{Mason lately - 3.5 years}

Yesterday my sweet Mason Lane turned 3.5 years old. That's only 6 months away from being 4. FOUR! How do I have a four year old? And how did these years pass so quickly? It's entirely too true, the statement, the days are long but the years pass by fast! He actually told his uncle the other day that his birthday was in six months. Not sure how he knew that, but he did. He knows a lot of things that blow my mind, honestly. I love when he tells me something and I am totally surprised that he knew it and he says, "Mama, you didn't even know that?" He's the cutest! 





Mason Lane...oh Mason! You fill our hearts with so much joy! Daddy and I longed to have a child for many years and you are just more amazing than we could have ever imagined. You are the most witty child and you march to the beat of your own drum. You will keep me on my toes for the rest of my life. That's one thing I know for sure. But, you keep us laughing everyday and for that we are thankful. Your dad and I just look at each other and smile because we are thinking the same thing, Oh how we love you so!! You know how to push all of our buttons and may have given daddy many few gray hairs, but then you turn around and melt our heart in an instant.


At three and a half you are 34-35 pounds, 39 1/4 inches tall. You definitely hit a growth spurt in the height department since your May. We had to go and buy you new jeans because all of your size 3T pants are 2 inches too short. You are now wearing all 4T clothes. Shoes are a size 9 or 10. Just depends on the shoe. 

You are still a very picky eater, but you are definitely better! You will sometimes try new things. And you are mostly eating your lunches at school. You used to not touch a single thing they offered. Now, you will eat it....all except the spaghetti. You won't touch that with a 10 foot pole. Some of your favorites at home are macaroni & cheese {but only the shells}, pancakes, waffles, grilled cheese, bananas, apples, oranges, applesauce, yogurt, and you love mexican food. Sprite or Strawberry soda are your favorite and of course, milk.


You love to play. Doesn't matter what it is, as long as you are playing. Your favorites are Cops vs bad guys, Good guys vs zombies,  Subway Surfers, cars/trucks, or with your Batman stuff. Your Daddy doesn't even get all the way through the door in the evenings before you are summoning him to play with you. You're a Mama's boy for sure, but you love your Daddy something fierce. I love the way you look at him and how you watch him and most times copy him. And toys, you are absolutely obsessed with toys. Toys of all kinds!!



Mason, you have music in your heart! You sing and dance all the time and are quite the performer. You dance even when there is no music on. And you have some moves!! Your Christmas program for school is in just a couple of weeks and I just can't wait to see you on stage.

Mommy still has to put you to sleep each night. You will not settle for anything different. You liked for me to read you a couple of books before we turn out the lights. And as soon as we finish a book you say, "One more time" every.single.time.

You are getting more and more independent and doing things on your own. You'll blurt out, "Potty, I need to go Potty" and then you'll say, "But I can do it my own self". And when we are at Mimi and Papas you just go potty by yourself.  There are a lot of other things you want to do on your own - your strong-wiliness coming out in you. But not yet, brother!


You are in PreK 3 at school still and seem to be doing really well. I can tell by the worksheets you bring home. And I love when you tell me parts of the bible story that goes along with your paper. And, I'm still fairly certain that you're one of the class clowns. It's rare that you are ever on green (best behavior) and when I ask you why you were on yellow or blue it's usually because you were talking/dancing/being silly.  

Your favorite tv shows are Spongebob, Paw Patrol, Bubble Guppies, Doc McStuffins, Ninja Turtles, and pretty much anything else that comes on Nickolodeon. Your favorite movies are Toy Story, Cars, Monsters Inc, Polar Express and Coraline. We've taken you to the movies 3 times now and you seem to be enjoying it more each time. I just wish they didn't have those darn games/rides in the lobby! You could spend hours there.

We have to fight you to take a bath and play a little game of "If you don't hurry up and get in there then Daddy is going to take a shower. We better beat him." it works about 75% of the time. And then once we get you in the bath, it's so hard to get you out.


When you get home from school you are ready for your "jamas". I'm sure you get that from me, because that's usually the first thing I do when I get home. Now that I am working from home I am able to have supper ready earlier and we have more time in the evening to hang out as a family. I can tell how much happier this makes you.

You are really good at using your manners without being prompted to do so. It's just natural for you now. And you will certainly call someone out if you hear them say yeah, shutup, stupid, hate, etc. You told your Aunt Leslie the other day that she could find a better word to say!


You are becoming more and more interested in becoming a "brother" and speak about it often. The other day you told your dad, "I don't want to be a son anymore, I just want to be a brother." And the other night while we were laying down you told me that you were ready to be a big brother because you listen to us and tell us what direction and which path to take. And that you know your manners. I had to explain to you what being a big brother truly meant. You were okay with it. You said, "Let me think which I want you to have" and you put your little finger to your chin for a few seconds and then said, "A sister. I want you to have a baby girl in your tummy Mama."

