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.