How did this happen?

My first born is nine today.

I hung a few balloons on his door and he got a little kick out of that this morning.  I was going to take a video of him walking through them, but I was in the middle of making the "birthday cake" pancakes when he walked out.  These pancakes are so cute.

I got the recipe here.  (Well, this isn't the exact recipe, but it's really close - I couldn't find the original I used.) Reed loved them and after Hudson got up, he ate what was leftover and said "I want these for MY birthday too!" :)
Hudson and I took Reed lunch today at school - Chick-Fil-A per his request.  Here are my sweet boys in the cafeteria - you can't tell a lot of the time, but they really do love each other! :)

Hudson and I headed back up right before school ended to take cupcakes to Reed's class.  I didn't take any pictures... Boo.  Yesterday we went to Wal-Mart and GameStop looking for a DS game Reed wanted for his birthday.  It just came out and is evidently pretty popular, so nobody had it.  GameStop said they could order it from their warehouse and have it sent directly to us.  The boys were over looking at stuff, so Reed didn't know, but I got it sent one day shipping for a little extra so he could have it on his birthday.  When we got home from the school, I surprised him with it.  He was very excited, but said "Too bad I can't play it."  (We have a no video games during the week rule and limited games on the weekend.)  I had already talked to Brian about it and we decided birthdays are different so he got to play.  I think Hudson's really enjoying the trickle down effect too... whatever Reed has gotten to do today, he has also (birthday cake pancakes, cupcakes snack, play his DS... it might as well be his birthday too.)

Reed has been such a blessing to our home.  He is so smart and fun and just an all around great kid.  These last couple of days I've had the presence of mind to write down some of the funny things he said:

Sunday night he and I were in my room talking and only a lamp was on.  He said "Did you know that when it's dark, your peep holes get bigger?"  Yes, he meant pupils, but I guess peep holes also work. :)

He had a day off from school yesterday and we decided to go get donuts for breakfast.  On the way we ran into traffic because they were re-paving the road.  It was beautiful outside so we had the windows rolled down and the smell of tar and asphalt was overpowering.  Reed said "Yuck.  These trucks smell like the inside of my shoes."

Not too far down the road, I pulled into McDonalds to get a smoothie for breakfast so I wouldn't be tempted at the donut shop.  Reed asked me why I couldn't eat donuts and I went on to explain that I could, but I was just going to make a better choice and that's what I needed to do at each meal.  I guess he felt sorry for me because he said "I don't know you make it through the day like that."

Happy birthday buddy.  Your dad and I love you more than you know.  Enjoy your last single digit year! :)

The Red Vehicle

This is our newest toy...

Brian bought it from some friends of ours.  They are moving to a new neighborhood and there is just nowhere for their kids to ride it.   The boys love it and Hudson constantly calls it the "red vehicle" when asking Reed if he wants to go ride in it.  I think he'll be in the driver's seat before to long, but as for now, he's at the mercy of his brother. :)

What we're up to...

I don't blog near as much as I used to, but there are things going on here and there, so here's our latest update.

The boys started karate on Monday.  I didn't get any pictures, mostly because I was filling out paperwork and they won't have their karate outfits until Thursday and what's a karate pic without a gi?  As I'm filling out paperwork right before it started, I looked up and I could tell that Reed was having second thoughts.  I asked him what was wrong and he started to cry.  He is quite shy and HATES being put into new situations where he doesn't know anyone and what to expect. When we went into the room,  there was a kid already there. I started talking to him and turns out he had been doing karate for a year.  I started asking him questions about what they do (trying to ease Reed's nerves) and he started showing us all kinds of stuff - punches, kicks, push-ups on his knuckles... seriously.  It was NOT helpful.  I could see the doubt all over Reed's face.  I knew that if he just tried it, he would like it but I didn't want to force him.  (Of course, Hudson is watching intently as all the other kids are running around punching and kicking and I know he can't wait to get in there.  My kids could not be more different!)  The teacher came over to tell me it was time for me to leave and I told her that Reed was having second thoughts.  She bent down and talked to him in a very sweet and re-assuring way.  After I say how she was with him, I stood up and said "You'll do great!" and walked out.   Ugh.  I knew it was for the best - he needs to be able to handle new situations, but I hated to leave him.  I peeked through the back window a couple of times and both of the boys were doing great.  I think Thursday will go a lot smoother.

Both boys will be swimming with the seals this summer.  Practice starts at the first of June.  Reed will be moving up to the next age group, so his practice will be 1 hour earlier in the morning.  I don't think he'll be pleased with that at all, but I know he'll regret it if he doesn't swim.  Hudson's will start 45 minutes after Reed's, so it'll work out well.

Reed is doing great in school.  He has had A's again all year (he has never made a B on his report card).  He also has had a perfect year as far as not getting any marks for his behavior - I am so proud of him!  Hudson will start Kindergarten in the fall.  He is super excited about going and talks about it often.  I think he will love school, but will probably have a rough first year as far as being quiet and paying attention... he is VERY social. :)  I will be sad to see my little baby head off to school, but I'm also excited about having time during the day to not only have some time to myself, but to do some volunteer work and other things that I've been planning on.  It will be strange not to have a kiddo at home with me.

Brian is still building houses - he is starting 3 more in a couple of weeks.  He's got it down to a science at this point.  He likes to have everything planned out ahead so when the building starts, all the decisions are made and progress flows along quickly.  He's doing a great job at it and impresses me all the time.

That's about all I can think of now.  Until next time... :)

Overheard...

The boys were in Reed's room this morning and Hudson was acting crazy trying to make Reed laugh. After a couple of minutes I heard Reed say "Hudson, do you want to know the secret to being funny? Don't try too hard.  Try to be funny, but then be yourself." Then they proceeded to go on about their business.  :)