Tornados and Lights

A few weeks ago Hudson brought home his Scholastic book order form. He found a few things that he wanted- one of them being a Weather Station set. It had a weather book with some facts and activities. It even included a wind gauge, rain meter, thermometer, etc... He was so excited when it came in on Thursday. One of the activities was to make a tornado by using two coke bottles. So, we scrounged around for some 2-liter bottles and made our little tornado. See the twister

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Our neighbor across the street put her Halloween decorations out a week or so ago. Hudson noticed them that day as we were coming home from school. He insisted that we get our decorations out immediately. My first thought was to tell him that we need to at least get to the month of October but as I saw the excitement in his eyes, I didn't have the heart to squash his joy. So, we started with some inside decorations. You know, the pumpkins and leaves and the simple decorations that hint fall has finally arrived. Jason just so happened to tell Hudson that he had some orange lights up at work that he wasn't using and you can only imagine what was said after that. He begged Jason to bring them home and he probably asked me a hundred times on Friday when it was time for dad to get home. He was so excited and he immediately wanted to decorate his toy house with them.

Before long we might be hiring him out to do some Christmas lights for people.....

He even added a little jack-o-lantern in the window! Home sweet Home!

Of course leave it up to Hudson to have all of this on a timer so that it can turn on when he wants it to. Boys and their toys!

Michael

For me, world hunger will forever have a name and a face. It's Michael. Let me back up. Several weeks ago, I attended the Women of Faith conference. It was my first time to go and I really enjoyed it. I was uplifted, I was encouraged, but most of all I was humbled. During the conference they spoke about an organization called World Vision. It's a Christian based company that is changing communities all over the world. I first want to admit that I've never been interested in sending money to help starving children in Africa. Not because it didn't break my heart but because I didn't trust it. We have all heard of the numerous scams when it comes to giving money and helping those in need. I've always preferred to help those close to home- where I can witness a transformation and see that the money is being put to good use. That night, they told us about World Vision and all the wonderful things this company is doing for people. They even had a man speak that was sponsored by World Vision as a child and he told the audience how his life had drastically changed because of it. After listening to his story, I knew that I had to sponsor a child. I went to the WV table and saw hundreds of cards on the table. How would I even begin to choose? I decided to choose by birthdays.......I asked for a child born on Oct. 25 (that was the due date of the first baby we lost) and I was given a card for a little boy named Michael.

We got some information about him. He does not have a school in his community yet. It says that he helps his family by retrieving fresh water. Can you imagine that kind of life? We are so blessed!!

Michael has become a regular subject of conversation around our house. I try to use him as an example for Hudson when he fusses over what's for dinner or if he complains about not wanting to go to school. Hudson prays for Michael often and even asks if we can give some of our toys to him. It's amazing to see the heart of my children soften because of this little boy we don't know. The cool part is that we can correspond with him and even send him little gifts. We should also get a letter from him as well. (the WV staff will help them with letters)

Not only is Michael an example for Hudson but he's also an example for me. Earlier today, I was internally complaining that I needed to go to the grocery store. I looked over at Michael's picture and immediately felt guilty for feeling that way. What this family would do to have that privilege. I am humbled every time I think about him.

I don't write this post to boast about how our family sponsored a needy child. I write this to simply share the story and hopefully for those of you that want to help but don't know how or where to go, you will now have the information. I fully trust that World Vision is honest. The best part is that is only costs $35 a month. I think about how many meaningless trips to Target I make and walk out with $50 worth of stuff I don't need. I feel great about giving this money and the goal is to get clean running water and a school built in his community.

Thank you Women of Faith for introducing us to World Vision and to Michael. We look forward to hearing about how his community is improving.

Children are a gift from the Lord. Psalm 127:3

In a Groove

We are finally in a groove with our various schedules this year. Most days, especially Tuesdays and Thursdays, I feel like I live in the car but I'm not complaining! I love routine and feel so much more productive when I have somewhat of a timeline. The boys are both adjusting and enjoying school. Life is just busy, busy!

We've officially hit the "2 sandwich club" .....meaning that Hudson can successfully eat 2 sandwiches in one sitting. For lunch today, he got a turkey and cheese sandwich, a banana, half of a probiotic wellness bar, and some cashews. He cleared his plate in no time and asked for another sandwich. He's done this before but I've typically just given him another handful of fruit or nuts and sent him on his way. Today I decided to go ahead and make him another sandwich. He downed it and asked for more cashews. This boy is going through one heck of a growth spurt. I can just imagine our grocery bill in about ten years. Oh my.

