Sleeping Beauty

Lately, I have just loved looking at my daughter sleep.  She looks just like a sleeping beauty.  She is a tiger to go to sleep though. . . maybe that's why I like looking at her sleep!!  I just had to take a picture of her when she fell asleep reading a book.  

Balloon Festival 2012

One of my favorite events of the year is the Balloon Festival.  We didn't get to go last year, so I knew Lauren didn't really remember it since the last time we went, she was only 1 1/2.  Thomas was out of town on business, so we invited Uncle Jeffrey to join us.

We got there early enough that we were able to get a good spot.  The kids loved running up and down the hill.  When we got there, we had a picnic and waited for Uncle Jeffrey to arrive.

This was Uncle Jeffrey's first time to the festival too!

Lauren loved looking at the balloons.

After the launch, it was time for funnel cake of course!  The kids dug into it as soon as we bought it.  Sticky fingers!

Powdered sugar mouth and hands!

Then it was time to wait for the evening glow.

Sharing a snow cone.  

We all loved the balloon glow!  We can't wait until next year!

Cute Things Lauren Says

I better record these so I don't forget!

For a while, she kept saying something when she was thirsty.  I finally figured out that she was saying, "I'm drinky."  She now knows to say, "I'm thirsty."  :-)

Today, she sneezed and said, "I need a bless you."  I said, "Bless you!"  She said, "No!" and pointed to her nose.  I asked her, "tissue?"  She said, "Yes".

Full Circle Moment - Lauren Gets Dance Shoes

My daughter has been begging me to sign her up for dance since last spring.  She is the one that asked to take dance, and honestly, I was going to wait a year or two before signing her up, but she was insistent.  After I signed her up, it was time to get dance shoes.  During high school and college, I worked at a dance wear store and taught dance for 5 years.  Over the years, I fit lots and lots of girls for their first pair of ballet shoes and taught lots and lots of girls in their first dance class.  Because of this experience, I felt that full circle moment and wanted to take Lauren to the store and studio that I had so many wonderful memories at to get her first pair of ballet shoes.  Of course Lauren invited Mama J and Papa J to go with us.  We also had to bring the camera to document this occasion.

On the way to get dance shoes!

Look at all of the dance stuff!!

Looking at leotards.

When I helped Lauren try on her dance clothes, she said, "Oh!  I look so pretty!" When I looked at her, I started to cry.  My baby was in her first ballet clothes.

Testing out another skirt.

Which one do we like the best?

This one!

Look!  Converting tights!

Trying on ballet shoes.

Ms. Ella fits Lauren for her ballet shoes.

Perfect!

Lauren started posing.

Now for the tap shoes!

Giving the photographer hugs.

I love this picture!!

Lauren kept dancing around in her new dance clothes!

Mama J and Papa J bought Lauren her first dance outfit.  Lauren gave Mama J a big hug!