Hudson's First Day of Preschool

We've been waiting for this day for what seems to be a very long time! Hudson is one of those kids that you just know is going to LOVE school! We decided it would be best (for both Hudson and Bryce) if we started out 3 days a week to see how well it went. Hudson will be going to Believers Christian Fellowship on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 9-12. On Hudson's first day of school he woke up cranky! I thought to myself this is not going to be a good start! He didn't want to get dressed, he didn't want to eat breakfast, and he didn't want me to take his picture! Finally he snapped out of it when I said it was time to go to school! Yep, that did the trick. He got his little backpack on and went right out the door, but not before Bryce came running from his bedroom! Bryce followed Hudson onto the porch and didn't want him to go! Thankfully Noni offered to stay with Bryce while Daddy and I took Hudson to school...I didn't want to cause a scene on our first day! As we entered the school Hudson ran down the hall super excited! When we entered his classroom he went straight to the toys and began playing with a new little friend. He was so happy to be there so it was a lot easier for me to leave him! I left a very proud momma...my lil' boy was going to do GREAT!

Day 1: Hudson's teacher Ms. Maryann was impressed that Hudson could sing his ABC's (as he decided to demonstrate while on the potty!). At school the kids drink from a cup without a lid or straw (which unfortunately we do not practice enough at home!). Hudson spilled his drink on his shirt...good thing we brought a spare!

Day 2: Hudson walked into the school and said "we have to be quiet in the hallway" and then proceeded to walk the blue line along the walls like they do during school! Wow, he caught on in just one day!! Ms. Maryann said that Hudson is very sweet and FUNNY! She said he had all of the other kids cracking up! Who knew he could be funny?! He's usually very serious!

Day 3: Hudson is now wearing pull ups all of the time. He asked to go to the potty as I was dropping him off so Ms. Maryann decided to take him. As I was leaving Hudson said "wait, mommy! member when that boy was throwing stones on the slide! That's BAD!". He's soaking it all in like a little sponge!

Hudson loved his first week of school so much! He surprised us at how well he made himself at home, interacted with the other kids, and followed the teacher's rules! He actually leaves school screaming because he wants to stay! We may have to consider a few full days soon if he continues to excel!

The Big 3-0!

Turning 30 has definitely been my happiest birthday so far! My husband, friends, and family went out of their way to ensure that I had a very special and memorable birthday! Festivities began Wednesday night when I thought I was going to have a stroke...it was a chaotic evening with lots of running around. I came home to find my wedding band on the microwave. I instantly began panicking because my diamond is ALWAYS with my band. Noni's advice "Don't have a stroke", lol. I was so upset that I told Brian that I thought I lost my ring. To set my mind at ease he said "I have your ring, it's fine, and I don't want to talk about it again!". With that being said I then knew that my birthday gift would somehow involve my ring. I have to admit I was SO excited and nervous to see what my hubby did for me!

On Thursday my friends at work decorated the department and set up an ice cream parlour complete with all of the fixings for a perfect birthday celebration! Noni even brought the boys in to visit me (one with a rose and one with a balloon)! My work day went by so quickly and everyone really went all out to make it a very great day! Once work was over it was time to get ready for dinner (and my present!). I couldn't wait to open up that little box!! BRIAN gets 10 stars on this gift...I cannot describe how beautiful my ring is! Apparently he did a lot of sneaking around the past two months and had a new setting made for me! I absolutely love it as much as I love him!! Wearing my new bling, we were headed to dinner (which was also to be a surprise!). He decided to take me to Drake's Landing. I've mentioned awhile back that I wanted to go! When we entered the restaurant some family members were already there waiting for us! Since Meredith and I share a birthday it was only fitting that she would join us for dinner too! Surrounded by great people, delicious food, a handsome hubby, and two beautiful little boys I'd say it's safe to say I had a fabulous 30th birthday!

Happy Birthday, Daddy

Daddy's birthday was celebrated with lasagna and ice cream cake! Noni and Papa joined us for dinner too. The boys were adorable when it came time to sing Happy Birthday! Hudson did great, and Bryce tried so hard which made it super cute! They helped Daddy blow out the candles and even helped Daddy open his gift, which was a hit...a surround sound speaker bar (just in time for football season!). Happy Birthday, Brian! Hope you had a special day!

2 & 3 Year Check Ups

2 & 3 Year Check Ups went well! No shots due for either boy. They are both "big boys" now so they were able to stand on the scale for their height and weight measurements. Bryce is 32 inches and 24 pounds while Hudson is 35 inches and 28 pounds. Both Hudson and Bryce had their finger pricked, and I honestly think they were happy about it because they got a band aid for the "bee-boo"! They were so funny when the doctor said to say "aaahhh" so that she could look into their mouths...perfect patients!!

Vote, Vote, Vote!

