Aunt Debbie Pays a Visit

Debbie was in town for a few days last week and stopped by for a few hours to hang out with us. Lauren was thrilled. Not only did she revel in some surprise gifts (including a super cool light-up spinning magic wand), but she got to play all sorts of fun games outside with Deb. Here are some of the highlights:

Tag:


Eskimo kisses (Lauren's first and a huge hit):


More eskimo kisses (she really, really loves them!):


And of course, lots of time spent giggling:


Thanks Deb, please come back soon and bring the boys!!

Our budding ballerina is now getting quite serious about her craft. It's not enough that she goes to dance class on Wednesday mornings with Nana (taught by the fabulous Miss Kelly), but now she is practicing on her ballet bar prior to class while in full dance regalia. Of course the dance "shows" for us are ongoing (interspersed with musical performances with her ukelele and harmonica). A playroom with a stage is definitely on the list of must haves by next summer.


Warming up (note the cool new Converse sneaks):


Stretching out:


Last Sunday Lauren, my mom and I went to cousin Lisa's house in Tarzana for the baby naming and first birthday party for Kim's second little girl, Jordan. What a cutie (as is her big sis Ryan). While it was a long drive each way, Lauren was a trooper in the car. As for the party, well, I'm sure Lauren would describe it as divine. Not only was there cake and lots of little kids to play with, there was a . . . . . . . Bouncy House!!!! She easily spent over an hour in that house, and her head was sopping wet from the sweat, she was going at it so hard. With all of that energy expended, you would think she would have passed out in the car on the way home since it was well past her naptime, right? Ha! Not our child. Talking and asking questions the whole way home. Of course, all of the discussion centered around the same topic: "Where's the bouncy house?", "What happened to the bouncy house", "Mama, I want to go back to the bouncy house" . . . . . . . . . . . . . My digital camera battery died early on during the party, so I only got a few photos, but here's one showing Lauren's ebullient mood throughout the afternoon: