How is it?

How is it that my four year old son has a loose tooth? On Sunday, I was hugging on Hudson when I noticed that his bottom teeth looked crooked. I felt around and discovered that one is very loose. My first thought was that he fell or bumped it. Honestly, I thought kids lost their teeth in first and second grade? I know that when I taught second, kids were loosing teeth all the time! I'm so not ready for the awkward, snaggle-toothed look. I want to keep my pretty smile-straight toothed child as long as I can. Each morning it continues to wiggle a little bit more and it's only a matter of time before it comes out. I hit Ebay in a panic the other day because I have no "tooth fairy" pillow or anything for him to use during this exciting event. My next dilemma is that I'm leaving today and won't be back until Sunday. I'll be so upset if he looses it while I'm gone. I've already given Jason strict instructions on taking pictures and what to do if in fact he does loose it. After church on Sunday when I made the discoveryHere is a better view from this morning.........never mind the chapped lips and jelly on the face!

Have no fear my friends, the loose tooth has not hindered Hudson's ability to plug, invent, create and disassemble.

(At times I honestly feel like Sanford & Son with all the broken appliances and loose cords hanging from every counter top and cabinet we own!)

More time with dad and shocking mommy

Last night, Jason and Hudson spent some time together without Cooper and me. They went to Chuck E. Cheese and ate pizza and played games while I stayed home with the runny-nosed Coop. That's okay though because Cooper was extra snugly and needy and my time could be spent 100% on just him. Although he's normally very cuddly and affectionate, I call him the "split second hugger" because he will come and hug my neck or my legs when I'm standing but only for a few seconds and then he's off again. He actually laid on my chest while I rubbed his back and snuggled with him. Sounds like a perfect Saturday night to me!

When the boys got home, Hudson told me about his evening with dad, the games that were broken there, and the cool pen that he chose as his gift. Jason had a funny addition to that story: he said that once they were finished, they took their tickets to the counter to redeem them for a prize. Hudson was looking up at the toys on the shelf, behind the counter.........you know the ones that cost like 10,000 tickets or something crazy like that! Anyway, Jason said that the shelves were packed full of cheap gadgets- almost to the point of falling off. Right in the middle of the shelf, amongst all the prizes sat a large square surge protector. (just like one we have at home) Hudson said "dad, I want that" and Jason thought he meant one of the toys. They went on for a few seconds and Jason finally realized that Hudson wanted the surge protector thing, not a toy. He had to carefully explain to him that that was not a prize, a toy, or something that could be redeemed for tickets. Wonder if any other parents have had that conversation? Anyway, Hudson settled for a little pen thing that you can clip onto your belt loop. He thought that was pretty cool too.

(this is an example of what he was looking at)

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This morning, the boys were hanging out- Cooper playing like an almost 2-year old does and Hudson was, well......you know- doing his thing. Today, I'm on the upswing and can actually shake my head and just laugh at his interests.........that was until I got shocked for the very first time in my near 5 years of having to deal with this hobby. Yep, Hudson was hooking up plugs into this motherboard and he talked back to me so I told him that he lost his privilege. I began to gather the beast 'o cords and as I went to unplug the motherboard, I felt a good sized amount of electricity run through my hand. Hudson felt bad about this but most importantly, I'm trying to teach him that these things can be dangerous. Luckily, he's my cautious child but on the other hand, he's not quite 5 and doesn't understand what can be harmful. Before loosing his "priblege" he was showing Cooper how he got some tiny light to come on (still not sure how he did that!) and look at Cooper's face. He thought it was the neatest thing ever!!

I love Coop's expression!

On the positive side of things........one day while all your sons are earning money by mowing lawns, mine will earn his by fixing things. That will be pretty neat.

I could swim in it

I've had a few baby showers lately and a couple of friends that have had a 2nd or 3rd kid (and no shower) so I've had many gifts at my house lately. I try to buy something off a registry and then also a package of diapers because let's be honest......diapers are just not fun to buy. Most new moms would rather purchase a sweet onesie or blanket- not a package of diapers. Anyway, I have 2 more "deliveries" that I need to make, therefore, I have (or now I should say HAD) 2 packages of diapers. I kept them in Cooper's room, in sight, so that I'd remember to grab them. Well, I learned a valuable lesson today. Don't go into the study to check email for a split second because if you do................this will happen. I guess the boys are a little stir crazy from being inside and they just had to get creative with their play.

One word.........nice. So, Laura and Jessica......I guess I will apologize now for the Tom Thumb sacks full of diapers instead of the neatly packaged Huggies you would have gotten. Once again, no dull moments around here!!

Enter to Win a Free Necklace!!!!

Go to http://www.mommynecklace.blogspot.com/ or click "mommy jewelry" over on the right side. I'm giving away a custom sterling silver heart necklace. It's easy to enter!!

Donuts with Dad & Western Day

Today at school, Hudson has "Donuts with Dad" , as well as, Western Day. Deep down inside, I know that Hudson was excited but this morning was not our typical routine. This is my child that hates change (hmmm, wonder where he gets that?) and really didn't understand why dad was taking him to school. He also slept in today (which is rare- he is usually up and on my side of the bed saying "get up mom." ) He did not like the fact that we had to wake him up so he was a bit grumpy. I think once he was truly awake, he became more excited about his day.

In case you are wondering how exactly his outfit is "western" (other than the boots).....well, his shirts says "wild west" on the back and has a picture of a cowboy.

I'm sure my little cowboy will have fun today at school.....once he gets into his normal routine with his class!

Accepting His Differences

For the most part I've gotten used to Hudson's quirky interests. I really do try to embrace them and foster his passion for cords, switches, batteries, electricity, running water, fans, etc........ however, I'm only human and some days I could literally pull my hair out. Some days I find myself thinking:

• I sure wish he'd just play with some cars or one of the hundreds of toys in our house.
• I wish I could check my email or update a blog without him trying to unplug something, turn something on, or take this cord and connect it to that thing.
• I wish I didn't have to have technical conversations or explain which size battery the alarm clock uses.
• I wish that lights, clocks or appliances didn't turn on at random times during the day....only to discover that he has plugged it into a timer.
• I wish he would just let loose and enjoy life instead of trying to figure out how and why everything works.

Then I realize that if these things didn't happen then I would not have my Hudson. This is just him. Like I said, I've gotten used to it and for the most part accepted it but on occasion it really pushes me over the edge. For the past 2 days he has been working nonstop on some odds and ends from around our house.Imagine how much fun I have trying to keep my 22-month old monkey boy out of all of this. My 22-month old monkey boy that right now, wants to do whatever it is that brother is doing. Fun times here!

I know that instead of complaining, I should be thankful that I have a healthy son. I am thankful. I think as parents we all have things that get on our nerves and this is it for me. At times I really have to pray about this and ask for patience towards him. He certainly is a unique little boy with unusual interests. Watch out IBM........here he comes!!

Conserving our Resources

Remember that annoying kid in school that would let you borrow his/her crayon but would follow up by saying "don't press down too hard..........." Well, sorry if you were that kid but that drove me crazy!! Crayons were meant to be used. Unfortunately, I think I have one of those children. Lately, Hudson has really been into this kind of thing. For example, he may have his favorite gadget of the week. He has somehow connected a fan or something to it. He will quickly turn it on and then turn it right back off again while saying "I don't want the battery to run out." I try to explain to him that we can recharge the batteries and for him to use it to his hearts desire but he will have none of that. The other day the heat turned on at home and he told me to turn it off so that it wouldn't run out of "ecletricity." The best was last week while driving him to school I started a conversation like:

Me: So, are you going to have a good day at school today?

Hudson: (silence)

Me: Should we pray and ask God to help us make some good choices?

Hudson: (silence)

Me: You are going to have so much fun today with your friends

Hudson: Mom, I don't want to talk. I don't want to use up all my voice.

Me: (silence......what do you say to that?)

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The other night Jason had an appointment and the boys were a little fussy. Hudson was giving me a hard time at dinner. I too was tired and fussy and before I knew it, the words "if you eat all your dinner we can go get ice cream" just rolled out of my mouth. I don't make it a habit to treat my kids to ice cream for no reason at all but this particular night was an exception. We grabbed some ice cream and headed back home. I love that something so simple can put huge smiles on their faces.

So worth it!
*****************************************************************************This is Hudson's gadget of the week. He has disassembled an old tape recorder and is fascinated by all the parts. As I look around our house and as I dodge the thousands of dollars worth of toys in our living room, I'm still amazed that he chooses things like this to tinker with. I'm honestly considering putting a small note inside his birthday invitations that say "please don't send a gift.........just find us something old that my son can take apart." Would that be tacky?

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Hudson really enjoys making cookies with me. His favorite part is cracking the eggs......which this time was a bit of a mess and ended up on his arm and on most of the counter top.

Although it can be messy, we still have fun doing it!

Birthday Celebrations and Johnnie High's

On Saturday, we celebrated 2 birthdays in our family.......my step dad and my Uncle Mike. We had a get together at my mom's house where we ate dinner, opened gifts and had cake. We took the boys to Mimi's house and Jason and I got to enjoy our family without having to chase a monkey boy around the house and up the stairs. Thanks Mimi!!

Doyle with his new golf bag
Brad, Donna, Mike, and Brent
The cousins.........we had so much fun together as kids. We used to live right next door to them when we were small and man, did we have a ball. We don't get to see them as often as I'd like but we always manage to talk about old times and laugh at all the funny things we used to do. So Brad and Brent........I'll trade you Baltic Avenue and $20!!! (huge inside joke!)


Later that evening we went to Johnnie High's in Arlington. I always love going here and listening to wonderful music. This particular night was 50's music. The younger ones in our group probably didn't appreciate it as much since we didn't grow up listening to it but our parents loved it! The highlight of the evening was getting to see Steve Holy. Many of you probably don't know this but Steve got his start at Johnny Highs. I remember in high school and college coming to watch him perform. What a cutie! He sang a few songs and then ended it with "I've Got a Brand New Girlfriend".......it was awesome!!

If you've never been, I highly recommend it. If you go on a regular night you will hear amazing country music by some very talented singers! They also have an awesome Christmas show in December.

2008 and a warm January day....

When I was a kid, I remember thinking that the year 2000 was soooooo far away and would never come. I remember 2000 very well and how weird it felt to write that on my chalkboard at school when I was teaching. It felt uncomfortable saying 2000 instead of 19-something. That seemed like just yesterday and here we are 8 years later. My parents and older family members used to tell me that life flashes before your eyes and as a youngster I had no idea what they meant by that. It seems now that every year goes by faster and faster and that my kids are literally growing before my eyes.

For New Year's Eve this year, we had our families over for game night. We've done this most years since Jason and I have been married. It's so fun to get everyone together and hang out. Unfortunately, I didn't take any good pictures of that night. Earlier that day, Hudson and Cooper were having a good time playing in H's room. Some days they play together perfectly and then others, not so much. I love nothing more than to see and hear them laughing and bonding as brothers do. I hope and pray that they are close forever.

A couple of months ago, I found these neat lights that look like little fishing bobbers for Hudson's room. Then Hudson put them on a timer so that they will come on at certain times. He then plugs a clock into the other end so that he can tinker with that too. I'm sure one day Cooper will think he's nuts but for now he is very impressed with his work!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOhhhhh, as Cooper watches the lights come on. He makes the funniest "oooh" sounds right now when he sees bright lights.

Today has been a little cloudy but nice. We played outside for a while and the boys enjoyed swinging and getting out of the house. It's crazy to be mid-70's in January but I'm thankful for the break to get outside.

Look at this big boy!

We even invited our friend, Wyatt, over to play

It was really funny to listen to the boys talk to each other as they played. Hudson climbed onto his swing set ladder and said "Wyatt, come here. Come stand up here and you can see the entire world!" It's so funny to see the world through a child's eyes. Although it's just our neighborhood, it's the whole world to him.