The Gimmies

I had noticed that my grocery bill increased whenever I took Hudsen grocery shopping with me. He saw something he wanted and magically it would end up in the cart. I do not consider myself a push over mom but I was starting to realize that I was letting him get too many items just so we would avoid the tantrum that may occur if I said no. Not only was this causing a higher grocery bill, I did not want our little 3 year old to start thinking he could have anything. As Papa Bear says in the book "Get the Gimmies" "selfish greedy cubs can never be happy, because you just can't have everything you want all the time". I did not want my little cub to become selfish and greedy. So we have taken a page out of the Berenstein Bears book and letting Hudsen get one thing when we go to the store. He chooses before going into the store. We have tried this plan the last 3 times going to the store and it has worked pretty well. The first time he wanted a car and it took about 10 minutes to decide on which car but he left with only one little matchbox car for 1.29...I considered that a success! The Gimmies can happen at any age but by helping the little man understand he can't have everything at this age, I hope that helps him understand that at every age.

Happy Memorial Day!

I am so proud to say that my father was in the Air Force and that I had a grandmother who was also a veteran. On this day we all remember the sacrifices that have been made for us and as I celebrate this holiday with family, I appreciate that I have this freedom because of what others have done.

We started the day with a walk to the park. It was gorgeous out and the kids loved the walk and the play time. Hudsen got very tired and had to be carried for a little bit on the way home. Tonight we are having some family and friends over for a BBQ and some baseball fun!

On another note Dam to Dam is just a few days away! I will admit I'm a little nervous about the run this year but I just think of the feeling of accomplishment I had the last time I ran it, and I know I can do it. "if it was easy, everyone would do it"

Random pictures of the week

These are some pictures of the kids during the week. Hudsen and I played a lot outside while E took some good naps. We went on a few walks and also took a trip to Costco! Fun week and now ready for a 3 day weekend!

Weekend Update

We started off the weekend on a slow note but it sure did pick up! Hudsen was SO tired. He fell asleep on the floor at 4:30 in the afternoon and would not wake up. Finally all that hard playing he was doing really caught up with him. We put him to bed at 6:30 and he did not wake up til 5 am Saturday morning! E was in bed at 6:45 on Friday night so Jarren and I had a nice relaxing night at home of watching movies. It was kind of nice.

Saturday both kids were up pretty early so we decided to go on a family walk to the park. It was a great morning for it and both kids like to ride in the wagon and go to the park. Charley even was able to go along. Then on Saturday night the kids went to Amy and Lance’s and Jarren and I went to Copper Creek where my friend Nicole was going to be proposed to. Her fiance did an awesome job and it was great to be there and be a part of it! Jarren and I then went on date afterwards just the two of us. That was awesome! We love the kids, but having time with just the two of us to laugh and talk is so much fun. The kids had a great time at Amy and Lance’s too playing with the boys.

Sunday was church, playing catch for Hudsen and Jarren, and Hudsen’s flag football. Hudsen got his first baseball glove this weekend and he was very pumped about it. I’m sure there will be plenty of baseball in the back yard this summer. This was also the last weekend for flag football for Hudsen. The season started off a little rough but then he really got into it by the end and was having so much fun! The parents even commented on how he seemed like a new kid out there. Now he is doing soccer on Tuesday mornings and then in June he will do blast ball with Jarren. I was even able to fit in a 7 mile run this Sunday. Dam to dam is just 2 weeks away!

Weekends like these are full of such great memories and fun times. We have so many blessings in our lives and so much to be thankful to God for!

Happy Mother's Day!

Just like I could not ask for better kids, I could not have asked for a better Mother's Day! I woke up in the morning to breakfast of eggs, turkey bacon and a fountain Diet Coke, and flowers with a wonderful card. Hudsen drew me a picture and throughout the day said "Happy Mother's Day". It was just all so great! I am so blessed and so lucky to have such great children and a wonderful husband. Thank you for the day and the great memories that I will always have. Love you!

