Hudson's New Glasses!

Hayden & Hudson's Mom here to give you a quick update.  On Wed., July 16th after Hudson's swim lessons Richard & I took Hudson to the Twin Cities to stay the night before his eye appointment on Thurs., July 17th.  This past spring Hudson got referred to the Minnesota Lions Children's Eye Clinic in Minneapolis, MN with Dr. Ray Areaux as we hope this will be better and more accurate care for him, especially since they are known & one of the best in the country for pediatric eye care.

 

Dr. Areaux and the entire staff, even the facility, were wonderful & definitely catered to our little man.  They had toys & a TV with favorite cartoon clips in every room, a fish tank which Hudson loved, the most friendly and patient staff, and the best part Hudson was completely comfortable and didn't cry once!  This is amazing as we were there for over 4 hours & even did a full exam with eye dilation.  Their progressive approach for meeting briefly with different members of the staff allowed them to slowly tweak and get Hudson’s perspiration without making him sit still all at once.  This approach also allowed an in-depth visit allowing them to check all aspects of his vision and needs.  We believe this has been his most accurate and positive eye experience so far & we actually look forward to our next visit in September!

After the visit we got lunch which I think Hudson thought he was pretty special since he's had Mom & Dad to himself and got to sit at a big boy table.  We also went to The Glasses Menagerie, a specialty shop for children's eye wear in Minneapolis, where Hudson graduated to big boy frames (*no more strap!).  We knew his old frames were too small however took a bit to get into children's to update so just had to wait.  On Wed., July 30th his new frames arrived and after some bribing he finally put them on.  Here's our before & after pics: 

Hudson got to wear them to daycare for the first time on Thurs., July 31st and boy was he proud.  He enjoyed showing off his glasses to all his friends and teachers and it was so nice as they made a big deal out of it for him.  Our little guy is growing up!

 

Now don't worry Hayden got to have some serious fun while we were gone as he got to go to the FestAg parade with Grandma & Grandpa Prestegard, sleep over and all!  He loved the equipment in the parade, getting to ride rides, and of course being the center of attention!  Special thank you to Grandma & Grandpa for taking care of him.  Here's our ham Hayden with big boy glasses wearing Hudson: 

DC in July...

Feels like summer is finally here and we've been busy at Daycare or DC as we call it.  Our themes in the Explorer's Room this month include Red, White & Blue, the Ocean, Farm Animals and Frogs/Toads.  We've been busy making things for each unit & here are some of mine: 

The above & below are a couple of flags I made.  The top I painted and did the glitter all by myself.  The below I cut out and glued the strips and even made the stars!  We put them on sticks to allow them to fly in the wind.

Fun spiral red, white & blue art:

We've been learning about animals of all kinds so here are a couple of animal related projects: 1) the turtle I helped cut out, color & underneath is a finger hole for me to pretend to walk him and 2) the animal strips I cut & glued all by myself.

My bumblebee!  On July 30th our glass even found a dragonfly outside & have been observing it in a jar in our room.  Very cool.

Here's my fingerprint buttterfly and my sailboat!

During the month of July Hudson's Little Sprouts haven been learning about frogs and caterpillars and have even been making some special creatures of their own.  On July 30th their room even caught a kaydid outside which Hudson thougtht was awesome.  Our rooms shared our bug findings back & forth so we could observe both.  Hudson just LOVES bugs!  Like us they've been learning about red, white & blue, flags and America. Some of Hudson's favorite play times at LS this past month have included playing dress-up with lots of different hats (*of course the John Deere one was his favorite!), likes cars & trucks at the sensory table, loves the surprise bag which is always filled with items of the learning unit i.e. red, white & blue items & the item Hudson grabbed was blue!  Here are some of Hudson's recent creations:

On July 22nd, National Hotdog Day, Hudson used his fingers to make hotdogs in a pan that went with a rhyme & story.  The bottom picture was when "no little hotdogs frying in the pan; the grease got hot & the pan went BAM!"  Thus, is crazy creation!

Every night Hudson sleeps with his Tiggy otherwise known as Tigger so when he got to make a bouncing Tigger he was quite excited and very proud of his masterpiece!

