Hudson has never been a huge fan of art, drawing, or anything that requires slow and careful attention. he'd rather just be on the move. he'd much rather be doing gross motor muscle activities than fine motor ones. it's who he is. no time for colouring as a toddler, no interest in crafts or picture making of any sort.
of course, this can make school projects a challenge. he's starting to be able to access use of technology in the classroom more and more which takes much of the pressure off. thank goodness!! recently he was asked to draw a picture of someone in sports....he chose Amar'e Stoudemire, he found the exact picture he wanted online and after some basic instruction he took to the page, not tracing, but doing his best to copy the picture exactly as it was.
can't even tell you how much i enjoyed seeing his finished product. he worked so hard on it. so carefully. made me smile for sure. Great effort, Hudson! i love your version~ almost looks like Amar'e is running toward a giant who wants to block his path to the basket....LOVE it!!
thanksgiving celebrations trickled into another weekend, and i'm so glad they did! Jeff and i are blessed with two amazing families, both close by, and this means there are lots of opportunities for fun with grandparents, cousins and aunts and uncles. new and old. this weekend we spent it with Jeff's side of the family.
where did all these kids come from???
i love these times. i cherish our memories,
the food is always delicious....so delicious.
it's lively and funny~ every single time. so much to be thankful for...
next will be Christmas! i always look forward to it as well!
the season of thanksgiving....one of my favourite times of the year. plus, i love fall~ maybe the most of all. not exactly sure what i love the most, the decision is hard. i'm sure it's a combination of lots of things that make my little homey domesticated nature very happy~ a return to routine, pumpkin spiced lattes, firing up the oven more as the air turns crisp, freshly baked pumpkin anything :), apples from the farmer's market turned into lots of yummy treats, mum pots in full bloom, leaves in pretty shades of orange and red, scented candles lit, cozy evenings, perfect temperatures for sleeping....i don't know~ i just love it.
then Thanksgiving lands right in there~ as fall replaces summer. perhaps I'm feeling the gratitude in extra measure lately, in part due to the amazing perspective I'm receiving from the incredibly gifted AnnVoskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts. this book was super popular a few years ago, and I've been meaning to read it since first hearing about it. so happy my dear mom decided to gift me with it. better late than never, i guess. plus, the timing seems perfect anyway. it is wrecking me more than any book has in quite some time. and by wrecking~ I mean that in the best way possible. the challenge of the book is "a dare to live fully right where you are". wowww....something about it~ the way Ann writes, the honesty, the shared experiences, the relatable qualities of her stories, the perspective and truth contained in each page~ it's like rain on a dry scorching hot day, and there are days that my spirit feels dry and in need of a good saturating rainfall. you know? so beautiful....
all that to say, sometimes a good book or a timely visit or a prayer answered or a powerful verse~ well, all can go a long way in adjusting perspective every now and then when such a shift is most needed. so good...
so, in such a spirit of joy and gratitude, here are two videos that make me smile each and every time i view them~ and that has been often. :)
the sweetness of this baby girl in the first video as she interacts with her dad melts my heart every time. and how bright is she trying to prank her father?! not hard to understand why it went viral...
then there's my Hudson...oh, this boy....he can be purely delightful. i love these moments....he has a way of turning after dinner chores into entertainment. his older sister cued up some of her favourite music and Hudson couldn't contain "the groove", shall we say. i call this one "sweeping~ Huddy-style". enjoy!
how did i miss this post back in August? perhaps the long marathon of birthdays distracted me...i cannot head too deep into fall without first capturing, on this here blog of mine, the cute display of frogs and my three frog-lovin' kids. and i have to say~ while i was wasn't a fan of actually holding them, they sure are amazing and beautiful to see up close.
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yep, on this afternoon it was basically a frog field trip...the chosen lucky ones were taken from the comfort of their world (our little pond) and then experienced what must have been a hair-raising excursion to the "big pool". some swam a length to the other side (wasn't optional), where they were met by Layla who essentially gave them a spa treatment in the Frisbee~ which included a cool water bath (pool chemicals??) and then time spent bonding with AJ and Adam who were in charge of frog socialization, working them up to eventually sitting calmly on AJ's forehead. quite the day, i'd say!
oh how i love my son's eyebrows...so cute, and so brave.
watching them on this warm summer day was bliss. the little moments sometimes are the best, and i never want to forget this particular afternoon...so thankful for days like that!
a cottage escape happened this past weekend. wow, was it ever wonderful...a celebration of the making of a legacy. fifty years marriage (and counting) for my sweet parents. what a model they have been of faithful and true love. this rooted me from day one and on through my childhood and early adult years. mom and dad gave me (yes, it was intentionally given to me~ to us, as kids) stability in our home I didn't even realize I needed. it just was a part of what I knew, what I observed, what I loved! it was always that way as long as I can remember. I knew they were fiercely committed to each other and the vows they made before God. I don't recall ever doubting that they were in it for keeps.
so, in celebration of this giant anniversary we enjoyed some fabulous R&R that included gorgeous sunsets, summer-like beach walks late in September, delicious food, laughter, games and new memories....
plus, chillin' on a deck with a view...
dinner conversations,
cousin bonding,
and an amazingly beautiful painted sky. photo credits of the sunset go to Joelle~ her shot was the best....
and even a morning of kite flying.
thanks Mom and Dad for loving each other so well. your example shaped the way I love my dear Jeffrey. and I think he'd say I do okay...
for the record, Jeff's parents are not far from the same amazing milestone and he echoes my words about his childhood and his parents. how fortunate are we as their kids?!? in a world of disposable everything, my children have seen their grandparents display loyal commitment with conviction~ and not with drudgery or boredom but instead with fun and friendship and joy. awesome....
so blessed. my word.
so, back to the number theme....one last birthday in this run of special "gifts" to celebrate. tomorrow my youngest, my baby, turns eight. sniff, sniff. he legally doesn't require a car seat anymore. he's reading chapter books with help, he's biking the "Jumps" at our local park, he's running 5 km easily in the Terry Fox run last Sunday, and he's skipping rocks far better and further than his mama. he's finding his way, his sass voice, and has no problem speaking his mind in this large family where he holds the title of "youngest". it's necessary for survival, i know it...
he's a far cry from this toddler seen on my computer screen below. this was our first picture ever of our precious son, at just over three years old...his expression says so much.
we'd travel twice to the plains of Africa, into a small remote Ethiopian village to find this boy who was chosen just for our unique family. we'd step in as his second family, his forever family, and never be the same because of it. the tears spill when i consider that God orchestrated such an event~ down to the very last details...how His heart bends for the orphan.
AJ~ you are so loved and we consider the blessing all ours to have found our way to you.
have the happiest of birthdays, little man. wishing you joy and strength and purpose as you continue to grow! have a blast being eight!
this ham of a kid was shopping with me on the last weekend before school. we were out of town for a baseball tournament and killing time between games. so, we found a Winners!
this is his best runway pose. i love the whites of his eyes :) now that the picture is public, i expect the "Paris people" will be calling any day....better start his portfolio!
