No Pictures Please!

You know those days when you look less than your best and you leave the house anyway, thinking "I wont see anyone". Well...... let me tell you about today. I was up early, thank you Hudson. I started making a list of everyone to call with our address change. I started making boxes to pack stuff in. I even started packing. I stayed in my sweats and did NOT shower. Erin called and wanted to stop by and borrow a book. No problem, she has seen me at my worst before. Then Brandon called and wanted me to bring Connor to the shop so they could build an instrument together for music class. I decide I will just throw on yesterday's jeans and a big t-shirt and who cares about no make up. We go up to the shop and Brandon & Connor make a steel drum. We leave there and I take the boys down the road to where we will be renting a house and we run into the grocery store there. As I am walking up to the plaza I recognize a woman walking towards me as the anchor from the evening news. The man next to her has a camera. That's right, I am about to be on the news with no shower, no make-up and less than flattering clothes! She asks if I have any children in the dance studio next door. I say no. She then says she will fill me in on the situation and would like me to comment on it. I said no thank you and ran the other way. I wanted to scream "no pictures" and run away as if i were the accused! You better believe that will be my last no make-up trip for a while.

just in case

Check out these cool tattoos I just got for our trip to NY. I had Brandon's cell phone number printed on them. They boys love tattoos so i shouldn't have any trouble getting them to wear these. I'll just put them on their arms and tell them if they get lost to go to a police man and show them the number. I love this idea. I usually put something in Connor's pocket with our number. But Hudson is another story. I got something that velcro's to his shoe, but he always tried to take it off. Let's face it, they are never more than a foot away from us, but you never know. Plus, with all of the chaos of traveling, this made me feel much better.

You can get them printed or ones you can write-on. You can even get ones with the kids allergies or medical condition on them. How cool for field trips. I wish I had thought of this idea!

first soccer game

So, from now until we move my posts are probably going to be pretty short and sweet!

This past weekend we had Connor's first soccer game and he did really well. He cried for about 30 seconds. For those of you who remember last years soccer this is a vast improvement! He are some pictures from practice.

Sunday Brandon took Connor ice skating and I hope to have that video up later this week. Then we went over to Max's house for a family play date.

We decided to rent a house for a little while so we can take our time looking for a home. We have at least narrowed down our search into a specific area. It was just too much pressure to try and pick a house in a short amount of time.

slacker

I know, I know It's been 2 weeks. But, we sold our house and it is crazy here. I promise to work on this sometime this week. PROMISE!

Ella, Morgan & Ryan

Over the past 2 weeks we have gone to 3 birthday parties. Ella's, at a gym, Morgan's at a bounce house place and Ryan's at a bowling alley. The boys had so much fun at all three. However the only one I remembered my camera at was Ella's. So, here goes..

Hudson got to fly...

Connor got to swing

The reason why you do not let your kids open the goodie bags by themselves.....

Brandon's birthday

Brandon and I have known each other for 11 years and neither of us has ever had a birthday party. So this year I planned a surprise party for him. His favorite dinner is appetizer dinner, which I usually make for him. So this year I took him to this cool restaurant that serves all appetizers. We loved it. Then I had a few friends meet us at Howl At The Moon, a fun piano bar. We spent the night at the big hotel right near there so we didn't have to worry about driving home. Bruce & Kathy (Tara's parents) stayed with the kids over night. they had a blast.

Brandon was thoroughly surprised and appreciated all of the planning that went into it.

I have a bunch of pictures from the night, but this was the only one I was OK with putting out in public. Let's just say it was a fun evening!

The San Francisco Treat!

Some people catch their kids sneaking cookies from the cookie jar....not us. I went to answer the phone and when i returned I found this. Hudson huddled in the corner with a bag of Rice a Roni (leftover from dinner) and a spoon.

Testing, Testing

I got one of those little pocket video cameras the other day and I'm just learning how to use it. So, here are my test videos.

Twins?

Connor got out of bed every night during the Olympics to watch Michael Phelps swim. He watched and cheered. Every morning he asked me how many gold medals Michael had this time. I wish I could bring Connor to meet Michael Phelps so he could see the power he has over young kids and their dreams.

blatter blast

I read about this product on another blog and I have really wanted to try it. Sounds silly but it is pancake batter in a can. Kind of like whipped cream. OK, so the pancakes were not as good as homemade, but these were way more fun. Saturday morning Brandon had to work so I got the boys up and we made pancakes shaped like anything and everything we could imagine. We made letters, cars, and even a power ranger. The only problem was flipping something so big. I am going to need a bigger spatula. The boys ate a bunch of pancakes and we had so much fun! C for Connor

cake sandwich

Me: You have school tomorrow, what would you like in your lunch?
Hudson: A squeezy yogurt, a juice and no grapes
Me: How about a sandwich?
Hudson: No, I want cake
Me: You have to have a sandwich
Hudson: OK, a cake sandwich!

Labor Day Weekend

We spent Labor day with our friends Karen & Tom. They have twin daughters in college, Amelia (13) and Ethan (11). This is one of our favorite families in the world! The kids had a blast in their pool and Hudson even had fun with their dog. The loved playing with Ethan and Amelia. What a fun, relaxing day!
The only member of the family who likes dogs, but it doesn't make him a bad person.

The boys loved "beating up" Katherine's 285 lb. college football playing boyfriend. He is so good to the boys!

