We celebrated Father's Day quickly in between Hudson's friend party and family party. I warned Jamie he would get maybe an hours worth of attention, but that sure was a good hour! The kids gathered around to open presents. Paxton's face....man that's a sweet...fake...but sweet face!
Hudson had been waiting and waiting for Father's Day to arrive so he could give Jamie the trophy he found at Target weeks and weeks ago. It had been hiding under his bed for safe keeping and he was so proud of this gift and that he picked it out on his own. He knew it was perfect for his dad because it had a hammer and other tools on it, saying Best Dad Ever, and Mr. Fix It.
And this guy, my Daddy, boy do I have a soft spot in my heart for him.
As I was getting ready to post about Hudson's 7th birthday, I realized I hadn't yet posted Harlow's Peppa Pig birthday party! So here you go, almost 2 months later, but she deserves the recognition....because she's awesome!
Harlow is obsessed with Peppa Pig. She watches her on the iPad constantly. Even in Spanish, she doesn't care one bit. Pretty soon she'll be speaking it fluently.
All the kids preparing for the pinata. A tradition at our birthday parties.
When she found out there was candy inside, the birthday girl took swinging at Peppa very seriously and gave it all she had.
I also learned that given a hockey stick and a pinata, this kid would swing with all his might. Give him a baseball bat at practice and he stands straight up and barely moves. From this day on, everytime at practice I would remind him that he needed to swing like he was hitting a pinata. Worked like a charm!
Harlow thought cruising with Mommy on the dune buggy was pretty funny.
Harlow and godmother Hunter
It was a great party for our girl. She deserved all of the attention, because again....she's awesome.
When we went to Sea Life back in April, the stingrays weren't ready to be touched or fed (oh darn, right!?) so they gave us free tickets to come back again before June 30th, so with June winding down ALREADY, we took advantage, got a hotel for a night and went to Sea Life. Even after 5 times, the kids still love it! And so does Grandma. (Jamie was on a fishing trip.)
We planned to leave around 10:00am Saturday morning, and this little beauty had to be woken up to get ready! I literally made the bed while she slept and she never moved a muscle.
We stopped for lunch at Noodles & Co.
I had to document this....Paxton crawled onto my lap just to snuggle. This doesn't happen all that often with my big boys anymore, so it was a moment I cherished.
And when we got to Sea Life, the stingrays were swimming and ready to be petted.....but we had three kids that weren't so sure about it. And one mommy that was definitely sure I did not want to stick my arm in there and pet a stingray. Grandma was all about it and raved at how cool they felt, like velvet. We could tell Hudson really wanted to touch one and would be disappointed if we left and he didn't do it, so I swallowed my fear and said we could do it together, that I was scared too but we'd be fine and would be glad we did it. I put my arm in the water and Harlow freaked out and ripped my arm back out. My poor, protective daughter, man she loves her mama! I assured her that I would be okay, so she let me continue but she always had a hand on my arm to save my life if need be. I must admit, as the stingrays swam near me, I screamed and jumped a little bit, but they did feel really cool, and with the help of Grandma, Hudson eventually touched one too.
Harlow walked around the corner and found.....this guy, don't remember his name....and was over the moon happy! She ran to him and hugged him like they were long lost best friends.
Of course at the end, you have to take your picture in the shark's mouth. I loved how it turned out. Paxton looks like he using all of his strength to save everyone, Harlow looks legitimately scared, and Hudson is faking it.
But a favorite of a weekend away is always swimming in the hotel.
On our way home, we stopped at the "big yellow barn". The kids are tiny, but they're standing up there under the sign.
After a hefty supper at the local Mexican restaurant (my choice for margarita Wednesday!) we decided to head to the park and burn off some of those calories. Hudson chose one of the elementary school parks that we had never been to. The kids had fun trying out the different climbing equipment while this mom had several small heart attacks. At one time, Harlow was at the very highest point looking down, and I was pleading with her from the ground to please, please, please come down, even just a few steps. "Why Mom?!?", she kept saying, like it was no big deal.
The boys and Harlow practiced ball too. She was the most excited and determined to hit the ball. And my goodness, could a tiny little softball player get any cuter?!?!
A couple videos....eventually we figured out that after she hit the ball, instead of running to first base like we were all yelling, she just wanted to go after the ball she hit. A little confused.
I was lucky enough to spend the entire day of school with Hudson for the Jefferson Celebration Day. And even luckier to spend the morning breakfast with these two nuts. When all three kids are in school, I'm going to need to quit my job with all of these activities that I just can't bring myself to miss out on!
