All the toys in the world...

can't beat playing with Mom. Too bad for Lauren that Monica doesn't have the endurance that she once had or else this game could have gone on all night.

You Can Be Whatever You Want To Be

I think as parents we are supposed to be supportive of whatever Lauren wants to be when she grows up, lawyer (heaven forbid), doctor (good plan), garbage collection engineer (sure), but Lauren has her own plan which Monica seems to be savvy to. I guess our next big purchase will have to be a Bluenose replica.

Season Changed and So Did our Names

Apologies for the lack of updating but my employer seems to care more about production than the Blog.  Unreal.  Anyway, snow is on the ground, the leaves are off the trees and we have new names.  For some unknown reason in the last week, Mom has become Mama and Dad has become Dada.  Close enough I suppose - but bizarre nonetheless.  At first, I thought that maybe someone had swapped Lauren for a kid that didn't know the lingo but then I heard a rather large rumble from Lauren's backside which was followed by a slight chuckle and "Dada, I toot".  I knew then that nobody had switched her out - she is so much like her mother it is unbelievable.

A bed, a house and the farmer in the dell

To grown ups this might look like a disarray of building blocks but to Lauren these things make a more sense as a bed, a house and a farmer in the dell. When I asked Lauren if she was a farmer in the dell, she responded, "nooo daaadeee, I Lauren Smiff". Ahhh, of course.

Work it Girl

As I have absolutely no chance in hell of ever becoming a supermodel, I thought that I would show Lauren some of the poses needed to make it in the biz.  I am still holding out hope that Deal or No Deal has a fat bald guy briefcase holder position available in the near future - the dream is still alive.  

Are we that predictable?

Upon getting in her car Lauren is often asked, "Where are you going" to which she replies "Costco, buy chicken."  This is sometimes followed by "get coffee, double double, 2 donuts"  Have we become such creatures of routine that our two year old is mocking us with her recital of our orders at Tim Hortons?  What is the world coming to?

In another sign that we are headed down the wrong path with Lauren's dietary needs, upon driving past the Big M the other day, Lauren proclaimed, "Dad, Look, McDonalds, Seeeee - I want toy."  I have tried to convince Monica that Lauren has been brainwashed by the commercials on TV and this has nothing to do with our supper routine when Monica is on call.  I think she might be buying it.  

The Salad Days are Over

With the summer gone, we can only look back on our happy times on the train.  As some of you know, Lauren is generally quite excited to go in or through tunnels but to go through a tunnel where you are allowed to scream, that is simply the best.  Kazia does not get quite as excited about the tunnels and puts on her "brave" face.  As a family we kept the train in business this summer and here's hoping that next summer it is just as much of a hit

     

Mom's Wellies are Missing

Put the sandals away and pull out the wellies. The weather is going south and this means rain and puddles. Dad has his wellies, Lauren has hers but Mom's are gone. Lauren and I looked everywhere but we couldn't find them anywhere.

After a long day pushing paper around my cubicle it is always nice to come home and be greeted by Lauren and Baby Ice.  As the weather turns, I will have to settle for Lauren running to the door to greet me while yelling "Look, Look, I drive my my my car, Daaadeee.  Seee".  

Thought Process

What the heck is that bug doing in the water?  Should I rescue and maybe give it safe haven in my mouth?  Going for it.

Luckily before she went into the drink, Mom was able to pull her away kicking and screaming.  Every time we walked past that spot she wanted to go to see if the "Roach swimming".  By the third day, it had swum away.

The Messico Barbies

Lauren was quite excited to see and have her picture taken with the "Messico Barbies"; however, Mom and Dad were not overly happy to pay $5 for one picture.  Good thing the Messico Barbies were clued out that I actually snapped a duece thereby making each one only cost me $2.50.  Worked them with the "oops, forgot to turn on the flash".  Ha-ha.  

Taking the Plunge

To slide or not the slide that was the question.  Lauren quite enjoyed going down the waterslides in Mexico until she went down with her Dad and they both went ass over teakettle under the water.  Not only did Lauren lose her will to ever go down the waterslide again but her dad also lost his wedding ring in the pool.  Don't worry though, this was just the replacement ring as the original wedding ring is safely protected in the Pacific Ocean somewhere off the coast of Maui.  Ring number 3 is on its way and is sure to be lost, uhh... misplaced on our next vacation as this little game is becoming somewhat of a tradition. 

Breaking it Down

Much like her mother, Lauren enjoys a good dance every so often.  She is no Kevin Bacon but that chick from Footloose better watch her wrinkly old back.  As you can probably tell from the music, this was when we were in Mexico in August.

Halloween's Coming

Much like her father, Lauren is pumped to go out on Halloween this year.  So pumped in fact, that she needed to try out her costume well in advance of the big day.  Unless it is horrendously cold, she will be going as an elephant.  If it is horrendously cold she will be going as an elephant wearing a parka. 

I Find You

Thank Goodness for IKEA.  If not for the assembly of this bookshelf, we might never have found Lauren who had gone missing for a few minutes.  Luckily for us, there were only so many spots that she could hide in.  

Lauren at 2

Sorry to all for my crappy emailing and picture sending.  I will attempt to put some photos and videos of Lauren on here every once in a while.  

As you all know Lauren is now 2 and we can get her doing chores.  First up, cut the law.  Despite blowing bubbles all over the back yard and making one heck of a racket, Lauren's lawnmower is one of her favorite back yard toys.