super weekend! Perfect! Just wanted to share!!!

She knows

She is sure of what she wants. An example conversation follows:

Momma: What do you want to do?
Lauren: Eat, play
Momma: You want to eat and then play?
Lauren: Yeah. Eat first, then play.

See? No doubt what she wants. She also sometimes wants things that I cannot understand which leads to her saying whatever she already said again, but this time with exasperation. Anyone know where I can get a translator?

A big hit with the little people!!

The zoo was perfect. The weather was nice, sunny but not too hot and a beautiful blue sky. The animals were active. The kids stayed in their strollers for more than half of the trip. They ate snacks. They saw geese and their babies in different stages, ostrich eggs being guarded by parent ostriches, snakes (YUCK!), birds, rhinos, lions, zebras, keekocks (peacocks)...The works!!
After that we ate lunch at McDonald's and then took naps.
All in all it was a fantastic experience!

Zoo trip today

Later today we are going to the zoo with a group of friends. We talked about the zoo last night before bed and when she woke this morning, I asked Lauren where we were going today. She said, "Ammalls" (animals) and I said, "YES! To see the animals!" She is a genius!!
More later...

And then it hit me...

All of my last few posts have been regarding our wreck or the repercussions from it. Enough already.
Lauren is still loving to play outside, wants to go out daily rain or shine, loves to use the hose to "hep Momma use wash" (help Momma use the water). She also wants to "hep Momma fee keekee" (help Momma feed the kitty), she wants to "drum" on the counter with her CD, she loves to eat "ch" (cheese) and "sup" (ketchup).
She is a talker, not sure where she gets that, and a lover. She wants "ug! ug!" (hugs) all of the time which I love and then "mo ugs!" (more hugs).
What a super person she is!!