Father Daughter Dance

The moment you all have been waiting for, Mark returns to the blog.  A couple of weekends ago I took these two beautiful ladies out for a night on the town...or as it is better known, the Lee's Summit Parks and Rec Father/Daughter Dance.   It really was a fun night.  Lauren didn't have any friends to run around with, so she and I danced the night away.  We probably danced to 15 or so songs.  It was so much fun.  Even Addison stopped playing with her friends long enough to dance with me for a few songs.

Ashley got the girls ready while I got myself ready.  Who do you think had the tougher job?  Of course I did...they are so pretty to start with!

After we got ready, we posed for a few pictures.  Ashley really took some great pictures of the three of us.

A pic with Lauren.  Of course, it is just not her style to get too dressed up in a frilly dress.  What you see above is about as dressed up as she is going to get without complaining. But she looks so pretty.  

I can't believe how much this one is growing up.  One time, while Lauren and I were dancing, I looked over to see Addison dancing with her friends.  The catch is....she was dancing like a young lady and not the toddler I still want her to be.  She is growing up right in front of my eyes. 

I like this one.  Just a nice, relaxing, natural pic of the three of us.

Lauren has got to be so pretty...and so grown up looking.  

Of course Addison has to be a bit theatrical with her poses.

Ashley just explained to me this was Lauren fluffing Addison's dress so it looked nice.  What a great big sister.   Additionally, how awesome is that she wanted everything to be just right to go out with Dad?

I am going to let the next few pictures speak for themselves....

So I want to finish with a story.  About halfway through the dance, they always do a father/daughter dance-off.  I know this because I have been to the last three.  Since I know this fact, I also know to stand way in the back so I don't get chosen to represent the fathers.  This year went off as normal, with me in the back of the pack, hiding.  Then, as they always do, they had a second part of the dance-off.  Well, these two, along with Lauren, and some girl none of us know, dragged me out to the dance floor.  When I say dragged, I mean dragged.  I wasn't going out without a fight.  They literally had to pull me out there.  So me and another guy had to dance for 90 seconds.  Pretty sure that video would have a million hits on YouTube if there was one.  Trust me.  All those hits would not be because I can dance.  

It really was a great night.  I had a ton of fun with my girls.   Ashley got a night off (Mom is always the favorite).   And as Ashley always says, the three of us created memories.  For me, it is one I hope I never forget.

Happy 9th Birthday Lauren

You are 9 years old today!  Wow!  I just told your Daddy this week "we are half way there.  We only  have 9 more years of raising Lauren."  I can't imagine how fast the next 9 years are going to fly by.  The first 9 years have been full of so many amazing memories.  I stumbled upon an article this week that talked about this very idea.  We are at the half way point of raising you.  

I have to wonder...have we done a good job?  You are an incredible dancer.  You love soccer.  You can't miss a single Religious Education class.  You are a Girl Scout, and a junior leader for Addison's troop.  You are a star student at school.  You love to read.  You love to listen to music.  You love to dance.  

Don't get me wrong...we have had our moments with you.  You have stomped away mad, slammed a few doors, gave us an evil eye.  But, at those times, we know we are doing the right thing.  

I know the next 9 years will be even tougher than the first 9 years.  We made it through the sleepless nights, the terrible 2's and 3's.  Around 4 you turned into a sweet little girl, and even though you have your moments, you are still that sweet little girl.  You are so kind, thoughtful and caring.  You are a natural little Mom to any child younger than you.  You truly love to take care of others. 

I know the 9 next years will be the best.  I know we are raising a wonderful young woman.  We can't wait to continue to watch you grow and develop into a young lady.  

Happy 9th Birthday Lauren!  

Royals Fan Fest

Mark and Lauren hit the Royals Fan Fest last Friday night.  Mark kept saying he was going to blog about it himself, but still hasn't, so it's me blogging....

Back on October when Mark went to game 6 of the World Series he bought baseballs for the girls.  Well, they were different.  One had signatures of all the players, the other one didn't.  Lauren got the one without the signatures and she was so disappointed.  So, Mark promised her she would get her baseball signed (for real) by a Royals player.  

