Our little boy has started Kindergarten. He catches the bus at the end of the driveway each afternoon @ 12:46 (Mon-Thurs). He goes all day (9:10-2:10) every other Friday and no school on the off Friday's. We are still getting used to having a kid in school and accommodating this additional schedule. Hudson loves school and seems to be thriving in this new learning environment. We were very proud to receive a letter from the school stating that Hudson was Student of the Month for September. That means he was the first kid to receive this honor for the whole school year.
He is learning to read and is given "heart words" (sight words) each week that help a lot. He is learning to write both upper and lower case letters as well as numbers. He is able to do simple addition, can recite his address, knows the days of the week, and we're working on currency value. He seems to catch on quickly after being instructed only once or twice.
His class had a book fair, reading night, a pumpkin patch field trip, and student/teacher conference. It is so nice to be able to put him on the bus knowing he is going somewhere he enjoys being and doesn't have to have idle quiet time in his room. His brother appreciates being able to take his nap uninterrupted as well ;)
Hudson & Beckett both played Fall soccer this year. Hudson had a different coach which made for a different and less than favorable experience. Needless to say, daddy has volunteered to coach next year. He is no longer intimidated to play but isn't super aggressive either. He tends to hang back and avoid really getting in the middle of the group to get his foot on the ball. It will be interesting to see if this is something he grows out of or if soccer/sports just isn't his thing.
Outside of school Hudson had some fun experiences over the Summer. We had a fun West coast road trip where we enjoyed camping in the Redwoods, visiting the Tillamook factory and an aquarium in OR, and building sandcastles in the northern CA ocean sand. He also went to the Puyallup Fair for the first time. He was adamant about going on the ferris wheel which surprised me coming from our more cautious son.
This year for Halloween, we went over to the Mitchell's neighborhood and both Hudson & Beckett dressed up as firefighters (thx to uncle Cameron). We found out after ringing a fellow neighbors doorbell that Hudson's teacher, Mrs. Belmondo lives in the same neighborhood.
Hudson continues to be more risk-averse than his little brother. We still see that sensitivity although at times it's coupled with first child/older brother tendencies to bully and antagonize. He appreciates rules and structure and has yet to be reprimanded at school (fingers crossed).
He is a thriving, intelligent, kind, stubborn and sweet boy and we love him so much.