On July 29th Hudson made this little bumble bee with the funniest poem & actions.  It goes: "I'm bringing home a baby bumble bee, won't my Mommy be so proud of me.  Ouch, he stung me!  I'm squishing up my baby bumble bee icky I'm wiping off my baby bumble bee on you!"

 

Can't wait to see what the month of August holds for us!

Happy Early 9th Birthday Cousin Hannah!!!

After church on Sunday, July 27th we met at Grandma & Grandpa Prestegard's to celebrate cousin Hannah's 9th birthday a little early.  We had a relaxing afternoon as a family and here are some of the highlights:

 Here's Hannah with her Dairy Queen cake - the big #9 candle!  Last time to be in single digits!

Hannah got a lot of amazing gifts; her she is with Grandma Great, Betty, opening one of our presents a personalized art kit.  Hannah is super creative and a great crafter! 

Cousin time!  Here's all 4 of us:  Hudson (2 1/2), Elise (1), Hannah (9) & me (4 1/2)! 

 After lunch, cake & presents we got to go outside!  Hannah drove all us cousins & Aunt Jenni around in the golf cart and Mom taught us how to give the corn "high-five's"!

Hannah, Hudson & I even took Daddy for a ride - notice we made him get in the back!

Hudson even got a special present at the celebration; Great Grandma Betty made Hudson a personalized Christmas stocking which even won Reserved Grand Champion this past week at the Faribault, MN County Fair!  Here's Hudson with Grandma and their shared purple ribbon!  Way to go Grandma Great! 

Thanks Grandma & Grandpa for an awesome day - cousin Hannah here's wishing you a very happy 9th birthday on August 5th.  We'll be thinking of you!  XOXO, Hudson & Hayden

Hayden Graduated Swim Lessons!

This past week, Mon., July 21st through today, Sat., July 26th I had Preschool swim lessons at the Blue Earth Area Pool.  I had the best, most patient teacher, Jenna H., and a really fun class.  We worked on front crawl, pushing off the wall & doing turns, diving for rings, holding our breath & breathing out our nose, and my favorite part going off the diving board!

 

We first went off the diving board Fri., July 26th (*which Dad was with me that day!) and I didn't hesitate or get scared - just went for it!  Here's my first jump to Jenna: 

We even got a little video for you: 

By Sat., July 26th, Shea Spencer and I were going off the board by ourselves and we even swam(*with our life jackets on) all the way to the other end of the pool.  We could barely believe it ourselves!  We had some proud mamma's! 

In the end I graduated and got not only a sucker (*notice my fav color orange sucker!) and my swimmer's certification card but Jenna also said next year I'm ready for Level 1! 

Now I keep asking when we can go back for some more diving board fun.  Mom & Dad think they've created a monster!  Way to go Hayden!

Caps for Sale...

This summer I got to enroll in the online reading program for preschoolers through the Institute of Reading Development, Inc. and the University of Minnesota. So far it’s been a blast! I have an assigned teacher, Ms. Elizabeth, and we work on letter recognition, beginning phonics & sight words, and of course the love of reading. Basically there are 6 sessions and each session is based on a specific book with 3 individual lessons. The first two sessions have been based on the books Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina and The Mysterious Tadpole by Steven Kellogg. Our first book, Caps for Sale, featured online storytelling with Bookman (*our reading based superhero who lives in a cool tree fort), online phonic games and even acting out the story! We made our own mustaches and monkey masks then took turns acting out the story.  Here I am as the Peddler trying to sell my caps.

 Up close shot!

Here's Hudson & I playing the monkeys off my bunk beds & Mom's the Peddler - so much fun! 

 

The second book, The Mysterious Tadpole, also had online games, things to do with Bookman and we even created my own mysterious gift picture with my own story that Mom wrote down for me.

I love school and really look forward to each lesson, especially using the computer.  I know I'm building skills for JumpStart which will start in September, full-time Preschool here I come!  Can't wait.  Up next we'll cover the following books:

Animalia by Graeme Base

Goldilocks and the Three Bears retold by Jan Brett

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

The Frogs Wore Red Suspenders by Jack Prelutsky

Such a fun summer treat!

