Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween!

Lauren went to school as a pirate today for her party and then decided she wanted a costume change for trick or treat time.
Bibbidi Bobbidi-Boo ~ Here is Cinderella

We took Lauren to Crane's Roost where businesses hand out candy to the children.

Family Photo ~ Thing 1 and 1/2, A Blind Referee (he's for hire, too...),

and our Beautiful Cinderella

Book Character Day

Today was Book Character Day at Red Bug!

Pumpkin Carving

Lauren carved a pumpkin with Mommy and Daddy. She was a bit hesitant to put her hand inside and feel the guts! Mommy had to show her how it was done and Daddy finished scooping the guts to carve it for her. Every year I do a math activity with pumpkins in my classroom so I am very use to feeling the inside and pulling out the seeds. Lauren liked playing with the seeds. She just prefers keeping her hands out and waiting for us to scoop them to her.
"Yuck"

Pirate Lauren

Lauren attended her best friends Halloween Party. They played games, ate yummy food, and wore their costumes! This year Lauren decided early on that she wanted to be a princess. She narrowed it down to Cinderella. But in the last two weeks she started asking to be a pirate. Bubbie had a pirate costume put away for her birthday so we took it out to surprise her. Just add some boots and the costume was complete."Arrrrrrgg", says the pirate.

Pumpkin Patch

Today we took Lauren to a pumpkin patch at the Altamonte Chapel.

Lauren picked out a mini-pumpkin for her room.

Then, she looked around for a large pumpkin.

The chapel was having a fall festival so Lauren got to enjoy riding her first real horse.

She was a pro! Not scared at all.

Caught in Action!

Lauren told me she was going in her room to play with her doll house. I heard her playing and then a couple minutes later............ I hear a noise in the kitchen. I walked over to the kitchen to find my sneaky daughter standing on her step stool with an open bag of Cheetos (those are currently for Kendall...wink, wink.) I wish I had a camera to catch the look on her face when she saw me standing in the kitchen. She had a surprised face covered in orange! I used a stern (holding back my laughter) voice and asked her if she had permission to eat the Cheetos??? She ran straight to her room and started to cry. Well, she may be a bit sneaky but at least she has a conscience. Don't worry we had a long (3 minute) discussion about this incident after she was done punishing herself in her room.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival

It is always a fun and exhausting time going to Epcot's Food and Wine Festival. We went to celebrate Abuelo and Abuela's birthday. Lauren has a smidgen of milk chocolate creme brulee on her lips......yum!
Lauren and Abuelo listening to the Louisiana Band.

Mommy was sitting on one of the few benches that was clear and a gentleman sitting next me asked, "Did you have to flash your belly to get those beads?" After a surprised Mommy face I turned to him and said, "No, I had to flash my belly to get this seat."

Lauren's first meeting with Jasmine, Aladdin, and Genie.

Auntie Renee's meeting with the Aladdin. Aladdin: "Do I know you from somewhere?" Auntie Renee: "Ya, I've seen you in a movie." That was an interesting conversation to observe!

Visiting the Vet

Bailey had her annual check up today. She is healthy, but the doctors put tears in my eyes when they reminded me of her age. Bailey turns 10 this December.

Since she has a bit of arthritis, I bought her a new cozy bed to make her comfortable. We also wanted her to feel special since we just put together Kendall's crib in our room. Bailey is technically our 'first child' and we don't want her to feel pushed aside by any changes. She does really love this new bed! I also spoiled her after her annual shots with a new chew toy ~ but of course, she hid it somewhere in the house. Those silly beagles!

UCF vs. Miami

We lost. Can you hear me sobbing? Unfortunately we had to play our freshman quarterback and the results were on the board. We were lucky enough to stay with my Aunt and Uncle so we brought Lauren down with us. She enjoyed playing with my Aunt while we went to the game. Our trip was so quick we forgot to take pictures. I would have loved to take pictures of her sleeping in her Strawberry Shortcake bed........thanks Aunt Jan!

Team Emerson

A co-worker of mine had a beautiful baby girl on Saturday, September 27th. Soon after meeting her for the first time she was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome. As a school family we came together with her family and created a team to walk in this weekends Buddy Walk. The goal of the DSACF Buddy Walk is to promote awareness and acceptance; raise funds for education, research and advocacy; and to influence local and national policy. The Buddy Walk is a 1 mile casual walk around Lake Eola, followed by a morning of festivities in the park. There were bounce houses, games, crafts, entertainment, prizes and tons of food. Lauren especially enjoyed the bounce house with her new friend Anna. (Anna is my prinicpal's daughter.)

