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!

Arts and Crafts

Lauren and I have been enjoying making arts and crafts together.



She worked very hard last week making heart decorations for our windows and some valentines to send to family. While Lauren was napping I cut out the hearts. When she woke up I put the glue on the hearts and she pushed the small hearts onto the large ones.



Friday afternoon I made some homemade play dough for Lauren to play with. I read about it in one of my parenting magazines and the recipe suggested added cocoa powder to make the dough brown. What an easy recipe and because everything was edible, I wasn't worried about Lauren putting the dough in her mouth. Amazingly enough, she didn't try to eat any of it!





Lauren is fighting a cold and fever right now. Seems like she gets sick every time Geoff goes out of town on business. Thankfully I don't have school tomorrow, so I can be home with her.

Dancin' Groceries

Lauren has been learning how to dance to "Ring Around the Rosie" at Mariah's house and is getting pretty good at moving with the tune.



Last Sunday Geoff took Lauren grocery shopping and the two of them had a great time! Lauren has really been a huge help around the house lately and continued this as she assisted with taking care of the groceries.

Winter Fun

We spent last weekend up at my parent's cabin in northern Michigan and enjoyed the winter wonderland!



Friday was a day full of reading, napping, and relaxing. Lauren climbed up in this chair and started reading her book all on her own.



Aunt Stephie helped Lauren get ready to go sledding.



Lauren loved using this orange sled that Steph and I used as kids.



Grammie Sue and Mommy helped Lauren sled down the hill.



Grandpa took Lauren on a few sled rides too.



Watching the birds gather food with Grandpa. Lauren has started pointing out birds in books, but I was amazed that she was able to figure out the real birds outside the window.



We were not even 15 minutes into our drive home Sunday afternoon and I looked back to see Lauren asleep in her car seat. I don't know if the music was too loud or if I was talking too much, but apparently something was too loud for Lauren's liking.