We'll see, baby....we'll see!

Mason Lane, we love you to the moon and back a gazillion times. Thank you for making our lives so much sweeter. And happier. And crazy. But, we love the crazy.

Happy 3.5 baby!

{Five on Friday // Day Date // Silly boy}



{One}
Hubby and I took today off and are out and about trying to knock out most {if not all} of our Christmas shopping! I am excited. I just love giving to others. And I am super excited about an all day date with my hubster!!!



{Two}
I hosted my sister's baby shower at my house last Saturday and didn't take 1 dang picture. I guess I was too busy 'hosting' or something! And it was cute. I wish I had pictures to show. It was a great turnout and my sister and baby were blessed. We truly are surrounded by some great people.

{Three}
I've been dealing with some Mommy guilt lately. It's getting the best of me. Post on that to come...



{Four}
This was my traffic this week -


And I am not complaining! So thankful I don't have to drive on the highway anymore!

{Five}
Mason's school is practicing for their upcoming Christmas program and yesterday the director was making her rounds checking their progress. My little Mason Lane got in trouble for acting silly during the performance. I just can't even conceive that....



What have you been up to lately?


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{Oh! Hello growth spurt}


I think it's safe to say that Mason is going through a growth spurt. It's funny. You'd think after 3.5 years we'd have this down. But it's not until you're in the thick of it that you realize, aha, it's a growth spurt. That's where we are this week. 

It usually starts with butchering our sleep routine. It takes Mason forever to fall asleep. Sometimes over an hour, hour and a half. And the whole time he's trying to go to sleep, and even after he's asleep he does not stay still. It's like he's constantly shuffling and moving his legs. Pretty sure it's growing pains. He doesn't cry or whine much anymore. Just keeps them moving. He sleeps, but I don't think he rests.

And yesterday at school he completely skipped nap time. What? My boy is usually a good napper {at school}. So when I saw on his sheet that he didn't sleep at all I was flabbergasted!

And the no sleeping/not resting thing leads to a few more fits than normal. We try to be understanding through them...but goodness!! 

And he eats. Oh boy does he eat. Mason has always been a very picky eater. The pickiest of the picky! And when he's going through a growth spurt he eats like a champ. I love that aspect of it.

Guess we'll be buying pants this weekend....since all of his current ones are now oh, lets see, 2 inches too short!!!
Does your toddler go through these?

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{Life Lately}

This is going to be a pretty random post...I feel like I have been really absent here. I blame it on working at home! Anytime I have a few minutes of downtime I find myself cleaning something, doing laundry, or the dishes, etc. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I do miss blogging.

I really do enjoy working at home, though. It just makes things easier in so many different ways. And the time I am getting back with my family...I will forever be thankful! Nothing in the world compares to that! And I get to see these beautiful sunrises every morning...



What have we been up to? Hmm....we finally found Nate a new {to him} truck. We love it and it fits our family well. Even if it didn't start this morning! Ugh! It got really cold here over night and we are hoping it just drained the battery. Really praying it's nothing more.


This Saturday I am hosting a baby shower for my sister at my house. Whew! It's a lot of work...making sure your house is "clean enough" for 40+ guests! I know I am my own worst critic, but still. On top of the cleaning I have been prepping all the decor, food labels etc. I still have to get and prepare all the food. It's a lot of work...but will be worth it. Oh and I may or may not have left a glue gun on overnight. Eek! Thank you Lord for watchin over that one!

I honestly do love prepping for guests, though! It makes me do things I wouldn't normally do....well at least not right that moment. I cleaned out my closet and coat closet and got donated 5 large trash bags worth of stuff!! I can't tell you how good that feels. And my closet looks pretty again! Anyhow...the shower is going to be a  country chic/little cowboy theme. Think lots of burlap, mason jars and red! I can't wait. Mason is excited too. He keeps asking me when all those people will get here.

Speaking of Mason...I let him play hookie from school yesterday! He stayed home with me and we had a really good day! We both needed it. I needed to spend some time with him and he needed a little break from school. He's so silly and just fills my heart with so much joy.

I mean...






I am so ready for the holidays! I am trying to figure out how I am going to fit all these festivities into our weekends in December! I just love this time of year.

What have you been up to lately? Fill me in!

Also, have you entered my Shutterfly giveaway? Go here.



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{It's the most wonderful time of the year - holiday cards}



* This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are mine.


I love this time of year. It's my absolute favorite. I have to fight the urge to decorate the minute Halloween is over. Nathan thinks I am crazy. I just want to enjoy it longer. Nothing wrong with that. Right? Ugh! I guess if I can't decorate this early at least I can crank up some Christmas tunes and spend hours upon hours on Shutterfly designing Holiday cards!!! {And I am not joking about spending hours on the site! There are just too many great ones to choose from}

I am really into the 5x5 cards this year. I love all things square! These are my top picks this year...


