Ballerina Baby

Lauren, demonstrating how to jump like a true ballerina.

(So, I've tried to stack these photos below my comments, but can't figure out what I'm doing wrong... ugh)

This fall we've started taking ballet and swimming lessons. Lauren, who, up until recently, has been more of an observer in most social settings, is now an outgoing, gregarious, (slightly) crazed 2-year old. She LOVES dressing up in her tutu and ballet slippers, and begs for days on end to go back to swimming class.

The Lake!

Much of out free time this summer has been spent at the Savitsky's lake place in up-state New York. It's about a 3 hour drive for us, which is a reasonable distance to travel on the weekends, and it's pure heaven for the dogs (who spend most of the weekend in the water retrieving whatever you're willing to toss for them). Last weekend Mark bought a new kayak, which Lauren has taken quite a liking to, and below you'll see her receiving her first fly-fishing lesson from her Pop Pop. What can I say? It's in her DNA.

Outer Banks vacation

I know, I know. I update this thing so infrequently that there's probably no one out there even reading this any more, but none the less, here is a sweet photo of Lauren on the beach in Duck, NC where we spent our summer vacation this year. We loved the Outer Banks and had a fabulous time just haning out on the sand and in the pool. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if we could have brought our dogs...

Lauren the dacing girl

The other night we went to the Philadelphia Soul football game as a family. It was there that Lauren discovered "dancing girls" (aka cheerleaders) and their amazing pom poms. Daddy was the hero when he came home last night with a set of pom poms for our little dancing girl... talk about a dream come true! (Sorry it's sideways... I'm such a moron and can't figure out how to turn it.)

A few days off...

For those of you whom I haven't told yet, I've decided to resign from my job effective June 6th so that I can stay at home with Lauren. This comes on the tails of Mark changing jobs... he left the Children's Place (May 9th was his last day) and is now with LL Bean. The week following Lauren's birthday we went up to the Savitsky's lake place for a little R&R. The weather wasn't great but it was prime fishing time, and here you see Mark and Lauren chucking a little bait together. Like father like daughter! She may need a little practice, but Mark swears she's a natural.

Lauren's B-day pix

The Big 2

Lauren turned two on May 11th. We had a small gathering to celebrate the momentus day and she thoroughly enjoyed the attention and PRESENTS!!! Ugh... Christmas this year ought to be interesting...

The weather has been spectacular this past week or so and we've spent most of our free time outside. Our favorite new past time is the Big Wheel (which came with Barbie decals to decorate it with, but I couldn't bring myself to apply).

Check out my Slide Show!

April Showers...

So the rain boots and back pack were supposed to be for her birthday (in May), but how could a mom resist braking them out on such a sloshy day?!?

My mini-me

Better late than never....

So I'm catching up on a few things and realized that I hadn't updated Lauren's photos in awhile. Here's one from January... She loves books and music.