Getting into the holiday Spirit

A fun night in Marble Falls looking at Christmas lights. 

Tis the Season

Had a quick (unplanned) visit with Santa today. 

"Dad, I don't think that was the real guy. I didn't see any Reindeer outside. Must be a helper or his cousin, I think."

New Nutcracker

We started decorating for Christmas yesterday and surprised Hudson with a new Nutcracker that lights up, plays music and moves his head while playing the drum. 

He was so excited about it that he went outside this morning in the 35 degree weather to sit and watch it. He even came back in and asked if he could eat breakfast outside to watch it. What a sweet boy!

Tiger Cub Scout Day

It was a wet, muddy day, but boy, was it ever fun. It was the Tiger Cub Day at the Scout Ranch in Bastrop,TX for all the packs in the greater Austin area. (Tiger Cubs are all 6 & 7 year olds - about 60-70 showed up in the rain)

Hudson got to hangout all day with his old neighbor, Luke Britain, from Central Austin. They shot BB guns, built and sailed boats, made castles and shields, wrote their names in Braille and secret code, had relay races, and finished with archery. What an action packed day. And yes, that is a bullseye with that arrow. 

Our 1st Grader

School picture time!

A new friend

We went to Crow's Nest Farm today and had a lesson on snakes. Hudson made friends with a milk snake - red touch black, friend of Jack. Not to be confused for the venomous coral snake - red touch yellow, poison fellow. Lucky us, over 110 snakes species in Texas with the four most common venomous ones right here in central Texas. 

Tiger Cub

Hudson was so excited for his first Cub Scout meeting. He's a Tiger Cub this year. 

(And since Kirk was the only parent to stand up when they called out Hudson's den at the bigger pack meeting, he is now the Den Leader. )

Funny conversation

As we got ready for bed tonight, I had a funny conversation with Hudson that I have to share. 

Me "Did you do any Math today?" 

Hudson "yeah, 6+1 and 4+3" 

Me "oh cool, what does 4+3 equal?" Hudson "Dad, I'm not a math major!" 

He did eventually tell me 7 though. :)

Off to First Grade

Hudson was excited to start school. Definitely a different experience for him since he already knows his way around the school, knows a lot of the faculty, and sees friends in the halls. 

He only has two kids from his kindergarten class in his first grade class, but Hudson said, "no problem, I'll just make new friends." Love that attitude!

Back for a visit

So great to have Marie back in Texas for a week-long visit. 

Whale watching in the San Juans

Picture perfect day to be out in Puget Sound watching the Orcas. 

Caught a crab!

Possibly the smallest crab you've ever seen while playing at Snug Harbor on San Juan Island, WA. 

Exploring Mt Rainier

Hudson loved the trails, massive trees and exploring as we made our way to the visitor's center on Mt Rainier. 

SeaFair in Seattle

Fantastic day out on a boat on Lake Washington to enjoy the air show at SeaFair. 

All Smiles

I Scream for Ice Cream!

LegoLand

What a fun day!

Roller Coasters - Let's go again.

Fun 10 hour day at LegoLand with Emma and Stella Katz. Fairly certain that they rode the three different rollercoasters at least 10 or 12 times.

Seals with the Katz family

An evening stroll at Children's Pool Beach in La Jolla with the Katz family to see the seals. 

King of the Jungle

More zoo fun. (Sorry for the double fam photo, but both were so cute of Hudson. Hard to catch a good smile these days. :) )

Our little seal

Fun day at the San Diego Zoo. The polar bears wouldn't come out, but the play area at the polar exhibit was a hit. 

Cousin time

Caroline and Hudson having fun on the giant rocking horses. 

Horseback Rider

Having a great time at our family reunion, including a little time on a horse. 

Legoland Hotel

We're getting ready to go to Dee Dee & Grandaddy's, and I have spent the morning finishing things up. So I hardly noticed when Hudson asked me how to spell Open and Closed and wrote it on a sign.

About a half hour later, I noticed it was a bit warm in the house, so I got up to go investigate. The front door was wide open.

Hudson was outside, with a cardboard box, his sign and a Lego set.

Me: Hudson, what are you doing?
Hudson: I'm selling my Legos so I can go stay at the Legoland Hotel.
Me: Hudson, I told you it's way too expensive to stay in that hotel. How much are you selling your Legos for?
Hudson: $700.
Me: Honey, that's too much. Those Legos only cost about $12.
Hudson: But I made something really cool with it. (Then after some deep thought:) Do you think I could sell it for $600?
Me: (Speechless)

It's Official - we're off to First Grade

Here are some photos from Hudson's Kindergarten graduation ceremony. The kids did a great job performing several songs along with the other 4 kinder classes. They then each got called up to get their certificate and closed out the show with the top hats singing "Start spreading the news... First Grade, First Grade."

Start Spreading the News... First Grade, First Grade!

All of the kindergarten classes performed some great songs at their graduation ceremony. Here is a snippet of the grand finale after all the kids had gotten their certificates.


(Hudson has on the blue shirt in the second row just right of center.)

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/fnYo8yfxvuM 

Last Day of Kindergarten

Hudson had the greatest teacher, Ms. Williams, to start his journey through school. So patient, caring, loving and funny with Hudson. Since she gets final say on his First Grade teacher, we know he'll get a great one next year too.

(Hudson has on his Ms. Williams' Wonderdogs class shirt. Bee Cave Elementary are Bobcats)

Ready for Summer

Hudson told me the other day that he was heading outside to play. After about 20 minutes, I went looking for him and here's what I found. Just lounging on the hammock reading a book. :)

Hudson and his big buddy

Corbin was so proud of Hudson's class leading the assembly!

Post-Assembly class pic

That's my boy! (in the back)