2014 Faribault County Fair

After swim lessons on Friday, July 25th Dad & Mom took Hudson and I to the Faribault County Fair in Blue Earth, MN.  We love going as it has some of our favorite things 1) tractors & equipment, 2) animals, 3) food and 4) rides!  Can't get any better than that!

We started off at the petting zoo where Hudson really enjoyed the goats and cows and I liked the horses and stranger animals like the lama & raccoon! Yep, have you ever been to a petting zoo with a raccoon? He's quite the climber in his cage.

At the petting zoo they had pony rides with 2 ponies so we got to ride together!  Here's Hudson with Mommy taking their turn.  Hudson was pretty scared but did great! 

Here's me, yep, I only need one hand!  Mr. Big Shot - no adult either!

Up next some of the equipment - we really enjoyed the larger, newer ones which we could climb on.  We even hung out at my friend Ethan's family display with the Bobcats!

After supper we checked out the crafts in honor of Great Grandma Betty - she made Hudson a Christmas stocking and entered it into the fair & it won Reserved Grand Champion!!!  That's second place which is amazing.  Here we are checking out her section.  Way to go Grandma Great!!!   

And here's the winning prize with her ribbons: 

After checking out more live stock and the ribbon winners we made our way to the FFA Barn where we got to feed some animals.  I loved the goats and they kept eating right out of my hand (*I wasn't scared!): 

Checking out some of the older equipment like this combine with a real wooden platform!  Notice I posed for Mom of course! 

Although the band Hairball was playing in the grand stand for all the adults we decided to get some Dairy Queen and head home instead.  Once last look at Hudson's favorite display, the CASE Sprayer on our way out.  Hudson & I climbed all the way to the top - it was awesome! 

After a late night at the fair of course we slept in, well only a little bit, as I woke up kind of warm so I decided to cut my hair.  Yep, around 6 a.m. I got my scissors and went to town as you can see here!  A little patchy but not bad for my first time.  I don't think Mom & Dad were as impressed - what do you think?

Mom did say she was impressed that 1) I woke up Hudson to watch and didn't touch his hair or Kato's fur as Kato watched too and 2) I did clean up after myself which was most thoughtful.  Don't worry after swim lessons we "fixed" it at Classics Cuts, well the best we could but I have some growing out to do!  Since we were early risers we did have some brotherly cuddle time on the coach with some Saturday morning cartoons - our new favorite, Paw Patrol!

After swim lessons & lunch we hung out at the shop for awhile to check out the equipment, inspect the yard and of course help Daddy do farmer stuff.  We rode in a couple of tractors and even helped move pallets with the forklift and reload the netting in the hay baler.  Good thing we were there to help him! 

The Prestegard Men!

Movie Time! Planes Fire & Rescue

On Saturday, July 19th we had a great day hanging out at home and working in the yard with Mommy.  We hung a bird house and fixed the roof of our swing set after our recent big storms.  I even got to use a drill!

 

After dinner Daddy & Mommy surprised us by taking us to Lake Mills, IA, to see the 7 p.m. show time of the movie Planes: Fire & Rescue with our favorite crop duster, Dusty!  The newly restored old time theater was awesome and we loved the movie.  Hudson and I even got our own popcorns!  We give it four thumbs up & highly recommend it! 

Can't wait for whatever our next show is!

Hudson Graduated Swim Lessons!

Mon., July 14th through Fri., July 18th, 2014, Hudson was in Toddler swim lessons at the Blue Earth Area Pool.  He had an awesome instructor, Jenna, and really enjoyed himself.  He learned to blow bubbles, get comfortable with getting his head under water, jumping in, getting rings & even going into the deep in.  Of course big brother was there to assist along the way! 

Here's Hudson in the deep in with Baiely, our sitter who helped Mom with us both weeks of swim lessons.  He loved floating around in his life jacket! 

On Fri., July 18th he graduated and even got his favorite color sucker, blue!  He didn't want to hold his certification card & treat so I helped him out! 

Congrats Hudson!  Next year on to the Preschool class!