Yes! Just yes! Red and Turquoise are one of my favorite pairs of colors. I also love that it uses the entire photo for the card.


This one keeps catching my eye! I love the bold and happy colors against the black background! And I especially love the sparkly silver in the font!!


This one is just beautiful. Classic. If we get some good family pictures this year I will definitely consider this one!


Again, love the bright colors on this one! I have so many pictures in mind that I could use for this one.


LOVE this one! The colors, the font, everything. It's just perfect. I am really considering Happy New Year cards this year. If you're anything like me I am bummed when Christmas is over and I think this will bring a little cheer after Christmas.

This year Shutterfly has new card design styles!! From 5x74 folded, tri fold and back of card designs, they're all great! If you're looking for Classic, they've got you covered with traditional colors, iconic pictures, and monograms. Or maybe you're looking for something a little more Contemporary? Shutterfly has it along with Whimsy, Merry and Bright, Religious and photo basics.

Another thing I love about Shutterfly is the all of the photo gift ideas they offer. I love to get these for Mason's Grandparents and the love getting them. Win, Win! I have ordered coffee mugs, mousepads, calendars, etc and loved all of them. This year I am thinking about some of these...

An iPad cover for my Mother in Law...


Phone covers!!!


And of course ornaments!!!




Join the Twitter Party, #PhotosYouLove on November 15th at 8 PM ET - @ResourcefulMom 
  
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{Mason's Thankful Post}


Mason Lane
PreK-3


{My Sweet Mama's Boy}


Last night I was lying down with Mason, winding down to go to sleep. He dropped his puppy and his blanket and put both of his hands on each side of my face. He started gently sweeping my face with his sweet little hands. Then he would wrap both of his arms around me and embrace me with a sweet little hug. And then back to my face. This went on for five or so minutes. 

No words were said.

No words were needed.

I could feel all of his love for me. How much he needs me.

I am the luckiest.

And I love being a Mama.

{Interview with my 3 year old}


A few weeks ago while playing outside with Mason I asked him a few questions...

Favorite color?

Red

Favorite food?

Oranges

Favorite toy?

Ambleeance {ambulance - usually this question is answered by whatever he's playing with at that very moment. True in this case}

How old are you?

1

You're 1?

No, three

How old is Mama?

Four

How old is Daddy?

One

What do you want to be when you get bigger?

Like you. And a fireman.

Favorite book?

Dragon tales  

Favorite animal? 

Horse

Where is your favorite place to go?

Home

{Set your timer Mama}



One night before bed Mason was watching a show on the Kindle and would not turn it off. I just happened to be setting alarms on my iPhone and noticed the {glorious} timer!! So I told him, okay Mason you have 2 more minutes and when this timer goes off on my phone you are turning the movie off.  2 minutes passed and the buzzer went off and what do you know?? He turns the Kindle off, hands it to me and nestles in to go to sleep.

I was sitting there thinking what just happened here?

It was a concept he understood and liked.

So now, he tells me to set the timer for everything!!! Getting ready, picking out toys to take with us, leaving the house, getting out of bed, getting in bed, getting in the bath, getting out of the bath, etc.


And it has been working for a month or better. 

I am almost scared writing this here is going to jinx our new system. 
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{Real Life - Halloween Picture Outtakes}

Epic meltdown...all because he didn't want to take pictures.

Welcome to the life of a three year old!! :))





Lucky he's cute ;)

{The Halloween Post}

Mason did Halloween and he did it good! I am so happy that he's not scared or shy. He trick or treated like a champ and was so cute! The first few houses we could barely hear him say "Thank You" so we were telling him that he needed to say that a little louder. He was so focused on the 'thank you' part that he walked up to a house and said 'thank you' instead of trick or treat. He walked back towards us and said, "oops I said it backwards." It was hilarious!

He got lots of compliments on his costume and he'd reply with a great BIG Thank you! And at one point he excitingly said, "Halloween is so cool!!"

I love being a Mama!

We had a good time, even though we were a little disappointed in the area we went to. We have always trick or treated in the historical district of Waxhachie. The houses are gorgeous and usually all decorated and out having a good time. This year there were so many houses not participating. We'd walk past 5 or 6 houses before we found one that was handing out candy. And the area was so full of teenagers! We drove past several churches that were doing the "Trunk or Treat" and that seemed to be where everyone was. I think we'll definitely do that next year. Side note - the reason we don't trick or treat in our own neighborhood is because our area is mostly retired people and there are only a handful of kids in our whole neighborhood. We have only had 1 trick or treater in the 6 years we have lived here.

Mason chose to recycle his Fireman costume from last year. I'm glad he did. He makes a pretty cute little fireman!!