El Museo

After a rainy Monday (during which we remained inside after a miserable attempt to the post office), Tuesday brought a must needed visit to the Children’s Museum with our buddies.  We are SO THANKFUL for our Museum membership—we LOVE it!  And, we are certain there is more fun ahead in their outside area this summer!

One of the really fun things about this visit was that the boys are able to play on their own a little more because they are familiar with the toys.  We had a blast!  {And, I think I only lost each of them once.  Awesome.}

William and Harper went on a trip in the big red truck {as you can see in this first picture, William was very excited!}  And, yes, we currently talk about all of the trucks we see on the road when in the car . . . Vroom, Vroom!

The boys are very into the farm and the play kitchen . . . they loved it!  {Yes, I am on a hunt for a gender neutral play kitchen for these cooks!}

 

Playing with the eggs in the Chicken Coop!  

William’s lady friend, Sylvie, sports her stylin’ shades in the blue market truck!

We snuck over to the water table for some fun in the “river” with the boats.  I have no pictures of the boys because I had to wrangle . . . This picture is of best friend Grayson, whose mom kindly sent it to me since I was wrangling!

The boys really enjoyed their time at “Ukrops”  {which is the only one left around here these days!}  William takes after his aunt Katie and has aspirations of working the cash register!  Hudson prefers to pick out food, give it a taste test, and then buy it.  Hmm . . . 

“Thank you, and have a nice day, M’aam!”

More Weekend Fun!

William and I decided it would be fun to make some ice cream on Saturday morning, and we did just that!  Having him “help me cook/bake/make ice cream” is one of the things that I have always dreamed of . . . having a babe sitting on the counter and helping mama!  So sweet!  We didn’t get any pictures of it, but Hudson helped me make a yummy banana cake for a going away party for friends of ours last night.  We are very into baking as a family right now! 

{Although, a warning:  “Pretend baking” is very fun, but Hudson DOES NOT, under any condition or circumstance, “Pretend Eat,” so when you are finished “Pretend Baking,” you best feed him something tasty!}

William practicing his mixing . . .

Another helper comes along . . .

On Sunday after church, {no nap}, and lunch with friends, we hit up the fountain again.  I didn’t get any pictures of William from the last go at the fountain {the fountain is a ton of fun, but I do LOTS of chasing, so no time for pictures!}, so Hatch monitored Hud while I snapped a few on Sunday!

The boy and his cup!

Observing from a distance . . .

 

By the end, William would just do a circle lap around the fountain.  He would stay close to the outer rings of the spray, but never get in . . . he would go about 1/4 of the way around, look for us, wave, and keep going.  So cute!

The gang:  Sylvie, {Hidden} Mae, Harper, William, Eve, and Hudson {Lucille was asleep in the stroller!  Gray went for some late lunch!}

And, after fun in the fountains, all you really need to do is fall asleep in the car with your hand in your snack cup . . . what a perfect day!

A few things {ramblings and pictures}

So, in his old age, William has become increasingly picky when it comes to food. He is basically revolting against lunch altogether. He doesn’t scream or cry, but he takes 1-2 bites of food and is done. One of my great friends {who is the best neighbor ever, by the way} gave me this recipe for “Playgroup Granola Bars.” I know that I normally don’t post recipes (let’s be honest, I normally don’t cook), but for the one or two of you who need an alternate option for your child to munch on . . . this was a hit in our house! We added peanut butter and dried blueberries and this was ALL William ate at lunch today! The recipe is found here!

We had a great Mother’s Day Weekend! We are so thankful for Sugie and Nonna and for all of the ways that they love and care for us, and my boys spoiled me rotten. I just love being with my hubs and my babes on Mother’s Day! We spent the weekend in Maryland with Nonna, Pop Pop and even a brunch with Gigi before heading back to Richmond for some time with Sue, Nana, and Sugie!

The rascals didn’t want to smile . . .

And, for some reason, it seems that Sugie forgot to stick out her tongue! {Stick to the plan, Sugie!}

Blaahhhhhh! {Daddy, thank you for teaching us where our tongues are!}

After our weekend in MD, we did a little yardwork with the new shovels and rakes that Nonna got the boys. Hudson had to wear a bib because he was feeling a little pukey.

