Happy Birthday to my Mason

Welcome to the world- Mason!

Our baby boy arrives in style- one of the hottest days of the year, 3 days of labor and then on Labor Day weekend no less- I should have know right then that he was taking over!

My baby boy is turning 5 and its breaking my heart into pieces... Its gone by way too fast and part of me wants to keep him little forever.

My dear sweet Cobbies---You have become such a great little guy and I could not be more in love with you. Your stubborn, sweet, kind, bossy, wild and have the most amazing imagination. I love your wit, your spunk and you crack me up to no end!You love to dress up and are always coming up with some crazy character. Keeps the house lively to say the least! I will NEVER forget this- your 1st Easter program at pre school- you were so ticked about your "ruffle" shirt... (Sorry Ms. Valerie, I thought they were beyond darling!)
Your sense of adventure and wonderment of the world are a pleasure to watch! You have opened my eyes to things that I would never notice.
You love your little brothers and Daddy endlessly.

Your birthday always fall on or around Labor Day and its perfectly appropriate as you my friend, are indeed a labor of love who has taught me patience (sometimes) and given me the best gift ever- being your Mom...

Happy 5th Birthday to my Pirate, Police Officer, Army man and most of all- our little buddy. Thank you most of all for just being YOU!

Mason's Easter Program

Mason's Pre school had their Easter program today and it was so much fun! Among the bunnies, butterflies and singing flowers was the "Chick" class. Mason and his friends did great! Their group was the 2nd to come out and they marched out on stage and sang the sweetest little song. The actual chick song did not get taped as I had put my Mom in charge of the twins so I could take pictures and she was fiddling with them and trying to keep them off the stage. She did however get a few others. I made these orange pants for Mason and also made the cracked egg hats for all of the kiddos. They looked just darling! Mason did inform us SEVERAL times that he did not like his feather chick shirt. He said it looked like ruffles and was for girls. He demanded to change shirts the minute his class was done. Oh well- I loved it!

After the program, Mom, John, the twins and I headed back to his class for his class party. The kids indulged in cupcakes, snacks and yet another egg hunt. Such a fun morning and I cant believe that my baby just had his 1st school play! I'm still smiling!

Mason's Summer Vacation

Mason's Nana & Papa took him on an amazing summer vacation this year. My sweet Mom says that this has been "her dream" and was more excited than anyone (I think). Being that Mom and John lived in Colorado for 11 years, she knew all of the PERFECT kid friendly destinations and planned this trip with activities for Mason every day. I LOVE Colorado in the summer, snow capped mountains, a cool breeze and gorgeous scenery. But alas, someone had to stay home and tend to the babes. So off Mason went with his Nana & Papa to explore the Rockies. Here is a quick recap from their week long get-a-way...

*Warning* LOTS OF PICS!

7 a.m and ready to head to DFW

On a train ride thru the mountains. Mason got to meet the Conductor and was very excited about that. Lots of elk sightings on this leg of the trip.

Pooped after a long day... (so sweet)

Boom Days- Leadville, Co.

Boom Days is a Colorado Mountain Festival and celebration of the ol' west (perfect for my lil' cowboy!) Complete with Burro races, gunslingers, gold miners and a Parade. He had a blast getting his face painted (requested a T-Rex), panning for gold, buying Indian souvenirs and jumping in the Pirate bounce house.

He brought home the gold he found! (For his Momma, of course!)

Keystone, Co

Next up was a trip to Keystone for more fun. A chair lift ride, hiking, the super slide down the mountain and gorgeous snow caps everywhere!

Mason with his Nana & Papa (cute overload)

He calls this "The Bad Bull...." I can see why...

Don't worry, while he was gone, these 2 kept me PLENTY busy!

Big Boy Room

Wow, a month since my last post... I'm so bad... Not really- have just been BEYOND busy. We have had an impromptu trip to the lake, Ive been planning Masons Bday party and he has been in Colorado with my Mom and Step dad (post to follow on his fab trip). I have been cleaning out toys and getting rid of baby stuff like a mad woman and transforming Mason's room into one more suitable for a soon to be 4 year old. This was my big project to tackle while he was gone as I wanted him to be surprised when he got home. He has been in his toddler bed and has outgrown it very quickly. We were lucky enough to have a crib that converted into a full and got a great deal on a new mattress set for him. He has always had a sports themed room and I actually got this big boy bedding LOONG ago when I found it on sale. I knew it would go perfect with his current motif so I have had it stashed away for well over a year. Well, after toddler bed deconstruction, glider gone and a few furniture changes... Viola! Here is his new room!

He loves, loves, loves it and couldn't wait for all of us (as in all 5 of us) to get in his new bed and read a book. He looks so big and grown up. tear...

What the kid REALLY wanted was a Pirate room, but since I refuse to paint the walls black (like he requested), I decided the next best thing would to be to make him a Pirate blanket. All the new stuff and this was BY FAR his favorite! He especially likes the scary one with the sword in his mouth... ahem...

Anyway, had to share!

Summer camp and then some....

Off to Summer Camp!

My big boy officially started his 1st Summer Camp this week. He is attending at the First Baptist Church of Melissa and had his choice between cooking camp, science camp or music camp. He knew one of his little girlfriends, Erin, would be attending the cooking camp so it was the obvious choice for my Jr. Casanova! He has been so excited and bursts out bed every morning SINGING- "Summer camp, summer camp, Mason's going to Summer camp!" Makes me so happy that he is enjoying it. His teachers seem great (and VERY patient!) and the kids have made some awesome stuff. So far, we have sampled homemade animal crackers, homemade warm pretzels (my fave) and perfect pancakes. He has also decorated his own apron with stamps and paint. They also did a craft one day and he decided he wanted to make his Mama a beaded bracelet. (How sweet is he?? tear...) It nearly cuts off my circulation but I will gladly wear it!

I stayed a few extra minutes one morning and he was SO embarrassed that I was taking his picture... Forcing a smile for Mom. Didn't know this started at age 3.

OK, so I have to admit that I almost cried when I saw this. The kids made gingerbread on this day and then a photo collage to bring home. For some reason- he seemed so big to me. Off on his own, independent, making friends and embarrassed by his Mom...