OMG, I'm so excited and flattered (and did I mention excited!) that Hudson & Bryce's Mustache Bash was chosen as one of the three finalists for party of the month on Project Nursery! We need you to vote for us. Everyday until the end of the month! Winner receives a $50 Visa gift card...we'd love to use it in Disney World ;)

http://projectnursery.com/2011/08/vote-august-party-finalists/

Alyson's Survivor Soiree

Meredith, Dana, and I treated Alyson to a "Girls Day Away" at the Lodge at Geneva. Alyson completed her radiation therapy for breast cancer a few weeks ago so a celebration was in order! We arrived at the Lodge around 12:30 Saturday afternoon. Since our room still was not ready we decided to walk the strip since we were starving. We ended up getting some awesome fried food from Eddy's! So much good food that we were wishing we drove to lunch rather than walked. Once we got back to our room we had a little time before the wine shuttle arrived so we got a little silly and decorated wine glasses (that is, of course, after Meredith and Dana stuffed their bags with every "free sample" in the room!). What started out as a contest to see who could make the prettiest glass soon became a contest to see who's the was the least ugly! It was then time to get beautiful...we each changed into something PINK to symbolize the cause which brought us all there that night! On our wine tour we stopped at 3 different wineries. The first was an old church. Very unique winery set on beautiful property. There some of us sampled ice wines and we shared a cheese platter. Next was a little winery where we each bought "Wine for a Cure...You'll Feel Better!" tee shirts! Finally we stopped at Ferrante's Winery. Gorgeous! 1 1/2 hour wait for dinner...and it was well worth the wait. Our meals were delicious (and so was the wine!). Some of us ladies, names will not be mentioned ;), were a little more tipsy than the others...I think you'll be able tell from the pictures who the "bad girls" were...they were the ones "whispering over the balcony" as the others stood below! Speaking on behalf of all of us girls, we had such a wonderful weekend together and we are so glad to be able to CELEBRATE life! In fact, we're looking forward to doing it again in 5 years!

B's Most Cozy Spot!

You may recall me mentioning a couple of weeks ago that Bryce can now climb out of his crib... Well most nights he starts out in his bed, but when we go to check on him before we go to bed we find him sleeping in his chair! This makes sense since he's always rocked himself against things, especially when tired. It his "soothing thing"! The first night that we checked on him and didn't find him in his crib, I was a little scared. I think I was so tired myself so it took a couple of minutes to register that he wasn't in his bed! Daddy immediately looked on his chair. I would have expected him to fall asleep by the door like his brother sometimes does. Now when we check on him we look on his chair first...and he's usually there!

"I feel better!"

Hudson is such a gentle, sweet, and patient boy...yet, he's soooo tough! I'm constantly amazed at how well he takes an injury! Even if he cries briefly, for real certified painful accidents, he shakes it off so quickly and assures you "I'm okay or I feel better!". The other day he was spinning, and spinning, and spinning some more in the living room. It happened so quickly- he fell and hit his head. Of course he had to catch his head on the knob sticking out of the drawer! I know it hurt! It started to bruise right away and you could see an indent where it hit. He cried, so we offered him mini Reese cups and a cold Cookie Monster gel pack for his ouchie! Amazing- right away he said "Cookie made me feel better!" and that was the end of that discussion!
**On a sidenote: How beautiful do his eyes look?!**

B's a free man...

Well looky who's been climbing out of his crib since last Monday! We're not surprised, Bryce is pretty adventurous! He's only gotten out of his bed a few nights in the past week so we're going to hold off on converting his bed to a toddler bed as long as we can. On the nights that he does get out of his bed he's usually content to play for a short while and will go back to bed without any problems.
Two nights ago I woke at 2:30 am to both boys screaming. I had Brian come with me so that we could each soothe one. Apparently Bryce wanted to play with Hudson. He went into Hudson's room and was trying to wake him up. Hudson was not happy about this, so Bryce fake screamed right along with Hudson! I was able to get Hudson back to sleep quickly and took Bryce into the living room. We sat on the couch for 20 minutes while I rubbed his hair and snuggled with him! He went right back to bed after this! I have to admit, eventhough it was going on 3 am, I did enjoy time with my cuddlebug!

Minds of Their Own

Just the other morning the boys decided to tell me that they wanted PopTarts. B started by pointing at their snack cupboard and saying "bowl". He always wants a bowl for his PopTart! Hudson then proceeded to tell me exactly which bowl he wanted his snack in! They immediately took their bowls into the living room and sat in front of the couch. I thought this was so funny that they knew exactly what they wanted and asked for it, so I got the camera...Bryce started making silly faces, and Hudson tried his best to make a silly face too! Always entertaining us!

Deer Park

Saturday we took the boys on their first trip to Deer Park. Surprisingly Hudson fed the deer biscuits even though he looked a little nervous! Bryce wanted no part of that :) The boys really enjoyed the park and it was nice because they were able to walk around the entire time without strollers. There was even a petting zoo area where goats were roaming freely. We even saw one knock over a trash can...that is still a topic of discussion in our home today with Hudson. Bryce was a little frightened in the petting zoo because the same goat that knocked over the trash can followed us around for a bit. I had to carry B, but he was quickly occupied by a pen of sleeping piggies. He made the face and all! We also rode the train there. Boys were saying "choo choo" and sat so well the entire ride! Another cute moment was when Hudson told another boy who was putting his head in the lion cut out "say Roar!"! So funny! We had a great time, nice little trip we'll definitely take again!