A visit & back to normal!

On Sat., Oct. 5th I got to visit Grandma Judy (*yep, just some one-on-one time) while Mom stayed with Hudson and continued to get well.  I had a blast playing games, doing puzzles and even had a quick tour of Grandpa Allen's new shop with Grandpa followed by lunch.  What a fun day!

 

On Sun., Oct. 6th Grandma & Grandpa Vogel came up for a quick day visit.  Our plan was to go to Center Creek Orchard however the rain had another idea!  We still had a wonderful visit and so much fun together.  Thank you so much for making the drive up to see us for a relaxing day!

We had a good week back at daycare, especially at it was Fire Safety Week!  We talked all week about fire safety, I even told (& impressed) Mom at dinner Monday night how you touch the door to see if it's hot and if it is go out the window.  Mom asked how I get the window open and that I didn't know!  I also told her all about how to use fire extinguishers and stop, drop & roll.  I've been listening really well!  Although I missed the fire truck visit on the 9th as I was at pre-school Hudson enjoyed it and I did get to  paint one - here's mine: 

On Wed., Oct. 9th I had pre-school and it was National No Bullying Day so we wore my fav color, orange!  We also learned all about the letter "Y", "y".  Our theme was "Foods" which we even made a refrigerator & I drew my favorite foods in mine.  My food included, "big grapes" and "super apples"!  We also did a sink/float experiment, basic vision & balance beam exercises, and read 4 different stories.  Swan Harbor, One Potato, Froggy Eats Out and No Carrots for Harry.  At DC in addition to learning Fire Prevention this month our other units include Fall Leaves, Harvest & Buddies, Pumpkins & Spiders, and Halloween: Orange, Black & White.  Coming up on the 16th - Stone Soup!      

Hudson did a lot of painting and continues to be excited for the "surprise" bag each week.  His teachers say that he practically jumps up out of his spot ready to see what's in the bag each week.  On Tues., Oct. 8th he was very excited to find fire trucks and fire safety stuff in the bag - he loves fire trucks!   Here's Hudson's fun fall painting he did this week: 

Almost each day this week we took dinner to Daddy while drying corn for harvest.  The past couple of weeks he's been going hard so haven't seen him too much but really cherish our short visits together.  On Fri., Oct. 11th we got lucky & even got to see Grandpa Allen & Daddy during our visit and had a blast running around and getting into all the tools.  My favorite part is getting to help dump the corn into the pit use the brooms!  Hudson just likes to climb on everything including up the ladders to the bins (*you got to watch that one).

 

On Sat., Oct. 12th we had our 2 & 4 year old pictures with Mandy in the morning and then headed to Mankato for our annual fall pics at Drummer's Garden Center with the Gruden's.  We had a fun filled play date after pictures including a little shopping, lunch and getting to check out their new play room.  Here's some of our fall pic proofs: 

An outtake:

Here's the four of us:  Hudson (1.5 yrs), Katelyn (4 yrs), Hayden (3.5 yrs) and Olivia (2 yrs); we are each just a couple of months apart so a lot of fun when we all get together.

As all of our birthdays are right next to each other we exchanged birthday gifts and here's our first gift of the fall - a tee ball set!  We are so excited to play as a family and Hudson really got into unwrapping it this year...can't wait to see how he does at our family party! 

Being in an all girls house we were a little limited on our normal tractor/truck toys we're use to (*on the flip side it would be even worse for them if at our house!) but of course we did find whatever wheels we could including Barbie cars!  Dad didn't so much appreciate this pic we texted him of Hudson & his pink slug bug but he had a blast treating it like a dump truck!

On Sun., Oct. 13th we had a day with Daddy and as a whole family!  After church we got to go for a tractor ride and then got some play time with Dad...here's us men: 

We even got to open our Halloween treats from Dad & Mom a tad early so we could enjoy them between now & Halloween.  Here's us opening our presents:

After nap we took some family pictures at Wood's Lake and then I got to go with Daddy again to move a tractor - he let me drive!!!  I got to do a couple passes in which I got to drive for Daddy (*he did the turns) of disc ripping and I was awesome.  It was so cool! 

Up this week the letter "W", "w" at pre-school, Stone Soup at Daycare and a weekend trip to Waterloo!  Can't wait!

First Friend's Birthday Party!

