Learning is Life

Learning is life and life is learning...something we take to heart and hold close to home.  However young or old, there is always so much we can learn through the endless opportunities and unique life experiences that are available to us.  Here are some of the fun learning adventures Hudson has enjoyed during the month of April.  

"Mini Olympics" with a few of his friends from New Hope Preschool.  

This guy loves a good art project and had fun painting his birdhouse the colors of the rainbow.    

Outdoor fun with a parachute.  

Our preschool unit theme this month was Our Solar System.  Hudson has really taken on to this topic and maybe could have done most of the teaching himself.  :)  

Learning about how stars twinkle from Mrs. Laura.  

Learning to read is SO exciting.  

Daddy's little helper is never too far away when it comes time to fix something (this time it was a leaky tire).  I love how Roy always lets Hudson help with any project he has and they figure out the solution together.       

Astronauts ready for their space mission.  

Making "Mat Man" during our handwriting lesson.  Right before I snapped the picture he held "Mat Man's" hand.  So cute!    

Hudson working on math while little sister has her own mini art lesson (coloring). 

Learning outside by exploring, building and inventing keeps this future engineer entertained.  

Showing off his finished project, our solar system on a string.  

For snack we made a model of the planets, each one being represented by a different circular food item.  Hudson said Jupiter tasted the best (provolone cheese slice).    

The kids enjoying moon painting during art time.  

Showing off his Oreo half moon.  

Dressing up and ready to blast off into space in their giant rocket ship.  

We are always learning about caring for each other...sibling love.   

And playdates with friends have a way of providing opportunities to learn and grow.  

Spring Program @ New Hope Preschool

This school year, Hudson has been attending New Hope Preschool, in a nearby small town, on Friday mornings.  Its proven to be a great opportunity for him to meet new friends, enjoy playtime in a different place with different toys, and learn and receive directions from a teacher, other than his mother.  And honestly, its provided a very healthy and refreshing break for me as well, and also a chance for me to get some one on one time with Greta, since she is no longer napping in the morning.  Last week they had their end of the year spring program at New Hope Preschool.  They had a slide show with pictures from the year, the kids sang a few of their favorite songs, they did a special presentation for the "big kids" who will be heading to Kindergarten in the fall, and then had dessert for everyone.  It was a blessed evening and a meaningful time of celebration and reflection.  We are so proud of you, Hudson John, and all that you have learned and accomplished this year.  

Singing the "I Love Mommy, I Love Daddy" song.  

The crowds favorite song of the night, and the children's too, was I'm Going On a Bear Hunt.  

A few encouraging words we got on video about our Mr. Hudson. 

Hudson smiling for a picture with his teacher, Miss Leslie, after the program.  Leslie was a family friend of Roy's, so he has known her for many years.  Leslie and I also lived on the same dorm floor during my freshman year of college.  What a small world!?  

Enjoying a piece of cake with lemonade to celebrate a job well done.  

5 is cool...

I have decided that being FIVE years old is probably the coolest thing ever.  

Having a FIVE year old in the house is so exciting because...

...he doesn't have to take naps anymore

...if he wants to take a nap he does it on his own terms and then can "stay up late"

...he can ride a bike with 2 wheels 

...he can read, write, and work with numbers

...he is curious and loves to learn (always asking what a combination of numbers makes and what words different letters make)

...he can make fun out of anything and keep himself entertained

...he makes safe choices so we can trust him (unlike his little sister :) 

...he can pretend and imagine anything 

...he is thrilled about every kind of kid activity, no matter how exciting it really is

...he is learning to play the piano and write his own music/songs 

...he can go overnight to his grandparents house, all by himself

...he can be trusted to care for his sister for a few minutes to Mommy can get in the shower 

...he understands when something is funny and likes to make people laugh 

...he will be a kindergartener in the fall 

a daughter....

Recently I have been reflecting on the gift of having a daughter.  Our Greta Alice is an answer to many prayers by many people and I never take the gift of her for granted.  Not only am I so thankful that God gave us another child, but He gave us a daughter, a little girl to treasure and to love.  

When I was pregnant the first time around I was really hoping for a boy.  I dreamed of our oldest being a boy, one to protect and lead the others.  When ultrasound day rolled around I was 100% thrilled to hear we were having a little man to make us a family.  But when baby #2 came I would be the first to admit that I was hoping for a little lady.  Every dad wants a boy and every mom wants a girl...right?!  Not a day goes by that I don't feel completely blessed and thankful to have one of each, a perfect bouquet of abundant blessings and endless treasures.  

But today I want to share a few of my favorite things about having a daughter.  

1. I love how she loves me and we share that bond of "being a girl."  

2.  I love how her brother thinks she is just adorable, because she is feminine and sweet, in a way that he is drawn to.  And I love how he thinks they will get married someday.  :)   

3. I love how she melts her Daddy's heart and how she wants to be with him whenever he is home.

4. I love all things polka dotted, striped and flowered.  Shopping for a girl is fun (even though most of her clothes are hand me downs).    

