Lauren's big day.

Sunday was Lauren's 4th birthday. We started the day off with McGlasson family pictures, then headed to Claire's to pierce Lauren's ears. She was so brave! They only had one girl working so they had to do it one at a time. She loves them!

We went home for cake and ice cream with family then headed to Chuck E. Cheese for fun.

What a great day Lauren had!

Laurens measure of love

It has been confirmed. Any doubts I had are gone. Lauren might have fooled us as a baby when she came out looking like her father but she is definitely all mine.

This weekend Laurens legs were "broken" and she was tired and needed to be carried everywhere. Her father put her down and she immediately came running for me to carry her. I picked her up and asked her "how much do you love Mommy?" And her response told me she was all mine, "Mommy, I love you from here to the mall!"

Definitely my child!

BBQ PRINCESS

Lauren competed in her 1st ever Kid's Q contest at the Boone Co. Fair this past weekend. At 3 yrs she was the youngest competitor every and was as singed to the 6-10yr old class.

Her recipe for Hawaiian Turkey burgers won her 5th place, a medal and $5 cash.

"Lauren Martin, 3, holds her award with her grandmother, Debbie Martin, after winning 5th place in a children's barbecue competition at the Boone County Fair on Saturday. Lauren won the prize for making a Hawaiian turkey burger with her parents' help.According to Aimee Olmstead, coordinator for the event, 33 adult teams and 11 children participated in the barbecue contest Saturday.

Children participated in the Kid's Q, the children's event in the competition featuring ground meat products. Lauren Martin, 3, was the youngest participant the event has ever had.
"I wanted to do it because I like cooking with my mom and dad," Martin said.
Martin cooked a Hawaiian turkey burger and won fifth place in the Kid's Q category."

Columbia Missouri online article.

Will add recipe later...

Doing donuts on the 4wheeler

The last time it snowed Lauren and her Grandpa got on the 4 wheeler and started doing donuts. Needless to say, it was very cold but she would not get off. Grandpa calls her "his little dare devil" because she will do almost anything with him.

What Lauren loves!

I attended Lauen's schools' Valentine's party yesterday and found on the bulletin board on cute red hearts where they had asked each one of the kids "what they loved". As I reading, a lot of the little kids loved mommies and daddies and their friends. Not my little diva - oh no! Lauren loves " Dora, um, my ugg boots, um, my dora house and little barn rabbits". Yeah - she has also told everyone at school that she is going to be a big sister - FALSE!
They also said they got a kick out of her the other day when they asked her where her socks were. She told them very matter of factly "you don't wear socks with ugg boots". Like duh, don't you know the golden rule of ugg boots- NO SOCKS. They just laughed.

Disney vacation & cruise

Grandpa & Grandma Kemper took Lauren to Disney World on January 14th. This was Lauren's first plane ride and the first time being away from Mommy & Daddy for more than a weekend. We stayed at the Summerbay Resort which was 5 miles from Disney. After checking in we drove to Disney Town which has a lot of rides and shopping. That was when Lauren first saw Cinderella (statue) and thought she was the real thing. The next day we went to the Magic Kingdom and had a wonderful time. We let Lauren do what ever she wanted, since this was her vacation! The next day at Magic Kingdom was spent getting autographs from charachters that we missed the first day and riding the same fun rides. Upon leaving the park, Lauren had already fallen asleep in the stroller. No time for naps at Disney!

We left Orlando on the 17th and drove to the Jacksonville Airport to get on the cruise ship. We were taking a 4 night cruise to Freeport and Nassau. As Lauren and I were walking out of the bathroom at the airport (Grandpa was filming us which is unusual for him to be using the video camera) I looked up and saw Shana and Chad who were surprising us at the airport and going on the cruise with us. I was shocked! We all had a good time on and off the ship. Lauren and Grandpa loved playing in the sand and being in the ocean. The water was quite cold! I hope Lauren remembers this first big vacation by looking at pictures, video and talking about it.

Christmas 2007

I know I haven't been doing a very good job at this and considering Heidi has made more posts then me really seals the deal. I have been addicted to my myspace page - see Christmas photos there.

Lauren had a wonderful Christmas and helped everyone else open their gifts. Which was fine until it came to her 3yr old cousins who wanted to open their own presents. We celebrated Christmas at Chad's parents Saturday where Lauren got a new bike and digital camera from Mimi and Papa along with lots of other goodies. The digital camera was a hit until Lauren snapped a few shots of Daddy in the shower. Needless to say the camera is not allowed in the bathroom any longer. Maybe Daddy should learn to lock the door? We also have lots of close up pictures of Charile, I don't think he likes the camera either.

