Hi friends and a very happy weekend to you! Just last Monday our family returned to the scene of the crime in Stalker: the lovely New Castle Beach in New Castle, NH. The following post recounts my little Hudson’s beach adventure last summer. (Hudson’s six now, has Down syndrome, the youngest of four boys.)
We had such a gorgeous Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago and headed for the mountains beach. Sure do love a late afternoon beachscape.
Not too hot. Not too cold. Juuuuuuust right. (Goldilocks approved.)
So we’re walking onto the beach to set up our stuff, pass an abandoned beach blanket, chairs, etc. Also a plastic bag of picnic trash, all tied up, sitting in the middle of the blanket.
Oh, and a very clever, greedy Mr. Seagull burrowing through the plastic, enjoying a late afternoon snack of Doritos and whatever other remnants he can scavenge.
So suddenly my boys want to offer him snippets of our picnic lunch. Whaaaattt??? The chicken salad sandwiches I slaved over, not to mention homemade cookies and Avocado Lime Black Bean Dip? Crazy kids.
Sure, and while you’re at it – send an open invite to all the seagulls in NH. Your mother’s not so generous as that, kids.
“Nada nada,” said I.
Gets his wet chewy tube (therapy tool he hopefully chews on instead of his thumb) in the sand, then returns it to his mouth. Gets sand on his hands, puts them in his mouth and eyes.
Doesn’t know how to spit yet, so you get the picture. Think sand. Choking. Stress. Yeah. And let me add that he drinks from a sippy cup with a straw, then with utter abandon cheerfully hucks it into a sand pile.
Now here’s the heaven part. Hudson’s a Stalker. Yup, heaven. (!) I never knew when I dreamed of having all my sweet little babies that I’d bring a Stalker into this world.
Hudson, my little seagull Stalker. And seriously, it’s the funniest thing you ever saw. He gets real quiet and stealthy, sneaks up on ’em.
Of course they’re hoping for food, so they don’t move a muscle as he approaches. Give him that creepy gull off-in-the-distance stare…
Hudson’s often bored at home, asks for a “show”, looks for attention throwing things, even refuses to play with toys often. Yup, our sweet little Hudson does those things. But take him to the beach, and he forgets about the shows and throwing stuff (well, not the sand) and busily occupies himself stalking gulls.
And just when he gets close enough, and it up and flys away, the stalking begins again in earnest with another bird. The only problem is if someone (or something) is in his way. Like a sunbather. (Oops.) Or an occupied chair or beach blanket.
Yeah, that’s a real problem. Because Hudson’s focused, sees nothing but the gull, eyes glued to that elusive dirty grey bird. (Sorry birdie.)
Hudson’s determined to get that bird.
Makes me think perhaps a bird might be a good pet for Hudson. Come to think of it, a parrot. Yes a parrot could be perfect, a little extra speech therapy on the side. (And let’s hope it’s a nice parrot?)
Wish I had a video of Hudson gull stalking for you. Because you’d really get a kick out of it. Mama’s Little Stalker. He never tires of it.
So here’s a funny twist. The stalked becomes the Stalker. You gotta watch this short funny clip. A shoplifting Dorito stalking seagull. You gotta see it to believe it! Too funny.
Wishing you a beautiful summer weekend, friends!
You may also enjoy: Just Like Billy
Kathy Moran says
This story is hysterical! Sitting on the beach reading it, I almost feel like you all should be at the blanket next to mine!!
Allie says
Dear Kathy, thanks for laughing. I’d love to be on the beach blanket next to yours….
Susie Mandel says
I would LOVE to see video of Hudson stalking a seagull–hilarious!! And that video from Scotland was so funny! I think Scotland sounds like a lovely idea…let’s go. 😉
Carina Spring says
I enjoyed reading about Hudson’s love for chasing seagulls! 😀 The Youtube video was great – I had to show it to my son! (Ps – I tried submitting this comment before, but it looked like it didn’t work. Sorry if it is a duplicate!)
Leslie - LittleGemsUSA.com says
Finally! Some payback for those pesky gulls….go Hudson!!!
Aida@TheCraftingFoodie says
Hudson is absolutely adorable, Allie! I love his seagull game, and I love how much he loves being at the beach. The sand situation is sort of stressful, but the seagull stalking seems to completely outweigh the sand 🙂 Plus, what gorgeous photos. I feel like I’m at the beach just looking at them!
Allie says
Many thanks for the kind words Aida. I sure do love the beach. And Hudson is definitely his own little person isn’t he. Hope all is well with you, thanks for dropping by.
Linda Jenkins says
Great story, Allie. I can envision Hudson so focused on his seagull mission that the entire world fades away. It is so precious to view the world through his eyes, even the world off those irritating seagulls. A parrot might be interesting; however, I shudder to think of words Hudson may innocently utter after listening to the parrot.
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
Allie – Hudson sounds like such a funny boy! I think I probably chased the birds and caught beetles in little crates when I was a kid, too. Such innocence. I love it. Your beach day sounds like the perfect weekend activity. I spent some time lounging in my pool, reading a book, and cooking. 🙂
Karen @ On the Banks of Salt Creek says
Wow. I wish my boys could focus like that . That son of yours will accomplish what he sets out for.
Great story.
Nancy Cole says
We have an African Grey parrot who talks up a storm. Great lexicon~3800 words/vocabulary. She prefers males to females, but does not care for fast moving children that might lurch towards her at her cage. Otherwise she’s quite pleasant and certain intriguing to watch. Very bright. Has a jungle gym she plays on. Can let herself out of her cage. We have her wings clipped so she doesn’t get away or fly into a window and sustain head trauma. I would do some type of a trial run with parrots before pursuing one for purchase. African Greys live to be about 100 years old, so it would be a pretty big commitment were it not a good fit for Hudson. Certainly worth consideration though. Stimulating and fascinating both! XO
Allie says
3800 words???? Oh my goodness. I had NO IDEA! She sounds VERY INTELLIGENT…I had no idea they live to be 100. XOXO
Laura Cook says
Stealthy stalking at its finest with Hudson on the lurk!
Aunt Pinkie says
That Hudson is too much! Love this stalking musing!
Allie says
Thanks Aunt Pinkie, he is definitely funny to watch when he is on the prowl. So focused!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Glad you guys had a wonderful time at New Castle Beach, Allie! Hudson is so adorable!! I love that he stalks seagulls! At least the little man knows how to keep himself entertained right? And he is a sharer, wanting to share your food with the birds. Lol. To funny and way too cute! Love hearing about your adventures! Cheers, dear! xoxo
Allie says
Hey thanks Cheyanne – free entertainment at its finest! Thanks so much for dropping by and hope you’re having a great week my friend. The weekend’s coming! XOXO
Eva says
Chère Allie, tes histoires sont toujours adorables, je n’avais jamais connue avant une mouette voleuse des doritos… les photos sont très belles, cet endroit est magique et tellement beau! C’est des journées comme la tienne qu’on garde dans nos mémoires à vie! Happy summer my friend! xo
Allie says
Thank you so much Eva, you are so sweet. I hope you are having a wonderful summer with your family! XO
Mandi Korn says
Cute