This Week...

We went to the Nature Center, and had a lot of fun exploring and playing. Hudson is really starting to get old enough (according to Elle) to play. I have thought he was old enough for a while, but Elle has quite vehemently disagreed with me. But as of late, her opinion has changed; and Hudson has been given the Elle okay to play and explore with her.



Elle got sick on Saturday, when she was supposed to be having a swimming date with her dad. So she ended up being miserably sick in both her stomach and in her heart. Missing her date with her dad was just heart breaking.

Bridget got back from her two-week long trip to Europe. My kids have missed their aunt desperately, and were so glad to be surprised with a visit from her. (And, of course, she always brings them a present, which is a great bonus.)



It was another great week.

Favorite Quotes

Elle: Mommy, did you know I just ran 42 miles?”

Elle: “Daddy, I love you more than a rollercoaster.”

Elle: “If you make me play dough, I won’t bug you anymore. Well, I at least won’t bug you for the rest of the day.”

Hudson still says the word bum whenever he is trying to say the word gum. And since he is so obsessed with his precious gum, he is forever saying bum. Well, today in church, he was acknowledging the fact that all of us had a piece of gum in our mouths. But instead of saying gum, he kept saying Daddy’s bum, Mommy’s bum, and Elle’s bum. I’m sure there were a lot of people in church wondering why our child kept on referring to everyone’s derrieres.

When Elle was going to bed tonight, she did not want me to leave (she wishes that I could stay and cuddle with her all night). But when I told her it was time and I had to go downstairs, she said, “Thou shalt not leave.” We both laughed and laughed at her silly cleverness.

This Week...

We had a great Valentine’s Day. The kids got decked out in Valentine’s Day attire (hearts—what else?). Elle made valentines for all of her classmates. We had whole wheat heart pancakes (Johnny was not a fan of the whole wheat—he prefers the unhealthy alternative: Bisquick). Johnny gave me some great earrings that I picked out (I love picking out my own gifts). And since Johnny was at school or work or something or other, I spent the day with my sister-in-law, and went out to the Broadway production of The Lord of the Dance. It was a great show, and made Valentine’s Day so fun. And luckily, because Johnny was at school or work or something or other, I had two adorable little heart-attired children to be my valentines.





Hudson has found a new love for reading. Sometimes, when I don’t know where he has wandered off to, I can find him by his bookshelf, sitting in his beanbag, reading books. I love it.



We had a skiff of snow one morning, and Hudson lost no time in getting outside and licking every dirty surface that had an ounce of snow.



Hudson has found a new thing to dip his broccoli in: syrup. Or as he likes to call it, “Syrbup.” I asked him the other day what he would like to dip his broccoli in, and he replied, “Syrbup.” I told him that that was gross, and asked him again what he would like to dip his broccoli in. He just looked at me like I must not have heard him, and repeated, “Syrbup.” So I gave him some “syrbub,” and he went to town on that broccoli. This kid has some weird ideas on what he likes to dip his vegetables in. But I do not complain, because I love that he is now eating vegetables.

Hudson has learned how to chew gum. He has been asking for quite some time for “bum” as he likes to call it, but Johnny and I thought he was too young to have it (basically, we thought he would just swallow it). But after seeing his sad face when his sister, yet again, teased him with the fact that she had gum and he did not, I gave in. To my surprise, he only swallowed one piece, and now he totally has the hang of it. And I must say, gum is a great bribery. He will do all sorts of things he is usually stubborn about, all for a measly piece of “bum.”

We attended a campaign rally for Mitt Romney. It was so much fun, and a really neat event to attend. The kids found it a little boring, on account that we had to go early and wait a while; but in the end, with a little gum bribery, they had fun. Johnny and I are so glad we attended this event. It was worth all the waiting and bribery.



Hudson got his first bloody nose. He had a chair fall and land on his face. I felt so bad, but he hardly cried. He is one tough boy. Tears are not for him.



It was a great week.

Favorite Quotes

One day, when Elle was at school, Hudson was looking for a toy and could not find it. He immediately said, “Gone! Elle took it!”

When Elle came into our room—way too early in the morning—she saw Johnny and I lying on our pillows. To this she exclaimed, “What a waste of pillows!” She then informed us that pillows are put to much better use when they are used for making forts.

Often times, around our house, I can be heard saying, “Mommy needs a break.” Today, Hudson informed me that: “Hudson needs a break."

This Week...

Hudson got the stomach bug. I didn’t even know how sick he was, until Johnny came home and Hudson ran to give him a hug. As soon as Johnny picked him up, he proceeded to puke all over the front of Johnny. (Nothing says welcome home like puke on the shoulder.)



Elle was the superstar at school for the seventh time. She was very excited. She loves being chosen for this special recognition award. And Johnny and I like it, too, because it shows how hard she is working in school.



Elle and Koen had one of their many play dates. (They were so cute sitting on the couch next to each other that I simply had to take a picture.) These two are the best of friends. We are so glad to be neighbors.



We went to the Idaho Historical Museum. Elle really enjoyed this outing. She especially liked going with her friends. She also liked doing the scavenger hunt, and getting a sucker at the end (though she did not think Hudson deserved one, since he didn’t actually do the scavenger hunt). Hudson pretty much enjoyed wandering wherever he pleased, regardless of the fact that no one was wondering with him. I think I spent most of the time asking someone where he was. We searched for this kid more than we saw him. And the funny thing is, he didn’t care. He was perfectly happy to do his own thing without anyone bothering him (mainly Elle). I think I might possible need a leash.




We played the fun make-believe game of Store. I especially liked the fact that I had to buy back my wallet, camera, sunglasses, and IPod. And let me tell you, Elle’s store is not cheap.



Basically, we had a great week being together.

This Week...

Elle got into costume mode, and made herself richie Queen Isabella (from the Junie B Jones books—her favorite). She also made a crown for Hudson. So kind. Hudson loves to be permitted into Elle’s land of make-believe. Elle does not always grant permission, but when she does, Hudson never declines.




We went to my parent’s house and surprised my dad for his birthday. It was fun driving up to his house, and seeing the look of complete surprise on his face.



Elle insisted on making my dad a giant cupcake as a gift (she received the pan for making one at a white elephant gift party, and hadn’t yet had a chance to use it). I think she ate most of the cupcake herself, but my dad did sneak in a bite or two. But he did not care; he was just happy to have his grandchildren with him on his birthday.

And in the end, it was a great week.