Santa & St. Nick

I took the kids to see Santa a couple weeks ago. We weren't able to go to our usual bank (FREE!) visit due to the boys having basketball practice, so I decided on something a little different this year and that we'd make a day out of it. So we headed to the mall in Mankato to see Santa. On the way there Hudson was wondering if it was going to be the real Santa or just one of Santa's helpers. I asked him to keep quiet if he thought it was just a helper, not to ruin it for Harlow. When we caught our first glimpse, I whispered to Hudson that I thought he was the real thing. Hudson wasn't sold though, his hair was a little too blondish-gray for the real Santa. I'm afraid we don't have much longer for him to be a believer. He has told me that some friends at school don't believe and that they think their parents just buy them presents. Not that I wouldn't appreciate some credit for all the work that goes into being Santa, I was glad to hear him say that even if he didn't think he was real, he would still believe because it's just more fun that way. He loves the magic in it all.

(So because we were at the mall, we're charged for our picture with Santa, but I was able to sneak a quick picture in with my phone too.)

Like most years, I got tears in my eyes listening to the kids talk to Santa. The boys asked for Nerf guns (and Minecraft stuff) and Santa told them his little secret. He said he has Nerf guns too, and that he shoots his elves sometimes. The "awe" in my kids' faces was priceless. Harlow replied with, "My brothers shoot me sometimes." So Santa told her that he might have to bring her her very own Nerf gun then, for protection. Thanks Santa! He did still ask her what she wished for this year, and she asked for the dreaded Barbie Dream House. I say dreaded because it is 4ft. by 3ft. and I know will be in my living room, barely touched. But, none the less, this year's visit to Santa was a success, picture perfect.

On our way out of the mall, Paxton noticed that Harlow was holding her jacket so he offered to carry it for her. My heart melted. Then he said, "And you should hold my hand while we walk through here." Tears in my eyes again.

After the mall we went to the Children's Museum. The kids ran around for 2 hours while I literally just sat and watched. I texted a friend of mine who frequents the museum with her 3 year old and 1 year old, and says its exhausting because she's always chasing after them. I joked to her that I was sitting down, relaxing and enjoying a hot chocolate. They're at the perfect age to be independent at the museum. They worked up an appetite so we treated ourselves to frozen yogurt. A favorite for all of us!

The next day was St. Nick's Day. Maybe not a holiday to most families, but in ours, we celebrate!

Go figure, St. Nick brought the first round of Nerf guns. I can only assume Santa is bringing more. This picture is frightening, isn't it?!?!

And Harlow got a Barbie pool. She opened it and immediately asked if she could put water in it and play on a towel. Smart girl.

Thanksgiving/Parade of Lights

Thanksgiving 2015 was another busy one. We had three places to go in one day. But before we can leave the house, I must get a picture of the kids together, something that is not always easy! Hudson and Paxton are usually very cooperative, but give me the fakest of fake smiles. Harlow cooperates too, but her eyes refuse to look at my camera. They're looking up at the ceiling, down at the floor, out the window, pretty much anywhere by my camera, all coupled with another fake smile. So I take about 50 pictures of the same pose and hope for at least one decent one.

And per tradition, the Friday after Thanksgiving is the Parade of Lights. Although it had been a warm 40 degrees all week, the temp on Friday dropped down to about 20. Still warmer than years past but we bundled up!

See Harlow's eyes, this is usually how our pictures turn out. In her defense though, she was desperately waiting for Santa to come and was not going to miss it!

chipmunks show

A few weeks ago Grandma and I took the kids to Alvin and the Chipmunks- Live on Stage. The kids watch Alvin nearly every morning so they're big fans and Theodore is everyone's favorite.

Harlow was super excited for the chipmunks to take the stage. 

