Happy 3rd Birthday Mason!!

Your birthday cake...made with love by mama!



I cannot belive that you are 3 years old!! We are the luckiest parents in the world. You are the funniest little man...and you are the most amazing son. You love to play outside, read books, ride bikes and cars, and you love to just play all day long. You have a sweet smile and are very caring towards everyone...occasionally, you like to rough it up with the boys but overall you are a big love. You are smart...you like to put together puzzles and build with legos. You also just got a new racetrack that is a big hit with you...it is starting a new race car obsession. You still love trains and airplanes too...you are absolutely into modes of transportation.

You like to make sure that mama, didi, and bali are included in everything you do, and now you are starting to want to include all your friends. You are a great traveler and are excited about going to Disney World for your birthday. You like to travel in the car to all your family's houses and like to watch movies on long car rides.

You have, all of the sudden, just really starting talking in paragraphs and it is so much fun! And, this year, you actually understood what your birthday was all about and you enjoyed having it be your special day. When you sing "Happy Birthday" you actually say "Happy Dirthday" and it makes me smile. We had a small party with some of your friends and are going to celebrate more next week at Walt Disney World.

And my favorite part of the day is at the end of the day when you snuggle up to me, we rock and sing songs before bedtime. You are a love bug and it is so nice to be able to hold you. I know those days are going to eventually end where you will be "too cool" to rock with your mama and did so I treasure each night that you let us hold you.

All the love in the world my sweet Mason! You are the most amazing little man and I know that God has great big plans for you. My wish is that you are happy and loved all the days of your life.

All our love,

Mama & Didi





Here are a few pictures of you opening presents from your family!









Let the party begin!



























The morning after...the big 3 year old!

1st Night in Big Bed!

Today is the Day!

I have been alternating looking forward to - and dreading - this day! Mason is the last one of his friends to still be in a crib. He has slept in a big bed a few times when we were traveling or sleeping over at friends houses. Everytime we ask him if he wants one, he emphatically says "No! I like my crib" and will then proceed to name all his friends who sleep in big boy beds.

So, it was to my great suprise when Mason woke up this morning, our conversation went like this:

Me: Good Morning
(Here is is standing at the railing of his crib looking determined)
Mason: Mom, I'd like a bed. (Apparently, he spent the night going thru the pros and cons)
Me: You are ready for a big boy bed?
Mason: Yes...Bye-Bye Crib
Me: Ok
Mason: Mama...a red bed too!

So...off we went to IKEA. We made a big deal out of it! Had lunch there, shopped for his bed and bedding and he helped set up his new bed

At 7:30 he turns to me and says "Mama, it is night-night time" and runs to his room! Who is this kid?

So... we brush teeth, get pj's on, read some books, rock in the chair, and tuck him in bed...

 

 

 

 

And...not a word! So Andy and I turn on a movie and wait in amazment for something...anything...and... nothing.

About half way through the movie, I cannot take it anymore and we go to check on him...and I am hoping to see him sleeping (and of course, take his picture). We get closer to the door, what is this light that I see?? I open the door and he is sitting in his bed, light on, surrounded by books! He sees me, throws the book down, lays down fast on his side, and pretends to be asleep.

I think it was the funniest thing we have seen in a long time! He was totally caught...and he understood! What a riot!

So...we re-tucked him in and all is good...

Good Night Sweet Mason - My big little man!

ABC's and 123's

Mason and Lucy started pre-preschool today! My little man! He was so excited to start school with the "big kids" but was a little dissappointed that he did not get to ride the school bus yet ;) He had a fun time playing with shaving cream, drawing and coloring, and learning about the letter A!

What a big day!

 

Lucy's 3rd Birthday Weekend

We had a blast celebrating Lucy's 3rd birthday weekend together at the Michigan farm house. It was a wonderful and much needed relaxing weekend with wonderful friends. Happy 3rd birthday Lucy!

 

2 Years Ago today...

Mason was placed in my arms forever...



I can never adequately explain how I felt that day! Everyday since has been amazing and we are so blessed and excited to be able to be Mason's parents. We love this little man so much! "To the moon and back" as we say to each other...

Happy Family Day 2009!

A Boy and His Aardvark

Mason's newest obsession is Aardvarks!! He loves them! He loves to visit them at the zoo and Andy and him went to the store at the zoo to buy an aarivark. We are now the proud owners of Arvy the Aardvark! He is about 3 inches long and plastic and he is a new member of the family. We made him a bed, he travels in the car with us, he is fed, and even took a bath with Mason tonight.

Introducing Mason and his love of Aardvarks!

I am telling you...the aardvarks are this way....




See...Here they are! Look at this face! Priceless...pure joy of knowing he will see them!



Aardvarks at the zoo...


Arvy! Our newest family member!


Arvy in his "bed"

Grandpa and Nana Barb's House

We spent the last weekend of our midwest tour visiting our family in Michigan. Mason was able to play with his cousin Lexi and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our newest nephew! Mason loves seeing his Auntie Deb and Uncle Atreya. We went to the Ann Arbor Children's Museum one day after a yummy lunch at Zingermans. The next day we had a fun time outside at Nana and Grandpa's house...


















Cooking with Grandpa...

The 3 amigos...

We had a blast spending the night with our awesome friends Bridey and Matt! Mason had a blast playing with Finn and Colm. These 3 boys are going to be T-R-O-U-B-L-E! Bridey and I will be paid back thru these 3 with all the antics we pulled in our childhood. We have known each other since we were born...at least, I cannot remember a time that she was not one of my bestest friends ;)













Who does not love a good sand mustache??

Niagara Falls, NY

Day trip to Niagara Falls, NY! Fun day had by all! Picnic lunch, Maid in the Mist tour and successfully making it with 10 children and not losing any over the falls ; )

Week at Lake Chautauqua

The rest of the week, after the 4th of July was spent on jet skis, swimming in the lake, tubing, going back to midway, celebrating Isabella's birthday, heading to Niagara Falls, and just enjoying some family time.