Another hit!

It was really awesome that Hudson was safe at 1st...the player dropped the ball or he would have been out.  We had someone different coaching 1st base tonight and when the player dropped the ball the coach sent Hudson on to second.  Our regular coach probably would not have done that...as he knows what the boys strengths and weaknesses are.  Hudson is GREAT at a lot of things...but we are still working on speedy running.  He spends a lot of time looking at whoever has the ball.  Running wearing that huge helmet and looking backwards doesn't improve your running speed any.  SO, please don't think I'm a bad mom when you hear me say "oh..don't send him...he isn't fast!"  But, he showed me wrong...he ran looking backwards...slid into second and was safe!  And then I breathed a huge sigh of relief! Way to go, Hudson!

Lawson and Hudson win!

 The Benton Fire Department visited the kids elementary school a few weeks ago and taught about fire safety.  As part of their program, they told the kids about some contests they would be offering.  Third graders were challenged to come draw up a floor plan of their home marking smoke detectors, 2 pathways of exit from each room, and a designated safe meeting space. There would be one winner from all of third grade at Hurricane Creek.   Kindergartners were told there would be a coloring contest and a winner from each class.  The kids told me about the fire fighters being at their school and about these contests on our way home from school that day.  Then didn't really mention it again.  We have had a super busy last few weeks with Hudson playing baseball and Lawson having extra rehearsals for her dance recital.  So, I  kinda forgot about it. 

 

Then the day before Lawson's project was due...she came home telling me that we needed to get it done that night.  We had dance and a ball game that night....but we had one hour after school to work on it.  So, we got busy.  We used clip art from the computer to decorate each room on our floor plan showing where our beds, couch, tables, refrigerator, smoke detectors, etc were located.  Then we decided on a safe meeting spot for our family...and I photographed Lawson there and we taped it on our paper.  I thought it wasn't too bad for a quick effort.  Didn't think we would win though.

 

Hudson's class colored their pages in the classroom.  He was SO determined to win that he spent a REALLY long time on it and had to take it to computer lab with him as he wasn't finished and everyone else was!  But, their efforts paid off...because they BOTH won!

 
Hudson won this cute little fire dog stuffed animal!  And Lawson won a private tour and breakfast with the firefighters and then they took her to school in the firetruck with all of third grade waiting on the sidewalk to watch her pull up!  Seriously!  It was SOME kind of VIP morning for her...and we got to tag along!
  We got there at 6:45 am (ouch!) and they Fire Chief gave us a private tour of everything letting the kids touch everything and ask any questions.

 

 

 These are the little cubby rooms where the fire fighters sleep!

 

We all got to sit in the fire truck with it running!

 

The chief told us this truck cost $750,000 when purchased 11 years ago.  He said it would cost 1.2 million to replace it now.

  They both got to try on the firefighter gear.  It knocked Hudson down!  Super heavy!

 

 This truck was state of the art in 1930.  Isn't it cool?

 

 They got to hold the chiefs fire axe!

 

Every morning their is a radio check that goes on between all four fire stations in Benton. The kids got to  talk on the walkie talkie to confirm they were there and all was working well.  The fire fighters would tell them what to say.  You could hear their voices all over the fire station too.  The voice on the other end said "Good job, kids" when they were done. 

  Then it was time for breakfast...pancakes, bacon and eggs.  We set at their table and ate with them.  The fire Marshall asked us if we pray over our food...we said we did...he said they do too....then he prayed over it and asked God to bless our family.  Really cool.  And he food was delish!

 And it was time for Lawson to board the truck and take off.  She road by herself with the fire fighters!

 She road in the back seat until they got to the drive...then they put her in the front and let her work the horns. (Unfortunately it was raining...but it didn't dampen things too much.)

 Their she is!  And all her friends were waiting behind me on the sidewalk cheering.  (Watch the video below.)  It made me cry for some reason...I could see her as they were pulling up just gleaming ear to ear.  It was an "Extreme Makeover" kind of rush!

  It was so nice of her classmates to show so much excitement over the event.  I know they would have liked to have been the one to ride the fire truck.  There were all like "How was it? What did they feed you?" Really cute!

Listen to Hudson just squealing as she pulls up!  He was really excited for her too! Which is also very nice...because that was a hard event to watch your sibling get to participate in.

 

Thank you, Benton Fire Department, for a great educational program!  And for going to so much trouble and making this an amazing prize!

Travs Game Field Trip

The kids in Lawson's class had the opportunity to earn an extra field trip.  They were given a challenge to read a certain number of books and then take online tests after each book.  They had to have a test average above 85 to qualify.  Today was the day of the trip.  The kids didn't watch a bit of the game...but had a lot of fun being out of school! Very proud of Lawson for working so hard!  Good job, La!

Lawson's Dance Award

Lawson has been taking dance this year. Tap, Jazz, Lyrical Ballet, and Hip Hop.  Her recital is this weekend!  She is very excited!  She is doing 4 dances plus her and Rob are in the Father Daughter Dance!  She received her first year dance trophy at class tonight!  Way to go, La!

Mother's Day

How lucky am I to be the mom of these sweet things!  We ate with Nonie and Poppa at one of my favorite places...Tazikis!  Love the greek chicken salad! The kids brought Nonie and I balloons!



Then we headed out to the park to play!  It was the most beautiful day!  And we had a blast just hanging out together! Love, love this kind of day!

Then we got home, got baths and they showered me with gifts! 

Big Picture Day

We spent today taking pictures!  Got up and out early this morning to take Hudson's baseball team pics!  Aren't they SO cute! Love how the coaches are too cool to smile!

Then we came home to doll Lawson up for her recital pics.   Really glad she came together so well!  I had been meaning to really think through her hair and make up...so I would have a plan...but we have just been SO crazy busy this month!  She loved every minute of this photo shoot!  Can you tell?

What a cutie!