Apple Picking Photos - September 23, 2008

Here are some pictures from our trip to the Valley yesterday. I really don't have time right now to be making a blog post however we had a fabulous day, and I just wanted to share the photos. We had planned to get some pumpkins, but the kids both crashed while Mike was on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin patch, apparently the half dozen we passed along the way just weren't good enough. Oh well, we still have plenty of time for pumpkins, and I never complain about a trip to the Valley, after all it is one of my favorite places on earth!

Peek-a-Boo! There were so many apples this year it was unbelievable.
Robbie's first time apple picking, I'm pretty sure he liked it.
Counting the goodies... just like Halloween (sort of).
How to get the BIGGEST and BEST apples? Easy, all you need is the tallest daddy.
Hmmmm, Yummy!

Robbie loved the pears, they were so juicy.
Yeah!
Awww, one of my favortie photo's.
Going on a wagon ride!

Charlotte the tomato at Hennigars petting zoo and farm market.

Riding a John Deere tricycle. Back home in the prairies they would be so proud. Charlotte sharing her ice cream with Robbie (seriously). But I don't think she'll be doing it again. He grabbed it and ripped it in two.
Back home, delivering apples to the neighbours. What else am I supposed to do with over 50lbs of apples and pears!?!?

Tomorrow we have parent and tot, then I start my night class. Thursday Mike's parents arrive from England and Friday I am off to Calgary for the Paddles and Saddles weekend to celebrate Kendal and her upcoming wedding. When I come back, I have another night class then we travel down to Boston. So life is going to speed up dramatically, I'll see if I can get onto the computer at some point to update you all. If not, see you in October!

Embracing Change - September 21, 2008

Times they are a changing...
My favorite time of year is upon us, I absolutely love the Autumn. I've always loved Autumn, and since moving out east it has, without a doubt become something I look forward to all year. So much so that I'm willing to put up with the crappy Maritime spring. Yes, it is now time to grab your jacket, fleece or sweater in the mornings and evening, there is crispness in the air, but the sun is still hot. And words could never do the COLOURS of Autumn justice. If you haven't experienced a tour out east, especially Cape Breton while the colours are in full bloom, you are certainly missing out on one of Mother Nature's best pieces of work!

Okay enough about the season, what else is changing... well the kids of course. Everyone says it and I know it is true, but they change so fast. It seems that in a matter of seconds we've jumped from having my 20 month old Charlotte helping me bathe (also know as attempting to drown) Robbie on the kitchen table to hearing them laughing about a game they are both loving - - and I wasn't allowed to play :-( I had been changing the sheets in Charlotte's room when I heard them laughing, both of them at the same time. I peeked around the corner and they stopped playing. Charlotte told me to go back in her room. So I walked away, and they started laughing again. I tried really hard to see what they were doing and once again got caught, and was told to go away. Hmmmm, at this point I just told myself that if Robbie is laughing Charlotte can't be hurting him (too badly). This time I peeked and got a glimpse of the game. Robbie would turn and try to crawl away and Charlotte would grab him by both ankles and pull him back towards her. They both thought this was the worlds funniest game! What a wonderful sound to hear them both in hysterics!

What else is changing about the kids? Well Robbie is getting close to walking, here is a video of him at Billy's party yesterday. Sorry you'll have to turn your head, I always forget to turn the camera.

It was a hockey jersey party, yes somethings don't change and as always Billy is up for anything that will end with a party. We all wore our hockey jersey, well except for Mike, who on principle had to wear his England soccer jersey. I don't think Robbie will walk much before Halloween. He is just too busy to actually slow down enough to concentrate, but he is close and should be even more of a going concern in a month or so. Charlotte as always is maturing fast. She has an interesting quirk about her, that is 100% mine. She saves her treats, like when she gets marshmallows for going pee/poo, or one night when we had guests and she got a Dorito right before bed. We give her a bowl, she'll place her treat in the bowl and put it near her bed. Sometimes the treat will sit there for hours and very often over night. Mike's friend Danny couldn't believe when the Dorito was still in the bowl in the morning. It kills Mike that she can wait until she wants to eat something, to actually eat it. I think it is funny, and reminds me of all the times my mom would say that she had to throw out the rest of my Halloween Candy because it was too old!!! Ahhh but no worries Robbie shall do the Hudson Clan proud, as he will gladly polish of anything in sight. How this kid is still so small is beyond me?

