here’s a funny video of us singing to mase on his birthday. the girls are super cute with their side comments here and there. love mase’s big smile. brian’s commentary is just as witty as ever. and my singing is quite awful. sorry!
today you are 5.
hard to believe you have only been in our lives for 5 years and have had such a great impact on ours and many others lives.
you are…
thoughtful, considerate, funny, deliberate, driven, wise, leader,
friendly, joyful, imaginative, kind, inquisitive, persistent, a learner, inclusive, brave, confident
you love…
Star Wars, your Mommy and Dad, your sisters, your friends, your room, trying new things, learning new things,
baseball, your bike, spaghetti and meatballs, cheeseburgers, time with Daddy, Jesus, your Bible.
we love you for all these reasons and countless more. we love each and every day with you and can’t wait to see how God will continue to work in your life!
happy birthday mason!
About a month from now Mason will be turning 5? Crazy, yes. He is growing into such a little man with so many interests. It’s honestly hard to keep track of what he is into…besides Star Wars. That is always a constant.
So I am throwing out a question to any moms out there with boys around this age. Have you come across any toys, books, CD’s, games etc. that your boys just loved? I’m trying to think outside of the box. I would love any and all suggestions. I know requests for ideas from the grandparents will be coming in soon so I’m trying to get ahead of the game.
Mason had his first game tonight of tball. Quite entertaining. He had some hits, some decent throw in the right direction and stopped the ball several times. He also had moments when the ball went right past him and he stood there oblivious, the time he stood on second base talking to the girl from the other team when he was supposed to be running to third base and then the time when he decided to skip second base all together and go straight to third. I guess this is what tball is all about when you are 4 years old. We enjoyed so much watching Mason tonight. I was the mom cheering for him (and everyone else) quite loudly and Brian was the dad take pictures and video. Yay! So proud of our ball player!
Tomorrow Brian and I are off for some rest and relaxation for the next week and a half. We are looking forward to lots of quality time together. The kids will be with Grandma and Pa having lots of fun. We are excited about some time away but I know we will both be itching to come home to our 3 little people!
Signing off until we return…
1. Mason graduated from preschool this week. It wasn’t so much a graduation but more playing at the park and eating hot dogs and cookies and taking some pictures. None the less our first school year is done and I would say it was more than a success. He loved it, I loved it and even the girls liked going to school. I am so thankful for the preschool co-op we/God put together. Such a blessing.
2. The girls got tricycles for Christmas. Up until they have been pushed, pulled and a source of frustration. But as of this week both girls got the hang of pedaling. They cruise up and down the street now. You can tell they feel like “big girls” riding their bikes along side their big brother Mason who is zipping around them. It was such a gift to see the girls learn to ride their bikes before we left. Another good memory made:) Side note we really don’t make them wear helmets on these little bikes. I believe it’s a fashion statement.
3. Our neighborhood is the best. We will miss them so much. Here are most of the kids on our front yard after a fun night of playing in the street together. Ahhhh, I just love it!
4. The kids had a “Carly date” this week. Carly is one of the kids and ours favorite students. Mason calls Carly her his best friend. Sweet. The kids love her and she is in love with our kids. So it all works out nicely. She took the kids out to the park and for ice cream for one last special time. We will all miss Carly. 
5. Well friends this is it. My last post out of Chico. Boxes fill our garage. Random but organized piles are everywhere. Ziplocs of all sizes filled with all kinds of things. Suitcases piled with summer clothes, an empty fridge and pantry. Yep, our time is done here. We are doing ok, tired and slightly overwhelmed but all things considering we are doing ok. So here we go!
Next time I’ll be writing from Ohio.
We are studying the farm the next 2 weeks in preschool. This evening we happened to be having dinner with friends who live out in the country. On our drive to their house we passed a lot of cows and horses. Perfect to go with our farm theme! As we were sharing with Daddy all that we learned about the farm, Mason informed us that if he was a cow we wouldn’t have to go the store anymore for milk. We could just squish his udders. And we wouldn’t have to mow the grass anymore because he would eat it. Him being a cow would save us a lot of time!
Yes Mason, this sounds like a great. Do you think you could be a cow/chicken hybrid? Because eggs would be awesome!
Mason, you make me laugh.
Today in preschool Mason did his best job in explaining the Easter story to his friends. He explained it with such enthusiasm. It was endearing. My favorite part was when we told his friends that after 3 short days Jesus “un-died” and the tomb was empty! Oh! He made me smile for his cuteness and how his love for Jesus shines through. His simple and innocent understanding of Jesus makes me smile too and want to know Jesus in the same way.
We are very blessed and thankful for the the preschool situation that we have worked out for our family. We get to do it some great friends, it’s fun, relaxed and hey can you believe it the kids are even learning something!
There are 4 families involved with 4 eager and energetic 4 year olds ready to go! And don’t forget about the 6 other siblings (all girls) that are a part of our time in one way or another. There is one older sister and 5 younger sisters that like to get their hands in the mix as well. Mondays is school day for us for about 2 hours. We rotate who hosts and teaches preschool while the other moms help out. We have been working our way through the alphabet, a letter a week. Today was letter “V” so we are moving right along. Also, we have chosen a variety of fun topics to teach the kids like: ocean, safety, harvest, 5 senses, space, health & nutrition, feelings and manners and farm. Right now we are talking about Easter and planning a fun Easter dinner when the dads will join us.
I have enjoyed doing home school preschool more than I thought I would. I like the planning part and thinking of creative ways to teach new concepts to the kids. I like to be on this adventure with my friends. It’s not just Mason that is having fun but me too. I like to watch Mason learn. I like to see him get excited when learns something new for the first time and help him when he is challenged. And bonus, my girls think they are in school too and love it!
It’s been a great experience for our whole family and yes, one more thing we will miss when we move. Here are some pics from today’s preschool.
Starting off with circle time
Learning the Easter story through a cooking project
Matching letters to the sounds they make
Playing a math game out in the sunshine
The little girls are keeping busy too!
*** Disclaimer*** I asked Mason if he would mind if I posted this on our blog or would he be embarrassed? His response: “Mommy, I would definitely not be embarrassed. I am a good dancer. You can show it to anyone.” So with that said….enjoy!
A conversation I had with Mase the other day went like this.
M: Mom are you 32?
Me: Yes.
M: Then you’ll be be 33, 34, 35, 36 and then you’ll die.
Me: Really?
M: Yea, because you’ll be SO old!
Me: Thanks, Mase.
Yes, 36 in a child’s mind is SO old. Ancient.