Cooper playing peek-a-boo from inside the laundry basket. See his little eyes showing through? I think we broke the record for the amount of time spent playing with a laundry basket. The things you can do with a basket....the possibilities are endless. Glad he's easy to please!

This afternoon Cooper wanted to put my socks and shoes on. I got the biggest laugh out of his little body with my big shoes. Silly boy!

Hudson with his latest purchase........daddy took him to Lowe's last weekend and he used some of his money to buy a motion sensored light switch. He thinks its the coolest thing even though it isn't hooked up.

While C was napping today we got out Hudson's electricity kit and he got the fan to spin and the light bulb to work...just by connecting some clips to a battery. He never tires of these sorts of things. I've really enjoyed seeing his wheels turn and to hear the kinds of questions he asks. He is pretty much asking me things now that I can't answer. Nice.

That's about it with us. I feel like we've been swamped but I don't have a ton to report. I do have a few tags to do (my camera battery went out last week and I just found my recharger last night) so I'll be working on those in the next day or two. Have a good night!

Cooper's First Preschool

Today was Cooper's first day of preschool.

At home, trying to practice with our backpack.

This look cracks me up! He was acting coy with me right before we walked into the building. Do I want to go? Do I not want to go?

Follow me Mom!

He looks like such a big boy to me. It's weird to think back and realize that when Hudson started preschool here, Cooper was a few months old and I carried him in each morning in his infant carrier. Time sure does fly.

Cooper and mommy

When I went to pick him up they told me that he did really well but that he did cry some. She said she could tell that this was his first preschool experience. She said he followed directions and played well with the other kids but that every once in a while he would cry and she would hold him. He did not take a nap....I'm not sure that all of them did....and he fell asleep on our way home. Cooper is usually a very light sleeper but he must have played so hard today that he wore himself flat out. When I got home, I got him out of this seat and quickly carried him inside (he got a little mist of rain on his face), I took his shoes off and laid him in bed and he didn't move once during any of that.

So, we are looking forward to a great year and it seems that we are blessed once again with some sweet teachers.

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Reasons I Love Half Day Kindergarten

It's so crazy to hear myself say that phrase. When I was a teacher, I taught in a neighboring district from the one I live in. In fact, the district we live in is about the only one around here that still does half day kindergarten. I remember talking to other teachers about half day and I basically turned my nose up at the thought. I felt that this district was stuck in a time warp and they they desperately needed to get with the times and go full day. That was until I became a parent and a mom to Hudson. I would say that half day is not for every child but for my first born it has been a God send! I love it! I never in a million years thought I'd ever say that, but I do. Here are a few reasons why:

1. I'll go ahead and start off with the selfish reason- I don't have to pack a lunch. I'm thrilled that I don't have to pack a lunch for him each day. I pick him up at 11:00 and we come home and eat together.

2. I have 3 hours each morning to spend with just Cooper. It's a great chance for he and I to play and I can focus on just him. I love this time together.

3. I have 3 hours on Tues/Thurs with just Hudson. I have not had true alone time with just him since the day Cooper was born. On Tues/Thur I pick Hudson up from school at 11 and we don't leave until 1:30 to get Cooper from preschool. It was SO nice having time with just him. Today was the first day we experienced it and we both loved it. There was an unspoken happiness there and we were almost giddy at the thought of just hanging together. We played hide-and-seek, Legos, and constructed something from his Tinker Toys.

4. I have blocks of time throughout the day where children are not fighting. Thank you LORD!! I sometimes feel like I have 4 kids. I have the Cooper and the Hudson that are amazing and precious when they are alone. I could just about eat them up during these times and it really gives me a chance to breathe and enjoy just them. Then there are the Cooper and Hudson that scream, fight, argue and just about send me over the edge. They are so, so different when alone. I know it's a phase and hopefully it will be short lived.

5. It will be a good transition for Hudson. He was used to going twice a week for preschool so the first week of kindergarten was a big mystery for him because he could not figure out why he was going every single day. Going half day allows him to adjust to elementary school without being gone the whole day. Hudson is my laid back, I just wanna hang out at home kid. I think full day would be a huge struggle for him. I think the few hours he attends is perfect for him ( I understand this would not be the case for every child)

6. Selfishly.....I get to keep him with me a little longer. He has the rest of his life to go to school. Starting next year, he will be there more hours then he is here at home and that makes me sad. I know it's the natural progression of life but knowing that this year allows him to get an education and still spend time with me is the best of both worlds.