More change, well I am embracing the change in my night class plan. Although the class I really wanted to take was cancelled, I've signed up for another class that will hopefully get me what I really want and that is a job! Well, not really, if I had my choice I would win the 6/49 and stay home indefinitely, but since I see no gambling in my future I best stick to the plan of education.

Here are photo's from yesterday, tomorrow we are heading to the valley to go apple picking, so I will probably be making another post soon.

The cake I made... J.B. stands for Jessie and Billy the party planners.

Charlotte wanting some of my cesar and I am telling her (obviously with some dramatics) that she wouldn't like it. She licked the salt rim and that was enough to turn her off. She is so funny, she just spat it out infront of everyone.

Grandpa Billy and Charlotte playing soccer.

Awww, my Baaaabbby!!! Isn't he CUTE!!!

A post about the adults.

I am a little bummed out right now. I've been very excited to start my night class at Dalhousie next week and then today I got a phone call and the professor has moved to another school in the USA. Urgh!!! I am more upset than I think I really should be, after all it was just a night class. But it was one night a week where I would be doing something for me, as well as something to help gear me up for the transition for work. I searched other schools and other classes, but nothing is the right fit. Either the course has started or I've already taken that course. Just no lucky breaks!

On a lighter note I must share a small story... this one is about my hubby. Since Mike primarily dwells in Man Land (the basement) with Colonel most of the time I see it only fit that he clean the bathroom downstairs. By now it must be scientific fact that men's version of clean is far, and I mean in another galaxy, from womens standards. That is fine, he really is the only person who uses this bathroom, but every now and then he needs a nudge/reminder that things should not actually be growing in the bathroom and it probably should be cleaned. Last week I gave him a toothbrush that I use to scrub a few knooks and crannys in the upstairs bathroom gently suggesting that it could be used to get the 'green stuff' behind the taps. Later in the week I asked for the toothbrush back and Mike said he'd thrown it out. Oh well, I'll just get another one from the dollar store. Then yesterday I had to go into his bathroom and happened to glance towards the sink (yes you can see where this is going) My darling husband had indeed thrown out a toothbrush, but he managed to confuse his toothbrush with my cleaning toothbrush (which incidentally look nothing alike). YUCK!!! For a week Mike has been brushing his teeth with the wrong toothbrush!!! Hmmm no wonder his teeth have been so bright and white LOL

I'll make another post soon, and I'll be back to posting about the kids and it will of course include photo's.

Good Bye to a Special Lady

Early this morning Mike's Aunt Patricia passed away. Auntie Pat had been battling cancer so the news is not a surprise however it was still a very sad phone call to recieve. Of all the women I have met in my life Auntie Pat was certainly one of the most graceful, loving and caring, not to mention she made the BEST Yorkshire Pudding and Gravy that anyone has ever tasted. The world was blessed to have Pat and we were all blessed to know her. If I could throw my arms around all of Mike's family and give them a big hug I certainly would. Loosing a person as wonderful as Auntie Pat is never easy. We send you all love,

The Canadian Hudson's
Mike, Cordele, Charlotte Patricia (named after Auntie Pat), Robbie, and our Angel James.

The world of a 2 year old continues to become more fascinating every day! Since our trip to White Point it seems that a family of bunnies has moved in to Charlotte's room. The bunnies live under her bed, we feed them imaginary food, we chase them around the house, we give them baths, and we help them up onto the couch when the snakes come. Yes, it also seems that Robbie's room now has snakes, who at any given point in the day will make their way into the living room. Understandably, everyone must jump onto the couch including the bunnies. Robbie however can stay on the floor... hey it's Charlotte's game she makes the rules! The good news is that these snakes only tickle, they don't bite.