Paxton the Super Star

When Paxton started kindergarten, with the same teacher Hudson had, I walked into his classroom and warned her that this boy would be a complete opposite of Hudson. This boy tests limits, runs a little faster, doesn't mind breaking rules, gets a little rowdier, and doesn't have the patience or ambition to learn. To prepare myself, I asked her who would be calling me if he ever gets on the dreaded "red" color on the behavior chart. She laughed and said it would be her voice I hear on the other line. That is what I was anticipating....but man was I wrong! This boy has far surpassed all of my expectations, both academically and with his behavior. And just last week, he brought this certificate home, for reaching the highest "pink" color on the behavior chart. It also came with an email from his teacher telling me how awesome he was, that he is a helpful student and friend. Wahoo!! And even better, he was so excited to tell me. As soon as Jamie picked him up from school, Paxton called me with every detail of his awesome day. I am so proud of this boy.

                                    

I visited his classroom last week to make muffins for their Thanksgiving feast. They dressed up in the Native American and pilgrim costumes they made. 

                                   

Maddi's Bday

Because Maddi is a fun-loving kid at heart, she decided to throw her birthday bash at the Water Park of America this year. Of course my three kids were thrilled! And believe it or not, we had never been to this water park so it was a new experience for all of us. I barely seen the boys. They were off going down all of the slides, numerous times, either with Jamie or cousin Carson. I hung out with Harlow in the smaller kids area which she thoroughly enjoyed! But we did all go down the family slide and seeing Harlow's face was priceless. She LOVED it with the perfect mix of fear and excitement.

Hunter and Harlow going down the lazy river.

After all the swimming, we went out to eat and back to Maddi's hotel for cake, presents, and a good night's sleep. Happy Birthday Faddi!! We love you!

Halloween 2015

This year for Halloween, we introduced to the world- Paxton the soldier, Harlow the Tooth Fairy, and Hudson the Chucky doll. These costume choices were well thought out and very much desired and appreciated. Except for Paxton's, who is the middle child and content with whatever you offer him. Harlow truly wanted to be a Tooth Fairy, both for Halloween and in real life. She wanted wings to fly with and a wand to do magic with. And thanks to Grandma, she got them both. And my Halloween loving Hudson chose this Chucky costume last spring! I said no from the beginning, but his heart and mind were set. I told him children, and some adults, might be scared of it, but that was his point. He wanted to be scary, and freaky and he felt Chucky was the way to accomplish both.....and he did!

The matching army soldiers; Paxton and Hunter.

The beginning of long our trick-or-treating night. The kids did great, walked/ran to every house with a light on, said "Trick-or-Treat" and thank you, even turned to check for the "okay" when the homeowner asked them to "step inside". After a nice elderly lady asked them to come inside her house, Harlow turned around to wave at me, as if to say, "Okay Mom, I'm going in, you keep your eye on me and make sure I come back out." Then Hudson came running out and said, "That lady asked us to go inside her house, is she crazy or what?!?!" Now although thats the right and safe thought my dear Hudson, I quickly reminded him that even with that smart thought, HE WENT IN!! He replied, "Well my brother and sister did."

We walked for hours and if it were up to Hudson, we never would've stopped. Paxton started complaining first. His feet and legs hurt. And when we got to State Street (typically the best and scariest street), Harlow decided that trick-or-treating in her dad's arms was the safest place to be. Her brothers were always sure to ask for that extra piece of candy for their little sister, pointing to her for proof.

Me and my Chucky doll. I never thought I'd tear up with pride on Halloween, especially with a kid dressed up as the serial killing doll that caused many nightmares in the 80's and 90's, but Hudson walking in this costume was something to watch. Nearly everyone commented on it. People either stopped us or whispered, "Look at that Chucky" as they walked by. It generated many laughs and even some screams. He was the celebrity of Halloween night! So much so that Paxton started complaining, "Chucky, Chucky, Chucky, thats all I hear about, everyone loves Chucky!" Again, typical middle child, right! It was well worth feeling like the terrible parent letting him wear this costume. He was in his element, in his glory and I loved watching it. I asked him how he will ever top this Chucky costume and he quickly replied, "Chainsaw Massacre". Good lord! That kid lives for Halloween night.