This past weekend was warm and sunny so we spent Saturday morning in the yard! We thought the baby pool would be fun. Hudson wanted to relax in the swing while William helped Hatch fill the pool . . .

We let Hudson test the water, but he did not love it. . .

Then, he warmed up a bit . . .

After the fun in the water, we moved over to do some gardening/digging . . .

The one-shoed gardener

Surveying their work . . .

Dirty and Proud!

{Just to let you know, I have washed these bathing suits and shirts TWICE and they are STILL not clean!}Bye!

Splish Splash!

This afternoon we hopped over to play with some friends in a fountain. It was so fun to watch the boys' reactions to the water! They were both really timid at first, but Hudson began to let his guard down and his natural fearlessness began to peek on through! He loved it! William preferred to play with his cup and watch from the sidelines. We had a great time, and this gives me HIGH HOPES for our summer! I can't wait! {and, I have a feeling I am going to be quite tired!}

Don't let this somber, soaked and chubby prairie child mis-lead you . . . he had a BLAST!

{but he really did NOT want his picture taken!}

Happy Weekend, y'all! Stay cool in this May heat!

Two {quick} things

First: Yesterday we took baby William into the pediatric dermatologist for a check up and we are THRILLED and so GRATEFUL to God to report that his hemangioma is reducing in size (which we knew) at a rate that is "much better than average" (which we did not know!) The doctor told us that they normally do not see such rapid decrease in size until between 24-36 months of age, so for him to have this progress at 17mos is a big deal. We are so encouraged by this, and we feel like this is an answer to our (and your) prayers! Please continue to pray with us for Jesus to fully heal William's eye . . . and please pray that he would not need further medication or surgery. We go back in 6 months for another check up . . . it feels a little like we are free birds . . . so exciting!

{Thanks to Allison for these pictures of little William from our Cville visit!}

Second: I think we may have a dance-machine in the making . . .

Introducing: the one and only Hudson Hall!

{can you tell that he is thrilled to be doing this dance? can you jump like he can? ha ha ha!}

More Charlie and Last Weekend!

As I write this, I hear someone “chirpping” at me from his crib, so I must be FAST!

This series of pictures of Hudson and William loving on baby Charlie is HYSTERICAL to me . . . seriously, I laugh out loud when I look at them!  Katie and I have decided that these are some of those priceless pictures that you keep up even when your children are 28 and grown and married, etc., etc. . . .

A kiss from the cousin!

Since William and Charlie had such a loving experience, we thought we might give it a try with baby Hudson:

We were wrong.  {Yes, that is my son PUSHING his dear baby cousin!}

Hudson was yelling “GO!  GO!” during this one—this boy does not like to stop moving for anyone or anything!

It seems that Hudson needed some lovin’ from his Auntie Al

This is William’s Face of the Week:

W decided to tell Charlie about the ups and downs of life as a baby . . .

Oh so fun!

Please excuse the darkness of this picture.  That said, it must be known that this baby fell asleep in my arms NO FEWER than FOUR times while he was here.  Oh, HEAVEN!  I LOVED IT!

After a Siddons family dinner, we tried to get the youngest boys together, but Thing 1 and Thing 2 did not want to cooperate . . .

{Katie’s baby Charlie with Valerie’s big boy Jack;  Mary Beth’s toddler Shawn Thomas;  Thing 1 William and Thing 2 Hudson}

Last weekend, while Auntie Al was in town, we went to Charlottesville and had lunch near the lawn.  It was like a dream come true for me . . . being back in Cville, eating from my favorite sandwich shop, visiting with dear friends, and having my little rascals run circles around me (not to mention, try to steal my food!)

Hudson and Al walk towards Hatch and his bff Molly

William sneaks up on the crowd {Daddy with Hudson and Molly}

We were even able to visit with some of our favorite lovely little lady friends: 

Adelyn

 

Dorie

And sweet, cubby Kate, who I somehow MISSED taking a picture of {probably because I was kissing her chubby cheeks instead!}

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!  Don’t forget to send some lovin’ to your mama!  {She did a lot for you, even if you have no recollection of it! SERIOUSLY!}