Reasons why it was an (almost) perfect evening

Everyone liked the dinner I made.

Dinner included fresh avocado and barbeque chicken.

My kitchen didn't look like World War III afterwards.

We played with trains and nobody fought.

We had a raging dance party and nobody fought.

Nielson discovered he can turn around in circles and thought that was so funny.

We played grocery store and nobody fought.

Ellie and Hudson put socks on and ice skated on the hardwood floor as Ellie attempted to teach Huddy how to point his toes. Priceless.

We raced cars on the hardwood floor and nobody fought.

Al three children had a bath, brushed their teeth, read stories and went to bed. Wait..except for Hudson. He's my holdout on the couch.

No tv, no computer games. Just playing. For hours.

I am so lucky.

Why wasn't my evening perfect? Doug's not here:(

You snooze, you lose

Too bad boys, the best of the best has been taken off the market this week. Try picking up the pieces of your shattered lives and move on.

I am so happy for you, Amy!

What Heaven Looks Like....

if you're a John Deere-obsessed two year old! Hudson is having a hard time adjusting to life without Ellie during the day, so the birthday fairy and Santa got together and decided to come early this year. He truly is in John Deere Heaven (as long as the battery holds out!)

Bowling

For Family night last Monday, Ellie declared that we were going bowling. Grandmom Judy, Pop Pop, Stephanie and Irv came with us and we all had a great time watching the kids bowl. (Thanks heavens for bumper bowling!) Hudson couldn't quite get the idea of rolling the ball and ended up chucking it down the lane every time. Ellie did a great job rolling the ball and even got a spare. Nielson just spent the time cringing at the loud noises and wondering where his next meal would come from.

One Last Beach Trip

In the midst of Saturday chores around the house, Hudson ran in to announce that we were going to the beach. Doug followed him in and said they were just looking on the internet at the waves at Virginia Beach...he never told Hudson we were going! Yeah right. Off we went for one last swim. We had a great time...I think Nielson ate his weight in sand! Ellie is getting more comfortable in the water and even let the waves carry her a few times. Hudson just enjoys running up and down the beach, letting the waves chase him, like a little sandpiper. Our best surprise was running in to Doug's sister, Stephanie at the beach. It was a beautiful afternoon.

Another Huddish Moment

Just had to post about Hudson at bedtime. He was explaining to me how he says his prayers as was lying in his bed.

"Firss I bonk (bow) my head, then I close my eyes, then I budder (fold) my arms like dis."

Tropical Storm? What Tropical Storm?

Wind is blowing, rain is pouring...and these kids are in their backyard jumping on the trampoline and sucking up muddy water through a hose. Where are their parents???

Nielson's Birthday

Nielson turned one on Friday. Wow-this year has gone by fast! He came into this world pretty small (by Carpenter/McMinn standards, anyway) and now he is the biggest one year old I've ever seen! I think he knew he needed to bulk up to defend himself from Hudson's love taps, pats, and/or body slams. He is walking and talking (in Nielsonese) like a champ.

While Nielson was taking a nap in the morning, Hudson was helping make the cupcakes. By helping I mean that he would come in every few minutes and ask for one to eat. Finally I gave him an unfrosted one and asked him to go outside to eat it. He came back in a few minutes later, held up the half-eaten cupcake and told me to:

"Put a wid on it ."

Huh?

"Put a wid on it!"

A plate?

"No! A WID!"

This went on for a few minutes before he finally pointed to the frosting.

"That wid!"

We had a little cake and ice cream party with our friends, Miralcle and Laura, the Esplin family and the Graulich Family. Grandmom, Pop Pop, Aunt Stephie, and "Uncle" Irv were also there.

Fancy one year old cupcakes and sunflowers from our garden Sunflower House. I'm glad I cut these because Tropical Storm Hanna blew through the next day and levelled the plants.

My sweet birthday boy!

Beautiful Ellie (even with a chocolate mustache!)

Nielson got some great presents, including a giant green tractor that he hasn't been able to see since it was opened. Hudson has adopted it as his own and turns into the devil if anyone gets near it. Oh boy.

First Day of Kindergarten

Is this the little girl I carried, is this the little girl at play.....I don't remember growing older, when did they??? Yeah, that's enough Fiddler on the Roof for one night!

Ellie started kindergarten on Tuesday and could not get there fast enough. She sprang out of bed, got dressed, voluntarily hugged her brother (Hudson) and was waiting at the door with her backpack before I could even brush my teeth or get dressed. Couldn't help her with her outfit, couldn't help her with her hair. She had "done it all," she told me. I had to explain that we had a little while before school started...and explain ten minutes later that we still had time...and explain again every five minutes after that. We got to school, she saw her teacher, gave me a hug and was off. I was so proud of my girl.

She told Hudson yesterday that one day, he would go to kindergarten and that every day would be more fun than the day before. Let's hope that holds true! She is growing up so fast and I feel like I can't catch up with her long enough to teach her and show her everything that she needs to see and know. Hopefully she'll let me hang on for the ride, at least for a few more years:)

Our first annual "First Day of School" family picture by the back door. Classic. Yes, that is a giant spider web in the back corner, thank you very much.

Horse Farm

We are very lucky to have a horse farm across the street from us. And even luckier to consider the owners our friends! Whenever we have anyone over, Ellie loves to take them across the street and show them the horses. She is quite the little tour guide! We had our friends, Devin and Lindsay over for dinner a few weeks ago with their darling little girls, Olivia and Ada.

Hudson aka Pigpen and Olivia (wearing Ellie's outgrown cowgirl boots!)

Nielson in a happy moment between horsefly attacks

My not so little girl! Check out the pink on those boots!