Conversations

I love the conversations that happen in my home.  Sometimes it just makes me laugh listening to the situation unfold.  Here is what I heard today, as Hannah finished working on her current event report for the week.

Hannah: My current event is going to be the absolute best this week!! I give you a one word hint.....commode.

Hudson:  Commode?!?  What's a commode?!?!

Mom:(lauging in the kitchen becasue what 5th grade boy isn't going to find the word commode enjoyable)

Hudson: Mom, what's a commode?

Mom: I don't know but I bet you will use one sometime today. Look it up!

Hudson: Hmmm....commode....how do you spell it?

Hannah: C-O-M-M-O-D-E

Hudson: OK, hold on.........(reads) "a piece of furniture, a chair elderly people may sit on.....(explodes into laughter) ....YOU WROTE ABOUT TOILETS!!! I gotta read this!

You are all invited to join us each Friday for current event reports.  This week is supposed to be really interesting!

Our Super Fun Backyard!

I would like to report on the fun we are having here in Oklahoma, even here in our own backyard!! Look at the succession of picutres and see uncle Rob swinging a very brave Abigial through the trees.  This swing allows Rob to push her, with all his might,  in a circular motion and she will swing in a circle all the way around where you see Hudson standing in the background.  It is a little alarming to watch it in person, but understand she holds on for dear life, and her parents allow it. :)

 We also have a baby swing and two "normal swings" for those who are a little more faint of heart.  Here is our sweet cousing, Ainsley swinging with Aunt Krista and Uncle Phil.

 And the big kids?

 on the iproducts.

 Or up in our super huge gigantic tree!!

Hooray for big backyards!!!  The basketball goal is going up today, so this yard will be complete!

End of the Year

We have been traveling for the last 18 days, but are home now and have had numerous adventures!! Our trip started at when we went to the big city and met some friends for the end of the year home school celebration.  It was so much fun. 

I have friends and family in the states who have a regular co-op to meet with weekly or monthly, but since we all live so far away from each other, this is impossible.  However, we decided  to make a big deal for our kids at the end of the year, where we could all celebrate their accomplishments. Each child performed one of their talents.  There were singers, piano and guitar players, poetry recitations, and a jump roper.  Then each child had an academic presentation as well. 

What a fun day we had! We all met together in the afternoon and saw Kung Fu Panda 2.  Then we had a big meal together and headed to the celbration.  I was so proud of not only my two children, but of all the kids who had each accomplised so much.  We were so blessed to have time to celebrate all together.

Here is Hudson singing with Rob accompanying him on guitar.  He also did a research project report on Alexander Graham Bell.

 Here is Hannah presenting her research paper on Segregation in American schools,  She also sang a solo.

 All the participants.

 Friends

11 and counting

 On May 18, Hudson turned 11.  It is really amazing to think that this boy, my baby, could already be 11.  Wasn't it yesterday I was holding him and wondering how I would manage 2 babies?  And today, they pretty much manage themselves. 

I am so thankful for the special gift of a son.  Hudson is one of the most caring, serving, helpful boys I have met (not that I am biased).  He constantly thinks of others and what they need, and is more than willing to help and meet needs.  One of his biggest gifts is his compassion for others.  As a mom, I couldn't be prouder or more humbled at his tender servant's heart.  I learn from him every day. 

He loves to spend hours on the phone talking to his Pa about cars and bus routes and just the goings-on in his day to day life. He loves to go outside and ride bikes with his friends.  He is an avid sports fan.  Right now, he is wearing his Mavericks gear daily....Thunder wear has been banned until the Mavs/Thunder series concludes.  But in a few months all of the Mavs jerseys will be replaced by OU Football, which is never too far from his mind.  He loves his family and is really looking forward to big family meals together over the next year.  Hudson loves to laugh and is usually having fun wherever he is and no matter what he is doing.  He truly brings great joy to our life. 