Sunday we had Christmas with my Dad's family. Lauren had a great time running around with Kennedy and playing with the Polar Express train that runs under their tree. They love to make the whistle sound and run it backwards around the track as fast as it will go. Lauren received several new "rooms" for the Dora House she got for her birthday along with Dora Horses and the Dora truck and horse trailer. Lauren loves to have Papa Mike read her stories because he always edits the words and makes them funnier. She thinks he is something else.

We shared Christmas eve between mine (my mom's side) and Chad's Grandparents house.
My mom, Lauren and I all got Ugg boots from Grandma, are feet won't get cold this year. Lauren also got a lot of horse riding gear - kiddo stir ups, a riding helmet as well as hot pink cowgirl boots. She is ready for spring to come so she can start riding Sweetie. Grandpa and Grandma are also sending Lauren on vacation - a 2 day stop at Disney then they cruise to the Bahamas. (wish I got a vacation for Christmas)

You ask, what more could a kid want? We haven't even made it to what Santa Clause brought...
Santa brought Lauren a big yellow dump truck as well as a dance bag full of leotards, ballet shoes and tights. Mommy and Daddy enrolled her in dance classes for Christmas and bought her some more use full things like p.j.'s, clothes and big kid silverware. One of her most favorite gifts came in her stocking from Santa - a checkbook and red gingham cover from PBK. She loves helping me write out bills so this way she can do too. She is very genourous when it comes to writing checks, more so then Mommy.

Now if I could just find the perfect spot to store all this mess...Maybe Lauren can ask for a house keeper next year :)

Our Big Girl

Lauren slept in her own bed last night thanks to a ghetto fabulous, silk purple comforter Grandpa got her. We have started a bed time routine thanks to the time change and our fingers are crossed it will work. Lauren may get a baby brother or sister after all!

Trick-or-Treat

Happy Halloween!

Lauren had a very busy Halloween that started with a party and parade at her school. All of Lauren's friends dressed up and paraded around the playground in their costumes. Lauren's best friend Serena was a mermaid while Lauren just had to be an elephant.

After her school party we dashed home in time for a pizza party with all her other friends. At dark we all went out trick-or-treating around our neighborhood. All the kids had a great time and got loads of candy. Most of Lauren's went to the shop on Monday, she never missed it!

Bon Fire

Grandma & Grandpa Kemper had a bon fire and weenie roast this weekend at their farm. Lots of people came out and enjoyed the beautiful afternoon. Lauren got an early birthday present from Mommy and Daddy this weekend, a bounce house. She loved jumping and sliding down the 2 slides it has. We can't wait to invite all of our friends over to play on it.

Party Time!

October is the month for birthday parties. Not 1, not 2 but 5 birthday parties plus a baby shower and 2 Halloween parties. We don't have much free time in October but that's OK. Lauren loves to play with her buddies.

We started our month of birthday parties actually the last weekend of September. Dee and Tim had a Fall Festival party for William's birthday. The kids had a blast running about in their huge back yard and jumping in the tiger bounce house. I think the grown ups liked it just at much.






We had the 1st weekend of October off so Chad and I celebrated our 4th Anniversary!






Next weekend Chad BBQ'd at the Brain Injury Association Competition. His ribs took 8th place and pork took 13th. They had a great time Friday night but Saturday was miserable. It rained the entire day. However, it was a beautiful day Sunday to celebrate Jordan's 3rd birthday at the park. The kids had a great time running around and eating pizza. So simple and fun. I should really make a note of that.






Round 2 - Friday night we hung out with Grandma and Grandpa Kemper. They hosted a cookout and hayride for a few of their auction friends. Lauren had a blast running around playing with Jacob who is just a few weeks younger than her. They had a great time on the hayride and Lauren even got to drive the big tractor. Saturday night we went to the Allen's to celebrate Liza's 2nd birthday and then on to Papa & Mimi McGlasson's to celebrate the Tigers win over Texas Tech.














Sunday we hung out with Foreman Jackson at this construction site birthday. Phil keep busy giving the kiddos rides on the bobcat while Nathan gave rides on a wagon hooked up the the riding mower. Lauren had a blast playing in the huge rock pile with dump trucks and loaders. Lauren was not to excited when I told her it was time to leave so she asked me if I could just pick her up at this house (Jackson's) tomorrow morning.

