I went with Evan and the summer school kids to the library this morning. We walked there and back (1.59 miles!). While there, we were able to check out some books and watch the cool reptile show. On the way back we stopped for some ice cream. I was too thirsty to eat ice cream, but Evan enjoyed his cookie dough.


Hudson needed to get a little reading done after his shower. He was so serious about looking through the magazines (Motor Trend and Fitness). I finally had to make him put the magazines down so he could concentrate on what he was on the toilet to do!

Being a mom is never dull.

Dad, Kids, Summer

My mom (who doesn't have a blog) certainly has strong opinions about mine! She tells me when I need new pictures, she lets me know if she does or doesn't like my backgrounds, and she certainly gets snippy if I haven't posted in three days or five or 10! I jokingly called her the Blog Administrator! I do it all; she delegates it all!

I was told that it has been three days since my last post and that I should be stepping it up and posting every day during the summer. Sigh. I'll work on it.

This morning the boys and I drove to Chowchilla to attend the very small service to have my dad's ashes placed out at the local cemetery. It was a very nice service. There were nine of us there. It was quite a bit different from last year when there were over 100 people at his funeral. My sister took pictures, but I'll have to wait until she puts them up on Facebook before I can copy them and post them here.

After the service, we had a wonderful breakfast courtesy of my mom's great friend Kay. Thank you, Kay!

Then we headed to Grandma's house for the day. We relaxed, talked, and tried to keep cool. The boys swam in a little pool out back while Mom, Sis, and I lounged around and didn't move all that much.


I don't have any photos of the kids swimming, but I do have a shot of Evan and Hudson in their new bathing suits. Hudson and I bought them at Target last week on clearance...because as we all know bathing suit season is nearly over, and it is time to move on to winter sweaters. Sheesh.

At three in the afternoon, we were all so sticky and hot (Grandma's air conditioner isn't working too well and was no match against 108 degree temperatures) that we decided to go to the grocery store for an hour and enjoy their air conditioner! I'm not joking.

We finally left town at 5 and drove back into Fresno for Evan's T-ball party. Good times. We accidentally followed a teammate home and realized that they live in the EXACT same neighborhood as us. I pass by their house every time I jog! Maybe I'll see them out and about and can say hi in the near future.


The kids received baseball "trophies" for their season of playing. They are actually really cool.


It's even engraved with his name.

Next year we are hoping to get Evan out of T-ball and into machine pitch. Hopefully he'll have the same coach that he did for T-ball. Great guy.

Okay, Mom...or should I say Administrator? Are you happy there is a new post? Tomorrow we'll be walking to the library. I'll do my best to document the morning.

Me and My Chicken

Today was the first time that Hudson and I spent alone time together without Evan around. (I'm not counting short trips to the store or time when I was home on maternity leave.) Evan went to summer school this morning, and Hudson and I headed to Target to buy new swim suits, and then we were off to the zoo! We had a great morning together.

There are a bunch of photos. I had to have proof that I spent time with this child without his brother being around. I know in 15 years he is going to accuse me of never spending time with him like I did with Evan, and I am going to need evidence that I indeed took him somewhere alone!


First stop, as always, was the bird exhibit. I think the boys just like going in and out of the double cage doors. I'm not sure they really care about the birds.


I was bound and determined to get a shot of both us. So what if I cut off half of Hudson's face?!


Checking out the elephants. Hudson yelled at every animal we visited. "Hey elephant!" "Hey Tiger!" "Hey 'mingos (flamingos)!" I had to tell him to pipe down because he wouldn't like it if someone came to his home and started yelling at him!


Not quite as big as a tiger.


Trying to find the giraffes through the periscope.


The zoo has a new archeological dig site that opened not too long ago. Hudson poked around in the dirt for about five minutes and decided that was enough. He wasn't too thrilled. Evan spent over an hour digging when we were on his field trip here last month.


We had to take time for a quick snack. Hudson wasn't interested in the traditional popcorn snack I always get while at the zoo.


Hudson was more interested in dropping my spilled popcorn through the empty umbrella hole in the table. Funny enough, a squirrel was more than happy to run up and snatch the kernels away for a mid morning snack of his own.


Looking at swans. We saw two of them, and I said to Hudson, "Look, he has a friend!" Then I asked him if he had any friends. He thought for a moment and said, "Hmmmm. My brother!" AWWWWWWW!


