About the “Little Laubers”

Over the years I have included a brief light-hearted update on our three children in an annual letter to our contacts. Quite by accident this has become a trademark of sorts and has differentiated us in the marketplace. Here is a chronological listing of these updates.

12/08: After a couple of peaceful years of empty nesting, our home came alive as all three of the “Little Laubers” showed up on our door step this past summer. We became “The house that never sleeps.”
12/07

An update on The Little Laubers: The nest is still empty! No boomerangs yet...

Dan, 24 - Graduate UWM – Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, traveling the world:

I dropped Dan off at the Amtrak Station in early June. Since then he has traveled to Germany, France and England. After completing the last 6 credits needed for graduation in Seoul, South Korea over the summer, he has spent time in China and Hong Kong with plans to continue traveling until his savings run out. His mother promised to pop for the plane ticket home if the funds run out sooner than expected.

Kathy, 22 - 4th yr. at Marquette University – Athletic Training, applying to PT Schools, living in an apartment:

This fall, Kathy was the student trainer for the Brookfield East High School football team. We attended a game to watch her in action. Later, one of the coaches said “Mom & Dad, you can be proud of your girl. She doesn’t baby these boys” Well yaaah, no trouble figuring out where that comes from, she grew up sandwiched between two brothers.

Mike, 20 - 2nd yr. at Marquette University - Maybe Accounting, living in a dorm:

Mike enjoys his accounting class. I forgot how much they cram into your head in Accounting I & II. He recently told us he was selected to lead a Service Trip to New Orleans over the upcoming Spring Break. Makes me feel kind of lame for swilling beer on Daytona Beach during my Spring Break years ago.

Once again they remain blessed with good health and humor.

12/06

The nest is empty! Finally, they're all in college and living on campus. All three are in town but we don't see them much. However, we still feel needed as we seem to have entered the parenting by telephone phase.

Dan, 23 - 5th yr at UWM – Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, living in an apartment:

Hey mom… no, I’m still alive… did I tell you I am going to study in Germany over semester break…. I need a passport….. do you have my birth certificate…..could you mail it to me…….thanks, gotta go….luv ya!

Kathy, 21 - 3rd yr. at Marquette University – Athletic Training, living in an apartment:

Dad, I have a question... my laptop stopped working... I kinda dumped a glass of water into the keyboard... it was an accident... you'll pick it up and take it to the repair place... thanks dad... ...luv you too!

Mike, 19 - 1st yr. at Marquette University, living in the dorm:

Mom, can I have a car Friday night... my friends want to go to a movie at Mayfair... could I drop off my laundry... ...oh, that's ok, I can do it at the school. ...by the way could I bring a few friends home on my birthday for lasagna... 12 or 13... that's great, you're the best mom ...luv you!

12/05

As the kids have gotten older, I feel we have moved from being “on duty” parents to “on call.” They bounce in and out of our home and lives as they continue the move toward independence.

Dan, 22 – 4th yr at UWM – Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, organized Habitat for Humanity’s campus sleep out, shares eastside house with five other students (What’s with all the stuff still in our basement?), completed a triathlon, excited about new computer science internship.

Kathy, 20 – 2nd yr at MU – accepted into Athletic Training Program, volunteer student trainer for women’s basketball team, serves as special clothing consultant to her brothers, lives in dorm, signed apartment lease for next year, comes home to visit when all laundry is dirty.

Mike, 18 – Sr. at Marquette High – enjoyed 3 week service project in the Dominican Republic, received first college acceptance letter, football
2nd team all conference and come back player honors, recovering nicely from another knee surgery (“Dad, I’m done with football.”), considering studying Accounting in college.

12/04

Dan is in his third year at UWM working toward a double major in electrical engineering and computer science. As you can imagine I was delighted to hear “ Dad, this is at least a 5 year program”.

Kathy a freshman at MU is beginning work toward a degree in athletic training. For a brief time I thought this would be 4 years and a job. But NOOO! “Dad, I plan to go on for my graduate degree in physical therapy”.

Mike a junior at Marquette High is recovering nicely from major knee surgery. “Mom, football is a violent sport, but I just love it. I can’t wait for next year” Mike will soon begin looking at colleges. This empty nester thing is beginning to scare me. If you have any advice, please give me a call.

The good news is they remain happy and healthy and are willing to work hard to get what they want and for that I am truly grateful.

12/03

Dan (20) continues to do well in college (so he tells us) and hopes to travel to Mexico over semester break. Kathy (17) is looking at colleges for next year. Much to my dismay an accounting major at UW Oshkosh is not at the top of her list, rather physical therapy is her goal. Mike (16) continues to enjoy school and playing sports. He has his drivers test scheduled for later this month. That will make three drivers in the family under 21. Yikes!

