bAcK tO sChOoL

Mason went back to preschool today. He was up and ready pretty early. We took some pictures in the picture tree. We read books in the living room while we waited for the bus. Every time a loud vehicle drove by his eyes would get big and he'd look at me to see if it was his bus or not. When it came he grabbed my hand and skipped to the bus. I think he'll be fine. I know he'll be fine. But for Pete's sake he's only THREE! I waved and smiled as they pulled away. I wouldn't go so far as to say I cried... I just blinked a lot. 

Dinner time

You know you need to set the dinner table more often when your little boy climbs up to the table and says

"Oh! Are we having a tea party?"

Harry

"Mason! Why is Harry in the fridge???"
"Because penguins like to be cold."

Whenever a box shows up from Aunt Carol we get excited because you never know what fun treasure you'll be getting. Recently she sent some clothes for the boys and this penguin. Mason named him Harry and is so sweet with him. He was very agitated last night when he couldn't find him and was walking from room to room calling "Harrrrrry?" Tonight he read him Eli's baby books and then tucked him into bed. Mason likes to have conversations with Harry and will change his voice as he speaks for himself or for Harry. Often you'll hear the line "Oh Harry. You're silly".

Mr. Mountain Climber

Jason went with Nate and my cousins canyoneering on Saturday. Mason was sad he couldn't go but made the most of the day by donning some extra gear and playing mountain climber. I led him around the yard by a rope and he scaled tall peaks (the rock out front) and steep crags (the retaining wall) all in the name of adventure. He always enjoys being like his dad and this game was no different. Mr. MountainClimber even helped me check the mail and water the garden. Climbers are really helpful like that...

Dad's extra harness...around Mason's shoulders...

school shopping

How do you

explain

to your 

three year old 

why 

he 

can't 

have 

purple

Dora the Explorer 

sneakers?!

i guess if i was a better mom i'd let him pick any shoes he wanted

my purpose

I've had a handful of little moments lately that have reminded me what life is all about.
I learn so much from Mason. He is simply good for the heart.

Today as we were doing an everyday task, Mason stopped looked up at me and said "Jesus knows me". He went back to what he was doing while I tried to stay composed. I love that he knows that. I wish everyone could have that same pure, simple, and firm knowledge.

I had to go into work for a couple of hours tonight. Usually when Mason sees me with my badge he begs me not to go. It makes me feel like a pretty lousy mom on the few nights I have to take off instead of tucking him in. Tonight he saw me and asked in a very grown up way if I was going to work. I said yes, kissed him goodbye, and went to the car. As I was about to drive away he came running across the front yard. "Wait Mom, I have something to tell you!" He climbed in the passenger seat, gave me a big hug, told me to have a fun time at work, and shouted "love ya!" as he trotted back to the house.

Pop Culture according to Mason

I swear Mason doesn't watch tons of TV. If you heard him talk, you'd think otherwise. The characters from his shows are real to him and he asks about them all the time. Here's his take on pop culture, movie classics, songs and more!

Overheard in church "my home teachers go above and beyond". Mason (loudly): "Hey she said beyond! Like Buzz!"

When he says "infinity and beyond" it sound like "Finny and Yon!"

He argues to himself "Duck season! No, Rabbit Season! Duck Season! Rabbit Season! POW!"

He sings this version of London Bridges: "My fair OLD LADY".

When Mason makes a silly mistake he softly says to himself "Silly ol' bear".

He's often heard saying "There's no place like home" and "Lions and tigers and bears! OH MY!"

One night I was in checking on Eli who had cried out. Suddenly Mason sat up in bed and said "I saw Peter Pan's shadow on my wall!" I hope I never forget the precise way he pronounces Peter Pan.

He likes to quote 101 Dalmations when he's hungry. In his sweet little puppy voice he says "I'm hungry Mother. Mother, I'm hungry too."

One day mid prayer he stopped and said "So Peter Pan is far far away but Jesus is really close?"

At some point he heard the Barney "Love song". Now he sings while he plays "I love him. He loves you..."

He's still tender hearted and cries at Lion King, Little Mermaid, and can't finish Monsters Inc because it's too scary.