Future Pole Vaulter

Recently, Steven found one of the pool time noodles in a closet. It has very quickly become Mason's favorite new toy. What I don't quite understand is his love/hate relationship with the noodle. He spent half of the day yesterday upset because it kept getting stuck on furniture or walls when he was trying to walk around. However, he kept right on playing. After about 30 minutes of the laughing and crying, I finally decided to get the camera. When I looked back through them I noticed what a great pole vaulter Mase will become if he sticks with it...

Signaling he's ready...

Getting ready for the approach...

Not happy with the final score...

Mase, it's okay. We're all still proud of you.

Birthday Surprises

A few weeks ago I had my 28th birthday. It was a little bittersweet...I cannot believe that I am so close to 30, but on the other hand I really love where I am in life.

Anyway, my birthday was full of surprises. Surprise #1 was the storage bench Steven's dad built for me. A few months back I was looking through a Pottery Barn catalogue while he was over playing with his grandson. I had pointed out this bench to Steven because I had been wanting something new for the entry way. His dad apparently took the magazine and started building this for my birthday. It was the best gift ever. I absolutely love it!

Surprise #2 was my gift from Steven. I have been really tired lately and just thought it was about time for Spring Break. Apparently, I had good reason to be tired. Below is Steven's gift...

SURPRISE...baby #2 is due October 22nd. Apparently the transition between breastfeeding and birth control didn't go as smoothly as planned. However, we are both very excited (at least after the initial shock wore off)! For those of you doing the math, Mason and baby #2 will be 23 months apart.

Easter Bunny and Quacking Up

Our neighbors across the street has 'all things blow-up'. For every season/holiday, there is a blow-up something to go with it. Well this year we took Mason over to have his picture with the Easter Bunny.

For Christmas my grandparents got each great-grandchild an animal towel. Mason's was a duck. He has outgrown all of his infant towels so we pulled out his duckie towel. Everytime he sees it he starts quacking like a duck. It is so cute.

cookies, haircuts, and orneriness

One of the perks of being a teachers is GIRL SCOUT COOKIES! I indulged this year and got three boxes. Good thing...Mason loves them. I do believe Thin Mints are his favorite. He hasn't quite figured out how to eat the delicately as to not get it all over his face.

Now, I've posted before that we have to dry Mase's hair before bed, but this is getting ridiculous. His hair is getting a little girly. Haircut is scheduled for Sunday. I'll post some pics of his new do. Ladies, watch out! (by the way, did you catch his model look?)

I put this on here so you could catch a better side of Mason's true personality! He is ORNERY! He knows he's not supposed to chew on the comb...he's waiting to see how long he can get away with it. Lately, when he's told no he sticks his tongue out and blows raspberries at you. Such a stinker!

McDonald's is my kind of place...

What? I'm aloud to eat this!!!

Thanks Uncle Ne for this yummy burger!

I am pretty picky about what Mason eats. Since he is so young, I want to give him the best and start now with healthy eating. I read labels more for him than I do for Steven and myself. He gets very little sugar and I really try to avoid processed food. WELL...tonight was date night and Uncle Ne watched Mason. Lo' and behold, Uncle Ne comes in with Mickey D's. I thought I was going to die. I pictured my precious little baby's arteries clogging immediately. LOL! Of course Mason LOVED it. The fries were his favorite. Since we now know that he is a junk food-aholic at the age of one, Steven and Uncle Ne taught Mason one of their favorite childhood songs (of course they made it up and it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever)...

McDonald's is my kind of place.

They feed you rattlesnakes.

They put the french fries in your toes.

And if you go back there again,

they'll steal your underwear.

Dee dee dee dee ded da dee....

(The above line means they never found a good ending.)

Not that anyone cares, but date night was awesome. Steven took me to a restaurant on Riverside called Michael Fusco's. It was divine! I do have to say that after five years of marriage, my husband is still my most favorite person in this world, and then comes Mr. Mase at a close second.

My Other Kids...

A Classroom in Africa

African Students

African School

Classroom in Africa

My Precious Students

As many of you know, besides being Mason's mommy, I am also a teacher. Even though life would be much easier to stay at home, I knew God wanted me to go back to work for this year. And, without getting into to details I now see why.

Recently, my class read an article about students in Africa. The article was about African children who cannot attend public school simply because they can't afford school supplies. After reading the article, my students felt compelled to help. So, after a little research I came across a young woman who graduated from BA and is currently teaching in Africa. She informed us of a school in their village that is for deaf children. They only attend school half a day because the school does not have enough money to provide lunch. Very sad!!! As you can see from the above pictures, they have a very 'make-shift' school.

Once I was able to get the info on a school in need, my class started brainstorming what we could do to help. They decided to start a school supply drive. So far they have raised 91 spiral notebooks, 238 pencils, and many other standard supplies. The African School has 137 students. Our goal is to have one notebook and 2 pencils for every student.

My main reason for writing this...we as adults get so wrapped up in what our kids 'must have' or even getting the very best for ourselves. What are we really teaching our kids with this kind of mindset? We should be focused on teaching our children to be givers, and as parents, we must set the example. I am so proud of my students. Many of them come from homes where they may or may not have anything to eat when they get home from school, yet they want to help others. I hope this inspires you to have a givers heart, as it has inspired me!

Veggie Dogs are a Hit!

The veggie dog was eaten yesterday at approximately 1800 hours. The first bite was a bit iffy, then the second and third were scarfed down. The rest is history. No more greasy hot dogs for Mase...the veggie dog has taken over! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!