you've got a friend

We are so lucky to have some of the best kids in the world next door. Mason especially loves Dauvey, who is just a year older than him. She's so good to share all her toys with Mason. He wakes up some mornings and the first words out of his mouth are "Can I play with Dauvey?" They ride bikes together, jump on the tramp, play dress up, look at bugs, and play in his play house. Having a friend so close has made this summer so much fun.

if he says he feels sick...

Mason had a checkup at the dentist. For a few days prior he kept saying he felt sick and that he was thowing up. He never did and seemed fine. On the way to the dentist's office he said he felt sick, but then went in and played with the toys in the waiting room. He got x-rays for the first time. After his teeth were cleaned he said he felt sick again. See where this is going? He came and sat on my lap while we waited for the dentist to come do his exam. Then Mason puked. It was great.

 

I really love how well behaved he was, especially considering he really didn't feel well. The dental assistant said she's never seen a three year old sit so still. If only he could act like that at church..

His view

Memorial Day

(I'm actually posting this a couple months later. I can't believe how much Mason has grown up this summer!)
The summer begins with our traditional trip up the mountain to open up the cabins.

Meet Magnetic Joey! Mason's new favorite toy. I love his hair here.

Look at our lizards! (Mason's not wearing his usual mountain clothes, we went to church in Alton.)

Hand Attack!

I don't think I've written about Mason's obsession with Eli's hands. I hardly know what to say. He won't leave Eli's hands alone. Mason is constantly pulling, tugging, squeezing, pinching, and grabbing Eli's hands.

logic

 Shortly after Mason's birthday he kept asking for something, and I couldn't figure out what he was saying. He'd received gifts for his birthday so I thought it must be one of his new toys. Try as I might I just couldn't understand what he was asking for. One evening he came in and asked again. I was holding Eli in the rocker. I said "Mason, I don't know what that is. Can you show me?" He left, discouraged, and I felt bad. A few minutes later he came back in the room, holding a very heavy bag of potatoes. He got very close and said, slowly and loudly, "MOM!. MR. POTATO. HEAD!". He's amazing.

Mason was looking at bugs on the sidewalk. He asked "Mom is this a nice bug or a mean bug?". I replied "I don't know Mason. How can you tell?". He clarified, "Does it bite?"

Mason loveslovesloves to pretend he's a dog. If I call his name he responds, "I'm not Mason, I'm a puppy". As my friend put it, boys can be very naughty boys but very good puppies. We've had to talk about how yes, puppies lick people but that no, it's not okay for Mason to lick anyone. Ever. Mason will sit and stretch his foot up to scratch his ears. That's what puppies do. Lately I can't get Mason to wear shoes (can't blame him). He told me "Mom, puppies don't wear shoes". I replied "Oh yes they do" thinking "Internet, don't let me down". I got on the computer and showed him several pictures of puppies wearing shoes. I win. 

Mason's birthday trip: Hogle Zoo

We flew up to SLC and went to Hogle Zoo for Mason's birthday. I'll let the pictures tell the story:

On the plane

Enjoying the view

Biscoff Mom? Yes please!

And he's OUT!

Yay for row 11!

Monkey see, monkey do.

The Starr boys

My favorite attraction

Lazy Rhino

Grumpy Monkey

Classic Mace Face. Wants to play, too timid to take his turn.

I think he liked his birthday trip.

Roar!

We were all getting worn out

Part of the family

Riding the train

Changing Schools

Once upon a time Mason went to Early Intervention. His Grandma didn't work there anymore but he got the next best thing: Miss Collette. Mason is shy and quiet in new situations and sweet Collette helped him feel comfortable and happy. She sang songs with him, played with him, and helped him with his speech. Mason's favorite day was Monday because Mondays were school days. Once a month a very special thing would happen and Collette would come to our house and spend time with us and share wonderful activities for us to do later.


Then one day Mason became a big boy. He turned three. He got a special crown from school. When you turn three it means it is time for a new school. We were all very sad to say goodbye to Collette and her wonderful aides. They helped us more than they'll ever know. It was so wonderful to know so many professionals were willing to help us out and to spend time with our family.




Now that Mason is three he gets to go to Iron County Pre-School until school is out for the summer. It was really neat to sit down with a half dozen people and talk about how Mason is doing and what we can do for him. As his mom I always feel anxious and concerned about him. How cool to have a bunch of others on my team! Another thing that has really helped me out is when I found out our neighbor three houses down will be his Speech Therapist and our next door neighbor will be in his classroom.



Mason goes to school twice a week now and for a little bit longer. His favorite part is that he gets to ride a bus! It comes right to our house. They have booster seats for all the kids. Sister Poulson from our ward is on the bus to keep an eye on him. Having her there helps me not feel so nervous about sending my little baby on the bus. I feel really blessed to have so many people we know be involved with this experience. I feel like we've been sent angels.



My favorite part is when he gets home from school. Although he isn't gone very long it feels much longer. I love to hear about what he did, to read the notes his teacher sends in his back pack, and to witness his speech improve.

Mason's 3rd Birthday!!!

Mason turned three! It was such a wonderful day. I am quite sure I was more excited than he was but when the day finally rolled around we had so much fun and made sure the day was all about him.

I decided the best birthdays start in the morning so Mason got to wake up to this:


And if cakes are going to take forever to make, they should be enjoyed all day too.


I couldn't wait! We let Mason open a present right away.


The week before when we talked about his birthday, Mason asked if he was going to have a birthday hat. So of course we had to find the best birthday hat for him.

Opening presents wouldn't have taken so long if every scrap of paper didn't have to go into a pile on the couch. Not our rule, his!

Isn't it funny how of all the presents and time and thought put into them and it's the dollar store paint project that he gets so excited about.

We invited all the family over and even played some party games. This one is Snake Pit. Ryan is blindfolded and trying to find all the snakes in the bean pit as fast as he can.

Make a WISH!

AND TAKE A BITE! (It's tradition, he did a great job!)

Love you buddy. You are everything to me. Watching you grow up is the greatest show on earth.

awkward

It's always awkward when you go to pick up your child from preschool and he pretends you aren't there. I promise, he knows me!

This was a familiar scene when we go to pick up Mason. All the other kids have put their chairs away and are leaving with their parents. Not Mace. He's stubbornly sitting there, soaking in every last minute with his beloved teacher. All too often we could have to physically remove him. Raised eyebrows... hope we didn't raise too many red flags.

He's from a loving home... he just doesn't want to go there :(