Swim Party!

After a few hours of R&R from Mason's party we headed to Michael's birthday party! Michael is Mary Lea's son, who I mentioned in my birthday post! I've known Mary Lea forever and spent many a summer day swimming at her Granny's and now her parents have a pool for us to swim in!

Thankfully this party was right down the road from our house!

At Mary Lea's party last August, Mason was a little too scared to go down the slide so I was shocked when that was the first thing he wanted to do. He is in swim lessons still but at my parent's house he has still been wearing either a life jacket or floaties. After two trips down the slide with his floaties he decided he didn't need them anymore!! Hooray for Mason! I was a little bit of a nervous wreck because not only did he not want his floaties but he also decided to swim under water and dive for things. Therefore there were several occasions when I was in the pool with him but turned my head for a moment and then couldn't see him that I thought he had drowned only to discover he was trying to touch the bottom of the pool! What a transformation!

FLOATIES

NO FLOATIES!


YEP - THAT'S THE DEEP END!

MADISON & MASON

HAVING A LITTLE WATER SQUIRTER FUN

We had a fantastic time at Michael's party! Michael had also just decided the day before that he didn't need his floaties either, must be something about a birthday that makes them braver!

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY MICHAEL!

MASON'S BIRTHDAY PARTY!

Due to our jam-packed birthday party schedule and T-ball we just now officially celebrated Mason's 5th Birthday! He had a super fun skate party at Hot Wheels Skating Palace! He was so excited and I was too! Neither of us are good skaters but we couldn't wait!

Mason was so excited to have school friends, cousins, and other friends on Mason's special day! We had the whole rink to ourselves which was nice since we had very few good skaters among us -- with the exception of the Burford girls - Amy, Brittney, & Emily!

It was a terrific day!

CAKE TIME

Cute favors my friend Holly found for me online and she made some cute party tags that matched our invitations that said "Thanks for coming to my party!"

Sarah, Michael, & Dansby


Josh, Madison, Mary Lea, Caroline, Rierson, Mason, Brandy, Michael, & Paige
(everyone was loving the skate mates!)


Lisa and Kinsley

Mason getting some help lacing up!

Mason & Uncle Joshie (papa-to-be)

Amy, me, and Amy keeping an eye on Mason

Payne & Miken helping Mason celebrate

MAKE A WISH!

Sweet Little giving it a try!

Natalie & Taylor

Big boy doing it one handed!

It was a fabulous day celebrated with fabulous friends and family! Thanks to everyone that helped make Mason's day special!

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY MASON!

Unsupervised

This is what happens when I decide to unload the dishwasher instead of hanging outside! Gotta love a country boy!

EVERYONE LOVES A PREGNANT CHICK!

Hip Hip Hooray . . . . . .

I AM GOING TO BE AN AUNT!

As I mentioned in my post "Eat, Sleep, Breathe Baseball" the whole family came out to watch Mason's T-ball game on Saturday. After about 20 minutes into the game my mom called Amy, Erica, and me into a huddle and asked us if we like Erica's shirt.

Erica always wears shirts with catchy phrases on it so it took me a few seconds to digest "Everyone loves a pregnant chick!" and realize that it wasn't just a statement of fact but a declaration!

Congrats to Josh & Erica! My babies are so excited to have cousins!

Feels like Summer!

Sniff, sniff - that's me lamenting that my Mason is five years old! Today after church Mason & my dad left on their second annual birthday camping trip to Arkansas. When I asked if he wanted to stay home he quickly replied "No, I'm going with Papa!" This morning at church he followed him around like a little lost puppy - he even went up front to pray for people so he could be near his Papa!

So with Dad & Mason on the road the rest of the family minus Blake, who was harvesting wheat, went to Outback for lunch. Conner doesn't normally miss his naps but today was an exception and I'm proud to say that he did fantastic at the resturant!

After lunch, Conner & I headed to Kinsley & Caden's birthday party at the park. It was HOT! They had miniature ponies, goats, pigs, and dogs. Conner loved feeding the ponies and petting them but he wanted no part of riding one! He headed to the playground instead!

