A glimpse of Christmas

We were so lucky to spend Christmas with everyone that we love. We now have the Christmas hangover as I like to call it..... the overtired, constantly cranky toddler and the sick parents. But it was an amazing holiday. So thankful for our family and friends

Parenting at its best

I had a huge list of things I needed to do yesterday. I had no babysitter and there was no school so guess what cute little boy tagged along with me? Hudson is very ......hmmmmm... how can I say this nicely.....determined. He likes to do things his way and will let you know if he does not approve of what I am asking him to do.

The grocery store has always been a place I go alone. I learned that lesson numerous times when he would scream and go straight as a pencil and not bend his legs to sit in the cart. I usually look like I am on an episode of Supermarket Sweep, running through the aisles, sweating, putting back the things Hudson tosses in the cart, blocking him from diving out.... fun times, fun times.

I had to go to Trader Joe's yesterday. They have cute little carts for kids and Hudson was very excited to push it around. I realized once we started walking around that I was there to buy wine. Oh what to do, what to do?!?! Do I carry it and just let him push the cart? Nope. Cannot do that because I was too busy directing the cart because he kept running into displays. So I did this...



Mother of the year!!!! The best part was when I put it in the cart and he said, "Mommy, you buying your juice?"

Counting down

Christmas is just days away and you know what that means..... just days until we can finally bust open the bouncy house!!! I am not sure who is going to have more fun, us or Hudson.

Christmas is not about gifts. I know that. I have seen the magic in Hudson's eyes in so many different ways this season. He has loved everything about celebrating... driving around looking at lights, making his Christmas bell at sunday school, playing with his nativity scene, visiting Santa, talking about Jesus birthday.... he has loved it all. I have to be honest though, I cannot wait to see him open presents and discover his stocking. 2 1/2 is such a fun age.

We start our 1st round of family celebrations tonight with my sister and my dad and from here on out we have a celebration each day. Let the festivities begin!!!

Branching out

Literally branching out..... Santa comes in 4 days and I hope hoping our fireplace is big enough for this chandelier for our dining room

Lights

Are you tired of me posting about Christmas outings yet....

We took Hudson to look at tacky Christmas lights the other night. He was mesmerized.


Riding around looking at Christmas lights is something I remember doing when I was little and it is one of my favorite things to do. I personally like the houses with just white candles in the windows and a big, fat wreath on the door with a spotlight shining on it. My boys like the ridiculous houses with inflatables everywhere..... Let's hope Hudson never asks for one of those.

Traditions

I decided this year that I wanted to start a tradition and have Hudson host a cookie exchange party every year. He hosted it today and it was really cute. He had 5 friends over and they each brought a plate of cookies to share.

We tried for a picture, but this is the best I got..... there is a child or two missing in each one.




The weather was wonderful so we played outside for the most part.




Even though 2 year olds do not really understand a cookie exchange, we had a great time. And I am hoping this is a tradition Hudson and I always keep!!

Hudson's Christmas gift to us

Yesterday was Hudson's last day of school for 2011. Both of us are really going to miss it the next 3 weeks. Hudson has grown to love school so much and he has learned a ton.

Jonathan surprised him and we both were able to go to his Christmas party. We snuck up behind Hudson and he saw me first. He was excited but not as excited as he was when he saw his daddy. He kept saying, "Daddy go to school!!!"

We left with a stack of artwork and an adorably wrapped gift for mommy and daddy from Hudson. Of course, I could not wait to open it. Literally. We opened it the moment we got home. Hudson made us an ornament for our tree.


I have laughed and laughed at this ornament. First of all, it is adorable and on the back is a Christmas tree made from his hand. But that face. Look at the expression on his face. He just looks so thrilled. Second of all.... that outfit. I remember this day so clearly. It is the one day Hudson wore a tshirt and jeans to school. But we love it. It is the best Christmas gift we have ever received.

Hudson Happenings....

Hudson has been a busy boy with Christmas activities.
Saturday we went with Bebe to breakfast with Santa at the University Club. He was not so sure about Santa. But REALLY enjoyed breakfast.



Yesterday we took Hudson to the NC State basketball game with the Collins family. We were very lucky and sat on the front row. Hudson has never had so much fun. He danced, clapped his hand, yelled "Go Pack", played with Mr. Wuf and ate popcorn the entire game. He is his fathers child! We followed the game up with Mellow Mushroom pizza... perfect day!




This morning my mom and I took Hudson to the mall to see Santa. He liked him much more today.


Santa gave Hudson a reindeer hat that he has had so much fun wearing


We also took a spin on Clifford

Hudson kept saying, "Oh Clifford, he is a big red dog."

Christmas is so fun through the eyes of a child. We have enjoyed soaking it all in with Hudson this year. So much more fun to come.

Missing in action

We have been missing from the blogosphere. Hudson had a terrible, terrible cold which he passed to Jonathan and I. I was so desperate to feel good last night that I rubbed Vapor rub all over my head. It actually worked. I woke up this morning so stuffed up that Hudson asked me, "you sound so weird. fix it." I wish I could buddy.

We tried out the new Pullen Park. It was AMAZING. A little boys dream world. We went with Hudson's 2 best friends.

We could have stayed all day. They did a wonderful job renovating it. The boats were Hudson's favorite


I finally have the new iphone! I hated it the first 3 hours but now I am obsessed. You can do everything with it. Now if I can just keep it a secret from Hudson. Luckily he has my old phone for now.

Christmas cards are starting to roll in and I have to admit that is one of my favorite parts of the holidays. My sister had a great idea to get a scrapbook each year to put them in. That way you can look back years from now and see how much people have changed.

Mimi the fish is still alive. Knock.on. wood!

Yesterday when I picked Hudson up from school I asked him (like usual) what fun things he did. His answer yesterday was, "Claire had a booger." The things boys think are cool are so weird!

Friday wrap up

Hudson was a very good boy this week. I think portablenorthpole.com has been the key to that. You can go online and make a video for Santa to send your child. Every time Hudson acts up I play it and he surely listens to Santa


We also have an advent calendar that has candy in it for each day. We tell him that we send it back to Santa and if Hudson has a good day, Santa will send him another piece of candy to eat the next morning.

I never thought I would be the parent who bribes her child but some days you just have to get by!

I finally started reading George Bush's book "Decision Points" and I am shocked how into it I am. I am not a political person at all but he is pretty funny... and very honest.

Reading is Hudson's new obsession. What a fun activity. He sat in his room the other day and read to himself for almost an hour while I cleaned bathrooms. It was wonderful. I was cracking up at his translations to the pages.



He also took some time to eat a snack and watch 20 minutes of Frosty the Snowman


I am so ready for all the fun Christmas activities that are ahead of us this month. Hudson is really enjoying it this year and it is so fun to view things through his eyes.

I love a notebook

I openly admitt that I am OCD. I have list for everything. It is so bad that I have weekly printables with all my chores, laundry, menu, etc.

Good Morning America featured these notebooks today and if you type in the promo code GMA when checking out, you get them half off today.



You can get meal planners, regular notebooks, planners, etc. And they monogramm! SCORE!

Check them out at www.maybooks.com