Cooper's Thanksgiving Feast

Right before Thanksgiving, Cooper had a feast at his speech school. We got to go and watch the class and see what a typical morning looks like for the kids.

Cooper at circle time.

Singing songs with his sweet teacher.

Monkey boy is thankful for his family and Rudy (our dog).

And I'm thankful for such a sweet boy and for the ability to be home so that I can attend events like this at their school.

Hudson, Hudson, Hudson

I know I've said it before and I'll continue to say it......Hudson cracks me up. I'm constantly in awe of the things that he comes up with and of his ability to see things from a different point of view. The other day he wrote his first letter of the season to Santa.

In case you can't read it: "Dear Santa, I want a motorized gearbox and a visible laser module."

Wow, Santa may have a hard time this year!

One day after school he spent a couple of hours on his "spooky carnival booth." I really wish pictures would do it justice but it just doesn't. He first poked tons of holes into the top of the box. He then pushed orange lights into each hole. He got the clear bag (that holds a newspaper) and tore it into strips to create the spooky cobweb look. The tissue box holds the bottom "door" closed. He then filled the bottom of the box with candy and treats. The idea was to stick your hands through the cobwebs without touching them. He was so proud of his creation.

With the lights on.

Playing school with Cooper. He was doing a circle map with him and trying to teach him new words.

After a few days he was tired of the Spooky Booth so he transformed his box into something else. You know those little ticket m*ncher m*chines at Ch*ch E. Che*ses? He cut slits into the side of his box and had me label them "paper, ticket, card."

He then got a long strip of tape and put it into the "ticket" slot. He reached his hand around to the inside of the box, pulled the tape in, and made the munching sound. It was priceless!

This "card" slot was for our old water park passes from this summer.

I've always loved my boys in j*mmies. They just look so sweet and cuddly! Hudson looks especially sweet in these ......... did I mention that I bought them for $3 at a local consignment sale and they look brand new? Score! Anyways, I could just about gobble him up right here.

Hudson goes to the library every Thursday with his class at school. I would love to just one time see the librarians face when Hudson walks up to the desk to check out. I'm sure by now that she's used to him and his interests but I assume that those first few weeks were humorous. While most first graders are checking out books like Thomas, Cat in the Hat, or Clifford the Red Dog......my son is checking out books on electricity, batteries, inventions and space exploration. He really has such a fascination for science.

The other day he told me that he played "leaf expert" at recess....by himself. Sweet boy. I pray all the time that he'll find a friend that likes the same thing as him. Fortunately, he's pretty clueless when it comes to social situations and peer pressure. He hasn't really caught on that most kids don't like what he likes. That's okay though. God has some amazing things planned for this boy.

Hudson is really adjusting well to school and I think he actually looks forward to it. That's a huge improvement from last year when we had daily battles in the morning to get him to school. He's learning so much and is doing great.

I thank God every day and night for this wonderful gift of a son. He teaches me and is such a joy to our family!

Leaves.....Leaves......Everywhere!

We have absolutely loved the weather lately. I've tried to take the boys out as often as I can since we have no idea how long it will last. Yesterday, we went outside to the cul-de-sac and raked leaves in front of our neighbors house. The boys had a blast jumping in the leaf piles.

I think the pictures speak for themselves. We LOVE being outside on days like this.

Oops, can't forget the pumpkin carving pics

A few nights before Halloween, we picked our biggest pumpkin to carve. Hudson requested a ghost design- so after a quick internet search for a template, we were ready to go.

We taped the paper onto the pumpkin. Can you tell that they are a tad excited?

Then we cut the top off and let the boys put their hands inside to feel the pulp.

They both had fun playing with the insides!

While the boys were busy carving away, I was prepping the pumpkin seeds for roasting. We heart roasted pumpkin seeds.

Our finished product.

Pumpkin Patch and Halloween

Trick-or-Treating around the neighborhood

Shaggy and Scooby-Doo

On Halloween afternoon, we finally made it to the pumpkin patch. October was such a wet month and every time we had the chance to take the boys, it seemed that it was raining. Then we were on vacation and came home to two sick boys. I panicked when the days were dwindling for us to go but we managed to squeeze a trip in on Saturday. We love this place because the boys enjoy the train ride.

Happy Halloween!

Day 5 & 6

On our last day, we drove over to Sapphire Beach. It's a really pretty beach (that's also free) and we had a good time there. By this point we were really not wanting this vacation to end. There was still so much we wanted to do and see but unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. We all agreed that if we had had another day, we would have for sure gone back to St. John. Guess we will just have to go back again one day!

The sunset at our hotel on our last night. So sad to be leaving!

The morning we left, there was a cruise ship docking at the port.

Overall, we had an amazing trip and we feel so blessed to have been able to go. I look forward to the next time we can get away!