This past week we have had, what seems like, an endless amount of playdates. Charlotte and Robbie love all the fun. Earlier in the week we went to Sue's house, she has two girls (one older, one younger than Charlotte), and a baby boy. Well this was the first time that Charlotte, Abbey and Marin actually had a long period of time where they were playing with NO parental involvement. It was so amazing to see these 3 girls running around the house playing a game that they themselves made up. Sue and I took this opportunity to sit and have an actual conversation, but we still had the boys so it was a short lived conversation. At one point I looked over and Robbie (who is old, but smaller than Ryan) was laying completely on top of Ryan. It was such a funny moment to see this poor kid who isn't crawling yet, and is sort of a sitting duck, being mauled by Robbie. All you could see were Ryan's arms and legs flailing and Robbie slobbering all over the poor guy. Sue also has a trampoline that Charlotte just can't get enough of, and this time I went on and held Robbie as I jumped, he laughed and squealed so loud!

Charlotte on the trampoline...


Another playdate that we had was with Jonah. It has been so long since I've seen Jonah and it was wonderful to have him come over. Jonah and Charlotte played really well together (no hair pulling this time). I don't know a 2 year old who doesn't like to chase and run, so they just had a blast. Jonah actually cried when it was time to leave.

I should also mention that we went for a walk with Melissa and Ava, which seems to be developing into a routine and then of course we got together with Kelly and Johnny as we do every week. I didn't want to talk about playdates and not mention these guys as they are great friends too. However Ava this time was scared of Charlotte... last week when we went for a walk they were holding hands and Charlotte pulled Ava a bit too hard and Ava didn't like it. So this time Ava would cry every time Charlotte tried to hold her hand. It was sad, Ava was scared, and Charlotte was confused. Thankfully we were in Point Pleasant Park which means you get greeted by a dog every 30 seconds... and we all know that the only thing Charlotte likes more than bunnies is dogs.

Robbie in Point Pleasant Park...
The kids at home...


Hmmm, I didn't know what I was going to post about and here I've babbled on about playdates. Yes the world of a stay at home mom is not on the cutting edge of excitement BUT I love it, even it if can be a bit monotonous at times. Ahhh, which reminds me... today we were playing with playdough and Charlotte asked me to make a bear, we've advanced from snakes and snails. It isn't star quality but Charlotte was quite happy with it.

Back from White Point

We are back from White Point, and as always we had a good time, but are all exhausted. Strange how much work a short 3 day, 2 night trip can take, really it takes almost as much work as a 2 week long trip. Still it is all worth it.

If you are a regular blog reader you will remember that we went to White Point earlier in the year as well. Charlotte had such an amazing time, and this time was no different. The weather wasn't very cooperative... but hey what is a little rain and wind... nothing stops our Lottie when it involves bunnies and/or a beach. The first day and a half we didn't see many bunnies. That was for two reasons one was the rain, apparently bunnies don't like to be wet, and the other was the 4 boys aged 8 to 10 who had quite an elaborate way of trapping and catching the bunnies. Their parents were keeping close watch to ensure that it was a catch and release. However it took a little time after the boys left for the bunnies to venture out of their homes, only to be greeted by a squealing 2 year old, who would stop at nothing to feed/attack them.

Day 1, this poor guy thought he could eat some grass in the wide open... Charlotte spotted him and the race was on.
He attempted to hide underneath a porch. Ha, ha... this is Lottie, she loves to be dirty. But in the end it was worth it, he got a carrot.
These two guys were on a hill, and yes Lottie became a mountaineer, in Crocks of course. What this girl won't do for a rabbit.
Robbie too was very impressed with the bunnies, he would sit almost as if frozen starring at them and then suddenly with no warning he was off in hot pursuit. Sorry Robbie, you are the fasted crawler I've ever met, but you have no chance with a rabbit.
White Point also has an amazing beach that we enjoyed throughout our trip. Due to some storms in the Atlantic the seas were rough and the skys were grey but that doesn't stop Maritimers from hitting the beach.

Day 1, no rain but loads of wind. Here we are running from the waves... endless entertainment.

Day 2 brought rain and even more wind. Here is Charlotte in the boat they have on the grounds, she was singing Row Row Row your Boat. Hopsy was along for the ride. Mike, Robbie and Colonel on a walk along Summerside beach not to far away.
Day 3, finally some sun!!! Here is Lottie she now knows the way to the beach, so you best keep up!
Helping Robbie to walk along the beach.
But he much preferred to eat the sand.

