What is he up to?

It's the strangest feeling letting your child leave your home and your supervision, get on a bus, and drive away to school.

I often wonder what his days are like and what he does.

His speech therapist, Vickey, sent these pictures home.

I actually have more questions than answers now...

a few more Masonisms

I thought I lost this list of crazy stuff that comes out of Mason's mouth:

• I'm going to have five kids. (What are you going to name them?) Elli, Eli, Elli, Yellow Puppy, and Puppy. 
• When I grow up I'll be daddy and when Eli grows up he'll be Mason!
• Oh yeah Jose!
• Open Seseme! (He got this one from Dauvey)
• Nope, Go FISH! (his response to any question)
• (singing) Oatmeal Donald had a farm
• (singing ABC song) Next time you won't sing with me

Speaking of ABCs, he thinks the third letter is pronounced "sees". Try telling him it's not!
Last but not least,

• Can you please get your junk out of my space bubble?

Masonisms

Mason is always asking what time it is, and what that means. For example he'll say what time is it. I say 8 o'clock. What does that mean? Time for breakfast.

The other day we were playing and I asked Mason what time it was.
"It's eighteen thirty seven"
"Oh really? What does that mean?"
"Time to eat Eli!" and he ran over to his brother and started om nom nom'ing on his stomach.

Other common phrases:

• Oh my goodness!
• I am so excited!
• That is so beautiful!
• Hey, put your seatbelt on! We'll get a ticket!
• What was THAT all about?
• Eli is always so funny.
• You knucklehead.
• to Jason: I'm telling my mom on you (really really wish he hadn't picked this line up)

I wrote earlier how he told me his teacher commented that he didn't talk very much. Now that phrase has become a joke to him and he'll say "mom, you don't talk very much".

One of the things Mason says all the time is "How can I help?" He loves to be involved in whatever it is we are doing. He helped fold laundry, take out trashes, wash dishes, scrub bathrooms, and has started making noodles and PB&J sandwiches for lunch.

Mason has made huge progress with his manners. He's learned to say it once or the answer is no (for when he repeats the same line fourteen times). He has learned to say it nicely of the answer is no (for when he barks out an order). He has learned that manners get results.

Lately when he really really wants something, he'll phrase it this way:
"I want the answer to be yes, may I have more please?" or "I want the answer to be yes, can I watch a movie in your room?"

Mason and Mom

Oh the fun times we have together!

one of THOSE days

It's a school day. Mason got up, got dressed, and ate just fine. I thought that we were off to a great start. Then everything fell to pieces. His waist band starting bothering him. Something is wrong with Eli and Mason was really upset and concerned about his sick brother. He couldn't find Yellow Puppy and then he tripped when heading out to the bus. I think he was pretty hurt. He continued to the bus but his crying got louder with each step. I (barefoot in the snow) tried to convince him to come back inside and stay home or at least let me drive him to school. He said he wanted to go on the bus, but was still really crying. He got on, and they drove away.

I paced around for a bit, trying not to think of him sad, hurt, or embarrassed, and then called his teacher. I love that woman. I love how calming she was as she recognized I was the one needing comforting. Miss Clara promised to give him lots of love and make sure he was okay. She called back when the bus arrived and said he had recovered and was just fine.

I don't even know how to explain this picture from last week.

I can't stop thinking about what a difficult child I was and the heartache I caused my mom. Not only did I go to school screaming and crying most days the first couple years, but she had to drag me there. Mason still wanted to go and bravely did what he needed to do. I was the devil child who threw tantrums if my pony tail wasn't right. I always did everything I could to get out of going to school, even through high school. Mason on the other hand loves school days, has no fear or trepidation about going, and is so sad when he misses a day.

I often say Mason looks just like his dad and acts just like his Mom. He and I are more sensitive, more emotional, and have some sensory issues that make us a little finicky. But when Mason got on that bus today, I thought of Jason who rarely ever missed school and always goes to work no matter how sick he is. I think he got his bravery and dependability from his dad.

Halloween 2011

The good thing about Halloween parties is that you can try out many costumes. This year Mason said he wanted to be a witch, then a pumpkin, then a pirate. He ended up being Elmo, a hunter, and then for the real day, BATMAN! His little legs couldn't carry him from house to house fast enough. We went around the neighborhood (especially striking it rich at Vickey's), visiting Aunt Janett, and then went to a party at the Heaton's.

 Mason loves scary stories and likes to be told them at night time before bed. To decrease the chance of nightmares we try to make them funny and light. He really likes ones about bats, wicked witches, and anything that features him being brave. He has spent the past two weeks saying "It's a scaaaaaaaary night".

The tail of two puppies

Mason has always really loved stuffed animals. We've been given a lot of them, so that's a lot of love. He used to always have two that he'd play with, any two. The two lucky ones would change from day to day. Recently he started favoring just one. For a while it was a monkey, then an owl, then Harry the penguin. Then Yellow Puppy. Yes, that's his name. Mason is funny about names. He knows I love the name Sam so everything is named Sam or Sammy. Other than Sam, Mason just names them what they are. Like Yellow Puppy. Or Different Bear (the one that replaced Bear Bear).