12/02

Dan (19) is off to college, living in the dorm at UWM, studying engineering and singing in the chorus. We have found e-mail and on-line chats at 1:00am to be good ways to keep in touch. Kathy (16) has rapidly run out of babysitting and birthday money and finds the need to get a real job to keep up with the cost of car insurance and movies. Mike (15) is enjoying his first year of high school. I don’t think they make those fuzzy pajamas with feet in for a 6 foot tall offensive lineman. Fortunately all remain happy and healthy.

12/01

P.S. About those “Little Laubers” – “Little Mike” (14) is 5’11”, wears a size 12 ½, and likes to ask “Dad, are you shrinking”? Kathy (almost 16) has her temps and is hoping for clothes under the Christmas tree. Little Tykes and pogo sticks seem a long time ago. Our oldest, Dan, “I’m 18, you know”, is sorting out what comes next. He has a hard time understanding that it was only “yesterday” I had the same thoughts.

12/00

P.S. About those “Little Laubers” – Dan (17) is taking voice lessons and sings in a choir. Where did my little guy get that deep voice. Kathy (15) is a high school freshman. There was more than a little tug on daddy’s heart as I saw her looking so grown as she headed off to Homecoming. Mike (13) plays center in both football and basketball. He is the one motivated to earn money. Maybe starting a business is in his future. I am happy to report that all three are healthy and maintain a good sense of humor. That to me is success.

12/99

The introduction of our web site www.lauberco. com has had a positive impact on our marketing and internal recruiting efforts. The site has special meaning to me as it was completely programmed by our 16 year old son, Dan. Could it be possible that the little guy I first introduced in my 1988 year end letter as a talkative 5 year old, has grown up so fast? Kathy (14) and Mike (12) continue to add special joy to our home. The thought of at least 12 years of rapidly approaching college tuition keeps any hope of slowing down a long way off.

12/98

On the home front the blessings continue to count up. I am happy to report that everyone is doing fine. A few thoughts to let you know where we’re at with the kids:
“Honey, the orthodontist said he has seen worse, but we really should”…
“Dad, I checked the schedule and I can start Drivers Ed in January”…
“Why does a corsage cost so much, it’s only a dumb flower”?
“The soccer camp was great, next year can I go for two weeks”?
“I know it seems like you just bought me new shoes, but”…

12/97

More importantly, on the intangible side we are also doing well. Good health and a happy family are cherished. That’s not to say the little Laubers are entering the teenage years gracefully or that graying hair and morning backaches have passed me by. Comfort comes in knowing these things too are progress.

12/96

I am thankful for our three wonderful kids who continue to teach me that I do not have all the answers. P.S. It has been 5 years since I included a picture of my “Board of Directors”. I thought you might enjoy an update.

12/95

I have been blessed with a supportive family. My wife Deb has been encouraging and understanding. The “not so little anymore” Laubers may never know how many people watched them grow up through my letters. The cute stories they provided added differentiation to our marketing efforts.

12/94

In closing, for those who expect an update on the little Laubers, I share a quick story of a dream come true. Like all fathers, I dream of people paying money to watch my child play sports. I just didn’t anticipate that it would happen so soon. Imagine my surprise when I learned that the Don Bosco/Notre Dame 5th grade boys basketball conference charges admission to league games. The good news is Dan (age 11), Kathy (age almost 9) and Mike (age 7) remain happy and healthy. We may even have a budding accountant in our midst.

12/93

As the year draws to a close, I see many things to be thankful for. The little Laubers (now 6, 8 and 10) remain active and healthy. With school, violin, choir, gymnastics, soccer, swimming, cub scouts, girl scouts, etc. Challenging client situations seem calm by comparison. The thought of future education costs is a great personal motivation.

12/91

P.S. For those of you wondering what’s happening with the little Laubers…. I thought a picture would be worth a thousand words.

10/90

P.S. For those of you who have come to expect an update on the little Laubers……. This fall all three are off to school. Mike, age 3 is in pre-school, Kathy, age “almost 5” is in Kindergarten, while Danny age 7 has finally, after four years of schooling reached 1st grade. The outside of our refrigerator has been taken over by art projects, parent memos, meeting notices, performance charts, soccer schedules etc. Mom has threatened to paint the family van school bus yellow. Fortunately all remain happy and healthy.

12/89

P.S. For those of you who have come to expect an update on the little Laubers…… They just sent their wish list off to Santa. Danny, age 6, “NEEDS” a microscope; Kathy, age 4, “HAS TO HAVE” an Oopsie Daisy Baby Doll; and Mike, age 2, wants a TOYS-R-US franchise. I guess it means that they are all normal, happy and healthy.

12/88

At home, the family is doing great. Mike, our 1 year old, is walking. Kathy who will be three in January, is talking. And Danny, age five, is doing both at the same time. Everyone is healthy, and that is truly a blessing.

12/87

During the past year I have been blessed with a supportive family and the birth of a baby boy on October 10th. This brings the number of little Laubers to three. As I am sure anyone with children understands, hungry little mouths and their desire to own everything ever made by Tonka, Fischer Price and Mattel can provide a tremendous motivation to get out and earn.