Pax's Halloween Party

With my next kindergartner in school, I get to be a parent chaperone in Mrs. Maudal's class all over again, and my love for the job has not faded. Knowing my Paxton, I was anticipating his behavior in school, assuming that he'd be a little more wild, talkative, and fidgety and a little less quiet, patient, and reserved....well, let's be honest, a little less "Hudson". But to my surprise, that isn't what I saw. And maybe it had something to do with Mom's presence in his classroom, but he say quietly and listened to direction, he raised his hand to speak, he even went out of his way to ask Mrs. Maudal if he could help. I was proud of my boy, and man did he make a handsome soldier!

Pax and one of his favorite friends Kaden.

And another favorite, Logan. Who he calls "Logie Bogie". I'm sure it doesn't get annoying at all, right?!

And the whole kindergarten class. All sorts of vampires, animals, superheros, and princesses.

harvest

The harvest season arrived (and is almost over) and my rambunctious boys turned into little farmers with the patience to sit in a combine for hours....and hours....and hours! They went in the field with Grandpa several times this year, and each time I was amazed at the amount of time they stayed out there. I think one day it was 7 hours! They don't do anything for 7 minutes, much less hours! But there is something about sitting in that combine with Grandpa that they both love. And something that I hope they will always remember. I still do from 25 years ago when I was the one sitting next to him.

Sever's Corn Maze

So it's been weeks since we went to Sever's Corn Maze, but none the less, here is a blog post about it. It was warm! And in this first picture, Paxton was crabby and decided he didn't want to be a Johnson sibling and refused to sit with his brother and/or sister.

At some point, he got over it. But usually once throughout every day, that boy goes through an "I hate everything about life" phase and no amount of sweet talking will snap him out of it, he needs to get through in his own time. 

Hudson would have truly been in his glory had Grandma allowed him to pick this pumpkin! But at 40 cents a pound, we couldn't afford it, or fit it into our vehicle.

They bounced and jumped....

Flashed some cool signs....

Pet some odd looking animals....

And covered themselves in corn.

And to end the day, we all took a wagon ride around the farm site. 

valleyscare

Annual tradition- Valleyscare during the day with the Friederichs. It seems we have always lucked out with good weather, and this year was no different. 80 degrees and sunny! The only downfall is that the kids aren't able to wear their costumes when its so warm. Harlow was the most festive in her skeleton dress that she LOVES! And the boys wore Halloween t-shirts thanks to Aunt Sheri. What is not pictured in this post is Paxton's attempt at going through the haunted school. I find it best not to photograph a crying face filled with fear! He thought he was brave enough to walk through with Dad (Hudson knowing himself better and opting out of the bloody haunted school.) but he didn't quite make it. He couldn't stop talking about it that day, but thankfully I haven't been woken up with any nightmares yet.

Harlow's face...the excitement...I love it.

Love this face too!

And this was Hudson's first Valleyfair experience tall enough to ride the "big rides". I could tell he was a little nervous as we waited in line, never letting go of my hand, but once he started riding, he loved it! His face was priceless. The perfect mix of scared to death and excited as can be. The Wild Thing was his favorite, and he and Jamie rode it at least 5 times.

And what's a fair without winning a giant stuffed animal that no one needs!?!? However, we all agreed that these zombies with oversized heads were pretty cute.

The cutest, colorful skeleton ever!

And we ended the night watching the sunset from the top of the ferris wheel. Perfect, fun day spent with family. I love getting these cousins together. Even though their genders don't match up with the ages, they fit together so well. And having those 2 girls around Harlow is like a dream. They take care of the stroller pushing and hand holding. Thanks for the fun tradition Friederichs!

Pumpkinfest

A couple weekends ago we headed to the annual Pumpkinfest put on by a local school. Although cooler temps were in the forecast, it turned out to be a beautiful day for a fall festival.

After the festival, we went to my friend Meredith's house so the kids could each pick a pumpkin from their patch. Somehow, Hudson got a hold of a chicken and was pretty proud of himself. And with all the excitement, I got a picture of all of them smiling real smiles!