7. We can do fun things after school and not worry that it's cutting into dinner time. For example, I mentioned that last week Hudson was giving me a hard time about getting ready for school. This whipped me and I didn't like the fact that he and I were arguing before 8am each day. So, on Monday morning I made a deal with him- something for him to work towards and look forward to. I told him if every day this week he got up and got ready for school without complaining that I'd take him to Chuck E. Cheese after I pick him up on Friday. He is SOO excited about this and is doing a great job to earn this reward. His attitude has been great and he is realizing that school is lots of fun. Because he is half day, we can enjoy lunch and some good play time there and still make it home in time for dinner and our evening routines.

Yes, there are definitely some inconveniences to a half day program. I can no longer participate in play groups (unless we get started early and I leave at 10:45). I can't venture off too far because before I know it, it's time to pick him up. But overall, it works for our family and we couldn't be happier.

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Last night the boys were playing in Cooper's room and we walked in to discover them both in Cooper's bed. They moved a bucket over to the crib and they both climbed on it and got into the bed. The really funny part was when Cooper got out and then grabbed the bucket and took off. Hudson was crying because he had no way to step out and he felt trapped. Cooper ran with the bucket and was laughing at what he had just done. Ahh, the love of brothers!

Time After Time

One of the traditions I decided to start a few weeks ago is something that I know I will look forward to seeing each year- seeing how much the boys change over the years. Basically, I dress him in one of his daddy's shirts....we picked a basic white since that will stand the test of time and will never go out of style. Can you imagine one day when he completely fills this shirt out? Right now, it looks like a dress on him but before I know it he will blossom into the wonderful man God designed him to be......and it will actually fit. Hard to imagine now but will be fun to look back on. We will take a new picture at the beginning of every school year. It's seriously Monkey See-Monkey Do around here when it comes to these boys. Cooper insists on doing everything his brother does. Here was his face when he thought he was being left out of this little tradition.

.....so we decided to include him as well. He too, will fill this shirt out before I know it!

In school news, Hudson is doing well. He still fights me in the mornings and gives me all kinds of excuses on why he should stay home (his legs hurt, he's too tired so needs to stay home and rest) but once he gets there he has fun. I've learned to not expect a full report the minute he gets into the car. I've had to tame my Pollyanna personality and hold myself back from asking all kinds of questions. He gives me bits and pieces as the day goes on and he tells me about his day in his own timing. I'm learning to accept that! I also think once Cooper starts school next week, that will help some. Hudson has a hard time with the fact that Coop gets to stay home and hang out with me while he has to go to school. Plus, we've just come off a long break with summer and staying home every day. I know once he gets into a routine that he will be fine.

His teacher has a stamp system and Hudson is highly motivated by this. He brings his folder home each day and every time he gets into the car, the first thing he tells me is that he got another stamp. (excuse the half n*ked shot.....he's big into t*king off his cl*thes when he gets home) Then he tells me about other students that didn't get a stamp and why. We talk about what they did and about how he needs to continue to do what is right in order to have a good day. I'm so proud of him! Keep up the good work Punk!

Fossil Rim

First of all, I want to thank each and every one of you for your sweet comments about my last post. I will be honest- I was terribly nervous to post about that. My feelings were fresh and I went back and forth on whether or not I should share them. As some of you have said, there are MANY blogs out there that paint the picture of a perfect family. I never want to come across that way and if I ever have, then I apologize. I am all about being real and talking about our lives, the good and the bad. So again, thank you for the words of encouragement. They mean more than you know. For now we have decided to hold off on the soccer. When I mentioned practice tomorrow night he said he didn't want to go and I've decided to not force the issue. Maybe down the road he will show some interest. If not, that's okay too. In the meantime we will just continue to find things that he enjoys. Everyone seems happier that way.

Today we took the boys out to Fossil Rim. Jason and I went back when we were dating so we thought it was time to make a run out there. The boys really enjoyed it.

We took our lunch and had a picnic

The ostrich that almost got me.....I barely got the window closed in time.

Like most peoples kids, my boys are so different. Cooper wanted to ride with his window completely down and stretch his arm out to feed the animals. Hudson kept his window barely cracked (as you can see) and tossed food out onto the ground. He's my cautious one, that's for sure! It's the monkey boy that is giving me the gray hairs.

By far the kids loved the giraffes the best. She stuck her head through the window and just ate out of their hands.

At the halfway point we got out and walked around. Cooper had a good time brushing some of the animals.

We had a great afternoon together!

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Ever wonder what the boys do when mom is out of town?

Daddy decides to spike the boys hair into mohawks.

At least they had fun, right?