Ralph's World

Yesterday was such a rainy, yucky day around Chicago. So what did the Hanson family do? We went to see Ralph's World LIVE at a local Border's book store. Nothing turns a bummer of a weather Saturday around like a little live music! We even went out to Portillo's for lunch afterward. Lauren had her first hot dog and Geoff and I enjoyed our Italian beef sandwiches.

Here's a little video of Lauren at the show. Watch until the very end because she will start to sing
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Meijer Gardens

Last weekend Lauren, Aunt Stephie and I went back to visit my parents. Grandpa took Lauren to McDonald's for pancakes Sunday morning. Lauren kept saying, E-I-E-I-O whenever my dad would ask if she wanted to go to McDonald's. I guess she kept saying it at daycare today too. Looks like Old McDonald is her new favorite song and McDonald's is her new favorite place to go with Grandpa!

Around lunch time on Sunday, Lauren and I went with my parents to the Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids. Lauren loved walking all around on her own and watching the butterflies. (I can't believe how big she looks in this photo)



Reaching out with Grandpa, trying to touch the butterflies.



I put some butterfly wings on Lauren and she sat right down to read some books.



More butterfly wings!

Thanks Grammie Sue and Grandpa for a fantastic visit! A big thanks to Aunt Stephie for entertaining Lauren during the car ride!

Snowman

Last Sunday afternoon Geoff and Lauren went out in the backyard to make a snowman. Well, I guess I should say, Geoff made the snowman while Lauren watched. :)


Getting ready to go outside.



Getting there...



Lauren was more interested in taking her gloves off.



WOW! Look how tall he is



Lauren by the snowman Daddy built!

If You're Happy...

Sprouts Then and Now

Lauren and I have been going to Sprouts (www.sproutshp.com) for over a year now. We started with just music classes when Lauren was only 4 months old and now go to a music and gym class. When we first started Lauren could barely tolerate tummy time, let alone run all around like she does now. I am lucky if I can get Lauren to sit on my lap for more than 3 minutes. All she wants to do is play on all the equipment with all of her friends. Lauren's favorite playmate is Zach, who is only 1 week older than her. He tries so hard to win her over!

Lauren at Sprouts last winter.




Lauren and Zach at Sprouts last week.

Shedd Aquarium

Lauren and I took a "field trip" to the Shedd Aquarium Monday morning. Lauren has recently become very interested in fish so this was the perfect place to go on a Chicago winter day. Because we got there right when the aquarium opened, we had the place to ourselves for a few hours. It was perfect. Lauren could stand by the dolphin tank and watch the dolphins swim by as long as she wanted. This really excited her! If you look real closely you can see one of the dolphins in the upper left corner.


Lauren dressed up like a penguin in the play area and watched as the other kids climbed all around. She did climb to the top a few times, but was too nervous to take the slide down or go in the tunnel.



Pushing buttons is one of Lauren's current favorite activities so we spent lots of time in the submarine exhibit.



As we were walking to the car I couldn't resist this photo. As cold as it was, the aquarium, Chicago skyline, and frozen Lake Michigan were beautiful with the sun shinning on them.

"Thank you"

We have been working with Lauren on not throwing her milk cup to the ground if she doesn't want it. Must be she picked up the phrase, "thank you" from us, as each time we take her cup before she throws it we say that to her. In fact, you can see how tempted she still is to throw her cup! All weekend long she walked around the house saying, "thank you." As Geoff was putting her to sleep tonight he gave Lauren her pacifier and all the way downstairs I heard, "thank you." How heart-warming!