We are learning that Addison really has no interest in anything sports.  So, it was a special night for Mark and Lauren at the Fan Fest.  Here they are in front of the ALCS trophy.  

They got pretty close to Perez several times. 

Lauren was doing her best to get as close to Eric Hosmer as she could...she has a slight crush on him! 

Perez, Hosmer, and Moustakas and a few others were up on stage talking.  

Waiting over an our for an autograph.  When you get in line you have no idea who you are going to get.  Of course, Lauren was hoping for Hosmer...but she got Moustakes- which is awesome as well!  He signed her baseball and signed a paper for Addison as well. 

Mark and Lauren had a great time and Mark said it was a ton of fun.  Lot's of fans there supporting our Royals.  I can't wait for another fun season of baseball! 

January Things

Yes. I do still blog.  I really have no excuse for the lack of blogging except that January is a pretty boring month for us.  Overall, not a lot going on.  

We have had a few birthday parties...

Between Lauren and Addison we have sold over 350 boxes of girl scout cookies!

We have enjoyed gymnastics birthday parties...

We have had some extra homework with projects at school.  2 houses and 2 trees. 

We have eaten breakfast in the pantry...don't even ask why...

We have played outside a lot since this month of January has been beautiful! 

We have enjoyed smores cooked in the microwave...

Addison slept in this tent in our closet one night when Lauren was at a sleepover...

If you look closely you can see Addison working on the computer.  She loves the reading eggs website.  She spent over an hour reading one night! 

We have been busy learning the sport of soccer.  Lauren started playing this winter and loves it.  She is already signed up for the spring league as well! 

Addison has been at swim lessons every Saturday morning bright and early at 8:00 AM.  She is so ready to swim independently! 

Friday afternoon after school Addison had homework.  She come home and right away got started.  I was very impressed.  

Friday night we attended the Maverick's game for Girl Scout night.  Lauren was the lucky one to win a pizza hand delivered my Mac (the mascot of the Mavericks!)  She shared the pizza with all of Addison's Daisy friends! 

Saturday afternoon was so gorgeous outside.  It's crazy since it is January and all.  The girls did some fun chalk art work.  

Remember how I said Lauren started playing soccer this winter?  Well, she was goalie Saturday morning at the game!  I was so sad to miss it, but Mark said she did awesome!  Way to go Lauren.  It is so fun to watch her play.  I am really looking forward to several more soccer games for her.  

Christmas Vacation

The girls were lucky enough to have Mark home for most of their Christmas break this year.  He took over a week off from work and created some wonderful memories with the girls!

They went down to Union Station one day.  

I am so sad I missed it because I would have like to have seen it all decked out for Christmas.  

Before going into Science City and the Bugs exhibit, they looked at the trains.  

They both had a lot to tell me when I got home that night.  They really enjoyed their day at Science City.  

Of course, a little bit of ice cream is always fun as well.  

They went through the Bug exhibit and did a scavenger hunt.  

Thankfully no one (Lauren) had night mares after going through this exhibit.  She has a tendency to get a little freaked out over stuff.  

Another fun day was spent at Sky Zone.  They had an absolute blast there.  

See Addison jumping off the wall?  She loved it! 

Lauren did some gymnastic moves on the trampolines when she was there!  

This was a fun picture I snapped after we picked up Zoe from the groomer.  Zoe was sitting in Lauren's spot so Lauren had to squeeze into the middle spot and have Zoe on her lap.  She loved it.

Mark and the girls also went to the movies one day and saw The Penguins of Madagascar.  Then they came up to the hospital to have lunch with me.  That was fun. 

Over the break they both had play dates at friends houses.  We played lots of new games we got for Christmas.  We watched movies, read books, slept in, enjoyed a birthday party at Potter's Haven, attended a great New Year's Eve party, and had some great family time.

We really hated to see Christmas Break come to an end.  It was a great 2 weeks off from everything.  School, homework, dance class, church class, Girl Scouts...everything.  

Now we are back to reality.  School has started again.  Dance started last night.  Lauren had homework last night...ugh.  Back at it.  How many days till Summer?  I think I will start planning our Summer vacation now!