Dancing Queen

Lauren's last dance class was today, so they let parents come to see all that the kids have learned. Russ was able to sneak out of work for a bit to come see too. Lauren was so excited...she kept looking over at us and was so proud of herself. We were very proud too. The thing that made me smile the most was that Lauren had a comment for everything the teacher said...what happened to my shy girl?

Russ got some fab pictures:

Ella thought she was part of the action too. I kept her on my lap and fed her gummy treats to keep her still. Once I ran out of gummies, we had to take turns with her in the hall.

Her is a video of Lauren in action. She is a great dancer, but I think she may have inherited some of her Dad's track talent too:

Potty Training and The Pink Cruiser

I mentioned a while back that Lauren potty trained herself. Here's how it went:

One day, shortly after Christmas, Lauren told me that she was going to practice sitting on the potty to make Daddy happy. And she did.

The next day, she asked to wear her princess underwear. I agreed, told her not to have an accident, and then completely forgot she was not wearing a diaper. We ran a bunch of errands without a second thought about the potty or the fact that we might need one for her at some point during the day.

Sometimes I'm on top of things, but those moments are becoming more rare as I delve deeper into parenthood.

But it all turned out well in the end. When we got home, I ran upstairs to change the laundry. I came back down to find Lauren using her potty chair...all by herself. She knew all along what to do, but finally decided it was time to do it. YEAH!

There have been a few accidents, near misses, and close calls since that day, but for the most part, she has never looked back. I am SO proud of her.

When we originally tried to potty train Lauren months ago, we promised her a bike when she no longer needed diapers. We thought her fascination with bikes would be all the motivation she needed. Not so. But a few days after she started using the potty, she asked, "Mom, when is Daddy going to take me to get my new pink bike?" She doesn't forget many things.

Upon returning from their bike shopping trip, Russ and Lauren pulled this out of the back of the car:

I noticed Russ was watching my reaction carefully and then asked, "Is it okay? She picked it out herself."

Russ knew I had my heart set on a two-wheeler complete with streamers, basket, and training wheels. One that she could grow into and ride for a couple years. Russ, on the other hand, had his eye on a Skuut...a peddle-less bike that teaches kids balance first. But Lauren clearly had her own ideas. After a moment of reflection, I said: "Since we didn't potty train her, I guess we don't get much of a say. She gets to choose."

And she chose well. Lauren had put miles on this bike before they even brought it home. It was the floor model that she "test drove" on our many (MANY) trips to the bike store. (When Daddy commutes on a bike, you spend a lot of time at the bike store...beats the auto mechanics shop at any rate). Lauren was so happy (GIDDY) that she finally got to bring the bike home with her. It was a match made in heaven.

The Enforcer

Parenting is a partnership.

Lauren has promoted herself to "Partner."

We had just returned from the grocery store and I was pulling Ella out of the car while talking to Russ on my cell phone. Somehow when I put Ella on my hip to carry her in, the PANIC button on my keyless thingy got pushed.

It's called the PANIC button because that's what we did.

Lauren was shaking so badly after the ordeal that I held for almost five minutes before she calmed down. I reassured her it was just an accident and I would try very, very hard to not let it happen again. Finally Lauren wiggled her way off my lap and stood eye to eye with me and declared:

"Mom, don't do that again!

If you do that again, you will be in time out!

You will go upstairs on your bed until

I can come talk to you about the car honking."

It's only fair.

---

Lauren at 3 years

Lauren had her 3-year-old check up a couple weeks ago. She acted very grown up while they measured her and tested her hearing and eyesight. I was very impressed because last time we saw the doctor, she did not want to participate in anything. I was also very proud to say "yes!" when the doctor asked if she was potty trained (not that I can take credit for it because it was all Lauren's doing and she did it 3 days before the doctor's appointment...another story for another post).

As usual, one of the highlights for me is learning how tall Lauren is. She measured 41.25 inches (yes, that's almost average for a five year old). I guess I should stop making fun of people that ask her how kindergarten is going. Between her height and her long thick hair, I can see why people make that mistake.

Here is a picture of her posing with Leif Ericson to celebrate our Nordic heritage (again, another story for another post):

3:31 AM

Lauren (from her bed): Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mom (stumbling through the door): What's going on Lauren? Lauren (pointing to pillow): Come see him! Mom: Who's on your pillow? Lauren: Can't you see him? He's inside my pillow. Mom: I think it was just a dream, Lauren. There's nothing in your pillow. Lauren (pointing behind Mom): And look! An orange one on the chair!! Mom (nervously): Yeah, well let's just go back to sleep for a bit. 10:45 AM Lauren: Mommy, can we go upstairs and look in my pillow? Mom: What's in your pillow? Lauren: The orange crabs and the fish with five things and the crabs with their houses and the crabs. There's orange ones. Five of them. Mom (after thoroughly inspecting the pillow with Lauren): See, there are no crabs in your pillow. We left them at the Science Center where they live. It was just a dream. 6:02 PM (Dad walks in the door) Lauren: Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! Do you want to see my dream in my pillow?

Quote of the Day

Lauren (in response to Mom asking, "Are you done eating?"):

"Yes. And I cut off the skin so I don't choke on it."

I hope they call me on a mission...with my mommy and daddy

I had the following conversation with Lauren over this fan:

Mom: Do you know where we got that fan? Grandma and Grandpa got it on their mission.

LJ: On their mission? Did they get this fan and my Cinderella doll and Ella's Little People book from their mission?

Mom: No. Your doll and Ella's book are from a vacation they took. Just the fan is from their mission. Do you know where the went on their mission? A place called the Philippines.

LJ: The Philippines. Oh.

Mom: Maybe Grandma and Grandpa can tell you more about their mission when they come visit. When you get big you can go a mission too.

LJ (smiling): I want to go on a mission! And mommy and daddy too cuz I don't want my mommy and daddy to leave me and we can get Little People books and go to the princess store!

Mom: Hmm. Let's talk to Dad about that when he gets home.