September

 Well after a CRAZY busy August, I think it took a good part of september to recover and get into our fall routine. Hudson is now over a month into Kindergarten, and he LOVES it. I am still shocked at the new songs and things he comes home knowing every day.

 Our weekends still tend to include water (pool, or beach) and now we've added soccer to the mix. Hudson is on his first official team and he is loving it! still figuring out the rules of the game and what the point is (other than running around with your friends) but he's having a ball. 

 This post includes a couple of the drawings he has done at school the last couple weeks. Each week they do a drawing that includes a secret letter - it's the owl is the letter M…can you find it? 

 Since Stel is still transitioning to life without diapers, we spend a lot of time without pants while at home, so she can get to the potty quickly when she needs to (which is every time). Hudson usually feels the need to participate in the pants-less charade as well. 

 Stel and her friend Amalie - these two are two months apart, and are growing a cute little friendship.

 Every once in a while these two love each other in an adorable way, when i have the camera ready. Man i love these two, and they really love each other too. It's been neat to see their friendship growing the last month or so, especially with Hudson imparting his newfound 'wisdom' to his sister after school. She is his star pupil. 

Andy left today for six days, for work and pleasure, but had to bring his work boots. Stel had to give them a whirl as well - i swear she just looks cute in everything. :) Now we'll see what six days without andy looks like! (oh boy)

kinder pics

 Third week into kindergarten and he's doing GREAT. Making friends, singing a new song every day, bringing home great drawings, etc!! So fun to see him flourish and enjoy school, but i'm not surprised. He has always loved learning, and picks up on things quick! 

I've started teaching now too, and though i don't think i'm great at it yet, i'm hoping it will get better and i'll get into the swing of things soon! 

friends, kindergarten, wedding, birthday!

 August was a BUSY month for us! Wedding celebrations, baby shower, trips to vegas and portland (for amy), first time as a flower girl for stella, first day of kindergarten for Hudson, and of course our trips to the beach whenever we could fit them in. :) 

 This month I was able to go see a friend who had suffered the loss of her sister. It was great to be able to hug her in person and spend some time just BEING with her. I also planned a girls night for her to just give her some extra love!

 Hudson had his fifth birthday, last day of preschool, first day of kindergarten and first sleep over this last month! Here are his two teachers from the preschool - Andrea and Mandie. Stel is now going to that preschool twice a week while I teach!

 Here is Hudsons teacher — Mrs. K!

 My dear friend Sandra got married a couple weeks ago, and Stella got to be a flower girl! She was amazing, and Sandra was very beautiful! Stella stayed up dancing at the reception until 10:30!! And Hudson spent the night at our neighbors house - with their 13 year old son and his two friends and their 10 year old daughter. He had the time of his life!!!

 We wrapped up August and started september with my birthday - beach time, of course, and time with my favorite Aunt! And a pool party to wrap up the labor day weekend. I'd say we had a pretty awesome summer - and now I start my first day as an adjunct college professor tomorrow!! WOOHOO!

Kindergarten

August 26, 2015: First day of Kindergarten for Hudson!

We found out last week that his teacher is Mrs. Klanovsky (Mrs. K), and we are so happy. We met her at the open house they had in the spring and she seems to be a great teacher, with many years of working with kindergartners under her belt. Hudson will have 18 kids in his class, with 8 first graders as well in the room (due to numbers they said). He'll be attending at Sumner Elementary in Claremont, and the school has about 570 students in grades K-6th. 

Potty training

This week Stel has decided she is ready to use the big girl potty. She started, on her own, taking herself in to go to the bathroom in her cute princess potty that plays music and applauds each successful attempt. I have done nothing at all, and we have not have one accident. She still sleeps in a diaper, and if we go in the car I use a pull up, but otherwise she has potty trained herself this week. So year, that was easy. We had tried a couple times (for a couple hours) to get her to sit down and go potty like her brother, but I guess she just needed to do it in her own time. Perhaps this will be a pattern we see in her life for years to come. :) She is definitely showing more personality, opinion, and participation in things. Pushing Hudson's buttons regularly, and expressing herself more clearly all the time. Just this last week she stopped saying "wawa" and started saying "water" :( She's also now needing ICE in her water. Oh boy. 

 About a week ago the Jones came through LA for about 24 hours before flying out to Thailand where they will be living for the next two years!! We were lucky enough to see them during their layover! The girls (twins) are 4, Hudson 5, Quentin will be 6 next month, and Stel is 2 1/2. Such great, life long friends - we will look forward to hearing of their adventures overseas!

Andy and I got to go see Wilco at the Greek Theatre last week, and brought home shirts for the kids. They will definitely grow up knowing who one of our favorite musical groups is!

Hudson stats

We took Hudson to the doc for his five year check up, and here are the stats:

Height: 45.75 inches (91%)
Weight: 50 pounds! (90%)

The doc said he is growing great, and his weight is on par with his height. The kid has a six pack and eats very well, so we aren't worried about that!

We have also been watching his sinuses, because he's been having nasal congestion, some coughs that linger for months, and has been getting bloody noses pretty regularly. We put him on allergy meds for about a month, and noticed some improvement but not with the bloody noses. So we were advised to visit the ENT to make sure nothing else is going on in his nose/sinuses. Haven't made the appointment yet, but we will be going to the same building we need to for Stella's back (her compressed disk in her spine needs to be x-rayed every summer) so we will be trying to do both in one visit! :)

Otherwise Hudson and Stel are both doing great. We've been spending weekends busy with friends, family and lots of visits to the beach! With Hudson starting kindergarten in about a week and a half, we will be trying to fit in all the fun we can!

Hudson turns FIVE!! and Stel turns 2 1/2

How on earth is Hudson FIVE? Five seems so much older than four, for some reason. But what an amazing young boy he is growing in to be. And i'm not just saying that because he's my first born, and only son. OK that might be connected to it.

Last week we had a birthday party for him, with about 11 kids and 20 adults at the house. The theme was Star Wars Legos, and it was awesome. This house is great for hosting parties, and it was a lot of fun to have everyone here, including my parents, Abbie and Jonathan. I will have to get used to hot summer days for parties though!

At five years old, Hudson will be starting kindergarten in a couple weeks now!! He's also starting his official soccer league this week, and this summer has mastered writing his name, the alphabet, riding his bike with no training wheels, swimming, first time at VBS, and a whole slew of other things. As i know i've been saying for five years now, he is a smart, outgoing, energetic, sensitive, silly and loving little boy. He loves hanging with his friends, swimming in any body of water he can find, climbing up anything he can hook a foot on, and will eat just about anything! This last year has been a lot of change, challenge and growth for all of us, and i'm so happy he is coming through it all like a champ and clearly growing in so many amazing and positive ways. I love you Hudson, and I'm so proud of who you are becoming!!