In just 5 days, we donated over $4,000. We ended up having at least 50 members in our team to support the new family. I'm so proud of our efforts!

I truly work at an amazing school!

Red Bug Family

Team Emerson
Lauren hanging out in the bounce house.

A Meeting with the Princesses

After our Tinker Bell experience, we stayed to play at the park. Since she did so good with the fairy characters we asked her if she'd like to meet the princesses. There were virtually no lines anywhere so today was a great day to give it a try. We know she loves them from afar, but she's been scared of characters up close. To our surprise, she loved it! Each princess came up and held her hand. They talked to her about her hair, mentioned things relating to their movies, and overall made her feel so special.Lauren talking with Sleeping Beauty. (Well...Lauren was a bit mute, but Sleeping Beauty talked about how Lauren looks like her friend Belle.)
Lauren and Belle
Lauren and Cinderella
Lauren riding one of her favorite rides! I probably take this same photo each time.

I just think everyone is adorable.

Tinker Bell Premier

Today we were lucky enough to see the premier of the new 'Tinker Bell' movie, at the Magic Kingdom. The movie was very cute! I highly recommend seeing it when it comes out on DVD.

After the movie, we were able to take a picture with the Fairies from Pixie Hollow. Lauren was so overwhelmed she just wouldn't speak. They took two special close ups of just Lauren and Tinker Bell and asked me to sign a wavier for them to use the picture in their upcoming Tinker Bell promotions. We met the producer, screenwriter, and director for the film. They gave us autographs, commemorative cups, and Lauren loved the light-up Tink pin. We can't wait until they open up the new Pixie Hollow experience! http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/orl-disney2508sep25,0,1385740.story

Playing School

I HAD to take pictures of this! I walked out into the living room and saw and overheard Lauren playing school. She had pretend students and she was passing out papers to them giving them directions. She even walked over to one pretend student and said, "You're scribbling. Let me help you."
Like mother, like daughter ?

Got Cravings?

Nope.

It's not Mommy with the cravings.

It's Lauren! Lauren insisted that she wanted apples at the grocery store ~better than insisting on junk!

So that night she ate an apple before bed. Mmm...

Let's Go Fly a Kite

The fall weather is in the air! Daddy took Lauren outside to fly her kite. It was pretty funny to see Daddy with the Barbie kite. I should have taken a picture of him!

New Room

Mommy and Daddy, FINALLY got new bedroom furniture. Whoo Hoo! Lauren loves it and wants new furniture for her too. She thinks she is just so funny cuddling in our bed. It's cute, but not funny......get in your own bed. In an effort to get ready for baby Kendall, we have cleared space in my closet (which is super large) and started making space for Kendall's things. To get Lauren involved we let her help repaint the closet wall. She loved being a helper!

UCF Heartbreaker!

It was a beautiful day for the game. Grills were up in flames, spirit was high, and drops of sweat rolled down every one's backs during tailgating time.

The Knights (1-1) fell 31-24 in overtime to No. 17 USF before a record crowd of 46,805 at Bright House Networks Stadium Saturday night.

It was a thrilling game with a heart pounding ending! http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/college/knights/orl-ucf0708sep07,0,260106.story

UCF comeback in the 4th! Kendall made her second appearance as a 'Future UCF Knight.' See my shirt.
Hanging out at our seats.
Meagan and Bill - Thanks for the pins Meagan!
Aaron and Michelle

23 Weeks Baby Pics

Today we had our last ultrasound. We officially graduated from monitor status.

Mommy and Baby had perfect results. I think Kendall will be into gymnastics. She is breach at the moment (plenty of time to turn around) and enjoys resting her feet (yes, her feet) on her head.

Take a look below. She is laying on her back with her legs all the way up and her feet near her head. Can you do that pose?

They gave me lots of 4-D pics. I have to admit they are so clear, it is a bit weird. You can actually see all of the fluid and slimy stuff covering the baby.

After viewing many pictures, we think she will look just like Lauren!

We can't wait to meet her!

Labor Day Weekend

This weekend we traveled to Jacksonville for my cousin's Baby Shower. Lauren was really good in the car. She wore her headphones and watched her new movie. We had to a stop a couple of times for potty breaks, especially on the way home. One time we stopped and as soon as I got her in the bathroom she looked at me and said, "I'm fine."

Lauren loved the Baby Shower and didn't want to leave!