A Puppy for Princess

Meet the newest addition to the Martin family - Charlie. He is a 4 month old puggle, which is part pug and part beagle. He will stay much smaller then the other 2 dogs we have probably weighing around 25 lbs. As soon as I saw his wrinkly little face I knew I couldn't leave him behind at the Amish farm where he was staying. He is the sweetest little guy, loves attention, running around the yard in circles and leaping into the air. He is also a very good sleeper. Last night Lauren wanted Charlie to come and play with her in her toy room. When I went to check on them about 15 minutes later, Charlie was laying under Lauren's table and she was reading books to him. It was the cutest thing ever. Charlie and Lauren are going to be great buddies!

1st Day of School

Lauren has started full time at Walnut Street Day School. We got her a sleeping bag and puppy to take with her for nap time in her favorite color purple to help ease the transition from Annie's house. She must be having a great time because each day she comes home dirtier then ever and she doesn't cry when we leave her in the mornings. She did tell me she got in trouble for putting sand in a little girls hair and didn't make many friends the day she wiped out a sand castle. She does have 2 friends, Ellie and Caven from her previous sitters house that go to school with her that she plays with often. My little girl is growing up so fast!

Fishing for Nemo!

On May 18th Lauren brought her new fishing pole to Grandma & Grandpa's house to try her luck at fishing in their lake. The first time she cast her line she caught this beautiful little yellow fish that we named Nemo! There was one thing that Lauren didn't realize, the same yellow fish was on her line every time she reeled it in. We had a lot of fun that day, even Grace tried to eat the fish. The next weekend we took Lauren down to the lake house and of course the first thing she wanted to take with her was the fishing pole. After everything was unpacked she and Grandpa went down on the dock so Lauren could try her luck at fishing in the big lake. To her surprise, the same yellow fish was on her line!

Summer time!

I am so glad summer is finally here! Lauren and I have been spending most of our evenings at the pool in our neighborhood. They have a great kiddy pool that Lauren has made numerous friends at. She is still a little unsure about the water and sticks to the side but I've noticed her really warming up to it the last couple of times.

This coming week will be Lauren's last week at Annie and Kenny's house. I'm really sad she will be leaving them but I know she will have a wonderful time at her new day school. She is ready to learn and play with kids her own age. In fact, Lauren has learned to spell her name. It is very cute, she has such southern draw...that must be from Chad's side. We are working on spelling Martin and learning her street name. I have a baby Einstein I tell you.

Just Like The Horses Do..Do

So my sweet little princess isn't so princess like anymore. I got a call from Grandpa Pete last night as I was having dinner out with my mothers group. We had been discussing potty training and how some of the little boys in the group are deathly afraid of pooping in the toilet. Well, not my little girl. Grandpa had called to tell me Lauren had been pooping in the barn like the horses do. Not once, not twice, but she had to poop THREE different times while they were up feeding and grooming the horses. And were not talking in the bathroom, we're talking in the dirt. He said it was the funniest thing he'd ever seen. I guess my child will drop her drawers to poop anywhere.

My 2 Week Review

Since our last post was in April I thought I'd just do a review of our last couple of weeks. At the end of April we drove to Lee's Summit to pick up a very nice swing set from my Aunt Kim. Her kids had out grown it and all it needed was a fresh coat of stain. Lauren absolutely loves playing on it and it is a great way to keep her occupied while working in the flower bed.

May 5th Chad worked with Mel Smarr remodeling an old Grey Hound bus into a luxurious RV so Lauren, Granny B and I packed up and headed to the Saint Louis Zoo. I'm so glad Granny B (my grandma) was able to go with us. She hadn't been to the Zoo since Matthew and I were little. We walked almost the entire zoo, rode the train, and feed to birds. We were a little late getting to the zoo so by the time we made it around to the elephants they were already put away. Lauren was a little upset, the elephant song on Barney at the zoo is her favorite. We did run in the Moreland family of all people at the zoo. They said they got there around 10am and by lunch most of the animals were full and lazy so I didn't feel so bad getting there around 2:30pm. At least by then they were all out and walking around. We stopped in Warrenton for dinner and dropped Granny B off at home around 8pm.

May 12th - After eating dinner with Granny B and R.B., Chad, Lauren and I went out to Mel's house. His 2 daughters Morgan and Riley had a ball keeping Lauren entertained. We hung out at their barn and played with Cowboy the horse and Buster the fair steer. Then they took Lauren to the pool and let her put her dirty feet in the water. She said it was too cold! After that we jumped on the trampoline and went inside for a snack. They feed her nothing but sugar. She was in heaven. She had push pops, Popsicles, juice boxes, ice cream and fruit snacks. I was not surprised when 10pm rolled around and she did not want to leave. She has such a good time. Luckily she was so worn out she sleep until 9:30 the next morning.

