Love & Laughter

I captured this video one beautiful fall afternoon while we were playing at the neighbors "park" waiting for Daddy to come home from Cross Country practice.  I think it depicts Hudson and Greta's relationship pretty well.  Hudson is always coming up with silly things that make Greta laugh.  And sometimes when Greta does something that makes Hudson giggle, she will keep doing it over and over to get a reaction out of him.  I love how these two enjoy each other.    

The Start Of Another Year Of Learning...

We have decided to continue on the homeschool path for Hudson this year.  He is an eager and energetic learner and we are grateful for the opportunity to teach him.  Here are a few pictures from the month of September and the fun learning that took place.  

Our preschool coop started up again the first Thursday in September.    

During free choice center time the kids played dress up.  This is something Hudson usually doesn't get all that into, but the dragon costume was too fun to pass up.  Yet, I think he only had it on long enough for me to snap the picture.  

More dress up fun with Mr. Levi...

Our first unit of study was about the body.  The first week we learned about the heart, blood, the brain and nervous system.  In this activity Hudson was the brain and his friends were each holding on to a different string and were the hand, foot, fingers, eyes.  The string represented the nerves and they sent messages to and from the brain to the body part so they could move in their desired way.  

 The 2nd week we gathered at our home and studied our bones and put together these skeleton puzzles.  Hudson has impressed us with learning the names of several bones in the body.  

Making a self portrait collage during our art time...

Hudson's finish project looked just like him.  :)  

The cutest preschoolers ever!  Our family is so blessed by this group and we are grateful.  

The 3rd week of our unit we learned about muscles.  Here we are learning about how we even have hundreds of muscles in our face.  

We enjoyed a healthy snack while reading about exercise and strengthening our muscles.  

 The 4th week we discovered more about our 5 senses so that allowed for play dough fun for everyone.  

A parachute on a beautiful fall day is a perfect activity for preschoolers.  

We also enrolled Hudson in a 4/5 year old Friday morning preschool at a nearby church.  Its a small class of learners, we know the teachers, it worked well with our schedule, and it gives Mommy a 3 hour break.  :) We figured it was a great opportunity for Hudson to go one day a week, learn in a group setting, be under the leadership of a teacher, and make some new friends.  

Hudson and I have been doing our "learning time" together on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  We usually work at the table for about 25-40 minutes.  His good attention span is a blessing.  Hudson has been most eager to do his math workbook (he is already starting unit 3) and enjoys his writing book and reading lessons too.  

Celebrating that reading lesson #1 is complete!  

Pumpkinland 2015

On September 8th we made our annual trip to Pumpkinland, while we were up in NW Iowa.  They had just opened for the fall season and were still getting things set up.  Therefore, Otis the orange tractor (a highlight from last years visit) wasn't there yet, and Hudson was disappointed.  But, the kind owner gave us a ride in his Gator instead, through the entire pumpkin patch, which was a highlight of our time.  

The annual picture and play in the miniature houses.  I'm not sure how much longer Hudson is going to fit inside of them.  :)  

4 feet tall this fall...

We attempted to get a picture of Greta by the pumpkin wall too, but she was more interested in eating the dirt on the ground.  :)  

Peek-a-boo pictures at Pumpkinland...

We picked out a mini pumpkin to take home.  

Fun on the Farm

For Labor Day weekend the kids and I headed to my parents home in Sioux Center.  Roy stayed home to work, study, and do projects.  :)  As to be expected, we had a nice time and Roy was productive.  Here are a few pictures from our time...

Hudson did LOTS of farming with his Bapa.  He had a quick breakfast and he was outside farming by 8:00am EVERY day.  I know I've said it before, but farming is in his blood, it just has to be!  

 

 Greta was a great eater there.  She tried some new foods, including roast beef, which she gobbled all up.  She also tried eggs and watermelon.     

The first batch of apples for the season were made into applesauce.  

 

Late night applesauce making with Mimi.  

Mimi bought Greta this swing on summer clearance and she LOVED it!  

Bapa Rog is always willing to help care for the kids and join in the fun.    

I took a few mornings walks all by myself, enjoying the beautiful countryside.  

We had been anticipating meeting "Tow Mater" (from the Cars movie) since last summer and Hudson was thrilled to finally see him up close and personal.  

As you can see, he is not spoiled at all, when we go there!?  

Game night at Mimi's included Mickey Mouse Yahtzee, Old Maid, and Go Fish.  

Greta was a great sleeper while we were there.  Hip Hip Hooray!  

Uncle Ryan stopped by and Hudson insisted he get a ride in the Ranger.  

