My halloween monkey

For all intents and purposes last year was Hudson's first halloween but he was only five months old so as far as he knew wearing a silly costume was just customary. This year he was actually able toenjoy the age old pastime of trick or treating. I had so much fun picking out his costume and wathcing him go from door to door saying," tik teet" At first he was a bit reserved about grabbing candy from a stranger but he soon warmed up to the idea and an hour after we left the house we returned with a bucket full of candy and one happy and tired little monkey. I watched him walk up to one house with his daddy and I got a little teary eyed; (something I don't do often, more often since I have become a mom though) I watched his tiny monkey shadow holding his dad's hand and it dawned on me that he is not a baby anymore. He grows everyday. I realized that one day, before I know it he will not let me hold his hand anymore and he will not be home on halloween, and there will be a day when trick or treating is simply too babyish. But, for now I will soak up what I can get and enjoy every moment.

As an educator it is an occupational hazard I guess to want your children to develop quickly and be learning constantly

. I was blessed to find a woman last year to watch my son at our home. It was so convenient and they grew to love each other very much. It is hard to watch a child and not be very attached I am sure. This year after I spent the Summer filling all of his waking moments with activities and stimulus I decided it was time to try a preschool. The first day came to take him to his new school and I was filled with excitement mixed with anxiety. I was so excited for him to learn new things and be around other fun friends his age. Only three days into week one, he had two ear infections and strep throat. I knew that this would be one of the drawbacks of his new school but I didn't know how hard it would be to pick him up and see his nose constantly dripping and coughing like crazy and, I am sure I am imagining this but he looked at me as if I was responsible for his misery. Week 2 was not any easier. Week three I received a phone call during class alerting me that Hudson had tripped and hurt his mouth and probably needed stitches. My heart pounded out of my chest. I pictured him drenched in his own blood screaming for his mother. It is one thing for your child to be hurt while you are watching him but, something entirely different when he is under someone elses' care. I flagged someone down to watch my class while I went to check on my boy. I arrived in a panic rushed to his room, and scooped up my child. I start checking his mouth and I can't find any gash or wound to speak of. I looked at his keepers questionably for an explanation. They looked at me puzzled before it dawned on them that it was another HUDSON that had been hurt,... not mine. Panic turned to relief. I was thrilled that I wasn't going to be making a trip to the emergency room . However, my heart sank at the thought of this happening again. What if it had been something more serious, and the wrong mother was contacted, what if I was the mother of the other HUDSON next time and wasn't informed right away of my injured son? what if.. what if? Before I reached the edge of the parking lot I was on the phone to my son's former nanny asking, no begging for her return. She gladly accepted. I pondered my decision and decided that I would much rather have piece of mind and a happy son than a sick little boy that knows his ABC's. You may say that I am a first time mom or that I am over protective and maybe you are right but, for now I want my son whole and happy, he has the rest of his life for school!

Why,... Why not?

Once in a job interview the person interviewing me asked, "If you could get paid to do one thing for the rest of your life what would you do"? I have a telling face and I am completely incapable of lying even if it would be best for the situation, so without hesitation I responded," Write. I would love to sit and write, there is something so cleansing and therapeutic about it, even if no one ever read a single word." I did not get the job. I am pretty sure I was supposed to say that I wanted to do the job that I was interviewing for. I have written in a journal on a fairly regular basis since I was thirteen. I have four VOLUMES of journals by my bed dating back to 1992. I love to write! I also am so proud of my family and I always have a new'fantastic'story about something my son has done, or learned to do, or a hilarious mishap that I have had. ( those are more frequent than you would think) By trade I am an English teacher, but, I am dyslexic which is a bit like being a blind umpire or a midget in the NBA. So I ask for your forgiveness for typos and missing words. I hope you enjoy reading and seeing pictures of my family as much as I will love posting them. My husbands question about blogging in general is ,"Why?" I say, ... " Why NOT!"

WHy\\