Here is the first ever school performance from little LC. The video has been put on YouTube and edited for time and cute face shots.
Unfortunately, linking it to blogger has proved to be a little complicated. The next best thing is to give you the address. You can cut and paste this to the address bar and it should go right ot it.
Enjoy!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOHVrWgeetw
Friday, May 2, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Patience is a Virtue
One of the requirements for Lauren's bus ride to school is that I have to strap her in the Star Seat each morning. It is a five part harness that is sometimes a little tricky when all the straps are tangled. Legally, I have to do it. There is no way a bus driver is going to stop the bus, put the brakes on, get out of the driver's seat and strap my kid on the bus. So, I do it and I love the little extra time I get with her each morning.
Every morning, I help Lauren get up the stairs, lift her into the seat, and strap her in. By the time I get off the bus, there is a line of cars waiting for me in both directions. Most people have to only wait a minute or two for a kid to get on the bus and for the bus to start moving again. Most of the time, people don't really care that we take a little longer than the average kid. I guess my neighborhood is a little too impatient. There was a car the other day that didn't want to wait the three minutes it took to get my child on the bus and decided the he/she would just pass the bus with the flashing stop lights on. This person waited about 1 minute and grew impatient. I guess I wasn't going fast enough or they were in a big hurry because they just flew on by. I know they saw the lights flashing because they actually stopped and waited for a minute. Where's a cop when you need him?
Shame on you Mr. Neighborhood Impatient Man! Didn't anyone ever tell you that patience is a virtue?
Every morning, I help Lauren get up the stairs, lift her into the seat, and strap her in. By the time I get off the bus, there is a line of cars waiting for me in both directions. Most people have to only wait a minute or two for a kid to get on the bus and for the bus to start moving again. Most of the time, people don't really care that we take a little longer than the average kid. I guess my neighborhood is a little too impatient. There was a car the other day that didn't want to wait the three minutes it took to get my child on the bus and decided the he/she would just pass the bus with the flashing stop lights on. This person waited about 1 minute and grew impatient. I guess I wasn't going fast enough or they were in a big hurry because they just flew on by. I know they saw the lights flashing because they actually stopped and waited for a minute. Where's a cop when you need him?
Shame on you Mr. Neighborhood Impatient Man! Didn't anyone ever tell you that patience is a virtue?
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Chores
I have decided that I want to start giving Lauren some things around the house that she will be responsible for doing. I started with something that she wants and tries to do every day anyway. Little did I know that it would turn out to be the funniest thing she does all day.
Lauren is in charge of feeding the dog everyday. She loves every minute of it. The dog food bag is next to the bowl and she easily gets three scoops out for the dog. At first she would only get three or four actual pieces of food in the cup. She got so frustrated when the dog would eat those pieces before she got more in the bowl. She wanted to get the bowl full before the dog ate. She soon learned to scoop full cups of food and things got much better for her.
Now the chore has changed a bit. Instead of putting the scoops in the bowl, she takes the cup and walks to the foyer. She goes to a little purple rocking chair that is directly across from the door to the kitchen. She sits down with the cup and throws Rugby his food one piece at a time. She doesn't just drop a piece close by for Rugby to get. Oh, no. She chucks those pieces as far into the kitchen as she can and laughs when the dog looks frantically to find it after it has bounced off every corner of the room. The dog works off his food before he even eats it running around the kitchen to find his food. Sometimes Lauren will go into rapid-fire mode and throw those pieces like they are coming out of a semi-automatic rifle. The dog will actually just spin around and around in a circle because the food is coming so fast at him, he can't keep up.
Lauren is very responsible, though. After the cup has been emptied, she will go into the kitchen and point out any piece to the dog that he missed. It might be a little unconventional, but at least she is doing her chores.
Lauren is in charge of feeding the dog everyday. She loves every minute of it. The dog food bag is next to the bowl and she easily gets three scoops out for the dog. At first she would only get three or four actual pieces of food in the cup. She got so frustrated when the dog would eat those pieces before she got more in the bowl. She wanted to get the bowl full before the dog ate. She soon learned to scoop full cups of food and things got much better for her.