2014 All*Star Game!!!

Hayden & Hudson's Mom here and thought Richard & I would share an awesome experience this past week we were blessed to have - the 2014 All*Star Game!!! 

 

The game was held in the Twin Cities at Target Field on Tues., July 15th at 7:00 p.m.  Here's Rich & I right behind home plate row 13! 

Some of the pre-game highlights included seeing the Budweiser Clydesdales with their Dalmatian pup, Captain.

Idina Menzel, singer of Disney's Frozen song, "Let it Go", kicked off the show by singing Minnesota native, Bob Dylan's song "Forever Young".  She than sang an amazing, goose bump worthy "National Anthem".  The woman has some pipes! 

Here's all the players for both the National & American sides during the anthem; notice my favorite, Derek Jeter, up on the screen!  Of course I being a Yankees fan & Rich a Twins we were cheering for the American league to win.

Here's Twins legend Rod Carew, a Hall of Famer and 18-time MLB All-Star, throwing the ceremonial first pitch of the 85^th Midsummer Classic. 

Here's #2 Jeter getting ready to lead off for his first at bat with soon-to-be named MVP Mike Trout.  Amazing past MVP talking to future MVP.  Both had a great night! 

I was so proud that all the fans, players, workers, etc not only cheered but gave Derek Jeter a standing ovation at both at bats as well as when he walked off the field for the last time.  Here's the living legend tipping his hat in thanks.  One of the best short stops of all time & how lucky to see him play in his 14th & final All*Star appearance. Derek you’ve been one of my favorite players since I was in high school & it won’t be the same game without you.  You’ll be greatly missed!

The American league won 5 to 3 and 3rd basemen Mike Trout won MVP along with his choice of one of the vehicles below...yep, he picked the Corvette! 

We say thanks again for a bucket list experience and a special thanks to Grandma / Grandpa Prestegard for watching the boys so we could attend.  After attending the beloved baseball song, "Take Me Out To the Ball Park" comes to mind, especially the verse, "I don't care if I ever get back" as it was just a perfect night.  What a great date night just before our 10th wedding anniversary!

Farmer's Day Weekend!

The week of July 7^th through 11^th Little Giants was closed for their annual cleaning and shutdown so we got to stay home with Mom on the 7^th and 8^th.  After nap on the 8^th we met Grandma Anne in Mason City, IA (*about half way to Waterloo) for dinner and the switch!  Yep, we got to stay with Grandma Anne and Grandpa Scott until the morning of the 10^th when Mom took more vacation & came down to get us.  We had a great time hanging with Gma/pa Sergeant including going to the golf course to cheer for Grandpa Scott, we played non-stop inside & out, and even had a slumber party in the living room with Grandma Anne.  The fun continued for after lunch on the 10^th Mom took us to Jesup, IA to see Grandma Dawn & Grandpa Mark for our annual Farmer’s Days trip.  Since we just got back from vacation up North Daddy had to stay home & work but man did he miss out because we fun!  Thursday night was kids’ night and we had a special treat our Culbertson cousins from Oregon came to town!  We haven’t seen them since they moved from Minnesota last summer so we were pretty excited.  We met up after dinner and even did the park together before we all walked downtown together for unlimited rides!  And boy, did we ride! Here's me on the motorcycle ride with Cousin Issy behind me. 

Hudson loved the boat ride.

Here's us boys, Hudson, Cousin Owen and me.  Owen & I are buddies and just a few months apart in age. 

Here's Cousin Issy, their mom Cousin Diane and Cousin Evelyn.  Evie and Hudson are just a few months apart too! 

Here's us men riding with Grandpa Mark; I'm making him laugh! 

 Here's me & my buddy/cousin Owen - it was hard to keep us separated all weekend!

Here's Grandma Dawn with Issy and up front Hudson & I; do you like our matching crane t-shirts?  We wore them special for Grandpa Mark as he use to be in the construction business! 

After a couple of hours of riding we got a snack (*fresh squeezed lemonade & mini-doughnuts!) and then rode some more. We stayed out until 9 p.m. and by the time we got home we were tuckered out! The best surprise of the weekend came from Grandma Dawn who got us our own toddler beds to sleep in. I got a Spiderman one and Hudson a Lighting McQueen/Mator one from Cars. We were so excited to sleep in them - thanks Grandma Dawn!