Appendicitis

On August 25th (I almost forgot about posting this memorable day so its a bit out of order) we had an unexpected event.  Here is how things unfolded...

2:30pm - I received a text from Roy at work saying "I'm not feeling well today."

4:30pm - I received another text from Roy at Cross Country practice saying "I'm still not feeling well, I'm heading home to rest." 

4:45 - Roy googles appendicitis and informs me he has all the symptoms.

5:30pm - The kids and I drop Roy off at the walk in clinic and then we head back home for dinner and bedtime.  Nana Sue arrives to help.  

6:30pm - The doctor sends Roy home to rest while we wait for the test results.

8:00pm - Roy is super uncomfortable because the pain is intensifying and he tries to go to sleep. 

8:30 - The doctor calls saying Roy's white blood cell count is high and we need to head to the ER.

8:45 - We leave Nana Sue home to stay with the sleeping babes while Roy and I head to the hospital.

9:00pm - We arrive at the ER and the long wait begins.

1:00am - After a few tests and answering the same questions 6 times over, the doctor confirms that Roy needs his appendix removed and informs us that surgery will be at 6:00am.

1:30am - Roy is admitted and gets "settled" in to his room for a few hours of rest.

2:00-5:00am - I head home for a bit and the chance to nurse Greta when she wakes at 4:45am.  

5:30am - I return to the hospital. 

6:00am - We head down for surgery. 

6:30am - We kiss farewell. 

7:00am - My buzzer rings that surgery is finished and I meet with the surgeon to hear that all went well.  

Waiting on the test results in the ER...

Prayers before surgery...

Ready to go and enjoying his last few minutes with his appendix...

The time while he was in surgery went quickly...

He was obviously feeling better quite quickly...

Greta - 10 Months

On September 1st Greta Alice turned 10 months old.  It was a beautiful evening so Roy did a little photo shoot with our little lady in the backyard.  This is only a handful of my favorite pictures, each one shows a little different expression and sweet moment.  

During the month of August Greta...

*weighed in at 18 pounds 3 oz (63%) and measured 29 1/2 inches (95%) at 9 1/2 months

*loves to eat cheese 

*had her crib mattress moved down because she started pulling up in bed

*wears a pony tale more frequently to keep her hair out of her eyes

*continued to take short naps and be a challenge to get to sleep

*likes to give wet kisses

*prefers her Mommy

*thinks her big brother is just hilarious 

*gives Daddy a hard time at diaper changes because she is SO squirmy

*signs "more" and "all done" 

*still puts everything in her mouth, the tiniest of treasures she finds on the floor

*LOVES the swing

*will throw a fit if big brother takes something out of her hand

*stands alone for a few seconds

*seems to say "Daddy" and "Mama"  

*waves "hi" and "bye bye"

*is told by everyone that she is such a happy baby and has beautiful eyes

*still woke during the night for Mommy's milk and snuggles

*enjoyed her first trip to the Iowa State Fair

*was dedicated at church

*transitioned to a regular sleep sac

*pulls up onto everything and grabs everything (we call her grabby Greta)

*says "uh-oh" when she knows its not ok

Hudson & Eli

We had the opportunity to help some friends out by providing child care for their 3 1/2 year old son Eli, while their provider had some time off.  Hudson loved having a buddy around ALL day long and he napped every single day because I kept them busy.  We took advantage of our days together and went on several fun adventures together.  

Hudson and Eli ready to head out on a bike ride.  Always remember...safety first!  

Eli found this Cy face and asked, "why do you have a shark mask?"  We straightened that misconception up pretty quickly.  Cyclones are #1!  

The boys baked (and ate) delicious chocolate chip cookies. 

They made a "city" complete with roads, a garage, trees, lakes, and houses.  

We went to the library for a new place to play.  

Hudson and Eli were excellent grocery shopping helpers, as you can clearly see.  

We did painting...

I took them to Backyard Adventures (an indoor playgroup place) and they literally ran, slid, climbed and swung for 75 minutes.  They were sweaty and exhausted when we were done.  Mommy's mission accomplished!  

Eli joined us for the first day of our preschool coop.  Here they are learning about blood...white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, and water.  

They were backseat buddies in the van and giggled a lot as we drove around.    

They both got their haircuts one afternoon.  

They enjoyed popsicles on the front step on a warm afternoon.  

They dug and built in the sand, and got dirty, just like boys do.  

They made the biggest mess possible with play dough, but it kept them busy for a good 60 minutes.  

We enjoyed a picnic at the park on a beautiful day.