Now the chore has changed a bit. Instead of putting the scoops in the bowl, she takes the cup and walks to the foyer. She goes to a little purple rocking chair that is directly across from the door to the kitchen. She sits down with the cup and throws Rugby his food one piece at a time. She doesn't just drop a piece close by for Rugby to get. Oh, no. She chucks those pieces as far into the kitchen as she can and laughs when the dog looks frantically to find it after it has bounced off every corner of the room. The dog works off his food before he even eats it running around the kitchen to find his food. Sometimes Lauren will go into rapid-fire mode and throw those pieces like they are coming out of a semi-automatic rifle. The dog will actually just spin around and around in a circle because the food is coming so fast at him, he can't keep up.
Lauren is very responsible, though. After the cup has been emptied, she will go into the kitchen and point out any piece to the dog that he missed. It might be a little unconventional, but at least she is doing her chores.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Empathy
Empathy has always been one of those things that I hoped my child would have, but had no idea how to teach it. It's one of those personality traits that either comes naturally and you don't even think about it, or it takes a little work to perfect. Either way, it's one of the most important character traits a person can have.
I learned today that Lauren is well on her way to becoming a caring, empathetic, little person. I have been getting migraines more and more lately and they kind of wipe me out. Today was no exception. Ty does a great job of getting Lauren off the bus so I don't have to try to face the sun and I can lay in bed and relax. Lauren comes in after school and gives me the biggest smile and gently walks over to my side of the bed. She will say, "Mommy, boo-boo head?" in the softest voice. Almost like she knows that the loud sounds hurt my head more. She puts her book bag down and comes over to give me a kiss on the forehead. She will then walk over to the other side of the bed, crawl up next to me, and cover us both up. The next part melts my heart. She will roll over, throw her arm over me, and pat my shoulder for a while. Every once in a while looking up and flashing me a smile. One time she asked if I wanted a drink and brought me a juice box from the fridge. She has a servant heart and I love her willingness to help someone who is a little under the weather.
I love that little girl.
I learned today that Lauren is well on her way to becoming a caring, empathetic, little person. I have been getting migraines more and more lately and they kind of wipe me out. Today was no exception. Ty does a great job of getting Lauren off the bus so I don't have to try to face the sun and I can lay in bed and relax. Lauren comes in after school and gives me the biggest smile and gently walks over to my side of the bed. She will say, "Mommy, boo-boo head?" in the softest voice. Almost like she knows that the loud sounds hurt my head more. She puts her book bag down and comes over to give me a kiss on the forehead. She will then walk over to the other side of the bed, crawl up next to me, and cover us both up. The next part melts my heart. She will roll over, throw her arm over me, and pat my shoulder for a while. Every once in a while looking up and flashing me a smile. One time she asked if I wanted a drink and brought me a juice box from the fridge. She has a servant heart and I love her willingness to help someone who is a little under the weather.
I love that little girl.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Daredevil
I have a daredevil for a child. She is the bravest little thing I ever did meet. She gives me a heart attack on a weekly basis, but I love every minute of it. What I love the most is that she doesn't think that she has any limitations. She wants to do and tries to do anything she sees another kid attempt. It warms my heart to see her confidence.
Her latest trick has come out of the blue. I guess it was only a matter of time since we have a hill in our backyard. Ty, Lauren and I ate outside last night and enjoyed some southern weather. When Lauren was finished she got her little tricycle and was riding it around the table. At one point she even put it in her little playhouse and got it stuck. I guess Ty and I were deep in conversation because I didn't notice that Lauren had pushed her tricycle up the hill and was sitting on her bike looking at us. Before I could even say, 'Be careful', Lauren lifted her legs up off the ground, leaned back in her seat and started flying down the hill with one hand holding the handle bar. The other one was flapping in the wind as she made a b-line right towards us. Half way down, after my heart started again, she started to veer off to the right. She was heading right for a large tree-like shrub. I was trying to decide if I should run up there and jump in front of her before she hits the tree like a secret service man would jump in front of a bullet, or let her learn to put her legs down to stop herself. I would have told her to put her legs down, but you couldn't hear anything over the enormous belly laugh that was coming out of Lauren's mouth. So I just held my breath and hoped we didn't need to make a trip to the emergency room.
