international bird migratory day

Last weekend Bert & I took the kids to 4th Annual International Migratory Bird Day at Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area, 3131 South Central Ave. They had bird walks, educational presentations, kid crafts, and games.

Hudson enjoyed painting some bird wings and Ethan really liked the migratory game. He choose a bird and roll a die. It told us what # station to go on the bird's journey. That station then told of what obstacles the bird was facing and where to go next. He played twice and perished both times. Once due to being caught in a blizzard and once he was eaten by a cat. The objective was to show just how tough a bird migration is and how many do not survive.

But our favorites part of the day was being able to see birds up close and personal. The owls were way cool and my personal favorite. The eagle was pretty awesome to see and was Ethan's favorite!

Unfortunately my camera got dirt on the lens and wouldn't work otherwise I would have had a ton of fun photos.

oh what fun

We had some quality family time this past weekend. We laughed, we played, we got to enjoy one another away from the daily grind that can be life. It was awesome.

Ethan's behavoir at school has been less then stellar lately and it has had us all on edge. Friday and we decided to take an impromptu visit to the Phoenix Children's Museum. It was First Fridays in Phoenix and that means that the museum is free from 6-10 pm. What a treat. We were a little concerned it would be crazy busy and it was, but it was manageable. Both kids headed in different directions of course so, I went one way and Bert went another. We met up every so often so one brother could show the other brother how cool this and that was.

Saturday was a beautiful day. I went to yoga in the morning, worked out hard and was able to manipulate myself into plow pose > shoulder stand pose for the first time! That made me ecstatic for the rest of the day. I have been wanting to be able to do that for years. We trekked to the park after lunch, Bert & I on foot, Ethan scooter'd and Hudson big wheel'd). We played for 2 hours! Playground, sand, swings and basketball. I swung on the swing for a long time staring up at the sky and feeling like a kid myself. I wish I brought my camera but, then again I would have spent the whole time thinking of photo ops. So it's probably best I didn't.

We caped off the night with a Bingo night at Ethan's school. Nannie joined us and Daddy pulled out the big win! Ethan ran to the stage to collect his prize. Hudson decided he was a winner too! He ran right up their with Ethan, showed his (losing) bingo card and they kindly gave him a prize too.

Sunday was the most relaxing day I've had in awhile. I actually accomplished a lot around the house but, my mind was relaxed the entire day. And that felt wonderful! Here's wishing your upcoming weekend is filled with love, family and relaxed minds.

Sorry for such a long post but, I just didn't want these memories to fade away into the abyss that is my head.

weekend fun with grandparents

My parents left on Tuesday. I was sad to see them go but, happy that our next visit is near. We are heading to New York in March so we'll be seeing them and the rest of our family soon. We had a fun filled weekend. Friday was a blast. My husband and father played golf. My mother and I took the kids to Chuck E Cheese in the afternoon and my mother in law joined us for Disney on Ice that evening. Is was the World of Fantasy show and was really good. They had scenes from Cars the movie, Little Mermaid, Lion King (my personal favorite), and Tinkerbell.



Saturday was a beautiful day and we spent quality time outdoors; a walk around our neighborhood, play time at the park and lots of time in our backyard. On Sunday we had some friends over for an Italian feast and watched the Jets WIN! Monday my parents watched the kids while Bert & I went to see the movie Avatar in 3D. It was wonderful movie and nice to get a chance to just hang with my husband. It was a fantastic visit. It always makes my home feel even more like home when my family visits. I sure love them lots.

grandparents in the house

My parents arrived late yesterday evening. I am really excited to spend some quality time with them and for my kids to see their grandparents. It's been an entire year since they last saw them. Both boys have grown so much it will shock them for sure. My parents have so much love to give their only grandchildren and it saddens me we aren't able to see them more often. To make up for time lost we have a busy weekend planned full of family fun!

funny faces

Ethan has been hot on everyone making funny faces, especially in photos. Here are some funny faces to help make you laugh today!

Hudson turns 3!

Who's my little munchkin?
Mr Hudson
You're my little munchkin,
Mr Hudson

Hudson Robert was born 20.5 in - 8 lbs 2 oz, 3 years ago today. He was quick and sure knew how to make an entrance! Ethan was induced, so having Hudson arrive on his own was an entirely new experience. One my favorite things about being a mommy-to-be the second time around was knowing more love would flood into our family when Hudson was born and when he arrived, we had more love in our little family then we ever imagined. It was remarkable.

From the start Hudson was a happy, independent, on the go and a very cuddly baby and he still is all those things today. He first laughed at 4 months old, first tooth at 6 months old and said his first words (ba, ba and da, da) at 7 months old! He was an early talker. He concentrated on talking first before tackling how to stand and walk. He didn't worry about those things until his 1st bday. We'll always remember that just about everything to Hudson was "buddaful". Nowadays he says "I like that" to everything.

Hudson was happy all the time with an exception of when he was hungry. That was the one area not to mess around with. When he wanted to eat, you knew it! Here are some entries in his baby book ...

Baby's Favorite's

• food: everything
• meal: every meal
• activity: eating
• place to go: any place with food
  
• hmm... I'm seeing a pattern here!

Hudson was a happy baby in-spite of the fact he wasn't 100% well as an infant. He wheezed and needed to use a nebulizer often. Plus, he had red, gooey, crusty eyes (think pink eye) for the first year of his life. He almost had eye surgery but, they cleared up right before the scheduled day. Funny, how we don't think twice about those things these days.

Enjoying bouncy fun at this birthday party

Well, my baby is now 3 and I couldn't be happier. He is a lovable, smart and energetic little guy. It's sad to see my baby grow but, I love seeing him take on new experiences. (I checked his little hands today and was glad to see they are still chubby little boy hands). Love you, Hudson.

first week of school

Our family on Ethan's first day of school ... see Hudson's little legs hiding behind Bert?

Our little man started kindergarten and he just loves it! The bus and all the new adventures school brings are all very exciting to him. He is awake 30 minutes before the alarm each day dressed and ready! I think I may need to get him his own alarm clock that shows him what time to get up so, that we can all sleep a little bit more ;)

Ethan's godfather Steve came by before work to watch Ethan get on the bus!

The rest of the crew seeing Ethan off; cousin Harrison, Ethan, Nannie and Hudson

There he goes ...

Wow! The first week of school has flown by. His teacher Miss Baker is very nice and sends home a weekly newsletter to let us parents know what he's up to. So far they have enjoyed reading 2 books by Laura Joffe Numeroff, If You Give a Moose a Muffin and If You Give a Pig a Pancake and completing art projects after. Both of these receive 4 stars on goodreads.com and lots of great comments. They are practicing letter writing, using zoo phonics to remember there sounds (Ally Alligator says A) and working in "centers" (small groups that practice sharing and working with other children with play dough, block, housekeeping, books and making pictures.

Here are some pictures Ethan has drawn this week.

It's amazing how his drawing abilities have grown!

We had the pleasure of receiving a lovely comment today about Ethan. Bert went to the bus stop with him, as he does every morning and another parent said "Your son brightens my day every morning. He is so happy to be alive." How cool is that? We are so blessed for that boy. His zest for life and new experiences is so uplifting. Ethan just loves school and it shows.