I think every kid who has ever visited this zoo has this required picture in an album somewhere.


And this one.


We had just enough time to head over to Sting Ray Bay before needing to pick Evan up at school.


As always, before we leave the zoo, we must take a trip up and over these stumps. Forcey Family tradition.

Hudson and I had a great morning together. The two of us will definitely be spending more quality alone time with each other. He is turning into such a fun little guy.

We finally headed back to get Evan, and as soon as Hudson saw his big brother, he raced down the school hallway and threw his arms around him. To my surprise and delight, Evan gave him an equally big hug right back!

Tough

Evan started summer school this week. The kids spend half of their morning in the classroom with Mrs. Cochran reviewing math, working on art, and reading. Then the kids switch and spend the other half of the morning with Coach Washington doing basketball camp. (Next week will be volleyball camp and then flag football camp.)

Evan plays HARD. The child doesn't know the meaning of taking it easy.

I have been working on projects in the office all week, so when Evan crashed into his friend while playing on the blacktop outside, he knew where to find me.

I think he took the brunt of his fall on his hip. Ouch! He was a sooty black mess. His hip was scraped, his elbow was raw, and he was covered in blacktop crud. Poor kid.

A while later he came running in telling me it was time for Water Wednesday. I asked him how he was doing. His reply? "I'm good. I'm tough, Mom!"

Father's Day Gift

Dad and Hudson.


Evan and Dad.


Funny conversation this morning:

Me: Evan, ask Daddy what he wants to do for Father's Day.

Evan: Dad, what do you want to do for Father's Day...go to Chuck E. Cheese?

Dad: (with a great deal of sarcasm) Oh, yes, that is exactly what I wanted to do for Father's Day! However did you know?

Evan: Would you like to go see a movie?

Dad: (with even more sarcasm) Sure. Just what I wanted to do!

Me: Haaaaa haaaa haaaa. (At this point I was laughing so hard I could barely breathe!)

My wonderful husband and amazing father to my two sons is willing to do anything for his family, even if that means going to Chuck E. Cheese and a movie (which we did both of for Evan's kindergarten graduation). However, he hates both of these things, which is why this conversation was so funny to us!

Happy Father's Day, Honey! I know you cooked your own Father's Day breakfast and probably will cook your own Father's Day dinner, but I will definitely work on making a cake! We love you bunches!

Gilroy Gardens

We decided to surprise the kids today by taking them to Gilroy Gardens. It is a theme park about 2 1/2 hours away from our house. We had never been there, so we weren't sure what to expect. Turns out...we LOVED it!


The boys were so excited to go inside that they actually hugged one another!


There isn't a character Hudson doesn't love. There is a giant garlic because Gilroy is the garlic capital of the world.


Evan and Eric on the monorail. It was really cool because it went in and out of a giant greenhouse. We also had some great views from there. We were the only ones on the ride at this point at 10:15 in the morning!


Hudson likes the monorail as well. One thing I was super impressed with at this park is the fact that even the smallest of kids could go on most of the rides. There were only 2 or 3 things that Evan couldn't ride. Most of the rides we were able to do as a family. Pretty cool.


Inside the beautiful greenhouse. We never did go back and actually walk through it. Next time.


I could not get over how pretty this place was.


Hudson on a boat.


Evan on a boat.


This child got so much joy out of this place. It was great!


One of the few rides the boys went on by themselves.


I really was there at the park! Eric took this photo with his phone of Hudson and me waiting in line for the balloon ride.

I have to say, we were highly impressed with the park. All the employees were friendly and helpful. The park, while fairly small, was easy to navigate. The biggest draw for us, however, was the fact that we got to do almost everything as a family.

Great day!

Child #2

This is my 2-year-old. My sweet baby. My crazy, break-everything-in-sight, kiss giving, stubborn and independent baby.

This child likes to stay up late. Really late. We like him to go to bed. Early.

We have yet to reach a compromise.

He fights going to sleep each and every night and is exhausted come morning.

However, this is the first time I've found him in our room like this in the morning. I walked right by him as I got up and headed to the bathroom. On the way back to bed I saw him on the floor just inside our door. I have no idea how long he was there.

Crazy little boy.