On Sun., Sept. 29th I got to go to my first friend's birthday party (*that I remember!) Shea Spencer.  I met Shea at Little Giants however we did gymnastics & go to church/Sunday School together.  Oh, she also thinks we're married!  Here's me and the beautiful birthday girl! 

Here's the entire party, note Hudson is sitting next to me, at the very fun Bouncy House / Slide! 

Here's me & my best buddy Ethan going down the slide together.  If you want to know how to clear out the Bouncy House / Slide so you can have it all to yourself do what Ethan and I did.  We told everyone we were monsters, roared & then chased them a bit, and when they went running we went back to having fun at the Bouncy House / Slide!

It took a few tries but Hudson even made it up to go down the slide (*a few times!)  Here he is coming down - way to go Hudson!  The Bouncy House / Slide was so much fun; it was a huge hit!

Thanks Spencer's for a fun birthday party - we had a great time!

 

This past weekend we also got a special Halloween treat from the Larson's including new John Deere shirts!  Of course we had to wear them first thing on Monday and don't they look good!?  Thanks Uncle Kyle, Aunt Jenni and cousins Hannah & Elise!

On Tues., Oct. 1st I had to attend my Early Childhood Screening for 3 year olds.  I got to meet new people, do all sorts of fun activities and get tested for vision/hearing.  I was really brave and didn't even need Mom to go with me to the stations.  I think it was harder for her than me!  I did really well and seems my health & development are on track - way to go Hayden!

 

Hudson had a great week at daycare this week because it was Transportation Week!  He loved getting to learn about & play with trucks, cars, trains, planes & boats.  He even got to make his own train & glue on smoke (cotton balls!)

On Wed., Oct. 2nd I had my 4th day of pre-school and this week's theme was camping.  We read Bears in Sunshine and Just Me and My Dad, did pine bough painting (see masterpiece below), made a camping picture, examined & smelled pine boughs, got to pour from pitchers for snack, and even did lots of fun exercise/activities outside!  What a beautiful week it has been! 

On Thurs., Oct. 3rd Hudson & I got to ride with Daddy to pick beans for our first combine ride of the season/year!  It isn't often Daddy is in the combine so this was a very special treat.  I even got to talk on the radio to Grandpa Allen!



Here's Hudson climbing up the ladder for the first time; last year at this time he was only 9 months old!  What a difference a year makes! 

The Prestegard men in action:

We had so much fun; thanks Daddy!  Here's to a safe autumn & plentiful harvest.

Not so lucky week...

As you may of read Saturday night, going into Sunday our poor Hudson got another double ear infection.  The good news these were his first ear infections since May - can you believe it!  Since he still wasn't feeling the best Hudson stayed home with Daddy on Monday and even had a little fun.  Here's Daddy & Hudson's "drive in library!"  Hudson just loves books - with his glasses we call him our little professor:

By Tuesday, Sept. 24th Hudson returned to daycare and once he woke up from nap it appeared his left eye held a lot of matter.  So Mom took him to the doctor & confirmed, yep, now pink eye & bronchitis.  More drops, more meds and now neb treatments!  The good news, we now know all that is ailing our poor little Huddy Buddy and with additional meds he should be right as rain soon.

 

The other good news, Hudson completed his first fall paint project before he left - painting a picture using leafs as his paint brush.  We were all pretty excited he even used Cyclone colors - way to go Hud!  His teachers also told Mom that Hudson loves to play trucks & tractors, placing them on top of a shelf or window sill to drive them just like his big brother did!  Apparently a little alike!  

I had a great week at daycare too and on Wed., Sept. 25th I had my 3rd day of pre-school.  This week our theme was Fall Fun, we learned the letter "X, x", read When the Leaf Blew, looked at leafs under a magnifying glass and even did a leaf rubbing which I thought was really fun.  Here's my orange & green leaf rubbing:

I also really enjoyed spreading peanut butter on my crackers with a knife and liked our boost up exercise, the balance beam!  I was finally able to take home my golf ball painting from last week, yep, we painted with golf balls!