5.  I love matching bows and leggings in every color and print.  I love pjs with butterflies and matching shoes.    

6.  I love pig tails and pony tails, even though I am still learning about "doing hair."  I love the way her hair blows over her face in the wind and curls down her neck.  

7. I love her spunky and sassy spirit, just the way girls tend to be.  

8. I love how she feels fancy and proud in whatever she wears.

9.  I love that she follows the lead of her brother and wants to do the things that he does.

10.  I love praying for her heart, the heart of a woman, that God would form it to love Him and be saved for her someday prince.  

11. I love how others are always drawn to the beauty of her blue eyes, an expression of God's beauty.  

12.  I love dreaming about doing mother daughter things together, as I have done with my mom.  

I love you Greta Alice, my favorite baby girl!  

Celebrating 40 Years

Today is my parents 40th wedding anniversary.  We celebrated together last weekend by enjoying some fun entertainment, eating lots of yummy food, reflecting together, and thanking God for his faithfulness.  

On Friday evening my mom, sister and I enjoyed a "girls night."  Mom took Angela and I out for dinner and then we went to Jersey Boys.  Just one problem, I didn't take any pictures.  :(  

We went through old photos and reminisced on how things have changed.  

On Saturday morning we all enjoyed a treat from Casey's Bakery.  Hudson always chooses the same thing, a chocolate snail.  

On the drive to Sioux Falls, we made a quick stop in Hudson, South Dakota.  I wanted Hudson to take a few pictures of this special little town.  Not only do they share the same name, but Hudson, South Dakota, is also the small town that my Grandpa John went to often (for business and dinner).  Our Hudson John was named after my Grandpa John.  

We enjoyed a nice anniversary dinner in Sioux Falls.     

Hudson and Greta were a little noisy at the "fancy restaurant" but overall they did well and were excited to be a part of the celebration.  

After dinner, we all went to the PBR (Professional Bull Riders).  It was a fun evening, with lots of excitement (and noise) and everyone was entertained.  Hudson enjoyed all the attention he received by sitting between Bapa and Mimi.  

To our surprise Greta enjoyed the PBR too.  She liked to watch the horse in the ring and waved bye-bye to the bulls when they went back to their pen.  

Ang and I having fun at the PBR.  

Kind of last minute we decided to take Greta along with us to the PBR, instead of leaving her home with a babysitter.  It was a late night for her, but she did awesome and fell asleep on the drive home.  

On Sunday morning after church we took a few family photos.  

Hudson showing off his silly side while trying on GG John's cowboy hat and getting ready for the Easter egg hunt.  

Hudson was really into the game Vermeeropoly.  Basically its like Monopoly, except that you purchase Vermeer machinery instead of properties.  He really caught on and requested someone to play it with him all weekend long.  

We hosted a small family dinner for my parents on Sunday evening.  My sister made them an anniversary cake and they "cut the cake," as they would have done 40 years ago.    

Hudson got to spend lots of time with his Bapa.  These two are "farming buddies."   

I am so grateful we had the opportunity to celebrate this milestone anniversary with my parents.  Their example of commitment and grace is one we seek to possess in our marriage as well.  Here's to more years of lovin' each other...

Easter Weekend

On the Saturday morning before Easter we participated in our first official Easter Egg Hunt in our local city.  Hudson seemed most interested in picking up the Tootsie Rolls, which were scattered all across the ground, and only managed to grab one egg.  Greta, being new to this whole concept, grabbed a decent amount of candy even though she pretty much stayed in the same spot for the entire 5 minutes that it lasted.  :)  From my perspective, the Easter Egg Hunt was silly, 5 minutes and the whole thing was over.  Grab candy and head for home.  Plus, it was chilly outside.  We made a fun memory, I suppose.  

On Saturday night, Roy and I had a date night to Malaysian Night, on campus at Drake.  We enjoyed eating Malaysian food and seeing our students perform on stage.  

On Sunday morning we made Resurrection Biscuits for breakfast.  Its so much fun to have a helper in the kitchen who can actually be helpful.  :)  

When you cut open the Resurrection Biscuits, they are empty inside, just like the tomb.  

After church on Sunday we headed out to Roy's parents for lunch and an afternoon of Easter activities.  We captured a few family photos to document the day.  

I made the Easter dessert, a Strawberry Shortcake Cake, recipe from the Pioneer Woman.  

Hudson was quite excited about the Easter candy baskets Nana had put together.  

Ready to begin the egg hunt...

Greta girl had fun searching for eggs too.  How has she gotten so big?    

Nana had a giant egg and of course Hudson found it and wanted to be the one to open it.  

After the egg hunt we headed outside to do some kite flying.  Miss Milly had a smile on her face the whole time.  

Hudson enjoyed working on his kite flying skills.  He only got it caught in the tree one time.  

It was a perfect day for flying kites with a cousin.  

We also did some exploring on the farm and went for a ride in the Ranger.  

The kids were tired and were both asleep by 7:15pm.  Roy and I popped some popcorn, sat on the couch and watched basketball for most of the night.  It was a relaxing and memorable weekend.