Monster trucks and Vampires!

The boys all went to Monster trucks recently. This was Hudson's first time to go and he loved it! He are a couple of short clips of the boys enjoying their day out with Dad.










Erin & I went and saw Twilight that night. We giggled like 14 year olds and vowed to see it again as soon as Katina & Mindy finish reading the books. We have been invited by the other moms from preschool/music class to go see it in the dollar theatre when it comes out there too. Ahh..the obsession continues!

4 hour time out

Last Tuesday was supposed to be Hudson's first music class. He is in the same class as Olivia. Connor has been in music class for a few months now and I thought Hudson would really love it too. I signed him up and told him about it. He said "no thank you". I know, very polite! The night before class I told him about it again and got the same response. When we got to class he threw a fit and screamed and refused to go to music class. I got so mad. I do not have much experience with fits. I think Connor threw one when he was 18 months old and that was it. But one thing I can not stand is when you see a 4, 5 or 6 year old (or older) throw them selves on the ground uncontrollably. So, I decided to make his punishment severe so he would not soon forget it. We left right away and he went straight to his bed. Stayed there for 2 hours. Then I turned off his light and he took a nap. Then dinner, then back to his room. He was allowed to come out for 15 minutes to play before bedtime. Someone told me that was dumb since he wouldn't even remember why he was in there after 2 minutes. Well, I went in there often to remind him why he was in there. Then that night I made him call the music teacher to apologize for his behavior. I know lots of people would say "well he's only2". But then next year do I say "he's only 3, he's only 4, etc." No, I need to stop it NOW. Hudson, I love you too much to let you be a brat!
Since that punishment he has been sooo good. On Wednesday he said something about not wanting to go to school and I said "do you want to go to school or stay in your bed all day" he said "I want to go to school" and that was the end of the conversation. He knows I mean business. This past Tuesday he couldn't wait to try again at music class. He kissed me goodbye, took off his shoes and sat down like a good boy. The teacher said she did not have any trouble out of him at all! He loved music class. He can't wait to go again. I am a big fan of making our kids try things. Making them step out of their comfort zone. Brandon always uses the example of swimming. All kids are terrified of swimming when they start. They scream and beg to get out of the water. But we know that they will be safer when they learn. We also all remember how much fun swimming was as a kid. So, we make them leave their comfort zone and once they learn it is awesome to see the smile on their faces when they can jump in on their own.

Oh, and on Friday he got a special behavior award at school. They don't even have an award for behavior. They just made a special one for him since he was so good that day. So, I must be doing something right!

Twilight!

I know I haven't written in a while, but I have a good excuse. Or at least it sounds good to me. You see, the last day I wrote Erin dropped off a book to me. So, I started to read Twilight that evening. 2 days later I was done. I have never read a book so fast in my life. There are 4 books in that series and I read them all 10 days! I loved them. I made fun of everyone who told me they were reading these books last year. Since they are geared to a "younger" audience. Well, I was wrong. I loved the love story. I loved the vampires. I loved it all! I am back to the land of the living now and can start blogging again any day now.

I'm cold!

It is 40 degrees here and I am freezing. The boys made me get them a blanket to watch cartoons this morning. I think if we had a fireplace I would use it right now. I guess that makes it official. I am a Floridian! I can't even imagine being cold for months on end and not able to leave the house. I need to go get some groceries and I think I will wait for this afternoon when it is warmer. How sad! Most of my family is in NY, covered in snow.... sorry guys! So, to warm your hearts here are some more "winter" pictures of the boys. Again, pay no attention to the short sleeves and lack of shoes!

Not so weird

When I first met Brandon and he said he didn't watch football (or any other sports for that matter) I thought it was really weird. I mean, what were we going to do on Monday nights? No more cheap beer and wings? Turns out we still went out for cheap beer and wings we just didn't have to worry about having a seat where we could see the game. Oh, and he actually looked at ME. I know weird! Oh, and now on Sunday's we actually take the kids to do things instead of being slaves to the TV. Again, WEIRD! It really did take a couple of years, but now I really like it. There are a few exceptions to the rule. If the NY Yankees or NY Rangers are in the world series / Stanley Cup finals, I make him watch. We also go to a Super Bowl party every year. We usually hang out in the kitchen and enjoy the food and watch the commercials though.

