2 Years - Week 9 - St. Louis

Hudson and I had a GREAT time celebrating St. Patrick's Day with my Rolla BFFs! 

We are so so so lucky to have these friends in our lives, and I truly can't imagine what life would be like without them. I usually get to see a handful of Rolla friends throughout the year, but the once a year we have a bigger celebration. This year's celebration fell near St. Pat's - the BEST time of the year: )

During our short visit, we... 

Visited Maddy and Katie...

Played and hung out in Kara and Steve's AWESOME yard...

Made funny faces...

Went to the downtown STL parade...

Lined the little leprechauns up on the couch...

Played in the yard some more...

Sat around the fire pit...

Kept the fraunties busy...

Played trains and figured out some puzzles...

The time went by SO fast, and we said a teary goodbye Sunday after lunch. After several days of laughter (and way too many conversations about Costco!), I feel refreshed and a little bit more like myself. I miss these friends SO much, but I am so so so thankful that they are still a special part of my life.

2 Years - Week 8 - Towers

This not-so-little boy loves to build towers and is SO proud of his work!

 He stacks just about anything - toy bins, boxes, clothes, plastic containers, Ideal Blox - the list goes on and on! 

It is hard to get a picture because this usually happens before I can snap a pic...

(In these picture, Hudson was building at Great-grandpa George's house! Great-grandpa was getting a kick out of all of the building and destroying, and he was impressed by Hudson's creativity!)

2 Years - Week 7 - Arts and Crafts

The winter has given us plenty of time to paint, color, and experiment with Play-Doh. Hudson LOVES all of it - and it gives me a break from playing (and picking up!) trains! 

I love how hard he concentrates to dip his paintbrush perfectly into the water and into the colors! Blue is favorite color, and he insists on lots and lots of blue while painting!

He has been painting all sorts of things...

Christmas/birthday thank you notes!

Random creations!

Valentines!

{He was SO SO SO proud of his valentines that he quickly said "yes" 

when I asked him if I could take his picture next to one of his painting! SO cute!}

 Hudson and Arlo also created this marker masterpiece for the 

Love Your Library Tile Project. 

{Their tile will become a part of the new library, 

and the proceeds will support literacy programs and will be matched with 

National Endowment for the Humanities grant funding!}

Play-Doh is still a little advanced, but he enjoys smashing it, 

pouring it into containers, and rolling it into balls and snakes! 

I'm sure he'll be sculpting in no time; )

Now I just need somewhere to store all of these creations; )

2 Years - Week 6 - Bike Ride #1

Dear Hudson,

I was SO excited to get you your balance bike for your birthday! I watched SO many YouTube videos of amazing two-year-olds cruising around and was sure you'd be into riding as well. 

So far...you're not that into it.

You love your helmet! 

Who cares if it is only on your head while you eat your cereal!?! ; )

 

 You sat on your bike a few times inside after your birthday, but we had to wait until the weather was warmer (and until we bought your helmet!) to try it outside. When we FINALLY had one warmish day (and your helmet!), I anxiously waited for you to wake up from your afternoon nap. 

I couldn't wake you - look how peaceful you looked!

Daddy and I got you all ready to go, and I snapped this picture of you on your bike...

...before you toppled over: ( Mama and Daddy FAIL!!!

You refused to get back on, but you kept on your protection for some basketball...

When you screamed as we put you back on the bike it was clear that you weren't going to ride anymore, we played at the park a bit...

Even though this bike ride #1 was a fail, I'm still excited about your bike and am sure that you'll love it in no time! I'm looking forward to warmer weather, trips to the park, and maybe even some bike rides to the park: )

Love YOU, Bubba!

Mama

PS: Next time I won't let go of the bike to take pictures until you're ready - I'll make Daddy take the pictures instead; )