The pain and beauty of being a mother.

     Huddo and I were playing with his train-set late the other night. We had set it up earlier in the day, complete with tunnels, bridges, curves, and lots of trains. I had already put Harper down and was waiting for Hudson to get tired, as he had taken a long, late nap.

     He started getting frustrated that his long line of trains kept coming apart. I tried to explain it was just too long to get around the curves, but he wouldn't separate it. Out of nowhere he totally freaked out and tore the entire beloved train-set apart. He even sort of threw pieces at me.
 
     I grabbed him and held him to my chest and said, "Huddo, why are you mad at mom?" He said, "No! Hudson!" (Meaning he was mad at himself.) I put my hand over his heart and said, "Oh Huddo, don't be mad at yourself. It's not good for you." At which point he wept and let me hold him. And I cried too.

A Winter Update via Photos continued...

Continued . . .

We tried on shoes.

We got a new kitchen (thanks Grandma Jennifer).

We hugged. 

We went to Starbucks. 

We played in the snow. 

We took bubble baths. Lots of them.

We rode bikes.

We sculpted with play dough (that's an octopus).

And tried a Pinterest idea to make nails super white. Vinegar and baking soda I think. Epic fail, of course.

We took family photos while picking out a Christmas tree. 

My boys who I love with all my heart. 

We ate ice cream. Of course. And frequented Chick-fil-A. Mmmm.

I wrote down writing ideas. Lists and lists of them. (It turns out I never lack for writing material. Just time, focus, drive, confidence... You know. The usual.)

Harper did this.

I am learning this. Or I, at least, desire to learn this. 

We hung out with Bob.

Went on dates to Starbucks. 

This happened. (Uncle Pot Pie)

More popcorn.

We napped. 

We went sledding. 

We said goodbye to this sweet dog. We'll miss you Todd.

A tree house was built (thanks Bob). 

We hung out at Barnes and Noble.

We went to The Idaho Aquarium.

We started using The Potty with the bribe being cough-drops. (Harper brings Hudson books to read while he is on his toilet and then sits across from him.)

More shoes.

We sat in a bowl. 

And a box.

And played with the cousins.

We rode in the car.

And went to Costco.

We made ice cream. 

And got owies. 

We read the Christmas Story on Christmas morning.

We played with cars and trucks.

AND.  

WE.  

TOOK.

PHOTOS.

And then Spring arrived and I can barely keep the boys indoors for any length of time. =)

A Winter Update via Photos (lots of them).

What we did this winter:

We copied our hands. (I wisely refrained from showing them how to copy their bums.)

We had many craft sessions with Grandma Jennifer.

Hudson learned how to use my iPhone.

And turn the camera around on it too.

We drank smoothies (so much healthy food can be snuck into a smoothie. Muh ha ha ha.)

We went on winter walks.

We discovered dad's hats. 

We wore flannels.

And classy sunglasses.

We kissed.

And painted our toe nails. (Hudson tells me what new colors to buy. We are due for some blue and purple.)

We, I mean they, watched shows naked.

We got sick. Quite a few times. 

We were silly.

Clearly.

We tried on Bob's (Hudson's word for Grandpa) boots and hats.

We watched sports. Of course.

We discovered how awesome the combination of corn starch and water is.  Classy curtain-eh?

We destroyed the house. Nearly everyday. 

We discovered mirrors.

And watched the rain.

And the garbage truck.

We went to the zoo and acted like a turtle. 

We did a Pinterest craft of melting down broken crayons. Hudson helped me peel them.

And sort them.

Finished product. (A few days later. Hence the brokenness.)

We made Christmas cards for our neighbors.

We ate popcorn. Lots of popcorn.

We went to Pojo's with Mimi.

And Idaho City to see Grandma Jennifer, Uncle Dan, and Aunt Emily for Christmas.

We went bowling with the cousins. 

Uncle Nani and Dad. 

Mom (me) and Grammy. 

Harper and mom. 

Brothers Hug.

We washed our fruit and played in the sink.

We had birthdays. 

And haircuts. 

And we read books (Uncle Hesse).