{Seriously?!?! And Bass Pro Shop and Santa}

Seriously, where has this month gone?!?

I have so much to catch up on, it's unreal.

So........way back on 12/3 we went to Bass Pro Shop with the Rochelles to see Santa. It was greatness!

Bass Pro Shop looks so pretty during the holidays. 

We got there early so that we didn't have to wait too terribly long for Santa.

We had great timing and only had to wait about 30 minutes!!

I was sure Mason would be scared of Santa...but he really surprised me. He didn't cry at all! Such a big boy!

On our way there!

Sweet boys!

Not the best picture, but I  love how he has his hand in his pocket!

Beth and I

Like having twins..oh my!

His Daddy was really proud that he went after the pink bear! ha

Love my little family!

Pooped!

{What's your name?!?}

Love this kid!!

{Sandbox}

We bought Mason a sandbox for his birthday (back in May) and he just recently played in it for the first time!! Can you believe that? 

It was too daggum hot in the Summer and we didn't have any shade around our house.

And well, Mason is fair skinned like me!

So, did he like it?? Not at first. He was like get this stuff off of me! Seriously.

But Nate and I showed him how much fun it was to dig and he warmed up to it a little.

He played for about 15 minutes and he was done. 

He sure looked cute though...

{Jingle Bells}

{Old McDonald had a farm...}

{Last night was my favorite...}

{Wonder how many more times I will say that throughout the years??}

Yesterday was a rough day! Work was hectic, Mason was needy, I was stressed from not finding Diesel and my patience was wearing thin!! I was trying to cook dinner and Mason kept grabbing my hand and wanting me to go to his room and look at {not watch} all of the Barney dvds. Honestly, I was getting frustrated. I had a million other things to do than to sit there and look at Barney cases. And then I had to stop and remind myself:

I GET TO DO THIS! 

God specifically chose me to be this little boy's Mommy and to give him my undivided attention! And that's what I did. Dinner, laundry, cleaning can all wait!!

From then on my night went from awful to one of my favorite nights ever.

Just like that.

I'm positive Mason could sense my attitude change and was in a great mood as well! We played, we ate dinner, hung out and watched snakes on tv...{he made the sssss sound throughout the whole show}

And was just adorable. 

And he let me hold him like a baby!!! I ask him, "Mason, can Mommy hold you like a baby" and he gets so excited and says "Awwww baby" until I pick him up and cradle him like a little baby. Then I shower him with kisses and tell him how he's my sweet baby while rocking him. He grins from ear to ear and I melt.
I love it.

Last night he almost fell asleep while I was rocking him.

But I am glad he didn't.

Why you ask?

Because...it only got better.

He played a little more until he was ready for bed. He hugged and kissed Nate goodnight and off we went. We get to bed and Mason is a little restless. I asked him if he wanted to sing and he said "Yesss". 

So I started with Old McDonald, his favorite. 

Then I started with the Barney song. I discovered he knew that song a few nights ago when he sang along with me. But last night - he was full on with motions and all. He had to hug and kiss me every time we got to this part "With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you". 

I couldn't believe it....and of course screamed for Nate to come see.

And he emphasizes this part "Won't you say you love me too"

And keeps saying "too" until you start over.

So then he and Nate sang the song, hugged and kissed and I laid in bed thinking

"Tonight is my favorite, they are my favorite"

And I couldn't be any happier or feel any more blessed.

And the best part?

Mason fell asleep holding Nate's hand with his left hand and my hand with his right.

Yep, last night will go down in my book of favorites.

Pics from last night:

{Another playdate}

A couple weekends ago we had another play-date with the Rochelles.

I just love watching our boys together. They play so nicely and get along great.

They actually call them the "Best friends" at school. 

Makes this Mama's heart happy.

We went to their house for some yummy snack foods and good ole' hanging out.

Our silly boys!

{Roll up the map}

Mason recently discovered Jake and the Never land Pirates and loves them.

He especially loves when they sing!

"Roll Up The Map"

{He's making his list...}

And checking it twice...

{Update on School}

I haven't updated on school in a while, so here goes.

You still love it. You're especially fond of your teacher, Niesha. You have called her "Esha" up until recently. Now you say it like "Asha". Not sure why you changed it. :) But it's cute!

Every morning we pull up I say, "Mason where are we?" and you say "SCHOOLLL" so enthusiastically. I hope it stays that way throughout the years. I pray that you're always excited about school and eager to learn.

Because right now? You have a hunger for learning new things.

 

Your teacher says you are always good in class. {Whew}

Yall have around 12 kids now, 13 on some days.

 

Mrs. M at the front gives you 2 skittles every morning and in return you tell her, "Thank you", "Happy Day" and "Love you". She melts.

 

You can count to 6 {when you want to of course}.

You know the color green and yellow really well.

You know some shapes, oval being one of them.

You've learned several songs that you know many of the words to:

The wheels on the bus {You do all of the hand motions}

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Old McDonald Had a Farm - you love the EIEIO part!

 

You're eating is getting better {at lunchtime}

You sleep well at naptime every day.

You love to go over all of the kids in your class' names. If I forget one you remind me.

The last few days I have let you walk in to school instead of me carrying you. You walk in so confident like you own the place! It's adorable.

And your "Schoolwork" is getting better each time. You used to only color 1 line on your paper...now you fill the paper up!

{Happy Thanksgiving}

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Today and every day I am very thankful for these two. They are my heart and soul!

{The day Mason grew up}

It was a Friday night...Nate was playing softball and I had Mason in the stands.

He was giving wearing me plum out...wanting to run in the dugout, out on the field, pull the extension cord to the scoreboard {why it's in the reach of children is beyond me}, climb up and down the stairs, stand on the folding stadium style chairs...etc. Just being a typical toddler boy. 

I was stressing just a little....okay, a lot.

Then I had a bright idea...take him to the park, duh!!

And that's when he grew up.

Right then and there.

He saw all the other kids playing on the playground equipment and joined them...never skipped a beat.
I don't know what it was, but it hit me like a ton of bricks....he's no longer a baby! He's a big toddler playing on a playground with a bunch of older kids.

And? He was so proud of himself. Like biggest smile in the world, proud.

I was holding back tears.

Why does time go by so fast??

Why do they grow up in the blink of an eye??

It's bittersweet, I tell ya! 

....I can just hear someone in my family saying, "Guess you know what that means?? Time to have another one?"

 

{Embrace the Camera - 11.17.11}

Linking up for Embrace the Camera -

Oh sweet boy! Last week was such a trying week. You pushed every last button and boundary that you could. You clearly know right from wrong, but you like to teeter on the wrong and see what you can get away with! It's been fun. ha. You've been in such a cranky mood {thanks TEETH, thanks}.

But then you are so incredibly sweet. It's hard to get mad at ya! 

This week has been a little better {besides your teeth hurting}.

Last night you were so hyper after your bath and in such a good mood. I tried to get as many pictures as I could! You weren't having it, though. You just wanted to play, play play!

My hair is wet, not greasy - I promise ;)