Chowing down on cake & ice cream

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY KINSLEY &

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY CADEN!

To cool off some after we got home Conner splashed around in the pool while Ryan & I chilled in the shade. He was enjoying having both of his parents attention all to himself!

But all I've got to say is if this is what May feels like then I don't want to feel what July is like!

Eat, Sleep, Breathe Baseball!

Saturday was Mason's last T-ball game of the season and I forgot my camera!! Agh, can't believe it! His games only last about 45 minutes so I didn't have time to go back and get it! He did great and was so happy to have Josh & Erica, Amy, and Mimee & Papa, plus Ryan, Conner, & I cheering him on!

I was happy to have some extra hands to help me with Conner! The Cardinals had a great season and we can't wait for next year when Mason and Conner can play!!

After taking a short break from ball, we headed to Shreveport to catch a Captains game for Turner's 10th Birthday! They had a bunch of inflatables from Party Central there also so Mason enjoyed doing the obstacle course and Conner headed off with Ryan to watch the game. We got him a little souvenier bat and you would have thought we gave him a million dollars - he is so proud of it!

Louisiana boys waiting in line for tickets!

Mason in the obstacle course

Elise, Turner, & Wayne


Turner's lil' brother Stinson sleeping through it all!

HAPPY 1OTH BIRTHDAY TURNER!

Bossier City Fair

For the second year in a row Ryan & Mason have had a boys night out at the Bossier City Fair at Louisiana Downs. They both enjoy it so much! Ryan especially because he says its not as crowded as the State Fair and it's much nicer & cleaner.

As a treat on his last day of school and for getting almost all green smiley's and well just because we love him, they went again on Wednesday while Conner & I stayed home and played! Conner isn't tall enough to ride the rides yet and he doesn't quite "get it" when we tell him he can't do something that Mason can.

I convinced Ryan to take the camera and to my surprise he remembered to take pictures! That is also motivation for my new camera because he saw how s-l-o-w our camera is now!

GETTING READY TO SLIDE

ALLIGATOR ROLLER COASTER

JEEP DRIVER


BUBBLE BOY!
He talked about this the most. They zipped him into a plastic bubble and filled it with air and then he jumped, rolled, and bounced in his bubble on top of water!

MAGICAL MERRY-GO-ROUND!

Last Day of School!

Once upon a time, there was a little boy named, Mason, who cried whenever he heard the word "school." It didn't matter if you were talking about law school or medical school or any kind of school, as soon as he heard the word he firmly stated, "I DO NOT WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL!"

Then one day his Mommy went to Pre-K round-up just to see what it was about but still being unsure of what to do come August 2009. And the teachers said horrible things like preschoolers have to carry their own lunch trays and part of our job is to teach them independence and other types of terrible things. The Mommy cried and said "no way, this is not for my baby!"

When the Mommy got home Mason asked where she had been and what she had seen and so she told him about school and playgrounds and friends and pet turtles and building blocks and surprisingly the little boy said, "I WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL!"

And so began our pre-school journey and today it's over - I can't believe how fast it has gone by and how much my little boy has grown up!

Of course there have been days he didn't want to get up or days he complained about having to take naps but for the most part he has loved going to school everyday! His teachers are phenominal!

Mason is a curious little boy and loves to ask "why," which is why I think school is so appealing - he loves to learn new things! He had a green smiley face every day but one (scale of 1 to 4, green smiley is a 1)!! The only day he didn't have a green smiley he got a green frowny face, which is a 2 and it was because he ran in the classroom. I think one rule breaking day out of 8 months is OK!

I will never regret my decision to send him and to stick it out the whole school year. He has learned so much educationally and also emotionally and socially. These lessons have been invaluable. Taking a cue from another blog I read, I've learned not to ask who played with him at recess but instead who was he a friend to? Did he help someone up when they fell down? Was he compassionate for others? Who can we pray for in his class - who was absent, who had a bad day, who missed their mommy? And that is something pre-k has taught both of us! I am going to enjoy our summer together but I know kindergarten won't be so scary now and he'll be looking forward to it!

WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU, MASON!

