LIFE IS BUSY!!! Finally....the birthday recap:

I hate getting behind on blogging, but even with a birthday to report, life has been too busy lately for me to sit down and give you the updates! Lauren turned 3 last Saturday. THREE! Thankfully she still has baby fat and likes to sit on my lap - so she's my big-girl baby still. =-) Friday we began the celebration by going to the zoo with two of her little friends. She loved it!

We came home to find a giant bouquet of balloons from Aunt Charlene! Again - LOVED IT!

The next morning she awoke to a chorus of "Happy Birthday" and opened a couple gifts from us. We then headed to IHOP for birthday pancakes (couldn't make them - haven't bought groceries in weeks). This was a miserable trip as she was breaking in the three-year-old behavior (grrr). Anyway - came home - kids took a nap and when they woke Grandma & Grandpa came over for more birthday celebration.

She opened more gifts - getting really mad at Grant who kept touching her new stuff! He fought back.....and so it begins. Then there was cake - LOTS of cake. She had trouble blowing out the candle....put LOTS of spit on there - mmmm....but FINALLY got it.

Lauren is such a special little girl. So smart, so FUNNY and so friendly. Vivacious, independent, stubborn, sweet, goofy, innocent - these are just some of the characteristics that make up my Lauren. Ten years as a mother of one before Lauren came along....and I never imagined how wonderful it would be to have another....two girls....special in their own ways. I love how when she is tired or sick she sucks her thumb and twirls her hair....and sometimes asks to twirl MY hair while she sucks her thumb. She loves to make us laugh and to be my big helper. She loves to dance and will be starting her first dance class next week. She loves to sing - all the time....a musical sign of her toddler/preschooler bliss. I love it.

I'm finding it hard to find the right words to show just how much I love this girl - how unique and special she is...not just to me...but everyone she meets. She has a joy about her that lights up a room. A personality that brings a smile to every face. She is an amazing girl....and I can't help but feel unworthy of such an amazing gift.

I love you, Lauren! My big three-year-old girl!

Mommy