Hudson participated in many different activities throughout the day, and sometimes I joined in. I cannot say enough how much I love watching Hudson interact with his classmates and teachers at school. It's a side of him we don't normally see, but it is also one that I would totally expect from him. He's polite, follows directions, listens quietly, pays attention, a little shy and timid but always willing to try. Here he's in ready position for crab soccer.
Climbing around on the playground with his buddy Rowan.
Drawing a sun for Pictionary.
Tug-of-war. I was actually a little surprised by how hard he worked at this. In sports, Hudson isn't really a "give it all you got" kind of kid. He's more of a "laid back, half effort, whatever happens happens" kind of kid, but when he was up for tug-of-war, he wanted to win and pulled hard!
Face painting- a mustache.
The following day was the very last day of school. A picnic at the park was scheduled but, unfortunately rained out, so we had a picnic in the hallway. And of course he convinced me to stick around and hang out for the rest of the day. His very last day as a kindergartner. Go ahead and assume.....yea, I cried. Well, kind of bawled. Man I'm weepy when it comes to passing milestones.
Signing autographs.
Drawing in art class.
Best bud, Rowan. Aren't they just so cute.
And that was that, kindergarten was over. We hugged Mrs. Maudal good bye, I cried like a baby and Hudson looked at me like I was nuts. He actually said, "Mom, you cried when school started too, come on!" I can't help it, he's my baby and these are all firsts, firsts that go by way too fast. But man is it fun to see them grow and achieve.
Since the last week of school was filled with fun celebrations and activities, Hudson had his kindergarten graduation on May 29, 2015. Jamie and I were invited to make his own special silly hat, look through his time capsule, watch a slideshow, and enjoy a popsicle treat.
Of course I teared up at this moment.
Hudson wrote Mrs. Maudal a letter and gave her a gift certificate to the hair salon she goes to (which happens to be Aunt Vicky's). He decided all on his own what he wanted to write and only asked for help to spell "teacher". He was dead set on writing "I love you" and although a part of me gave it a second thought, I decided not to say anything because he really, really wanted to. Well I am so glad I did, because when Mrs. Maudal read his letter, she teared up and said, "I love you too Hudson, you know that right." And this mom...wept!!
I really can't say enough about how much we loved Mrs. Maudal. I gave her a giant hug, told her how much I appreciate what she does and how kind she was to Hudson, for teaching him, and for being a reason he enjoyed going to school. I am crossing my fingers that Paxton is assigned to her classroom next year.
So there we are, a FIRST GRADER!!! An actual grade. Eek!
Paxton completed his second year of preschool and he was excited and unfortunately, looking forward to entering kindergarten that isn't quite happening fast enough for him. I think in his little mind, he thought I was picking him up from preschool and dropping him off at kindergarten. He asks almost daily, "How many more days until kindergarten?" This from a kid that I thought would hate school, in fact he did hate it for awhile, but now he loves to make new friends and I think the socializing part of school is what really attracts him. The learning stuff, eh, he could probably live without.
So on May 28, 2015, Paxton "slid into kindergarten" and we said good bye to Ms. Schugel.
Look at that proud smile. (He's the only kid I have that will give me a good, genuine smile. Hudson is fake as fake gets, and Harlow is cheesy and never looks at the camera. So thank you Pax!!)
Harlow was just as excited that she got to join me to celebrate her big brother. She dressed up for the occasion and even accessorized with a bracelet and necklace.
So Harlow turned 3 years old on May 8th.....I'm a little behind. (Birthday party pictures to come...) That's what happens when I take pictures with my real camera and never go on the computer at home to upload them. But she definitely deserves the recognition because she is the BEST 3 year old. Three was a tough age for both of the boys, at least it was for me dealing with them, so I'm holding my breath going into this year with Harlow. Right now, she's awesome. I'm her favorite, so I might be biased, but man she's great. She's sweet, fun, polite, strong and tough, and adorable.
Her last night going to bed as a 2 year old....
And saying her prayer that Daddy has been working on with her. This video makes me want to crawl into the screen and snuggle her.
Her brothers were so excited to wake her up. They had balloons all ready and couldn't wait to open presents with her.
Per tradition, we went to Happy Joe's for supper. Look at that face when we were singing to her. Oh my goodness it melts me! She loved the attention and was super sweet.
And back home for more cake and presents with family. Again, those genuine smiles slay me.
Harlow Mae Josephine.....your mommy loves you more than anything in the world! You are beautiful and awesome. You are going to rock being 3 years old!