Quick update

Connor's x-rays were normal. We are going to keep the brace on for 4 more days to make sure all is OK. Dr. C is going to aggressively treat the sinus infection for 20 days with a strong antibiotic plus Zyrtec and singular. Hopefully this should be it! I really hope Connor starts to feel better soon. No school today. Plus soccer was supposed to start on Thursday and he will have to skip that this week too. At least we have a plan of action now.

OUCH!

On Friday Connor started complaining that his neck hurt. By Friday night he was in obvious pain. So, Saturday it was off to see Dr. C. He decided to be cautious and send Connor for some x-rays. We will have the results on Monday. He seems to be feeling a little better today, but we just want to be careful so Dr. C. has him in a neck brace until we know anything. He looks so cute.

The video isn't the best quality, but i wanted you all to see that he is in good spirits and already has Christmas on the brain!

Fay Fay go away!

The view outside our office window on Monday night

The view outside of the garage on Saturday. The last of Fay. It only took 4 days!

Party Time!

The people who looked at the house loved it. They may want to come back (she said with her fingers crossed).

The party I cooked for went great as well. I am usually all uptight (no, not me) when I am cooking for a big crowd but this time I was relaxed. It may have been the bottle of wine I brought with me to the clubhouse. The party was for the staff of our church and they were all so appreciative. I wish I had taken some pictures of all of the food. I made beef loin, green bean casserole and baked potato bar (always a hit). Erin supplied us with her super yummy cheesecake for dessert and we made it into a cheesecake bar. That was so yummy and fun too. I have eaten 4 pieces of cheesecake in 24 hours. Let's just say that Erin makes a darn good cheesecake.

School!

Connor on his first day of school. He is going 3 days a week now. There are a few kids from his class last year and he is having fun. He calls all of the new kids "strangers". Hudson shows off his lunch pack. He had a great first day and even used the potty for the teachers! He ate everything in his lunch except for the special treat. That was a surprise!
Connor told Hudson how proud he was of him for being a good boy on his first day. Some days they just warm your heart, some days.
I didn't cry when I dropped off Hudson at school. He was just so happy I was happy for him and I wasn't sad. Katina & Erin both called to check on me. But I really was fine. I went shopping for a church staff party that I am doing the cooking for. So there I was walking around the store and I kept getting that panicked feeling like I lost them in the store for a minute. Then I would remember that they were just in school. I had to call Erin & tell her and I said "see, I have a heart". And she said "I knew you had a heart, I just thought it was made of stone". That's why were friends!

Getting ready for school

On Sunday night we got ready for school by having Brandon give the boys their hair cuts. He is way better at this than I am. Hudson watched Connor and just kept saying, "I don't want a haircut!"
Hudson's turn
Hudson started out just fine. Then he started to cry. That made him sweat and it made his nose run. This made all of the hair stick to him. It was so gross!

Connor loves his Mom

Hudson working out

not much going on

Quick post tonight. All 4 of us have been sick this week so not much has gone on. We did have to say goodbye to Damon, Kim, Tucker and Rebekah. I cried so hard knowing it would be a whole year before we got to see them again. I grew up with family around all the time and it just kills me that the kids only cousins are 1000 miles away! Connor is missing Tucker especially. So, between that and being sick it hasn't been the best week here.

Today we took the kids to meet their teachers. Connor has one of his teachers from last year and Hudson has the other one! I am so excited. The other 2 teachers seem very nice too. I think it will be a good year. Plus I will have a whole 8 hours a week to myself. Wow!

I am sure I will have plenty to blog about next week after school starts.

Fun day

On Sunday afternoon we took Connor & Tucker ice skating again. How funny, the kid comes all the way to Florida on vacation in August and we take him ice skating!No way we could love him more!
I told them to "act tough", this is what I got
Tucker sneaking some sour patch kids
After skating it was back to Brandon's parents for some pizza and swimming. Hudson swam across the pool (the short way) all by himself!!! He did it 4 times. Looks like he is going to take after his big brother!

Oh, and on the potty training note... I am pretty sure we are all done. Hudson has been in underwear now for over a week and only had a couple of accidents and it was always when something weird was going on. So, now I have no more babies. Kinda makes me sad, but also excited that we can start doing things now and not worry about bringing a diaper bag. Now I know I am going to get that itch to hold another baby..... Justin & Erin better hurry up!!!

Connor chases Mommy

Kung Fu Fighting

I just wanted to see if I could get a video on the blog without using you tube. So, I figured I'd try with a video I got yesterday when we took Tucker & Connor ice skating.

Family Fun

Today the whole Woods clan came over for a get together. Since Rebekah's birthday is next week we had a little party for her. Brandon and I made our "famous" ribs and of course we had some water slide action! Tucker spent the night again last night so Hudson went and woke him up before 7am by telling him that he thought there were spiders and bats in his room. 30 seconds later they were both in our bed. Ribs were in the oven before 8am and at 9am Brandon was off to a coaches meeting for Connor's soccer team. Yes, he is going to play soccer again. Well talk about that later. While Brandon was gone I had to get a shower so I let Tucker watch Connor & Hudson. Isn't that what all good Mom's do, leave the 8 year old in charge? I took the fastest shower in history and no one got hurt, including me. The kids had a blast playing on the slide and as you are about to see, some of the adults did too, right Damon!

Our house guest...welcome anytime!
The biggest kid we know

Water slide Fun

Mom, Is this a Dora hat?
Cousins! And yes, Hudson is licking his finger because he just stuck it in the cake!

And now, I give you the best water slide dismount in history. Notice how graceful Damon starts his dissent....

Wait, the rides not over yet...

Somehow he managed to land on his feet!

The pretty princess