Monday, October 31, 2011

Summer Fun!

We knew bath time for Hudson was a favorite, happy, fun time.  Now we are able to move that water fun outside utilizing the sand/water table.  We're holding off on using sand for at least another year, but for now it is hard to imagine him having any more fun than he does splashing the water.


At Grandma and Grandpa's house we also have a little pool to play in.  We tried it out one really warm afternoon recently.  He knew exactly what to do with it.  Lots of fun times are ahead for us this summer.

Zoo Walks and Rides

Last year we purchased a membership to the KC Zoo and took Hudson there whenever we had nice weather.  He was fairly young on those early visits, so we would take along supplies and picnic lunches.  Mostly, he loved watching the kids at the zoo.  We would often lunch near the entrance to Africa because lots of kids in strollers and mom's or daycare providers would chose this location.  Hudson loved it.  He was so entertained watching all of the kid action.

This season, Emily and Rollie bought us a "Gold" Membership, so we now go to the zoo in style.  This particular membership allows for unlimited tram, train, and carousel rides.  Needless to say, this is a really great way to travel around the zoo.  On the first train ride, we loaded the stroller onto the back of the train and sat near the back.  Hudson was making so much happy noise and sound effects, the rest of the riders kept turning around to see who was making loud enough to mask the train whistle and clickety clack of the train.

During the past year, the zoo opened the new polar bear exhibit which is where we begin and end each zoo visit.  Hudson enjoyed many bottles in the observation room as Nakita swam laps around the pool.

We enjoyed visiting the new animals this summer.  There are two baby giraffes, a baby rhinoseros, and two new female gorillas.  Besides new animals, the addition of a sky tram over Africa opened.  We managed to get there at least one day per week, and most weeks it was at least twice.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Best Family Dog EVER


Finally, the moment Molly, the family pug, has been waiting for:  Hudson can play.  The two of them are so cute and sweet.  Molly will get a favorite toy (stacking cup, stuffed penguin, or stacking ring) and take it to Hudson.  Once he notices it, Molly will run over to the dining room table area (about 8 feet away). This is just far enough that Hudson has to work at getting there by going across about 4 feet of hardwood, slippery floor.  Once he gets very close, Molly will just let him touch either the toy or her feet which makes Hudson giggle hilariously (me too) and Molly runs around the table, but comes close enough so Hudson can get to her and not get frustrated.   They play like this until Hudson can barely go any more.  Check out these videos of what I am talking about.  You can hear me laughing louder than Hudson.  So much fun!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf6QX2YpX0I


Sunday, March 6, 2011

Tiny Minds

Having been in the education profession for most of my adult life, I take pride in my technology knowledge and skills.  I tried to keep up with the "kids" in my classroom and my own children.  Emily and I have done face time on our iPhones, we even did a three party video chat with our daughter Maureen a few years ago when she was in Germany studying.  Emily can "see" Hudson anytime she wants to during the day using video chat.

Now that Maureen is in Berlin completing research for her PhD, we manage to "see" her most days for a chat.  Since we provide daycare for our 10 month old grandson, Hudson, he gets to see his Aunt Maureen most days.  She can watch him crawl and pull himself up on the furniture.  He gets so excited when her face pops up on the computer screen.  He even reaches for her to pick him up.  Amazing.  I can't help wondering what Hudson's world will be like when he can see his Aunt in Berlin on a daily basis.  Maureen even turned her computer around so we could see the view of the famous TV tower and church out her balcony.  It boggles the mind that I can see out Maureen's apt. window in Berlin while sitting on my couch in Prairie Village, KS.

Below is a screen capture that Maureen did while Hudson, Joe and I were visiting with her last week.

We received an iPad from the kids for Christmas.  Hudson goes crazy over it.  It is just his size.  He really wants to take control over it.  His world will be unimaginable.