Painting the driveway

I made some sidewalk paint the other day that I saw on my new favorite website (www.pinterest.com) and it was a huge hit. All you do is add equal parts of cornstarch to water then add some food coloring. 

Jack painted for a few minutes then was more interested in dumping the paint, then looking right at Hudson to see what kind of reaction he would get. Such a stinker!

the "in trouble" face

But then he heard the doggies across the street and it was all better

Cleaning up with the hose was just as much fun

Jack turned 20 months last week! It is so hard to believe he will be two in a few months! Although he is quite a handful these days, he cracks us up and is still a sweet, cuddly little guy. Every time he gets hurt, he will run over and tell you which body part he hurt and give you a big hug complete with pats. His new favorite phrases are "I do" (I do it) and "mine" complete with a scowl which he clearly expressed at a playgroup last week. If he can't find you he will run around repeating "mommy" or "daddy" till he finds you then scream your name in excitement when he finds you! Just like his brother, he can spot Buzz or Woody anywhere and is saying their names well too. He is talking up a storm these days and attempting to repeat everything you say. He loves to say "chugga chugga choo choo" over and over again. If he hears any one ask a question he will raise his hand and say "ME!". He also claps and says "yay" at the end of every song!

Hudson has also been growing and changing so much lately. We just completed two months of his first swim lessons and although he isn't swimming independently yet, he is making some progress. Some days, he thinks is quite a bit older than he actually is as he tries to do many things we do that he is not old enough for. He is such a planner and plans steps for everything with his "I got a good idea" phrase. He always wants to know what we are doing next or tomm (after the sun comes up). A few weeks ago, he drew a family picture then pretty much on his own took a picture with my phone, then texted it to daddy at work. He loves to send him messages throughout the day and luckily daddy has unlimited messaging! He is such a smartie with technology and teaches us new things all the time. After we read books and lay with him for a few minutes at bedtime he has turned into quite a chatterbox. He has been repeatedly asking for me to grow him a baby brother and sister in his belly Don't worry.....no more babies planned anytime real soon:). I told him two was too many and he told me it was fine, it is just a couple! He has it all planned out though and even has a plan to buy a baby girl a swimsuit because we don't have any girl swimsuits and how first we can even check the computer to see what is on sale (ha - he knows me well!). He keeps us laughing! He still loves all Toy Story and recently is into pirates as he loves the show, Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Most of the time, he is really sweet with Jack and they play pretty well together. He loves to teach him new things and always "misses" him when he is napping.

We are excited this week to head to St Louis to visit Pa and Aunt Dana while John is away on a business trip! More pics to come soon!

Roadtrip to CO for the 4th

Last week we packed up the car and headed  to Colorado to visit John's family for the Fourth. We had a great time and the kids did unexpectedly well on the 9 plus hour drive. It took a little bit longer as we had to take some detours due to the flooding in Northwest Missouri. Of course we packed along many toys, books, snacks and electronic movies toys for the trip which really helped.

 

On the way there, we stopped and got a pizza to go and they both ate two pieces just like this! Guess we don't need to cut up their pizza anymore! Jack made us laugh when he noticed some wheat fields in the middle of Kansas. He must have thought it was the beach because he repeated over and over for about 20 minutes, "beach, water, fish"!

It was getting pretty late on Thursday night so we pulled off to sleep in a hotel because we thought they were tired - HA! Not even close.

With Daddy in Uncle Pete's tractor. Pete called us on  our way home and told us he thought something was wrong with the tractor because it wouldn't go very fast. Turns out Jack must have turned a dial. He always leaves a mark somewhere!

The kids had  blast playing with their cousins. We didn't see much of Hudson this trip unless he needed something! On our first day, he hated his shoes getting "dirty" but after a day or so the kid was covered in dirt and didn't mind at all.

Helping Hudson play ball

Sliding down the slide at the park in Ovid. It seems like not long ago Hudson was this age at this park!

All the cousins

Uncle Nick and Aunt Liz's new puppy! Jack loved it and would just go sit right next to him and pet him. 

Hudson's first sparkler

We had a great trip and left with some very sleepy kids!

Let the Fourth festivities begin!

 Today at Hudson's preschool summer day camp, they had their annual Fourth of July parade. It was apparently too close to naptime for Jack as he fell asleep watching his favorite animal movie.

 Here they come! One of Hudson's "teachers" is the college son of his preschool teacher from last year and they all just love him.

 We camped out in the back of the car. Jack has his favorite items of Nana's - keys and a cell phone.

Have a wonderful and safe Fourth!

summer randoms

Just a few random pictures of what we have been doing this month.

Hudson with his "mini" sized ice cream sundae. Seriously, this is a mini.

And yes, Jack pretty much had french fries and ice cream for lunch. 

Hudson still prefers his balance bike because he goes so much faster on it, but he is doing better and better on his "big bike". 

Apparently Hudson's dinner tasted better.

Playdate making fruit loop necklaces with Ainsley and Max. 

A Lightning McQueen cookie from Nana! I had to hurry to snap this picture before he  was gone! He made it with Daddy to the Cars 2 movie and even though he thought there were some scary parts, decided he wants to buy it when it comes out and will just fast forward the scary parts. He has a plan for everything these days!

Jack loves to push Mickey and his blanket around in the stroller. Jack is  pretty funny these days. He is starting to throw more tantrums, says "No" all of the time, and just added "Mine" to his vocabulary.

Hudson's art display from "Buzz"summer camp. He had a blast with his friend Ainsley and I think the highlight of his week was carpooling with her.  

I think he just changed his diaper.....

Sprinkler with daddy. Jack will only go through with Daddy. Hudson  ran through as a different Cars2 movie character each time.

We are having a great summer so far and looking forward to spending the Fourth of July in Colorado!

more pool pics

 We have been to the "big pools" a few times this year but there are no photos as it is nearly impossible to chase these two at the pool with a camera in hand so the baby pool pics will have to do this year! Hudson is pretty independent with wings but likes to practice his new swimming skills from his swim lessons without wings.Then there is Jack. Crazy Jack. In the big pool, he doesn't like to be held nor does he like to be in a floating device. Instead, he likes you swing him around so he can arch his back to put his head in the water and then try to put his face in without going under. In the zero entry pool, he likes to bend his little legs and walk like a crab so only his head is above water. I know this is only a peek into his days ahead. They both have a blast at the pool this year though and have been a lot of fun.

Apparently Hudson thought he needed wings for the three inches of water!

Guarding the dive rings.

Tub time

Jack still loves these stacking cups and it is even more fun when you get to knock over your brother's tower.

I wish they always played this nice together!

Hudson is too "cool" for bathtime these days and prefers a shower.  He pretty much thinks he is a grown up these days ...I mean he is four and all:). So usually Jack starts in the bath and then jumps in the shower with Hudson to play some more.

Two Woody's (or "Oovy" as Jack says) plus Mickey.