Going commando

So, I am pretty sure that Hudson has potty trained himself. Yesterday when he woke up I said let's not wear a diaper today and he said OK. He only wore a diaper for nap time. He didn't have any accidents. This morning the same thing. He asked for his diaper to come off and he has used the potty every time. Yesterday he even pooped without any issues. OH MY GOD!!! I am so excited. Brandon's parents told me that Brandon potty trained himself and that one day he just said he was done with diapers and I kind of only half believed them. I mean it was 30 years ago.... But I totally believe them now. Only one problem. Hudson doesn't want to wear underwear, so he has been going commando for 2 days now. I offered to buy him new underwear, but he just says "I don't like underwear!". I can't help but think of that episode of Friends... "Commando!"

New York State of Mind!

So, on Thursday I hopped on a flight to NY to visit my family. Only a couple of family members knew I was coming up. So, for most it was a surprise. We celebrated my Aunt Mel's 60Th birthday. When I was growing up I was closer to my cousins than most people are to their siblings. Then in our 20's we all were starting our lives and really didn't hang out that much. But in the past few years they all have started getting back together more often. Lets just say that I don't know if I can really put into words how much I miss them. The only thing I can compare it to is that feeling when you break up with someone and you really don't want to. That heaviness in your chest, that hole in your heart. The plane ride home was full of mixed feelings. I was so happy to have seen everyone and had a good time and of course I was happy to be going home to my boys, but at the same time I was sad that I was going to miss the next family party. It was amazing to see everyone. Maybe it sounds silly, but just to get to sit and enjoy my crazy, loud, sometimes inappropriate family meant the world to me. I can't live without you guys! And I promise to NEVER EVER go that long between visits again. And I can almost guarantee that I will cry like a baby again next time too!

Me with my new cousin Mike (meek, as we call him)

My half of a rental car

The Rules

Me with Bri & Mikey

Cousins!

Me with Marissa & Julia

Me with Jen (beans)

Me with Joe (animal)

Me with Rina

Me with Teresa (skip)

I got to spend some time with some old friends and even have breakfast with my best friends from high school, Loretta. We hadn't seen each other in 13 years and you would have thought it was yesterday! The whole trip from beginning to end was great and just what I needed. I love you guys! See you in October!

Check-up

Just got back from Connor's 4 year old check up. he was 40lbs and 42 1/2 inches. WOW! He passed his hearing & sight tests and lived through the 2 shots. As soon as Dr. C walked in the room he said "Am I going to get any shots?" And as usual Dr. C said "I don't give shots, I have no idea", which always means yes. He did really well. He only cried for about 30 seconds and then the genius MA offered him a piece of candy and he was done. I left the house with no diapers and didn't realize it until we got to the Dr.'s. So, I just said to Hudson, we don't have diapers, so just tell me when you have to go and he totally did! He also did it twice yesterday. I am loving the whole I don't have to potty train another kid thing. Erin, I will always listen to your advice! You're hired as my new decision maker.

Our week

Not much to write this week as Connor & Brandon were at Vacation Bible School all week. They had a great time and came away with some good lessons and good friends.

Hudson and I both got pink eye this week and we are finally getting over it. Long week for us.

BERO is in California so Connor & Hudson are a little lost without their buds. OK, well maybe we are too. I just don't know where Brandon is going to take the kids on Monday night.

Update, Connor and Brandon had to sing and sign songs from VBS in church on Sunday. Connor did awesome. I thought he would chicken out, but he stood right up front and did it all. I'm sure Brandon did a good job as well, but i was busy watching Connor. Then we went to hockey and mistakenly he was put in the more advanced class and we just kept our mouths shut and he did awesome! He always rises to a challenge. In Hudson news.... he has used the potty at least 2 times a day for a week now. We still aren't saying anything to him. He just tells us. I just keep thinking how nice it will be to not have to potty train him.

Wook Mommy!

I was reading to Hudson the other night and he noticed a picture in the book and said (in Hudson speak):

"Wook Mommy, the weanin' towah of pizza, in eh-duh-wee"

How cool that he recognized the leaning tower of Pisa, and he knew where it was! Who says TV is bad for kids!

Then last night and this morning he told us when he had to pee and asked to go on the potty. I have really ignored potty training. I usually listen to any advice Erin gives me and her advice on potty training is wait until they are really ready. So, I have. Plus, a kid in diapers is sooo much easier to deal with. No bathroom stops. Plus, since we decided that Hudson is most likely going to be our last baby I think I am holding onto the baby things. Looks like it may be time to let go. But I am not going to push it.

This morning at breakfast we were listening to the Vacation Bible School CD and Connor started singing the words and doing the sign language movements. Then he started flexing his muscles and said "look at these guns, they are the biggest guns in the world".

Party Time!

For Connor's first birthday we invited our friends and for his 2ND and 3rd we had just family. So this year we let Connor invite 10 friends and make his own guest list. Almost all of the kids had little sisters, so we had about 20 kids. Brandon and I planned and old fashioned at home party. We had our water slide and bounce house and a couple of small pools. Plus Brandon had the kids play 3 legged race, water balloon toss, pin the tail on the donkey, egg on a spoon walk, and of course as with any party we had a pinata. The party was so much fun and Connor really loved it. It was a ton of work but so well worth it. We could not have done it without the help of our family & friends! Thanks guys.

Hudson is a natural!