At the very last second, Lauren put both feet down and stopped just as a branch twisted itself into one of her pony tails. Like I said, she makes my heart stop on a weekly basis.
Her latest trick has come out of the blue. I guess it was only a matter of time since we have a hill in our backyard. Ty, Lauren and I ate outside last night and enjoyed some southern weather. When Lauren was finished she got her little tricycle and was riding it around the table. At one point she even put it in her little playhouse and got it stuck. I guess Ty and I were deep in conversation because I didn't notice that Lauren had pushed her tricycle up the hill and was sitting on her bike looking at us. Before I could even say, 'Be careful', Lauren lifted her legs up off the ground, leaned back in her seat and started flying down the hill with one hand holding the handle bar. The other one was flapping in the wind as she made a b-line right towards us. Half way down, after my heart started again, she started to veer off to the right. She was heading right for a large tree-like shrub. I was trying to decide if I should run up there and jump in front of her before she hits the tree like a secret service man would jump in front of a bullet, or let her learn to put her legs down to stop herself. I would have told her to put her legs down, but you couldn't hear anything over the enormous belly laugh that was coming out of Lauren's mouth. So I just held my breath and hoped we didn't need to make a trip to the emergency room.
At the very last second, Lauren put both feet down and stopped just as a branch twisted itself into one of her pony tails. Like I said, she makes my heart stop on a weekly basis.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Video Coming Soon
Lauren had her first little performance at school on Wednesday. Her class was invited to participate in a program run by the Allegro Foundation. In a nut shell, the Allegro Foundation provides extra activities geared towards hearing impaired children. It is an adapted P.E. class that integrates techniques specially used for children with hearing difficulties. For example, they recently got a grant to make platforms that have giant speakers built right in the wood. It allows the children to dance and sing on cue based on the vibrations they feel through the platform. It's all pretty cool actually.
Ty took video of the performance and I will be posting it soon if I can figure out how to do it. Trust me, it was really cute. At the end, all the kids got a medal and certificate of completion. Lauren walked around all day wearing her little medal. I think she might have gotten a taste of the limelight. I think we might be in trouble.
Ty took video of the performance and I will be posting it soon if I can figure out how to do it. Trust me, it was really cute. At the end, all the kids got a medal and certificate of completion. Lauren walked around all day wearing her little medal. I think she might have gotten a taste of the limelight. I think we might be in trouble.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Are You Sure?
I went to church early Sunday morning to fulfill my duties as an actor in the children's area. Usually, I take my time and get to church for the mid-morning service. Luck would have it that I left early to see this most unusual sight. All was quiet as I pulled out of my suburban Charlotte neighborhood. I wasn't 3 feet from the entrance of my subdivision when I saw it.
It was trotting down the sidewalk heading for my neighborhood like it didn't have a care in the world. Out in the open, not even trying to hide. I saw my very first, real-life, in the flesh, coyote! No, it isn't a typo, I saw a coyote wandering the streets of a very populated area of Charlotte.
Every one's first question...Are you sure it wasn't a dog? Yup. 110% sure. Long bushy tail, scraggly fur, sharp eyes, long snout. It stared at me as I drove slowly by. I'm sure it was on it's way to find a poodle or something for breakfast.
I tried to call animal control, but the operator for 411 said there was no listing for animal control in Charlotte. I found out later that I needed to call 311. The next time you come over for a visit, be careful. It's Wild Kingdom over here!
It was trotting down the sidewalk heading for my neighborhood like it didn't have a care in the world. Out in the open, not even trying to hide. I saw my very first, real-life, in the flesh, coyote! No, it isn't a typo, I saw a coyote wandering the streets of a very populated area of Charlotte.
Every one's first question...Are you sure it wasn't a dog? Yup. 110% sure. Long bushy tail, scraggly fur, sharp eyes, long snout. It stared at me as I drove slowly by. I'm sure it was on it's way to find a poodle or something for breakfast.
I tried to call animal control, but the operator for 411 said there was no listing for animal control in Charlotte. I found out later that I needed to call 311. The next time you come over for a visit, be careful. It's Wild Kingdom over here!
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