We should mention our unlucky week continued with our water heater dying (*thanks Grandma & Grandpa Prestegard for sharing your hot water!) and on Thurs., Sept. 26th, right after Mom dropped us off at daycare she was heading into Blue Earth with the right a way & someone ran a stop sign right in front of her intersection & she hit him head on.  Air bags & all.  The good news we weren't in the car and both drivers could walk away.  Mom had lots of cuts & bruises and has been pretty sore - no rough housing with her - but will be good as new soon.  While Mom was at the doctor on Friday we got to go to work with Dad & Grandpa and we had a blast.  Working on combines and trucks as on Thurs., Sept. 26th we started picking beans.  So much to do!

 

Mom has taken it easy the past couple of days & so have we. Today, Sat., Sept. 28th we did get to run some errands & even go out to dinner Saturday night as a whole family at Applebee's in Albert Lea.  Daddy & Mommy were so impressed as we were very well behaved (*people around us even said so)!  Afterwards we got to do some grocery shopping to pick out stuff for Daddy's lunches as harvest has officially started!  We can't wait to ride in a combine and help!

"HOOT"...

Hayden's Mom here and had to report a very awesome event today.  Hayden woke up really early on Saturday, even earlier than normal, and we worked on this take home airport unit from pre-school.  Then he wanted to work on some of the take home letter books he got including working on the letters "X", "O" & "T" - yes, he actually wrote them out!  I was in per amazement!

 

Today, Sun., Sept. 22nd he picked out an animal story for nap time and when we came to a page about owls there was a header at the top of the page which said, "HOOT".  Before I could read or do anything Hayden goes, "look Mama, a "H" like me!"  Then he said "and a "O", "O", "T"!"  He was so excited because here was this simple word, "hoot" in which our proud boy knew & recognized all the letters!  Totally shocked and almost teary-eyed we had to call Daddy in for him to repeat his awesome feat and we all celebrated.  So proud of you kid!  Just 3 weeks in pre-school and you're recognizing & matching letters.  Wow; so grown up! 

 

We should also mention what a little helper Mr. Hayden has been recently; he's really starting to look out for Hudson and also offers to help do things around the house/outside, with our without being asked.  Hayden, you're so quick to "help" and just participate in whatever we're doing and we love that if you see something that needs to be done or fixed you jump right in; no hesitation.  You amaze us each & every day - we feel so blessed to have you; you're a "hoot"!  Yeah, poor pun!  We love you Hayden!  XOXO, Mom & Dad

A Wonderful Weekend...

What a wonderful weekend...on Friday, Sept. 20th we got to stop by the shop on our way home to see Daddy getting ready for harvest, including hooking-up corn heads & driving combines.  Here's us helping Daddy out: 

Close-up of the Prestegard farm men!

Once we got home Mommy, Hudson & I worked on this look & find sticker poster and colored it (*yep, all of us laying on the floor to complete it) and once finished Mommy asked me who I wanted to give it to...I immediately said, "Luke!"  Luke is one of the guys that works for us so back in the van we went to deliver the picture to Luke.  Luke loved it, turned slightly red and texted Daddy a picture of it on his fridge once he got home.  Which was very cool!

 

Once we got back the Hansen's came over for a fall play date & dinner.  We had a great time and played really well together.  Here's Addison & playing race cars on the race ramp: 

We thought we'd show you a picture with Hudson too as he was there but was playing trucks on the sofa!  He loves driving trucks now and really likes to load up the dump trucks and then "dump" them all over & start again!  He also loves the service truck & taking our farmer's or Mickey Mouse figures and putting them in the driver's seat.  He's a little operator just like me!

On Sat., Sept. 21st we had a wonderful day of playing at home & outside and then Saturday night we had our first ever babysitter!  Ms. Brittany came over just before dinner to watch us for the evening as Daddy & Mommy headed over to the Oswald's for an adults only Lebanese dinner night!  Anna shared her heritage via food to everyone and it was fantastic.  Daddy's favorite were the grape leave rolls & the Tabouleh (*amazing summer'ish type salad); Mommy's favorite were the Kibbeh (*think Lebanese meatloaf), the Lebanese chicken kabobs which we put with awesome sauce & the salad on pita bread & made our own type of Lebanese Shawarma's!  They had a fun evening & ours went really well (*we even did craft time making personalized door knob hangers!) until bedtime when Hudson didn't want to sleep.  By the next morning he had a temp & sure enough double ear infection!  Poor guy...with some meds, he'll be back to normal soon; we hope!  What a wonderful weekend & special thank you to the Oswald's for a special dinner night, sharing something very special & getting our parent's out of our hair! ;)

Let Fall Fun Begin...