May 13th - Mother's Day! I had a wonderful Mother's Day. Lauren and Chad had my house cleaned professionally, I got a new Dyson vacuum and then Chad BBQ'd for all the mother's in our family. Of course the food was excellent and having everyone over to visit was wonderful treat.

Today - May 16th. Lauren was accepted into Walnut Creek Day School! I'm such a proud mother. I say that like she scored extremely high on an entrance test or something. Nope. We've been on a waiting list a mile long and finally there was an opening. I will be sad to take her from Annie and Kenny, they've been such wonderful, caring sitters but she needs to be with more kids her own age and in more of a learning environment.

My new do!

Lauren is very much in to her hair, your hair, my hair or any hair for that matter. She loves to brush hair and pull it in to ponytails-ouch. She loves to watch me braid her Little Pony's tails and for daddy to blow dry her hair. So it came to no surprise she was excited when I told her we were going to Goldilocks children's salon to have her hair cut. If you have not been, you must take your children for their next trim. It has a great atmosphere. Lauren sat in a pink Barbie car while a very sweet lady cut her hair...they also have a yellow Hummer for the boys. There are T.V.'s at each station and the owner put in Charlotte's Web for Lauren to watch. She was an Princess and sat still the whole time. I questioned how much this hair cut was going to cost me but it wasn't bad - $14.95. Plus, Lauren had such a great time. When she gets older we'll take advantage of their manicure and pedicure room.

Keeping up with the Easter Bunny!

Lauren and her parents arrived at grandma & grandpa's Easter day for an evening meal of ham, baked beans, potato casserole and homemade vanilla ice cream with strawberries. Of course Chad & Pete had to play a few hands of tack and Chad came out the winner, deafeating Pete at his own house! Before she got there, grandma hid 20 eggs with money in all of them. Lauren had a great time looking for all the eggs. Some eggs were a little trickey to locate, but with a little help she managed to find them. Of course Grace was running around thinking we were all out there wanting to play. After gathering all her easter eggs, she brought them inside and began to open them, since they all had money inside and were hard to open, she needed her grandpa's help. After opening all the eggs, it was time to fill up the piggy bank and boy did she enjoy doing that. Her Easter basket from Granny B and Grandpa RB had a card with money and some candy, which she didn't need any more candy to eat. From her grandparents she got a Peter Cottontail book, more money, a bunny that says a prayer and a Dora kite, which we couldn't fly since it was tooooo cold. Our family had a wonderful Easter together. Pete & I are very thankful and blessed for having such a wonderful family and also for having parents that are 83 & 86 and still living on their own and enjoying life.

Fun on the farm

Princess Lauren stayed with Grandpa & Grandma Kemper 5 nights while her parents went on a 5 day cruise to Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Friday morning we went to gymnastics and Grandpa went to the farm in Armstrong and wouldn't be home until Sunday. After gymnastics we needed to do some clothes shopping, so we headed to the mall. Since Grandma didn't have any summer clothes and the tempture was going to be in the 70's, we went on a shopping spree. Of course Lauren is easy to shop for since she is wearing size 2T and anything in that size fits. While we were shoppping her Mommy called and was headed for the mall, so we met her in Cafe Court. Lauren spotted her Mommy while she was riding the carousel and started waving.

On Saturday we worked in the yard pulling weeds, trimming bushes and then it was time to mow the yard. Lauren loves to ride on the big JD with Grandma, of course my arm gets tired from holding her. After that was done we headed to the Pet store to buy some gold fish to put in the water trough. Lauren loved the pet store, but was scared of the little bunny rabbit! Go figure. After we dumped the fish in the trough it was time for Lauren to play in the barn with her shovel, bucket and scooter. Last year Lauren was scared of the horses and standing in the barn by herself, but now she is comfortable with the surroundings.

On Sunday we went to early church services and due to it being spring break, Lauren was the only child in daycare. The rest of our day was spent at home with Laruen watching the new fish, feeding the horses their treats and playing on her scooter.

Monday morning Grandma had to take Princess Lauren to her Grandma McGlasson's house. I sure will miss her company and funny personallity. I have told her mother she needs to have her IQ tested since some of the things she says and remembers just don't happen with a 2 yr old!