12 1/2 years (87.4 lbs; 60.5" tall)

Hudson is in the 7th grade and has been homeschooling since the beginning of the year due to COVID. 

We had a bit of a rocky start to the year in terms of accountability for his work and turning assignments in and on time. However, in the past several weeks, we're getting a good rhythm/routine and staying on top of things in a new way and it seems to be proving mostly effective as Hudson currently has straight A's!!!

Due to the pandemic, Hudson did not trick-or-treat this year and instead opted for a movie night at home with mom buying a bag of candy he could split with his brother. There is talk of a vaccine that is 90% effective so while our fingers are crossed, I assume Hudson will homeschool the rest of this school year.

We did several fun activities over the Spring/Summer before going back to school: 
  • Traveling (Chelan, Blue Lake X2, Vegas/Sedona, Montana, Cle Elum, McMenamins, Twisp X 3 where we played putt-putt golf, kayak @ Patterson Lake, and rode horses at Sun Mtn)
  • Hikes: Tradition Lake, Taylor Mountain, and May Valley Loop
Hudson is currently reading Endurance about Shackleton's shipwreck in Antartica. He doesn't love reading so we definitely have to dangle the 'screen time' carrot in order to get him to read. I hope this changes.

Fall soccer canceled its regular season but offered a clinic style practice. Hudson wasn't interested so we're taking yet another season off from sports. When the weather was nice the boys would play football a lot in the yard as well as some basketball (basically horse) and a little baseball. We spent time doing a few new local hikes as well as biking, and kayaking during our travels earlier in the year. 

Hudson now has BRACES!!! He got them a couple weeks ago and is getting used to eating with metal in his mouth and adjusting to his new normal. He's been doing a really good job brushing his teeth and doing fluoride afterwards. I actually think his teeth have never looked cleaner!

Hudson and mom decided to do a 1:1 overnight trip over on Bainbridge Island. We took the ferry across the Sound, hit the Poulsbo bakery and then checked in to Pleasant Village Inn. We got burgers, late night snacks and watched movies in bed. The next day on our way home, we hit Woodland Park Zoo and then came home. It was a great time being together and bonding as we see this window of opportunity closing sooner rather than later as he evolves from a boy to a young man. 

Hudson has started to help out more around the house as he continues to look for ways to make money. He is getting better and better at washing pots and pans and cleaning sinks/toilets. It's so great for mom to have more help around the house especially while we're all home together so much of the time. 

Hudson is moving towards adolescents and will be 13 in the Spring. He is moving away from articulation and we often say we have to be fluent in the language of 'grunt' as that is primarily what we get out of him when responding to questions. He is a normal pre-teen and we understand that he is testing/questioning his autonomy and boundaries which is exactly what most kids his age are doing. Oh boy, here we go...the TEEN YEARS!!!

Hudson and Beckett continue to do a great job at creative play. They are always coming up with games or contests or things to do downstairs or outside which is great!

We love you SO MUCH Hudson Gray! It's so hard to believe our baby will be a teenager next year!


Hudson's Current Favorites:
What do you want to be when you grow up: Historian
Color: Orange
Book: Endurance (latest read book)
Song: ---
Breakfast Food: Pancakes
Dinner Food: Sushi
Number: 15
Best Friend: Sam, Evan, Ryan, and Greg

12 years (84.2 lbs; 59 1/4" tall)


Hudson is on the home stretch of finishing out 6th grade via home school given COVID-19.
In addition to his weekly assignments from his teachers, we have been supplementing his curriculum by learning to type (typing.com), play the guitar (fender.com) speak Spanish (rosettastone.com) paint (Bob Ross videos), Khan Academy and of course read, read, read. Hudson recently finished the Count of Monte Cristo. Once he finished it we watched the movie - such a great story!

Due to the pandemic, Hudson was not able to have a birthday party this year as people have been asked to socially distance and not gather in groups. So, he decided he wanted a "yes" day. Basically he wanted to eat a bunch of junk food and play his iPad so that is what he did. He was extremely generous and used half of his allotted $ to buy Beckett a list of treats in addition to his own. This year, mom made the cake which we were able to share with a few people we saw over the weekend.
He got an upgraded mountain bike and a War Robots t-shirt & mug from mom and dad.

We did several fun activities over the Winter/Spring before we had to shelter in place:
  • Black Diamond Open Space bike trail
  • Duthie bike park (w Steph, Chase & Cru)
  • Sledding at Hyak Park
  • Cougar Mountain Zoo
  • Hindu Temple
  • Game Night (Bingo)
  • X-Country Skiing & Luge in Methow
  • Ski trip to Bachelor in Bend
Hudson is currently reading Animal Farm, a book his dad had and he seems to be enjoying it. It's an allegory so good food for thought and conversation.

Spring soccer season was canceled due to the Corona Virus so unfortunately we were unable to watch Hudson lead his team, which had some good returning players like Tucker, coming back. Darn!

Hudson continues to be a thoughtful, generous, cautious, and slightly shy personality depending on who he's around. He is definitely becoming a teenager and testing his boundaries and limits when it comes to authority/rules. He also is getting more and more brave when it comes to trying new things and talking w people. He's doing an amazing job w home schooling and being way from his friends and a conventional school environment. I know it's not easy to be separated from routine and he and Beckett are doing a great job w creative play and recently made tickets for a "home zoo" and invented a fun game of whiffle golf which we've all been enjoying. They are also working on an elaborate paint by number canvas and seem to be enjoying that creative process as well. We recently got a basketball hoop and have been practicing shots and playing a lot of HORSE.
At this time he wants to be an INVENTOR when he grows up.

We love you SO MUCH Hudson Gray! It's so hard to believe our baby will be a teenager next year!


Hudson's Current Favorites:
Color: Turquoise
Book: Count of Monte Cristo (latest read book)
Song: ---
Breakfast Food: Sugar Cereal
Dinner Food: Sushi
Number: 5
Best Friend: Sam and Evan