We had cake inside as it rained. Lucky we have that big table.

Our cuties!

Connor had originally wanted a Transformer party, then asked me if I could add all of the speed racers and Jeff Gordon to his cake....Done! Who says I'm not flexible?
Egg on a spoon (a classic!)
Brandon & Freddy showing them how it's done
The kids lined up for the 3 legged race
I really want to write more about the party, but seriously.... I need a nap!

conversations

Connor: I gotta go make pee
Me: Make sure you wash your hands
Connor: But I'm not even gonna touch my penis
Me: Wash them anyway!

busy week

Wow, it has only been a week since I posted, but it feels like 3 or 4. What a busy week. I am going to make this short cause I am tired! Last Monday we celebrated Connor's birthday with just the 4 of us. Connor wanted pizza for dinner so I made some and Brandon said it was some of the best pizza he has ever had. Then we had cup cakes and opened gifts. We only spoiled him a little.

Then on Wednesday my Mom came into town and had a blast with the kids for the past 5 days. my guess is she is home in bed right now sleeping it off. They ran her ragged and had her playing for 5 days straight. They had a great visit with Grandma and didn't understand why she had to leave. She was a big help with Connor's birthday party. I'll post more about the party later.

Then just as I was about to relax our friend Stephanie came into town from college. She is only going to be home for 1 week and then it is off to Australia for 6 months (lucky duck!). So, we really wanted to make some time to spend with her. So, on Sunday night Steph & cool Janet (her Mom) and Larry (her Dad) came over for dinner. Connor had so much fun with Steph that he asked if she could come over another day and if I could leave so she could babysit. I told him that she was going back to college and then Connor told me that he wished he could go to college because all of the babysitters go there and he misses them. How cute!

Happy Birthday Connor

Dear Connor,

Happy 4Th birthday. Wow, 4 years sure has gone by fast. I can so vividly remember the day you were born. It started out with me being very mad that you were late. By the time you are able to read this you will be very aware that I hate being late. But you sure were worth the wait. You totally changed my and your Dad's life. Thank God you did! You have taught me patience and unconditional love. Sometimes you remind me so much of myself as a kid and then you go and surprise me and remind me that you are your own person. In the past year you have learned to roller blade and you are beginning to master ice skating. You ride your scooter awesome and love to show us a new "trick" every day. You love swimming and you still love to ride your bike. You have been known to ride up to 5 miles. Who knows how long you will go, we always get tired first! The other day you told me you wanted to ride your bike like Lance Armstrong and swim like Michael Phelps. Let's just say you dream BIG. I am so happy that you do. No matter what you do in life I am sure you will give it your all and do your best. You make dad and me so proud every day. You have learned all of your letter sounds, how to write your name and you are even sounding out and spelling words. Your eating habits have totally changed. That was by far the hardest fought battle of the year. But dad and I didn't give up and you are better off for it. But, just for fun, one day I may come over to your house and puke on your dining room table. But only if you are serving broccoli.

We waited so long to hear you speak and now we can barely get you to stop talking long enough to get a word in. You are a hit during the children's message at church. I think the entire congregation waits to hear what you will say. I have heard so many of our church family say that you make their day with your funny comments. You are a pretty funny kid (you get that from me). Your enthusiasm lights up a room!

Right now you are slightly obsessed with Transformers and Speed Racer.

Whenever you are in trouble the first thing you say is "Mom, I think you are pretty". Which makes me think you are a smart kid and will make a great husband one day.

You have a huge heart and live to please those around you. Sometimes that worries me. Luckily the person you live to please the most is your daddy. He is your hero and he should be. I hope when you grow up you are able to remember all of the things daddy does with you. Since the day you were born he has been careful with his words and generous with his time and love. He has taught you to try your best and never give up. He spends every free moment he has with you and your brother. And all of his other moments are spent trying to give you the best life and opportunities possible. Right now he is trying to teach you how to "be your own man" and think for yourself. You won the Dad lottery kid!

I could probably write you a note a mile long about how wonderful I think you are and how much I love you, but then what would I write next year? So for now, my sweet boy I will just say I love you and Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mommy

Slip N' Slide

Our neighbors rolled out some visqueen on Saturday and the fun began. the boys all had a blast on the home made slip -n- slide. It didn't hurt that they have a great hill in their yard.

4th of July

On 4th of July morning we called Brett, Erin, Ryan & Olivia (who from now on will be referred to as BERO, cause it takes to long to type out all of their names!) Anyway, we went for a 4-5 miles bike ride with BERO (much nicer). Then Erin had some things to do around the house so the rest of us went swimming. The kids all love swimming and it really tires them all out.

Some of our old neighbors were having a BBQ and fireworks & they invited BERO and told them to invite us too. We decided to have dinner with just us & BERO and then head over to the other neighbors. Their fireworks were great, but a little to close for comfort. So we went and Brett set off some small fireworks for the kids and we let them light sparklers. Then we sat in BERO's backyard and watched the neighbor's fireworks from a safe distance. We had a great day and even let the kids stay up until 10pm. But, you guessed it, Hudson was still in our bed at 6:45 am.

Swim lesson pics

Hudson did awesome for his first year of swimming lessonsConnor remembered how to float...
And Jump...
And swim!

Smile

Hey Connor, put your arm around Hudson and smile for a picture.....

Or, flip him upside down! Sounds kind of the same. I could see where he would get those directions confused!