Build a Bear Workshop

Since it was Spring Break last week it seemed like a good excuse to do something extra special with Hudson, just because.  I had been wanting to take him to Build a Bear Workshop, using a gift card I had, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity.  He had a blast and has loved playing with "Farmer Puppy" every day since.  It certainly made for a fun memory.    

First, we picked out the animal.  Hudson chose a brown and cream puppy.  

Next, it was time to stuff him.  Hudson watched her every move as she worked.  

Here he is pushing the lever on the floor to help with the stuffing process.  

After the puppy was stuffed, Hudson picked a heart.  We rubbed the heart, kissed it, and made a wish before putting it inside his tummy.  

Then it was time for an "air bath" to get puppy all cleaned up.  Hudson thought this was pretty cool.  

The most fun part, for Mommy at least, was picking out the clothes.  Hudson was excited about making his puppy a farmer so we got overalls and a cap.  Perfect!  

"Farmer Puppy" was the name Hudson gave him on the birth certificate.  Here he is ready to head for home in his new puppy house.  

Hudson's 1st ISU Basketball Game

On a cold Saturday night in February Roy found us some cheap tickets (just $1 a piece) and we gathered some good friends and made the trip to Ames to watch an ISU women's basketball game.  We had been wanting to provide Hudson another opportunity at a "real basketball game" and getting him a taste of "Hilton Magic," so the inexpensive tickets and a free Saturday evening gave us the perfect opportunity.  And since it was a women's game, we knew it would be a family friendly event and a good experience for Hudson and his friends.  Thankfully, it proved just that.      

Hudson, showing off his ticket and getting ready for the game to start.  Excitement in the air.  

Hudson's favorite thing about the game, along with the pep band, was looking for Cy.  He kept spotting him and wanting to know where he was.  We went to say hello a couple of times.  :)    

Hudson loves to take pictures on my phone and he recently discovered how to take a "selfie."  I am just wild about this little guy.  

The lovely Brott girls joined us for the fun.  

Roy and Evie

The whole gang…and as you can see we actually did sit in the cheap seats.  :)  Yet, it worked out perfectly with the kids.  

Cheering on the Cyclones to another victory.  

I thought this was a pretty good action shot and it proves that everyone actually did watch the game.   

Valentine's Day 2014

Here is a picture recap of our Valentine's Day festivities 2014…

Roy surprised us with heart shaped Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast.  Daddy is super sweet, just like the donuts were.    

We met Daddy at Culvers for a quick "lunch date."  

We had the Scherer family over for a "family fun night."  We had heart napkins, heart curly straws, a heart shaped pizza, heart cookies, a heart hunt, and lots of love.  

Our heart shaped pizza from Papa Muphy's.  

Nana dropped by and shared their love with some heart cookies.  "I love you with all my heart."  

We made cupcakes with Farah and Afifa.  They took them all home, minus the ones we sampled, to share with their college friends.  

Farah, somewhat surprised that they taste so yummy.  

Hudson, taste testing the cupcakes we made while he was napping.  

SNOW MUCH FUN

We had lots of snow in February.  Even though it felt like most of the days were super cold, we tried to make it outside on the warmer ones to play in the snow.  Hudson loved it!  Yet, he was never very interested in sledding down a hill, he preferred to just be pulled in the sled around the yard.  Hudson mastered a snow angel, worked together with Daddy to build a cute snowman, scooped and moved the snow with his diggers, and came to love coming inside to warm up with a cup of warm (he insisted it not be hot) cocoa.  Winter is SNOW much fun!  

February iPhone Pics

Going out for a quick bike ride on a warm February afternoon.  

We always sneak into Hudson's room before we go to bed and this particular night he was sleeping so perfectly that I had to take a picture of my sleeping prince.    

Hudson borrowed this "fancy trumpet" from a friend and has been making lots of beautiful music with it.  :)  

Sunday night...family fun...snack picnic in the living room...watching the Olympics

We made a quick stop at Lowe's and Hudson wanted to try out the snowblowers.  "Buy this for Daddy," he told me.  :)  

Our little man is moving…constantly.  He drums while he sits on the potty.    

 Cousin Louise had knee replacement surgery so we went to visit her, and brought a cupcake as a get well treat.  

Hudson's 3 year well checkup was on Feb. 7.  He was 41 inches (99%) and 38 pounds (94%).  

With all the snow outside we had some "snow fun" inside too with shaving cream and trucks.  

A birthday breakfast = Panera blueberry bagels

Hudson's birthday gift from Roy and I, a John Deere tractor with bailer.  

Making cupcakes with candles out of play dough was a perfect post birthday activity.  

We like to make fun art projects together to pass the cold winter days.  As you can probably see from the pictures we had a few "pajama days" because we didn't leave the house and we wanted to stay comfortable and cozy all day long.  :)  

Enjoying one of the few warm days this February with a family walk after Daddy got home from work.  

I will close with my favorite picture…me and my buddy!  Here we are cheering on Daddy's team at his basketball game.  

Birthday #3 - Friend Party - Part 2

To close out the party posts I have some pictures of the birthday lunch we had after the playtime.  Simple and yummy is what I was going for.  

I used various farm equipment to serve the food from.  Pretty fun and quite silly, Hudson thought.  

We had veggie chips...

carrots and apple slices...

homemade chicken nuggets...

The birthday boy, showing off his birthday hat for the camera.    

The little farmers, hungry and ready to eat, after a long morning of work and play.  

We ordered "Dirt Cup" cupcakes from Scratch Cupcakery for the after lunch birthday treat.  

This is my favorite picture from the birthday weekend, getting ready to sing the Happy Birthday Song.  

Hudson was so happy and loved being celebrated, and the center of attention.  :)  

The last three pictures are evidence that everyone LOVED the cupcakes.  What a treat!