The next day we slept in, had breakfast, played and then headed to Great Grandma/pa Vogel's new place in Independence, IA. Grandma Mary & Grandpa Richard also joined us for lunch at a fun Chinese restaurant which was right by the river where Grandpa Mark taught us to throw rocks!  Next we headed to Great Uncle Rock’s for a backhoe ride which was awesome!  After the ride the rest of the weekend Hudson asked for “backhoe ride” every time we got into the car.  Apparently he really liked it!  Here’s us loading up in the cab - three happy boys!

Here's us going around the farm. 

 After a quick nap we met our cousins in Independence to have fun at the pool & then dinner at Great-Great Aunt Pat & Uncle Jim's house (*Cousin Diane's parents or Owen's grandparents or Great Grandma Mary's brother or Grandpa Mark's Aunt & Uncle - got all that?!).  Here's Grandpa Mark showing Hudson the toddler pool.

Then off to the big pool for a dip; Cousin Issy, Grandma Dawn & Grandpa Mark even showed us how to go off the diving board! 

After a fun dinner & dessert (*Cousin Diane made peanut butter filled chocolate cupcakes with Grandpa's work honey peanut butter - our favorite!) we headed backed to clean-up & bed.  Another day of wearing us out!  On Saturday, July 12th we got to have breakfast with Great Uncle Luke and then headed downtown for the parade.  We met up with several of our Vogel cousins as Cousin Andrea was awesome & let us sit in her front lawn - prime parade location.  We saw Cousin Brett's family, Cousins Andrea, Autumn and Angie and Great Uncle Kurt.  It was a family filled weekend!  Here's us with Grandma/pa and notice we have the cutest matching shirts; mine says "Hello my name is: Best Big Brother" and Hudson's says, "Hello my name is: Best Lil' Brother". 

Here's me with Grandpa Mark checking out some machinery: 

One of the floats handed out Beanie Babies and Hudson got a blue one and I got a brown one - we were both so excited!  Here's me & my bear: 

Hudson loved all the animals in the parade and really liked the horses at the end - he even stood & clapped for them!  He waved and they waved back which was pretty awesome! 

After the parade we met up with our Culbertson cousins again went to the park, had lunch and set-up a monster train set.  Here's Owen, me & Hudson: 

Here's all us cousins: me, Issy, Evelyn, Owen & Hudson: 

Before we headed for home & a started our nap Grandpa told us all some stories - disclaimer:  do not believe any stories Grandpa Mark tells you, they are extremely exaggerated! 

We got home just in time to unload the car, meet up with Daddy and head to Blue Earth for our first Giant's Days Parade!  We were hoping to see Cousins Hannah & Elise however poor Elise got sick and they headed home early.  We did get to meet up with Great Grandma Betty, Grandma Judy & Grandpa Allen - here's our crew at our friend Dave Persig's house! 

Silly Grandpa stole Hudson's Twin's cap!  Looking good don't you think?  Of course Hudson is trying to climb all over him - our little monkey! 

So happy to be back with Daddy - we missed him! 

Still can't believe we did 2 parades in one day but we have the evidence 3 gallon bags of candy!  Of course, Hudson, Mom, Grandpa Mark and Daddy did most of the work.  Here's our little worker bee:

The brother's who love tractors & any and all types of ag equipment!  Always makes us stop in our tracks.  After the parade we got Pizza Hut and met up with Brittany who watched us while Dad & Mom joined some friends for the Blue Earth street dance.  We didn't mind as we were too tired to notice they were gone!

Today, Sun., July 13th we enjoyed sleeping in, church and then a special family breakfast after we checked crops at The Cottage in Amboy, MN.  They even made us special tractor shaped pancakes!

A huge THANK YOU to all our family & friends who made this past week / weekend so much fun.  We can't believe how blessed we are & are truly grateful.  Hard to top the past two weeks we've had they've been spectacular - thank you!

XOXO, Hayden & Hudson