Must be a boy thing Part II

I wrote before how boyish Mason is. It's still true that his favorite objects are rocks and sticks. However, he's recently expanded his fetishes to include necklaces and chap stick. He especially enjoys putting on makeup. I don't have much for him to choose but he does what he can with powder, nail polish, and lotion. And SHOES. I don't have to worry about him trying on heels since I only have one pair at the very back of the closet. Still, he does his best with our boots and flips.

I wonder if any of this behavior has anything to do with the pig tails I keep putting his lovely locks in... I actually really enjoy watching him become aware of all the fun things around him. I know this is normal development. But is it normal to freak out when he sees Dad give Mom a hug? Any why does he keep chasing all the little girls around until he scores a little lovin?

Hard Work!

Getting firewood is hard work for such a little guy. First Dad is gone all day up the mountain and brings back a big load and dumps it in the backyard. Then Dad saws it into smaller rounds. Then Dad splits it. Then Dad stacks it in big containers he made. THEN, the hard work begins! Mason helps Mom load some of it into the wheel barrow, even trying to get the pieces that are bigger than him. Then we walk CLEAR ACROSS the yard and Mom stacks it next to the house. Then she opens the wood chute and Mason throws each piece down, ALL BY HIMSELF. Yes, indeed, getting firewood is hard work.

missed one

This is another reunion picture, and one of my all time favorites, of Mason. Jessica's fiance Dan set up his hammock outside the cabin. Swinging in it was the only was I could get Mason to nap with all the noise and fun going on.

Spaghetti Eddie Eats His Hand

Will it ever stop?

Poor Mason does not do well when he is teething. He had six teeth, no more no less, the entire summer. Then, as we hit the road to come home he started teething. I do not exaggerate when I say each one comes in separately and takes over two weeks to make their grand entrance. Also, his mouth has a mind of it's own. He got his top four before any on the bottom. Now he has three bottom teeth and big gaps until his new molars. Mason has always been a intense child, so happy or so sad. Teething turns him into a darling yet ferocious Tasmanian devil. I thought he was loud before but lately he makes a sound similar to a tornado siren. I desperately look forward to the day he'll have all his teeth and we can try to forget this frustrating little stage.

Since we've had mouths on our mind I thought I would share some teeth trivia for you. Surfing the web is an excellent coping mechanism to avoid giving in to your desires to tie up and muzzle your screaming child.

· An average person has 32 teeth. That number includes 4 wisdom teeth. We have 8 incisors, 4 canines, 12molars and 8 pre-molars.

Americans buy 14 million gallons of toothpaste every year.

· Baby first teeth usually come in on the top front. They start coming in when they are about 6 or 7 months old.

· A child will usually have 20 teeth by age 2.

· A child will usually lose his first tooth when it is about 7.

· George Washington did not have teeth made out of wood, but he did have teeth made out if hippopotamus teeth. He also had teeth made out of ivory, lead, human teeth, and cow and sheep's teeth.

· Your teeth started forming before you were born.

· The bristles of toothbrushes were originally made from the hair of hogs and cows.

· A Chinese dentist once built a tower out of 28,000 human teeth.

· Sharks have at least 40 sets of teeth in their life time.

· What is the average amount of Tooth Fairy money given for a fallen baby tooth? $1.10

· The armadillo has as many as 104 teeth.... more than any other land animal.

· Rats must continually chew to keep their front teeth worn down. If they lose a top one, the bottom tooth will eventually grow up into that space and continue into their brain.

· Clark Gable & James Dean wore dentures.

· You will get fewer cavities if you eat a bag of candy in one sitting and then brush your teeth than if you slowly eat the candy a piece at a time all day.

· The average cost of braces for teeth is $5000.

· The JDRA has established a denture recycling network of over 200 locations throughout Japan, including dental offices, where people can drop off their unwanted dentures. The dentures are recycled and proceeds from the recovered precious metals are then donated to UNICEF and other organizations.

Starr Reunion: Guess what....?

We spent a weekend up at Duck Creek for the 2nd Annual Family Reunion. EVERYONE was there. We played on the mountain and then went to Richfield for Jackson's baptism.Guess what Mason's new favorite object in the whole wide world is??? So special he cannot let go of it ever-ever???

I spy Mason preparing to kill the vampire.

Starr Reunion: Cousin Joss

And yet he loved her oh so much:

And my favorite picture:
"Hey Mom Look! I'm not the one crying for once!!!!!!"

Here comes the bride

We went dress shopping with Jessica. After 15 minutes of opening every dressing room door, Mason started whining. Loudly. Insert plug . (I promised myself I wouldn't use his pacifier for that purpose, but have you heard the noise that comes out of the little guy???)

Several beautiful white dresses later and Mason needed another distraction. Introducing Mason, the Ultimate BrideZilla.

What does a dog say?

I continuously ask Mason questions, knowing he won't answer. It's just a habit. Someday he'll have the words to give me a reply.

I asked Mason if he wanted a hot dog. This time he answered!

"Woof! woof! woof!"

Must be a boy thing

Every time Mason hears Jason's bike start up he runs for the door. And he wants up! He'll sit there forever if we let him. Jason lets him stay on for the length of the driveway and then makes him get off. Then Mason has a come apart. He has started recognizing what a helmet means. As soon as he sees the helmet come out of the hall closet he starts booking it for the side door.

Speaking of strange manly tendencies, Mason is apparently training for some sport. Pick a sport, any sport. He loves to kick the ball. He loves to throw the ball. He loves to just carry the ball everywhere he goes. Have you ever tried to buckle in a kid who has a death grip on a mini basketball? It's really difficult.

Little fisher dude

First thing we did when we got back to Utah was pack up our camping gear and head for Fish Lake. Mason was still in "beach mode" and tried to walk into the lake a few times. He had to settle for throwing rocks in the water instead. Papa Starr, Jason, and I took him out in a little boat. He liked it when we went fast. He did NOT LIKE IT WHEN WE WENT SLOW.