Hudson has started 3rd grade and has a male teacher (Mr Kostohris) for the first time.
He seems to really like him and has a lot less homework (so far) than last year. Go figure.
Mommy got to chaperone his Fall field trip to the Salmon Hatchery, bring treats into his Harvest party on 10/31 and attend their Open House to see their classroom, his desk and current projects.
He also had a "folk song" music performance lead by Ms. Tolliver.
Hudson just wrapped up Fall soccer with a new team and coach. It was a very tough start to the season transitioning onto a new team with kids he didn't know and a coach who wasn't familiar. The first practice was the roughest but we eased into it and before long he was friends with the kids on the team really enjoyed the coach and his wife (Jen). Needless to say, I'm sure Spring season will be much easier when he's back with the usual suspects. It's hard to believe he's played for 9 seasons already. His jersey color was burnt orange and their team name was the Onyx's.
We start swim lessons in a week and Hudson will be in Level 3 (2nd time) so we hope to advance by the end of repeating this class. He's leary of being in the deep end so looking forward to exposing him to this fear so he can conquer it and move forward.
We spent the whole Summer trying to find a book series that Hudson would gravitate toward. We weren't successful until school started when we encouraged/forced the first Harry Potter book. It was a little challenging for him for the first half of the book. But now he's really into the series and has started the 2nd book. He's actually such an advocate that he has encouraged Beckett to start reading them and Beckett is reading the first book. (crazy!) We incentivized him by saying he could watch the Harry Potter movies once he completed the book. So he's now watched "The Scorcerer's Stone?
He still enjoys writing and drawing which has been consistent with him. Hmmm....right brainer?
This year for Halloween we had to pull together some last minute costumes. Hudson ended up being a "bear'ista". He wore a green Starbucks apron and had a bear hat with bear slippers on his hands.
Beckett was a scuba diver named "Deep Sea B" and Beau made him little plastic tanks to wear.
Hudson watched "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" last night. I'm hopeful this drives interest in the Chronicles of Narnia series but we'll press pause until he's done with Harry Potter.
Hudson has some anxiety and we've identified ways of working through it. Casey encouraged us to talk about "what's the worst thing that could happen?" and then go from there. It sneaks up on us so we try to warm up to new things early by talking about expectations and being open to questions.
This ranges from fear of taking team/school pictures (sensitive eyes) to new kids/teams (Sounder soccer camp - getting separated from Chase; new Fall soccer team with unfamiliar kids/coach). It's a delicate balance of parental encouragement and realistic expectations we have of him at his age.
Hudson is up to mommy's chin and almost able to wear the same size shoe. He is gentle and considerate, sensitive and stubborn. He is creative, serious, and an introvert. He likes to ride his bike, ascend the new climbing wall in the garage, play in the creek and outside with his brother. He also likes to sit quietly and build lego's in the playroom, draw, and create little games/plays.
It is so interesting to watch the person he is becoming. There is so much to love about Hudson and we feel so blessed to have such a healthy, helpful, and conscientious member of our family.
We love you SO MUCH Hudson! It's hard to believe you are 8 1/2 years old.
Hudson's Current Favorites:
Colors: Blue, Green, and Gray
Book: Harry Potter series
Song: Eminence Front (The Who)
Breakfast Food: Waffles
Dinner Food: Coconut Shrimp
Number: 5
Best Friend: Colton, Graham, Tyler, Sam, Juan