Preschool Celebration

At the end of May we wrapped up our preschool year.  We were a part of a homeschool preschool coop this year.  It consisted of 3 families and 4 children.  We met on Thursday mornings for 2 hours.  Our time was set up similar to a "real" preschool classroom, when considering activities and structure.  We had center time, carpet time for reading and direct instruction, calendar, songs, snack, art activities, music and movement.  Hudson absolutely LOVED preschool days and it was a highlight of our week.  It was so exciting to see him take on new learning and his confidence blossom.  It proved to be a learning and growing experience for all, and was abundant with blessings.  We are so grateful we decided to embark on the homeschool journey and we will see where God takes us with it.  I realize I didn't share many pictures along the way from our preschool year, so I will do some searching and follow this post up with a collection of fun preschool memories.  

We wanted to do something special to celebrate the completion of Hudson's preschool year.  He is not officially "graduating," as he will be doing 4/5 year old preschool next year, but it still felt like an important accomplishment.  After giving him a list of ideas, he chose to go bowling and have homemade pizza for dinner.  We also surprised him with a little certificate and a congratulations balloon.  Way to go, Hudson!  We are so proud of you!  

Kindermusik

Hudson has been attending Kindermusik class at Pied Piper Studios since he was 18 months old.  We attended a "free class" soon after his first birthday and I was hooked.  Miss Jenn, the instructor was AMAZING!  She is everything and more the teacher in me thinks is wonderful.  I was instantly intrigued and captivated.  Music, silliness, movement, fun, rhythm, play, pretend, and adventure are all rolled into one during a Kindermusik class.  Hudson loves attending each week and its been fun to see him develop confident and creativity along the way.  Miss Jenn has become such a special teacher to Hudson and we are grateful for her gracious and loving heart towards him.  Here they are together on the last week of of his "Laugh and Learn" preschool class in May.  We love Kindermusik!   

12 Things I Want To Remember About My 4 Year Old Son...

1. He is crazy about his baby sister.

2. He loves outside adventures, like a typical boy does.  

3. He always wants to help, because its so much better than playing.  

4. I look at him daily and think "what a handsome little guy you are."  

5. He is silly and creative and is always coming up with new things to play or "mess" with.  

6. He would rather spend time with his Daddy than anyone else (just like me, I suppose).  

7. He is a good eater and his sweetness is overflowing.  I probably kiss him 100 times a day.    

8. He likes many of the things we like.  For example, the Iowa State Cyclones, farming, and watching plants grow.  

7. He pays attention to detail, learns quickly, and remembers things he heard, read, or saw.  

8. We love him to pieces, even in those moments when I think I'm going to lose it.  

9. He is now reading chapter books with Daddy and he always asks us to lay with him for snuggles before bed.  

10. He loves people and is friendly to almost anyone.  

Adios Afifa

Over the past three years we have been blessed with the opportunity to spend time getting to know Afifa.  She was a student from Malaysia, studying here in Des Moines at Drake University.  We are a part of the Friendship Family program on campus, which partners international students with host families.  We got together with Afifa about once a month to do a variety of fun activities.  We built relationship, made memories, and we ALL were blessed.  Congratulations, Afifa!  We will miss you.   

On May 18 she graduated...

The following week she came over with her parents for an evening of gifts and dessert...

Yes, you see this right, Roy and I are wearing Malaysian clothes in this picture.  

On June 6th we enjoyed a picnic, followed by time to explore the Sculpture Park downtown, and then we dropped her off at the airport...

3 + 3 = 6

3 big brothers + 3 precious babies = 6 beautiful blessings 

Mother's Day Photo Shoot

Roy captured these pictures of the kids and I on Mother's Day.  Note to self...take pictures with your kids EVERY Mother's Day.  They grow so fast and they are wonderful and precious in every way so savor the moments along the way.  I am over the moon in love with these two.  Oh the prayers I have prayed for their life and the grace I have needed to care and love them as God has called me to.  Hudson and Greta, I love being your Mommy and I thank God for making me yours.   

Saturday = Family Day

If I haven't mentioned it before, Hudson is a REAL Daddy's boy.  He adores his Daddy and loves to be with him (I totally understand that feeling).  :)  All week long we look forward to Saturdays because they are our "family day" when the four of us get to be together.  One particular Saturday in May we packed in lots of family fun.  Our favorite activity of the day was the John Deere "Ride and Drive" event at Living History Farms.  There were so many fun activities for both kids and adults and even included a free lunch.  I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, Hudson or Roy?!  Here are a few pictures... 

A family picture while waiting to ride in the combine.  

They had these awesome large tire trikes and Hudson had a blast zipping around the path with it.  

Even Greta girl wore her John Deere green and got in on the driving fun.  Its a good idea to start them young, I suppose.  

Hudson invited his friend Thomas to join us and they had a blast playing, exploring, and riding on the big green machines.  

Trying out the lawn mower for himself...

These two handsome dudes had fun taking the Gator for a ride.  

Ready for the combine ride (not quite the same without any corn though).  Ha!  

And seeing the old tractors was pretty cool too.  

They enjoyed playing in the soybean pool.  I'm afraid next year they won't even fit in it.  

Sibling Love

I hope I always remember how much these two love each other and I pray that it forever stays that way, but I'm confident that as years pass and things change, their relationship will have its ups and downs as well.  Yet, I want to take a few moments to document what I think is so incredibly beautiful, what is all together precious about their love and interest in one another.  It is something I never imagined or would have guessed, especially with them being almost 4 years apart.  The relationship of siblings is something so unique, something I believe God unites and creates in an amazing and beautiful way.  What a joy it is to experience it first hand (at least for the time being).  :)  

During my pregnancy we prayed for Hudson often, that he would adjust to his "new life" as a big brother.  We prayed that he would love her well, be accepting of sharing time and attention with her, and grow in kindness and compassion towards her.  God has faithfully answered our prayers and it has been a true joy to see and experience.  

A few of my "favorite things" about these two are...

...Hudson sings to her in the car when she is fussy

...Hudson knows her cues, when she is tired and when she is ready to eat (and makes sure I have noticed them too)

...Greta is constantly wanting to know where he is and what he is doing

...Hudson can make her laugh like no one else

...Hudson is so proud of her and always introduces her to others as "Greta Alice"

...Hudson has insisted on watching her "all by myself," helping change her diaper, giving her a bottle, and holding her 

...Hudson helps keep her awake in the car so she can nap at home in her bed, instead of in her car seat for 5 minutes

...He reads her books and shows her the pictures 

...They play together so I can fold the laundry, unload the dishwasher, make dinner, or hop in the shower 

...He looks out for her and protects her 

...Hudson likes to push her in the stroller

...He likes to pick out her clothes and her bows to (somewhat) match 

...He asks to go up in her room and talk to her when she wakes up

...Hudson is super excited about giving her new foods and feeding them to her

...He insists on having her high chair right by his chair (they must be touching) at mealtimes

...He rolls around on the floor, just like she does, to be down at her level