A Father's Day Gift

When Brian was around Hudson's age, his grandmother, Nana Lucy, made him a cowboy outfit. He then had pictures made, that became one of the signature pictures of his early childhood. Because Hudson looks a lot like Brian did, and does, I thought it would be neat to recreate that picture. So, I searched on-line to find a similar outfit, and had no luck, of course, because Brian's outfit was homemade. So if I really wanted these pictures to be similar, I knew I was going to try to recreate it myself. Even with everything going on, I was thankfully able to make a replica of this cowboy costume and get the pictures back in time for Father's Day. Naturally, Madison now wants a cowgirl costume...so don't be surprised if you see these costumes again on Halloween!

Take a look at Brian and Hudson...my two cowboys!!

Happy Father's Day to a very special Daddy!


Brian

Hudson

Brian

Hudson

Hudson with a little personality!

It's Official

After many months of job searching, traveling, and praying, a decision has been made! Late last week, Brian accepted a position as a professor at The University Of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia. I also accepted an offer to teach as an adjunct in the department teaching pilates and other group fitness classes. In addition, I will be exploring an offer to work in Atlanta with a pilates studio. We are excited to have a decision made and a direction of where we are headed, yet we are sad to be leaving Tallahassee, which has been our home for about the past 15 years! It is bittersweet as we close one chapter of our lives and move ahead and see what God has in store for us in the future!

The next few weeks, however, will be a whirlwind! We just got back from Carrollton tonight and already found a place to live! Brian defends his dissertation on Friday, and then our plan is to pack up and move to Carrollton around July 8th....a mere two weeks away! We have our work cut out for us as we try to get everything done and say good-bye to our friends! We will get it done, though, and be on our way!

Quick cute story:

We gave the kids the option to share a room for this year and have a playroom, or keep separate rooms, and they have decided to share a room!! Madison was soooo excited; this was our conversation:

Madison: "Yeeaahh!!! Now I can finally see what it will be like to be married and share a room with a husband!"

Us: "Not quite, Madison. You and Hudson will each have your own bed and you are brother and sister."

Madsion: "Well, its sort of the same. I won't be by myself!"

Us: "That's true!"

At least they are excited!!

Is He Smarter?

Brian has been extremely busy this past month writing and completing his dissertation. Because of this, he has been gone a lot and spending a lot of late nights at the office. When the kids ask where he has been, I continue to explain that Daddy is in school just like them and he is working on a very important paper, so that he can graduate and finally be done with school. So one night recently, this is the conversation that Madison and I had:

Madison: "Why is Daddy still in school?"

Me: "Because he is working hard to become a Dr."

Madison: "A doctor of P.E.?"

Me: "Yes, but not like Medical doctor. A doctor who knows a lot about P.E. and can help other people who want to become P.E. teachers, and to make P.E. better for kids like you."

Madison: "Well, are you still in school?"

Me: "No. I am done going to school."

Madison: "Well, why is Daddy going to school longer then you? He's smarter then you, huh?"

Me: "Yes, Daddy is really smart. We are both smart in different ways."

Madison: "Yeah, you're really smart at pilates and at being a Mommy."

Me: "Yup."

Later I told this story to one of my classes, and a client told me that I should have said that Daddy needed to go to school longer then me so he could catch up to how smart Mommy is!

Now why didn't I think of that?

Just Kidding!

Last Day of School

Yesterday was the last day of school for Madison and Hudson. It's hard to believe that Madison has competed her Kindergarten year and moving onto First Grade!! She couldn't have had a better year. She has grown and learned leaps and bounds. She ended her year having received all E's and 3's on her report cards and was the only one in her class to receive the Principal's Award. She was very proud of herself about that! Her teacher wrote on her report card that she is now reading and writing at about a 3rd grade level and her math skills are at a 2nd grade level. She also said that Madison will always hold a special place in her heart!!

Way to go Madison!!

Hudson also completed his first year of preschool, and absolutely loved every minute of it! Not a day went by where he didn't want to go. He loved his teacher and has also learned and grown a ton! He was truly a baby when he started school, and now he speaks incredibly well, counts to 20, knows all his colors, sings the ABC's, among many other songs, and even knows most of the letter sounds! He is also well on his way to being potty trained. He is truly going to miss going to school this summer.

Great job Hudson!!

The last week or two of school was busy with many fun events. Just before Memorial Day Hudson had a Patriotic Performance at his school, where each class performed patriotic songs and dances that they had learned. It was adorable.....I will try to get a video up asap! He sung "Three Cheers For The Red, White and Blue" and a Marching Song. He seemed to really enjoy being on stage!!

Madison had a fun-filled student appreciation week, where each day had a theme and finished with an ice cream party on Friday. Then we had her end of the year field trip/party to one of her classmate's houses. The kids had a blast running wild. Her teacher couldn't believe how much energy they all had as compared to how calm they are in the classroom!

This year has been a tremendous blessing to the kids and us! They were able to be a part of two incredible schools that were able to encourage them to reach their fullest potential! It was an emotional last day as we realized that there was a really good chance they would not be returning back there next year! We are truly thankful they were able to have a great start at school, and are confident that they will do even better next year....no matter where we might be!

In the meantime....Hooray for Summer!!