The 3 R's- Part II

wRiting!

At his age Mason seems to enjoy dumping out the crayons as much as "writing" with them, but coloring is an activity we can pull out when we desperately need a distraction (or for those of you that are around him much- when he starts making "that noise").

The thing that is most entertaining about Mason's "writing" is that no matter which way we hand him the crayon he always turns it upside down to color. We've tried helping him, but he prefers it pointy side up. Also, he seems to pick out the white ones to color with. Doesn't sound very satisfying does it? It's one of those pointless things that drive me crazy but Mason enjoys it so I'll let it be.

The 3 R's- Part I

Reading!
One day at the library we were asked if Mason had signed up for the reading program. You have to read 10 hours with your kid, and fill in a little bubble for each 10 minutes read. 10 hours? Easy, I read with Mason all time. I figured it would take me about two days. Three tops.
Fast forward a few weeks, add in some serious reading sessions and some very worn out books and we're finally done. Mason got a free aquarium pass, a bowling ticket, and a free book for reaching his (crazy mom's) goal. He picked a book full of messy kid pictures. Figures. I love that I'll check on him in his room and he's sitting on the floor reading a book. I don't even care that it's upside down.

I also love that he anticipates what is on the next page. One of his favorite books is Peek-a-Who? He tries to skip to the page, "peek-a-boo" because that's when I scare him. When we get to the "peek-a-choo choo" he knows he's in for train tickles on his tummy. The other night when I put him in bed I asked, "Do you know who loves you?" His response, "Who? Who?"

Other favorites: Big Plans, Big Smile Baby, Buzz Buzz Busy Bees, Haaatch, and Hungry Monsters.

Favorite reading quote: "It's not right for a woman to read. Soon she starts getting *ideas*, and *thinking*..."

What is your favorite kid book? I need to add some variety to our collection!

Brought to you by the letter K

I love being a mom. I really do. Today at the grocery store Mason helped me unload the cart. Unfortunately he was throwing stuff on the floor while I was trying to get it on the conveyor belt. Also unfortunately I couldn't stop laughing. Behavior enforced.

I went to make some toast today and the toaster was unplugged. I plugged it in and when I turned it on it started smoking horribly. I found a refrigerator magnet- formerly in the shape of the letter K- melted inside. Only too late did I remember why the toaster was unplugged in the first place. I had Mason on the counter while I was making sandwiches the other day. I unplugged it so he wouldn't get shocked if he put something it in. Well...he put something in it...

I really like these moments because they are silly events that otherwise wouldn't have happened if I hadn't been blessed with my little boy. How can you get annoyed when it's just evidence of how great life is?

We decided it was time that Mason had some responsibilities around the house. He is now officially in charge of getting us up in the morning, reminding us to bless the food before we eat, and throwing away the diapers. Here's proof:

Funny and "MORE"

Here's a quick update on Mason. First off, he's got such a little funny bone. Even a simple look sets him off giggling. Stop short in the hallway and he's rolling with laughter. He still loves to be tickled but I found a new spot right under his chin. He gets especially goofy when he's tired (but not too tired. Too tired is Tantrum Town). Today when putting him down for his one and only nap he dropped his monkey. I picked it up and he dropped it again. Then he almost fell out of my arms with laughter. Did you know that dropping your monkey is really funny stuff? I didn't. Jason is best at getting Mason laughing over the silliest things. Must be a boy thing.

Mason loves water. Take him to the ocean and he crawls right in. Same with the pool or the tub. Yesterday at the beach we practiced going under water without inhaling. He did really well, and was able to do it again today at the pool. He's made huge improvement from the first of the summer when water on his face distressed him. Now tip his face in and he laughs. See above paragraph.

After a few weeks of losing some skills I am glad to say he's picking up new words and signs. He says "maMa" and I think he might mean me. He still says Dadadada for Jason, Hot for food, and Uh-Oh for everything. I tried to tell him you can't throw your food on the floor and then say Uh-Oh like it's a mistake. He just laughed (paragraph 1 again).

He's also signing "Please" in addition to food, milk, more, and folding his arms to pray. I like "Please" a lot more than the desperate "more, more, more" sign. You'd think I starve the kid for how frantically he signs "more food".

Other than that he's your typical amazing one-of-a-kind genius baby. Oh! And he loves his toes. He'll be walking around. Stop. Sit down. Pull up one foot and look closely. Then the other foot. The switch back to the first one. Over and over a dozen times and then move on.

Happy Fourth!

Did you know that if you look very closely at your son's eyes you can see the fireworks reflected back at you?