Updates on the kids... well Robbie got weighed and measured today. I don't know where my mind is but I can't remember his length. I know he is long around 95th percent, but is only 14.6 lbs which is around 75th percent for weight. Yes he is still a string bean, although he eats like crazy! Even our doctor who has seen all of our kids had to comment on how busy Robbie is, she joked that we need to make a change table with a 5 point harness, which is actually not a bad idea. Aaah but I have found a trick, I give him a cracker or his bottle while I change him now. He lays nice and still while I change his diaper, why didn't I think of that before! Maybe because it is so incredibly wrong to mix food while tending to the other end. But it keeps him still and hence happy, and when half of White Point Beach seems to be coming out the bottom end, stillness is a good thing! Oh but I am very strict that no hands or food go below the belly button!

Charlotte is ever changing and always full of new comments. Like when we were at White Point, after a day of chasing rabbits, painting rocks, playing on the beach, having hot chocolate (her new favorite drink), and finally swimming in the pool all before supper time she announced to me "What a nice day!". And recently she is beginning to grasp past and future... well sort of. Anything that has happened in the past, be it 5 minutes or 5 days she begins with "Yesterday", and anything that we are going to do again whether in 5 minutes or 5 days is "Amorrow", which is her word for Tomorrow. There are so many more cute things she says and does, and I can never do them justice in the blog, but every day I am simply amazed by her. She takes in everything like if Mike and I give each other just a quick kiss before he leaves for work she'll say "Mommy loves Daddy" Awww!

All for now. We don't have much on the go for the next couple of weeks, just a few birthday parties and I have to attempt to get a few things organized around here before I start my night class at the end of the month. With kids (namely Robbie) destroying the world one room at a time, all I seem to have energy for at the end of the day is to put things back in their rightful place and perhaps make a blog post. Ha Ha. But now it is off to laundry, three days in the rain, on the beach, crawling under decks, climbing up hills and not to mention a dip in the pool can create a fair bit of laundry.

Happy Birthday to James

Yesterday, James would have turned 5... this is certainly not the easiest part of our year however it is far from the hardest. We do choose to celebrate James' birth, the wonderful boy he was and all the blessings that he gave us. I think I probably take this day the hardest, only because I can remember the very minuet details of the 19 hours of labour that it took to get James here. I look at my watch early in the morning on August 30th all the way thru to 5:28am (well 8:28 here in NS) on August 31st and think of the excitement (and pain) that was pulsing through my body 5 years ago.

How did we spend yesterday, well I have found this year extra tough as James should be embarking on a new adventure, he should be starting school on Wednesday. Surprisingly I didn't feel up to our normal August 31st which includes a day trip to Mahone Bay. Instead we stayed at home. We did make a cake as planned, which both Charlotte and Robbie devoured, and we watched movies of James. Charlotte was a little confused why Robbie and Mommy were on TV and Charlotte and Daddy weren't. We did the best we could explaining that it was James on the TV, and when she asked where James was I told her that he lives in the clouds with the stars. She looked at me a very adorably said "and the moon?", Yes of course the moon. :-( Later in the day we went for a hike along our normal path.

All day I was searching for something special that we could do to mark the day, and nothing was happening.

Shortly after Charlotte's bedtime, Mike went and checked on her. She was laying in her room scared of the thunder and lightening that had started, and wanted her mommy. I went and laid with Charlotte for quite sometime, and she was certainly scared of the loud cracks and bright flashes of light. I snuggled with her and made up a story about James and all the other Angels having a birthday party. The thunder was a bowling party, and the flashes of light were the stars blinking and other Angels taking pictures. At one point we were laying in complete silence and a crack of thunder came, Charlotte looked at me and said "That's a big ball". There was my special thing! something that I will always remember happened on James's 5th birthday.

We are heading away for the next couple of days. I can deal with a lot, but the first day of school is just something I would prefer to avoid. I can handle the rest of the year and all the years to follow but for my own heart we've decided to spend some family time at White Point with the bunnies.

Take care, and thanks to those who sent along notes on James's Birthday it always means so much that people remember him. He was, and will always be special!