We wrapped up last week at daycare/school with more learning on the color yellow and I got to help cut out and paint my own bus!  Here's my awesome masterpiece thought you'd enjoy seeing:

Hudson learned more about acorns and even made a shaker out of them and even painted an acorn with brown paint!

 

We started our weekend off Friday night, the 13th, with picking up Hudson's new glasses.  Similar frames but definitely a stronger prescription.  The funny or maybe scary part is Daddy can actually see out of Hudson's glasses as right now their prescriptions aren't that far off!  Hudson liked his new glasses right away as soon as he put them on started pointing stuff out that was far away!  So happy they help him.  On our way home we got the special treat of seeing Daddy at the shop & take him dinner.

 

On Sat., Sept. 14th we had a big day!  Hudson & Daddy got to have a special trip to the local John Deere Implement to pick out his very first tractor!  When I was Hudson's age and went I picked out my front loader; Hudson picked out a huge four wheel drive, a 8330 (*a tractor Daddy use to own!).  He was so proud of his tractor he held the entire way home:

As soon as he got home and we got all the wrapping off Hudson was ready to play; what a little farmer! 

Someone was/is definitely happy!  I must say I was a tad jealous, but who wouldn't be it's a very nice tractor!  After they got back I got a special trip with Dad too as I went with him to pick out new work boots.  We had a blast looking at all the farm stuff & farm toys; fun to have one-on-one Daddy time doing man stuff!

Just before lunch Uncle Jared stopped by to drop off his puppy, Bane, who we watched while he went to the ISU vs. IA football game.  We may have lost the game but had a wonderful time with Bane!  After nap Mom, Hudson and I headed to the Center Creek Orchard in Fairmont.  Here's our first official fall picture: 

It was a perfect afternoon, not hot & the orchard wasn't crowded!  They even had Cinderella's carriage there which we got to ride.  The horses that pulled us were Dolly & Dixie and we had a blast!

They had so many thing to do including a tractor hay ride and barrel rides pulled by a lawn mower.  This was the first time Hudson could ride in one and he did great!  He held on tight and smiled the entire time:

Here's our whole train; I picked out the rabbit and Hudson the frog!

Of course had to do our annual how tall are we; again Hudson's first time!  I'm around 3 1/2 feet and Hudson is almost at 3 feet...what growing boys!

We loved that the orchard had bells to ring all over including on our barrel ride, trike path and even here at the train!

We also enjoyed the slide, feeding the goats, checking out the cat tail trail, climbing the hay pile and digging in the corn pile!  Here we are in heaven, playing with corn & surrounded by tons of tractors & trucks!

I also showed Hudson how the trike path worked and we did lap after lap...very hard to leave at the end of the day!  Love the orchard and look forward to our next trip!

 We woke up Sunday to find Uncle Jared at our house!  He stayed after the game and what a treat we got to have breakfast with him and then church!  After church we went to the Fly-in/Drive-In Lunch at the Blue Earth Municipal Airport's Grand Re-Opening.  They had excellent food but I was most excited about all the airplanes (*like Dusty in the movie Planes!)  Note I even brought my little Dusty with me which Dad/Mom thought was cute.  They had some fun planes we got to check out in addition to seeing the hanger where they sleep.  We even saw a plane land while we were walking around!  Here's us with Daddy and one of my favorite planes because it had my favorite color orange on it!

Fun side note was we knew the gentlemen working the gate so they let me use the taller than me guiding staffs and guide cars in & point where to park.  I thought I was pretty big stuff!

 

After such a fun weekend it was hard to return to daycare this week.  Should note Hudson is doing better at sitting during circle time and really enjoys the secret story time surprise bag.  On Monday the 16th there were 3 apples insides, red, green & yellow, which he got to taste and even paint with. 

 

Today I returned to Discovery Preschool for my second day and was a little bummed I wasn't the Star this week but went right in & started playing upon arrival.  This week our theme was sports and we read the book, Me & My Dad by Eric Carle, and even did golf ball painting!  I also enjoyed learning about the letter Oo for Ozzie Octopus and doing pencil/hot dog rolls for our boost up exercise.  When Mom picked me up I was most excited to share not our learning activities but that our snack was popcorn!   Can't wait 'til next week!