So this past Sunday was no different than any other, we were busy. Actually we were busy all weekend. On Saturday Brandon went to work and then Brett picked up Connor and they met Brandon up at church and took down the Nativity. Connor has helped put up and take down the Nativity every year since he was 6 months old. That first year he rode in a back pack carrier.... but he was there. Then after Brandon got home from work (half day) he took the boys outside to play with their new RC car. Then Hudson went down for a nap and Brandon and Connor met up with Max & Maxwell for a canoe ride. Then that evening we met up with Justin & Erin to take the boys ice skating. Connor did great. He was so excited because a "real" hockey player came up and said he was good and asked how old he was and how long he had been skating. Then another man came up and said he had a promising future in hockey. He ate up the compliments... so did his very proud parents! I think Justin & Erin ate them up a little too! It was Hudson's first time on the ice. While he had fun it was not much fun for us! Poor Brandon had to lean over and hold him almost the entire time. We are going to have to teach him to roller blade first!

Then on Sunday we went to church and Sunday School. We came home, had a pizza picnic in the family room and then it was back to the rink for Connor's first Hockey lesson. He got to use his new stick. He is the youngest kid in the class, but he did great. I was afraid they wouldn't let him stay but he totally held his own! We were so proud of him. Can you believe I forgot my camera? I promise I will remember it next time. After hockey lessons we went home, Hudson went down for a nap and Connor & Brandon went over and played RC cars with Ryan for a while. After that it was back to church for a fellowship dinner. The boys ate vegetarian chili and corn bread. I really did not think we had a chance at them eating the chili, but they both did a great job. We even stayed for a few rounds of trivia.

So, that was our weekend. I am so glad it wasn't interrupted with Brandon forcing us to sit on the couch for 4 hours to watch football. OK honey, I admit it... it's not weird anymore!

House Call

Brandon went for his recheck of his stitches last Friday and they told him he could take them out in 1 week. He took this to mean HE could take them out. Luckily he said this to our friend Judy and she offered to do it for him. Judy is our friend, a nurse, John's (of Tara & John) Mom, oh and our minister's wife. So, last night Judy came over to our house and removed Brandon's stitches right there in our kitchen. Then she went upstairs and tucked in the boys (they love Judy!). Kind of cool to have our own private nurse.... who makes house calls! Thanks Judy!

Watch out NHL!

On Wednesday I planned to take Connor ice skating. His Hockey lessons start on Sunday and we wanted to get him some ice time before then. The ice was closed due to an adult tournament so we just went to the pro shop instead. I bought Connor a hockey stick for his lessons. I was probably more excited then he was to get it. They measured him and cut it to fit him. I can not wait to see if he likes hockey. I know he loves to skate, but hockey is something new.

So, when we got home he played hockey all over the kitchen. I finally banished him to the backyard. When I stepped out there with my camera this is what i found.

He thought it was great fun to shoot pucks off of the play set. Hey, at least he is practicing! His favorite game was balancing the puck on the blade and then flicking it in the air.

Strawberry fields

This morning we got up early and went to a local strawberry farm to pick our own strawberries. The boys had so much fun! And Brandon and I had fun watching them.

Connor had great techniqueConnor picked about 10lbs. and Hudson picked about 3 lbs. That's right, 13 lbs. of strawberries.Hudson ate his weight in berriesWe ended the morning with strawberry shakes. It was Hudson's first milkshake. I don't have to tell you how he felt about it.I have no idea what we will do with 13lbs. of strawberries... but it was well worth it!

hat pics

I took the boys outside to snap a few "winter " pics. Pay no attention to the short sleeves.