This Week...

Elle was the superstar at school for the eighth time. We are so proud of our little superstar. She works hard to be her very best in any situation. This is something I greatly admire in her. I am glad that she has the desire to be obedient and obey.



Hudson fell off the back of the couch in an attempt at some acrobatics. Practically every night, after dinner, Elle and Hudson jump and flip—Elle flips; Hudson not so much—on the couch. But one night the couch got the better of Hudson, and he ended up falling off the side of the couch and hitting the windowsill. It was a nasty fall and left him red and bruised. But Hudson was tough like usual, and didn’t let a little fall keep him down (he was back up doing his attempt at flips within a minute or two).



The kids posed in the bathtub. It was a very silly photo session. Sometimes they just love to have their pictures taken. Other times, like when we really want a nice family picture, they are not so cooperative.



Johnny read bedtime stories. This is a rare occasion in our house, because Johnny is so busy with work and school. We do not get to see him at nights as often as we would like. But he is almost done, and we are gleefully counting down the weeks. Johnny is so close to graduation. It has been a long, hard road; but very, very worth it. And to think we will get to celebrate all his hard work with a week-long trip to Hawaii. Now that is a nice thought.



I got to volunteer for an activity at Elle’s school. I do not often get to help out at Elle’s school, because I do not have a place to take Hudson. But I worked out a little plan, and was successfully able to help Elle and her classmates make boats and count how many pennies it took for them to sink. It was a very fun activity, and it made Elle overjoyed to have me at her school.



Elle dressed Hudson up, and he did not like it—at all.



A leprechaun visited us the night before St. Patrick’s Day, and left green footprints, glitter, a candy rainbow and gold coins. He was very sneaky, which pleased Elle very much.



We got some unwanted—at least by me—spring snow.



We had a great week.

Favorite Quotes

Hudson has now started trying to make his own funny jokes. His latest is quite comical. After he was done being in timeout, I told him to apologize to Elle for hitting. He ran over to her and said, “Sorry Egg Ball!” Elle and I looked at each other and immediately burst out laughing. We have no idea where he got that saying, or why he thought to use it then. But since that moment, he has not stopped using his now signature phrase. He says it for everything. On a daily basis, we hear: “Goodnight Egg Ball;” “Love you Egg Ball;” “Sorry Egg Ball;” Hi Egg Ball;” Bye Egg Ball.” And the list goes on and on. What a silly boy.

This Week...

We ate lots of chocolate. That sugary, delectable stuff is a favorite around our house.



We went to the first ever Idaho Republican caucus. There were over 9,050 people there that night. It was a very neat experience, and something I was glad to be a part of it.



It was my 29th birthday. It was a great day filled with lots of surprises. I was spoiled with presents and sweet and endearing cards and pictures from Elle and Johnny (Johnny gave me the card; Elle drew the pictures). And Hudson so kindly decided to surprise me by eating half-a-bar of soap. He is only too kind. When I told him it was yucky, and we don’t eat soap, he said: “Soap yummy!” (I guess cleaning his mouth out with soap will never be a form of punishment in the future.) But other than the soap, and the additional surprise of Hudson eating the erasers off of two pencils when he woke up from his nap, it was a great day. Johnny took me out for sushi and a movie—birthday dates are the best surprises—and everyone made me feel extra special and loved.



We went to a favorite park of the kids. They climbed and climbed on these tall rocks. Elle was a little timid—ok a lot—and Hudson was as daring as ever. I do sometimes wonder if there is any fear whatsoever in his little body. So far he has not shown any inclination.



And when I put everything together, it equaled a fun and memorable week.

This Week...

We went to the zoo on Leap Day. The zoo let anyone in—free of charge—who dressed up like an animal who leaps. Elle, who never says no to anything associated with a costume, was more than willing to comply. Hudson, too, got into the idea. He loved having frog eyes, and wore them for our entire visit to the zoo. It was a definite success.



Hudson—whom I mistakenly thought was being so good and well behaved—managed to eat three markers, chew on two crayons and sneak some toothpaste out of the tube. Why must he eat disgusting things?



We woke up to this. Not exactly what I had in mind for the first day of March. Not to mention the fact that I think Mother Nature is a little confused. One day is sunny and warm, and the next we have to be decked out in snow gear.



Hudson has found a new love for helping me make our fresh juice every morning. He especially likes to help me peel the oranges. He is a great helper.



It was a great week.

Favorite Quotes

When Hudson saw my homemade bread dough the other day, he plugged his nose and said, “Ewww! Poop!”

Elle: “I’m all fun and exciting; and Hudson is just boring and disgusting.”

Whenever I try to explain something a little more complex or new to Elle, she says: “I don’t really understand what your saying; but it’s okay, because I don’t need to.”