Final Days in Dallas at Teddy Bear Park

May 2012

Hudson, by the time you are 8 or 9, heck 5 or 6, you probably won't remember this bridge or this park in Highland Park in Dallas, Texas however, we roamed around and played here a 100 times for the first 4 years of your life.  This bridge leads to large teddy bears made of stone, which you climbed all over and I use to talk like I was the bears and you would talk back to them, kiss and hug them.  Underneath this bridge is a waterfall that we hung out by all the time.  We dug for dinosaurs there, you and Daddy fished and we all threw lots rocks in the water.  This will always be a special place!

I love you my love, Mamma

Swimming Class at Emler

April 19, 2011 - May 3, 2011

Hudson,

You took a wonderful class at Emler Swim School. You loved class and you loved your teacher, Mr. Reed (in pictures). Plus, you were an awesome swimmer! By the end of the semester, you were swimming for 10 seconds to the middle of the pool. Pretty amazing for 3! You have no fear. Actually, there was one day you were scared. It was about the 3rd class. You figured out quickly that there was a deep end, and you began to understand that you can't stand in the deep water and that you can go under. You kept saying, "I don't want to jump in the deep water." Your awareness of the depth of the water made you frightened. This was actually a good thing. Before this class, you would just jump in anywhere. However, you got over that fearful day and you would jump right in and swim.

The teachers are great at Emler. They basically throw you in and make you swim. They teach you to keep your eyes down in the water, which is really important when you are learning to swim and learning breathe control. It's kind of like golf - keep your eyes and your head down. You had the sweetest boys in your class - Hank, Will and Balthazar. You all got a long well. Balthazar's mom was Russian and she was sweet. There is a confidence builder pool next to the big pool. It is only 2 feet deep and you swam in it after every class. You loved it. We would go to the pet store next door after class. We would get two puppy dogs out of their cages and play with them in the socialization area. We had a our little routine.

You graduated from the Aqua Tots level and got a ribbon! You are a natural born swimmer, like your Mamma, and I knew you would be.

I love you my little fish! Mamma

Fishing by the Waterfall

May 2011

Hudson,

Daddy got you a junior Zebco fishing pole. We all went down by the waterfall by Teddy Bear Park. You brought your tackle box, your pole and fish food. Daddy bought some bait and a sack of fish food for you. You didn't know the difference. You were precious. You were throwing the fish food in the water and you practiced your reeling. You did not want any help and would get very mad at Daddy when he tried to show you. Oh Hudson! You are the king of "I can do it by myself," and I hope you grow out of this. However, figured it out, which is amazing because it isn't easy to cast. Hudson, you seem to get everything quickly, and although mothers tend to brag about their children, I am telling you, you are good at everything you try. While we threw fish food and bread, Daddy was trying really hard to catch a fish. He wanted you to see one, we both did. He finally caught one and you thought it was so cool. You touched it and Daddy threw it back in.

We had so much fun! Highland Park has some neat areas to explore and we are fortunate for that.

We love you my little angler, Mamma & Daddy

Fast Forward:  April 6, 2012 (below pics)
We still go to the waterfall and fish.  Daddy got you this cool new fishing pole and you all went on this day.  You are casting like a pro.  It is amazing.  You are not even 4.  This takes a lot of hand eye coordination - which you REALL HAVE.  Daddy was even saying that he knows some adults that cannot cast.  Of course, you still do not want any help.  That's you Hudson - Hudson "I don't want any help" Squires!  You are a rock star! xoxo  p.s. it takes great strength and courage to ask for help... xoxo