Mason, first day of pre-k, August 12, 2009

Mason, last day of pre-k, May 19, 2010

Mason and Mrs. Shannon, his para


Mason and Mrs. Deas, his teacher

Happy 5th Birthday, My Beloved!

On Tuesday, May 17, 2005, at 12 noon, my life was forever changed by an 8 lb. 14 oz. screaming bundle of joy! Thankfully the screaming didn't last long and I brought home the sweetest, most precious, most Mommy-loving little baby ever! And somehow this Monday you turned FIVE! Where time went I don't know, but I am even more in love with you today then I was five years ago!

Mason, I am so lucky to be your Mommy! You are so sweet and caring and affectionate! You LOVE to cuddle and be read to, you love to help anybody do anything from cooking to gardening to sweeping, you are a wonderful friend and big brother - in short you are FABULOUS!

You're 5th birthday was your best yet! We woke up early for school and I served you your favorite breakfast - Cinnamon Toast Waffles - with a candle in it to get the birthday celebration started off right! We went to school and as soon as you entered your teacher, Mrs. Deas sang you Happy Birthday! Conner & I came back to school mid-morning for your Awards Assembly. You received a Pre-K Diploma and a large trophy for your reading minutes. You could have won a medal or a small trophy but you love to read so much that you earned the LARGE trophy! Congrats Mason! Mimee came to watch you and she is so proud of you!

I felt a little bad because you wanted me to check you out SO BAD but it was your snack day so I made you stay at school! Conner & I went home so he could nap and I came back to school to find you napping! You never nap for me at home!! You were all cuddled up under your blanket fast asleep - adorable! Mrs. Deas' and I talked about how wonderful you are until you and friends woke up!

Your friend, Landry, folded your blanket for you and your friend, Blayne, put up your nap mat in honor of your birthday! Then all of your friends sang you a special birthday song! After your birthday song, Mrs. Deas gave you a birthday spanking!! Followed by a birthday hug!

All your friends gathered round to watch you make a wish and sing Happy Birthday again!

We came home from school and Papa was at our house watching Conner and as soon as he saw you he sang you Happy Birthday! You and Papa love each other so much!!

Soon Daddy came home and sang to you and wished you the best birthday ever! You were excited because you knew as soon as he got home you would get to open your present and then go to CHUCK E. CHEESE!!

You got a Leapster 2 and an Animal Genius game to go with it!

You love your little brother A LOT!

On the way to Chuck E. Cheese you played your new game and it was like you'd had it forever - you are so smart! Here you are in the tube thing at Chuck E. Cheese! Like the good brother you are, you helped Conner climb to the top because he was too little to do it himself. Even when you went to play somewhere else you still came back every time he needed help! Conner loves you and wishes you a happy birthday too!

Driving a Jeep just like Papa!

You had an exciting fun filled day! Happy 5th birthday! WE LOVE YOU!

Gator & Friends Birthday Party!

Mason & I headed back to the scene of his earlier field trip, this time with Conner & Ryan, to celebrate Lacy's 3rd birthday! Mason had fun playing with friends and Conner enjoyed feeding all the animals! He was a little too scared to feed the camel but he loved feeding the deer! So much in fact that he poured his whole cup of feed in their pen!

Not sure if anyone has ever seen a live porcupine but they are really much bigger than expected too!

Mason and Conner lined up to hold the alligator - Conner wasn't so sure about it but Mason did it again. He quickly dropped it though as the alligator peed all over his feet!! We had a to make a quick detour to the restroom to clean off his shoes and feet! Poor thing!

Conner and the goats

Mason & Ryan enjoying cake and ice cream

Conner, digging in to his ice cream

It was a really fun time at Gator & Friends this Sunday! HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY LACY!

And a quick "shout out" to Taylor D. - sorry we missed your 3rd Birthday Party at Gator & Friends on Saturday! Between double-header T-ball games and Adam & Jessie's wedding we just couldn't make it. Hope it was fun! HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TAYLOR!

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My Sunday morning tradition is to make blueberry muffins before church and this morning Conner was very anxious to lick the bowl (i.e. he screamed until I was finished). Here's a picture of pure contentment! Enjoy!