Fun in Cedar Falls

The whole week Hudsen was talking about how excited he was to go fishing with Grandpa Dave on Saturday. He told his friends, his teachers, and he was constantly telling me about his excitement. Saturday morning Dad, Grandpa Dave, Hudsen and I loaded up Grandpa Dave's new truck and headed to Allison to do some fishing at the pond. Hudsen did get a catch right away, but it wasn't a fish, it was a clam! In fact he caught 5 clams throughout the morning! Hudsen had a few bites on his pole but him and his Dad could not quit get the fish each time. Then Jarren decided to get a fishing pole out for himself and let Hudsen hold his own pole. Wouldn't you know it, Dad walks away from Hudsen and not 1 minute later Hudsen is reeling in a fish all by himself! He was SO proud of himself and so excited. Looks like we know who the real fisherman is in the family :)

Then that afternoon we decided to go for a boat ride. Hudsen, Gpa Dave, Kasey, Dad, and I loaded up Gpa Dave's truck with the boating gear and headed to East Lake. Hudsen LOVED being on the boat. He wanted it to GO FASTER! He liked seeing the jet skis out on the lake. Eleanor did not get to go on the boat ride but she did have a good day with Grandma Kim, Morgan and Isabella. They went shopping and she got a Curious George.

It was so much fun to be in Cedar Falls for the day! Both kids were sound asleep in 5 minutes on the road trip home on Saturday night. I'm sure Hudsen dreamed of fish and boats :)

Weekend in Graettinger and Flag Football Update

The weekends keep on getting busier and busier. I know as the kids get older we will look back on these days and think that it was not so busy, but now it feels like we always have something going on. The days go by so fast but we have so much fun! This weekend we made a trip to Grandma Pat and Grandpa Gary's on Friday night. We got there around 8. Jeff and Lina were there shortly after. When we stay at Gma Pat and Gpa Gary's the kids sleep in their room in pack n plays. Hudsen loves it and says he has a slumber party with Baby Ella. On Saturday morning they woke up and just looked at each other for a little bit in there pack n plays. So cute! Luckily they both sleep very well. Saturday we started off the day with a little adventure on the farm. Hudsen, Gpa Gary, Uncle Jeff and I went down to the creek and looked for minnows. Hudsen picked the minnow right up. Uncle Jeff put the minnow in a bottle so Hudsen could take it up to the house. Then Jeff, Lina, Jarren and I went into town for a day of golfing while the kids went on a wagon ride, saw the cows and went to the old church with Gma and Gpa. It was a great day!

Sunday Hudsen had flag football so we headed back home a little early. Hudsen was pretty excited about flag football but he has been excited on other days and not played. This Sunday was different. He had two arms full of tattoos and he was "ready to roll." Dad and Hudsen went to his game and when they came back home, Hudsen told Baby Ella and I all about the fun he had playing in the game. It was awesome to hear his fun story about the game and how excited he was.

Although the weekends are busy and there seems to be little time to relax, the time we spend as a family is worth the craziness.

Hudsen's words of wisdom May 2012

Hudsen has some great quotes these days. Below are a few of my favorites.


When going to the bathroom Hudsen asked me "Mom why do I stand when I pee." I said "Hudsen, you know why?" and he said "Oh yeah, because I have a Peenis and Payton (girl cousin)sits because she has a Poopnis"

Hudsen has been going to flag football for 3 weeks on Sundays. This last Sunday he put on his flags. When we asked him if he was ready to go into the game he said "I'll go in 4 minutes" 4 minutes never came and Hudsen did not make it into the game :)

One day while we were at home and listening to music, Hudsen told me "Mom you dance like a poka dotted elephant." I think it was meant as a compliment :)

He is very in to saying probably right now. He likes to tell me that after Baby Ella gets up from her nap we can "probably go for a walk."

While listening to music (90s on 9) the "come on Barbie lets go Party song came on." Hudsen said "why are they singing about a Barbie." I said "that is just the song". He said, "Ok I will sing about a spaceship" and proceeded to make up a great song about a spaceship.

While at school Hudsen fell down 2 times in a row. He looked up at his teacher Josh and said "Josh, I need a helmet"

Hudsen we love you so much and your words of wisdom make us laugh!