1st Day of Discovery Preschool!

On Wed., Sept. 11, 2013, I had my first day of Discovery Preschool!  I attend Blue Earth Elementary and Ms. Bogan is my teacher and she's great!  Here I am all ready to go!  Notice I have my new shoes on which I call my "fast shoes" as supposedly they help me go faster.

My favorite part so far was picking out my new back pack; it's the Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie Blue Camo Small Backpack (*matches my travel bag from Aunt Jenni & Uncle Kyle!) and getting my name on it.  I feel like pretty big stuff!

Here we are waiting to go inside at drop off...let's do this already!

 Found my name with ease and hanging up my stuff!

Our theme for the day was "Butterflies, Bugs & Spiders" and we read The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle and Bugs, Bugs, Bugs by Bob Barner.  We even got to examine butterflies, cicadas, dragon flies and spider webs under magnifying glasses which was really cool.  My favorite part of the day though was I was the Super Star and got to bring a toy to share with the letter of the day, which was "T"!  Of course I brought my biggest & best John Deere tractor, a front loader (just barely fit in my back pack) to share.  I enjoyed learning about Tiggy Tiger's Tt and am working on finding t's when we read stories or are out & about.  We also painted our own butterflies and even got to make our own snack using a knife to spread cheese on crackers.  I felt like such a big boy!  I had a great day and on the way back to daycare told mom we should go back tomorrow!   She was so proud of me.

 

My fun didn't stop there at daycare I got to make a jellyfish which I was really proud of; you can see my jellyfish and butterfly below: 

In addition to our unit on sea creatures this week this month we're learning about the color yellow and the shape the triangle.  I'm having fun finding yellow triangles, especially while driving; there are a lot of yellow triangle signs!  My teachers this fall are Ms. Betsy, Ms. Kerri, Ms. Lynn, Ms. Mandie and Ms. Audrey.  Having so much fun at my awesome schools!

 

On our way home Wednesday night we got to stop by the shop to see the men and more importantly our new combine & new foldable corn head (*which we got to drive & hook-up) with Grandpa!  Daddy also took us for a ride on the forklift and Mommy took us on a walk around the yard & rides on the tire swing.  Hudson rode the swing by himself for the first time, holding on tight & doing a great job!  Love being at the shop!

Little Sprouts & Fall Session Begins...

On Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, Hudson started full time in the Little Sprouts room!  Little Sprouts has children in the older toddler stage of development & provides lots of exploration!  They focus on their curiosity with cause & effect experiments; become introduced to short, interactive group activities like story time, music time, crafts, etc.; small & large muscle activities; and enhance cognitive, language and social skills through sensory experiences.  So many new & exciting things for our Hudson to learn & do!

 

Moving to the Sprout's room Hudson has a new locker with a new name tag & everything!

Up close shot of his name tag; what a face!

Here's what his classroom looks like when you walk in; so much to look at & fun things to do!

The Little Sprouts room is where we begin to potty train and here what will be Hudson's first thrones!  Although, he most likely won't begin until next spring, I'm sure something very much Mommy & Daddy are looking forward to!

I will be back in the Explorer's Room this fall & what an awesome welcoming door sign my teachers made.  My name & tag is underneath the top, left school bus (the second green with yellow striped shirt down).

Here's our room all re-decorated for the fall & again, what an awesome welcome sign up on the back wall!  For my the Explorer's Room is the Preschool Room where we increase our abilities to listen & follow directions, feel successful of our accomplishments; and we focus social, cognitive, communication, fine/large motor skills, self help & cooperative play development skills. 

As you can see there are so many things to do in our room including different stations such as crafts, reading, art, computers, etc.  So excited for another fall session to start!

Hudson completed his first Little Sprouts artwork this week learning his name & getting to help cut out a giant circle...thought we'd show you a picture of him holding his masterpiece since it's as big as him!  Getting better with those crayons! 

Hudson sat for the first time during circle time on Monday the 9th as he really enjoyed learning about the 3 lil' squirrels & their bushy tails!

 

Also, on Monday the 9th Mom was traveling for work so Daddy picked us up and before dinner we go to slip and slide again!  Notice with Daddy we do it a little differently and props are involved...can you say make shift car wash!  We had a blast!

Up next my first day of Discovery Preschool!