Mason and Yellow Puppy have become exclusive. He's the animal of choice. He goes everywhere Mason goes. This means he gets lost everywhere Mason has been. We spend a lot of time searching for Yellow Puppy. I'm usually more blunt with natural consequences. As in "you didn't take care of your toy and now he's lost, good luck with that" but I can't be mean about Yellow Puppy. When Mason realizes he doesn't know where the dog is, he'll start into this long sad dialogue that doesn't cease until the limp raggedy dog is back in his arms.
It goes like this:

I don't know where Yellow Puppy is. Mom, where is Yellow Puppy? I can't find him and that makes me feel sad. I'm so sad and I miss my Yellow Puppy. I looked on my bed and he wasn't there.Yellow Puppy? My dog is lost and I'm so sad in my heart. Yellow Puppy is my best friend and I don't know where he is!

Mason goes on and on and he's sure the world is about to end. We'll find the dog and he perks right up. We repeat this at least a few times a day.

Today we thought Yellow Puppy was really lost. We looked everywhere. We texted Jason, called "Shama Heaton", and asked our neighbors. I even checked the laundry baskets and trash cans. Mason was so upset. We went to play in the backyard, hoping it would distract him from his woes. Mason went in a brought out a big basket of animals and started questioning them. Have you seen Yellow Puppy? He got to a black and white dog named Ding Dong that he passed down to Eli. Apparently the dog was acting suspicious and Mason was sure that Ding Dong knew where Yellow Puppy was and just wasn't telling him. He got on the phone in his toy jeep and was yelling at someone about the dogs and the conspiracy. I couldn't understand a lot of what he was saying. But he was mad.

Fast forward an hour or so. Mason went inside and came out with glitter (no, you can't play with that) in one hand and Yellow Puppy in the other. I yelped in surprise and asked him where he found him. Mason looked down and seemed equally surprised to see the missing pup in his hand. I think he must have found him downstairs and tucked him under his arm without thinking about it. I still don't know where he found Yellow Puppy. And Mason still won't apologize to Ding Dong for falsely accusing him.

Of course Yellow Puppy went missing right before bed and we had to search him down again. Mason sure loves that dog. Here's my funny little man, fast asleep, with Yellow Puppy. He also has a moose and a penguin in there.

All about Mason

{I went to Europe and left some instructions behind for those helping with the kids. Here's Mason's info}

All About Mason

Mason doesn’t have a schedule and doesn’t take naps. Some mornings I have to wake him up to get him on the bus, other times he’s up early wanting to cuddle or watch cartoons. He likes cereal, eggs, or muffins for breakfast. Some mornings he throws fits about “not enough cereal” but I think he’ll be better behaved for you. He needs to go to the bathroom first thing in the morning and last thing at night. If he doesn’t want to try, remind him sometimes our body surprises us.  He likes to get dressed right away, and doesn’t like wear shoes inside.

School mornings:

Routine: I wake him up by 8am if he’s not already up. He eats cereal or eggs, gets dressed, brushes his teeth, and washes his face. I open the front door at 8:15 so we can hear the bus if it’s early. If Mason gets ready and has time to kill we either read or he rides his bike out front. I walk him to the bus and help him up the first step. The aide helps him to his seat and buckles him in. I stand out front and wave until they are off. 

He is a perfectionist and gets discouraged if he can’t do something right. He gets frustrated if something (like putting on shoes) is harder than normal. Watch for flying shoes.  We’ve been working on taking deep breaths when he’s building up getting ready to explode. I’ll say “let me hear you breathe a couple times and then we’ll try again”. Because he wants to do everything just right, he’s also a genius. He’s become very talented at coloring in the lines and writing. Give him time to do things his way and you’ll be astonished at what he can do. Lisa recently introduced him to mazes and his abilities are amazing. 

He plays well with Eli…most of the time. He’s often a big rough and still has that strange obsession with Eli’s hands and feet. He’s sneaky about it too. Eli puts up with it pretty well and will let you know when he’s had enough and needs rescuing. 

Mason loves to help. From making dinner and feeding Eli, to helping with laundry and taking out the trash- it makes him feel important and he’s a good little helper. 

His favorite things to play are: pretend he’s a puppy, play kitchen outside (making salads out of grass), make huts or puppy houses, color, puzzles, and any games. 

On school days I try to be very aware of how he’s feeling when he gets home. Some days  he needs a break to unwind and calm down. Some days he’s very tired and sensitive. Ask him how his day was and he’ll say “Well” and launch into his description. 

If you can’t understand what Mason is saying, try these tips. Tell him you didn’t hear and ask him to repeat it. Ask him to look at you when he talks. Ask him to show you with his hands. Ask him to show you what he’s talking about.  He gets very sad when people don’t understand him and if not treated patiently will give up and feel upset.

To help Mason out I always let him know what to expect. For example you could say “Time to get ready for school. Step one, eat breakfast. Step two, get dressed. Step Three, brush your teeth”. Or “First I’ll come pick you up at school. Then we’ll go the store, and then we’ll play a game.” This may be a hard week for him so I think it’s important to let him know what is going on,  when he’ll be going to the lake, and when Mom will be home. I have a calendar for him he can look at and it’s already been helpful . 

Mason loves to  be told stories, to be held close, and tickled. Make sure he knows I love him to the moon and back and will be back soon.

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.