Seven New Wheels

are parked on our curb. Bike wheels, that is.When we had our garage sale in July, Brent and I told Eli and Emma we would get them new bikes with the money we made from the sale. They both had grown out of their old bikes so it was time for brand new ones! A few days after the sale, I took E and E to Wal-Mart and let them choose the bikes they wanted. It was funny to me because Eli choose a simple, yet get the job done bike for him. Nothing fancy, affordable, and rides well was his criteria. He shopped for literally 5 seconds and his choice was made. "This is the one, mommy", he said. Now, while, we were getting some help to get Eli's bike down, Emma was studying and processing her decision. She finally narrowed it down between 2, a Princess or Hello Kitty. While Eli's decision was quick and precise, Emma had many factors for choosing. She wanted a colorful, sparkly, and one that she knew her friends would like. She even took a "test drive" around the toy section of Wal-Mart. She finally decided on the Hello Kitty bicycle which had all the bells and whistles and was twice as expensive as Eli's. I was thinking to myself, yikes, I know how Brent feels when we go shopping together now, Emma was doing the same thing I do when it comes to making a decision, taking forever! She notices details more than any little girl I know! Well, a few weeks later we finally used the rest of Edan's birthday gift cards(no, I didn't get him the EB highchair I have been wanting since before he was born, drats!) and bought him his very FIRST tricycle! Edan's tricycle is a Radio Flyer and he loves it! Eli rides a bike very well, he is like Brent in this aspect. He has very good balance and coordination. We haven't taken Emma's training wheels off yet, but she is so proud, protective, and pleased with her choice! When Edan gets on his tricycle it just makes me sad, he still seems like my tiny little baby! On the handle bars there is a little bell that he makes "ding" with his finger and it is hilarious when he makes the bell go off! He bursts out laughing hysterically! It is so sweet! I am glad that the three E's are enjoying their new rides, we go out everyday after homework and snack so they can ride in style! It makes me happy to see them so joyful and happy when they are on their bicyles!!! Just call us Tour De Hodson on Maple Valley Lane!

School Daze!

Well, I can't believe that the summer is over and school started today! Wow! We had a terrific summer and a great day yesterday with worship and the Lord's Supper last night at church. For dinner last night we threw a big blanket down in the bonus room and had a McDonald's picnic. It was so much fun for the kids, we talked about school, the drama at church, and just had some great fellowship. I gave them a detailed "plan"of how today was going to be, what they were to do when they got up, and how we wanted them to have a great school year! Even though it wasn't anything fancy, it was perfect for Eli and Emma and they love quality time like that! This morning went well, Emma was a little drowsy and sleepy, but she was still so excited. Bless her heart, she is already nervous thinking about PE class(she didn't like it at all last year). Eli got right up and hopped into the shower and was looking forward to meeting new friends and carrying his messenger backpack! Here they are before we left for school:

Brent wanted to go with us the very first day so when we arrived at school, they walked in together:

We took Emma to her classroom first. Here she is walking down the 1st grade hall.: and putting her backpack away and sitting at her desk with me and Eli Emma already knows her teacher, Mrs. Lancaster, who was Eli's first grade teacher. After dropping Emma off , our 2nd stop was at the opposite end of the building. Here he is walking down the hall trying to find his 3rd grade classroom: Eli's teacher this year is Mrs. Studer: Today was a great first day!

Uh-Oh Spaghettio

I think he likes it...

Steppin' in Style!

Edan has been walking for over a week now and doing great! We recently got him his first set of balls and he loves to play and "throw" them!

He likes playing in the upstairs hallway so he can walk, walk, and walk!

Go, Edan, Go! It is so sweet to see him walking! I love it! Eli and Emma are his best cheerleaders and they keep a count of how many steps he is taking. I think Eli said today we are up to 30 steps before falling! Eli and Emma were on the other side of the camera cheering Edan on and when he fell to the floor he gave his big brother and sissy a GREAT big smile!!!

We are so proud of you, Edan Brian!

Lunch Date with the Boys!

Since my little princess was gone today(Emma went to the Buhl's house to play with Lily), I took my favorite little boys to meet my favorite big boy for a picnic lunch. We met at Melton Hill lake for Brent's lunch hour. Eli wasn't too happy when we first got there because he forgot his fishing rod at home. Everytime I would try to take his picture he would turn and look the other way:

After a few minutes Brent got him laughing and being happy!

Edan was happy in his stroller eating next to his daddy! He has recently learned sign language for "more". Here he is asking Brent for "more, more"!!!
I missed Emma but was glad I got a chance to be with my boys! We thank Brent for giving us some time during his busy work day!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

On Wednesday night, July 8th, our family along with the Longs went to a Tennessee Smokies game! Edan stayed home with grandparents so Brent and I could spend some"special time" with Eli and Emma. The Smokies game started at 7:30 and they played the Montgomery Biscuits. We were all excited about getting stadium food. Eli picked nachos while Emma chose a corn dog!

Eli and Jared enjoyed watching the ballgame and sharing popcorn.

The Smokies mascot "slugger" came over to our section and the kids wanted a picture with him.

The night wouldn't be complete without cotton candy! Eli and Emma devoured it within seconds!

YUMMY!!!

We had such a fun night! We were glad Daron, Amanda, and Jared went with us!

Summer IS Sweet!

Wow! I can't believe summertime is halfway over! It has gone by way too fast! So, what have the Hodson's been doing this summer? We started summer with VBS at FBC Powell, Eli and Emma only attended 2 nights(Emma had strep while Eli was committed to a ball tournament). The beginning of summer also included our wonderful vacation with family to Hilton Head Island. We did lots of fun things there: rode bikes, built sand castles, ate ice cream, dug our toes into the sand, discovered powdered sugar and flour look the same in a ziploc baggie, but most of all, laughed and loved on each other. When we got home Eli and Emma went to Summer Spectacular at Grace Baptist. They loved it! This is where the opening song comes from on my blog. They learned this there with the hand motions, we sing and dance to it all the time. This was also and exciting week for Brent and I, as we celebrated our 10TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY! We both give GOD all the GLORY for what HE has done through us! Brent also surprised me with a very nice anniversary gift, something that I have always dreamed of, a Honda Odyssey! He is so sweet!

In the middle of June, Edan got his 2 front teeth! He loves to show them off!

Father's Day was a fun, relaxing day. We went to mom's for a cookout and it was so yummy! Here he is with his babes: We went to the fountains at World's Fair Park and the kiddos had a blast! Here is Edan and Brent in the water!

At the end of June, we started our annual "pool day" at moms with lots of friends and family!

I have basically put Emma's hair in a braid all summer to prevent her hair from breaking from all the swimming she is doing! She absolutely loves it though when she goes to bed with a wet braid and wakes up with curly locks in the morning!

July 4th was busy! Our LifeGroup handed out 1300 bottles of water for the July 4th parade. It was a beautiful day, not near as hot as it had been in years past! After the parade, we went to see and hug Parker for his birthday and then headed to the Grooms to say hi and Happy 4th! Our final destination was a cookout at mom's for her annual July 4th spectacular! Eli, Emma, and Edan looked cute in their Americana outfits!

One of my favorite pictures so far this summer is one that Brent took at the beach....my baby boy lovin' on me! These moments are few and far between so I am glad Brent photographed it! Summer IS sweet!