This year, we knew we would be traveling on his birthday, so a week before we invited 4 of his closest friends here to come for the weekend.  The weekend? Yes.  You see, his friends live all over this province, 2 - 3 hours away from us, all in different areas.  So when you have to travel 3 hours one way to a party, you might as well stay a few days. :)  We had a great time with these boys.  Hudson made a menu of all his favorite meals, so I stayed busy in the kitchen making food....11 and 12 yr old boys can eat a lot!  They swam, played outside, played basketball, wrestled, and just had a great time!  On the last night, we invited all of Hudson's local friends to eat cake and have a party with us.  We had a full house of boys.  The local boys had a great time playing party games and eating chocolate cake. It was a great weekend!!

I don't know if you can tell from this picture, but I love it.  Isn't it the best to have a dad who really plays with you and your friends?  Hudson thinks so for sure, and so do I!!!   Here is Rob in action with Hudson and his friends! I am sooooo thankful to have a married a man who is an AWESOME dad!!

Spring Has Sprung

Living in a humid, tropical climate has few advantages, but mostly disadvantages. The main disadvantage is the constant wetness that is everywhere....either you are sweating/soaking through your clothes, or you are experiencing a damp cold that chills to the bone, or you are getting rained on, or the air is so thick with humidity you can't breathe.  However, there are a few beautiful days in the fall and a few in the spring, where it feels like spring.  The humidity is less than normal and it is actually comfortable to be outside.  Right now is one of those times!!

I have been very cautious about Hannah and Hudson riding bikes here.  The traffic is a little crazy, meaning cars and motorbikes feel free to ride on the sidewalks as well as people EVERYWHERE!  So, their opportunities to ride have been slim to none.  I have decided to allow them to ride around our apartment complex which is large, but they have to constantly be aware of bikes, cars, people, strollers, motorcycles, tractors,  and anything else that might suddenly jump in their paths or come around a corner very quickly.  Not fun!  However Hudson enjoys riding his bike to the little market inside our complex and getting toilet paper, or drinks, or whatever else is needed.  Then he likes to arrange it all on his bike and ride home.  Frankly, it is quite convenient for me!!

This week, on one of those beautiful nights we loaded up our bikes and went out a ways so the kids could ride their bikes with no traffic or people or anything.  They had so much fun and rode for a few hours.  And mom didn't have to worry at all!!

Kinda like Grover....NEAR.......

 FAR........

 My boy...

 Rob giving a little instruction on something.....

 The parents....

I will add that last week was a moment of pride in my husband's life (as it will be in Pa's too).  Hudson was out riding his bike with his friends. We looked out the window and saw Hudson leaned over his bike working on it.  Upon calling out to see what the problem was, he said his chain had popped off and that something on the handlebars was messed up, but he had it all under control.  Rob surmised he would probably have to go down and help him fix the problems, but several minutes later off he rode, fixing his own bike.  Hopefully he has inherited Rob's "fix-it" genes.

Milestone

"When it comes to teeth, I am now an adult!" - heard today in our home as Hannah pulled the last baby tooth out of her head.

IT happened this week

It happened at our house this week.  The youngest child finally heard the words he has been dreading.

"Hudson, your sister now gets to stay up an hour later than you."

I wish I could express the look of shock, dismay, bewilderment that came over Hudson's face in that moment.  He stood in the living room, shaking his head back and forth not moving for a while. Then he finally said, "you're kidding, right?"  nope.  More shaking of the head. More dismay.

He submitted. Still shaking his head.

Time flies....

I was looking at one of Hannah's new pictures today and thought I would share it with you.

Pretty sure she should still be 9 with ponytail and binnoculars around her neck. I am truly blessed to have the most awesome daughter! She is my friend and amazing helper in all things. I love her dearly!!

The things kids say...

It has been awhile since I shared some Hudsonisms. They come frequently, but actually writing them down for all to hear.....humility wins.

Yesterday while Hannah and Hudson were hard at work doing their schoolwork:
Hudson: Hannah, what do you want to be when you grow up?
Hannah: Probably work overseas somewhere like we do now. What about you?
Hudson: I am going to be an underwear model.
Hannah: What?
Hudson: Yeah, I want to make people laugh.

I can't wait!