{He said what? 44-46 months}

Time for another round of things Mason says! I haven't posted any of these in a long time. Quite frankly, this kid is so witty it's hard to keep up. Everything that comes out of his mouth is hilarious {okay, not everything. Fits are not hilarious} and he never stops talking...so ya, hard to keep up! I try to put them on FB when I can because that's an easy way to track them. But I want them here too.

{Dinosaur Valley State Park}

The weekend before last we camped at Dinosaur Valley State park in Glenrose TX with Nate's family and some family friends. Despite the crazy weather, we had fun.

Friday when we got there the weather was nice and warm.  The Grandmas took the grandchildren to the park and to see the dinos and the rest of us drank wine hung out at the campsites. The kids played their little hearts out and Mason had the dirt to prove it!

Saturday we woke up to cool and rainy. It rained off and on all day. We all slept in pretty late which was nice. Then we all got ready and headed to town. Our mission was to eat bbq, but we stopped in the downtown area first to visit the antique shops. Then we went for bbq. It started pouring while we were there. And then it let up just as we were getting ready to leave! Yay. That evening we went down to the river to see the dinosaur tracks. We didn't get to stay long because it started lightening and thundering. For supper that night the folks made delicious steaks, baked potatoes and beans. After supper we settled into the camper and watched Gravity. Talk about anxiety! Whoa! 

Sunday morning it was extremely cold! Everyone slept in again and then it was time to pack up and leave. 

After sleeping on the floor of Nate's parents camper for 2 nights we realized that we're getting too old for that! So, on the way home we stopped and looked at campers. We're now in the market for one! Just looking for what we want in our price range.

Only iPhone photos...didn't get out my big camera because of the crazy bipolar Texas weather.

{It's the little things - week 9}

Linking up with Jess and Ashley for It's the Little Things.

Sunday night we were starting our 'night time get ready for Monday' routine when I scooped Mason up and gave him a big hug. He puts each of his little hands on either side of my face and says...

"Mama, you are my love"

Heart melted! Tears streaming down my face. Heart literally hurting because it's so full!

He's three and can irritate the pee out of you with his fits and tantrums...but then he says something like this and it just washes everything away! Everything.

Then an hour or so later we were all three laying in bed playing with Mason's toys and he had to go to his room to get just one more {to add to the 90 already piled on our bed}...as he is climbing back into our bed he says..

"I am so glad that I am y'alls son"

And there goes my heart again...hurting and melting at the same time! I never knew it was possible to love so much. And to feel so much. It's the greatest blessing in all of the world.

Those were my little {but not so little} things that are filling my love tank this week. 

What about you?

{Mason's First Dental apt}

Last Friday we took Mason to his first dental apt. He did amazing! We went to Just For Kids Dental in Waxahachie by recommendation from several friends with small children. They are one of the very few that allow parents to go back with the kids. Most of them do not. Um, no thanks! You're not going to work on my son's mouth without me being present! 

We got there and the waiting area was less than pleasant. There were kids climbing everywhere while their parents sat there playing on their phones or iPads. It was like a circus! 

They called Mason's name and we started walking back. He was a little nervous and even told us he didn't 'want to go'. But, everyone was so warm and friendly with Mason. We had the sweetest, cutest dental assistant. She talked with Mason, made him laugh and feel comfortable. 

He picked out his toothbrush and hopped right up onto the seat! So brave! They had a movie playing above his chair, but he was too interested in what was going on around him. {and the video games across from him that kept calling his name! ha}

The dental assistant prepped him all the while engaging in conversation with him. She told him she liked his shoes and he told her they make him run fast! She asked if he could run faster than him and he said yes. ha! 

 

When she was done prepping him the dentist came over and checked him out. He started by counting his teeth and then checking him out. He said Mason had pretty healthy teeth. He did have an overbite, but that could be corrected way later down the road. After his assessment Mason got to pick out a prize and a sticker before he went over for x-rays. 

After the x-rays the Dr. looked them over and said all looked good. No cavities!! 

We had a great first experience and so proud of our brave little man!

{St Patty's Day}

Happy St Patrick's Day!!

{Swim Lessons - an update}

When I first signed Mason up for swim lessons they asked me all kinds of questions about Mason and the pool. Based on my answers they started him out in level 2. This is a parent & me class. After our first class the instructor said that he'd probably only be in that class/level a few more times.

Fast forward to yesterday. We had our 2nd lesson. Mason was doing great and nailing every new task they asked him to do. The instructor told Nate, "Dad, I don't want to burst your bubble...but he doesn't need you." That sounds rude typing it, but he meant it in the best way! He accessed Mason and confirmed that yes, he is moving up to level 3. This is a no parent class!

This also means that we have to change class days and times. He will now be going on Wednesdays at 5:30 pm rather than on Saturdays. This actually works out for us because Blast Ball is starting soon and will be on Saturdays.  

Our new schedule will look a little something like this - 

Tuesday - Gymnastics

Wednesday - Swim School // Nate's softball games

Thursday - Blast Ball practice

Saturday - Blast Ball games

Busy and love it!

{Weekend wrapup - First Swim Lesson}

How is it already Monday? Goodness the weekend flew by! And the time change? It got me! I couldn't sleep for anything last night, and then I couldn't wake up this morning! I woke up about 30 minutes late. Thank God it's Spring Break and there were no school zones on the way to Mason's school! That helped shave off some time for us. 

Anyhow, we had a really great weekend. Friday night we went to dinner and then to visit the inlaws. 

Saturday morning Mason had his very first swim lesson! We have been wanting to put him in swimming lessons for the longest time, but had conflicting schedules with places around us. Our YMCA only has an outdoor pool and most of the classes are during the day. We both work, so that couldn't happen. One day on our way back from somewhere I saw "Aqua Tots" and immediately looked it up on my phone! A swim school that has evening and weekend classes. Yeah!! So we called and got Mason registered.

He did amazing, and loved it. The swim instructor told Nate that he'd probably only be in level 2 for 1 more class and then move up to level 3. Wahoo! Level two is a parent & me class. Level 3 they are all on their own. Mason did so well in his first level two class that they think he's ready for level 3. So exciting!

Anxiously waiting! He was so excited he couldn't sit still. 

 They called Masons class and he takes off into the pool (first picture). The instructor had to stop him! ha. I guess that's a good sign. No fear! 

Climbing out on his own and jumping back in!

Mason was sad when the class was over and wanted to go back in! Looking forward to our next class.

After swim lessons we went to one of our new favorite places...Fire House Subs. oh my yum! Just love that place. Their fountain machine is awesome. They have every drink you can think of and mix in flavors too! My favorite is the Diet Root Beer with vanilla. 

 After lunch we went to visit Nate's Grandma. It's always good to see her! It was only then that I noticed my boys were dressed as twins that day!!

After our visit we had to go to Men's Warehouse to get Nate fitted for a tux for his brother's wedding. That was an adventure! It's prom season and evidently wedding season too. ha. That evening Nate's mom & dad kept Mason for a couple hours and Nate and I had a date night at Olive Garden.

Sunday was dedicated to housework...both inside and out. It was a beautiful day so we spent most of the day outside. 

That about sums up our weekend! How was yours? 

We have a busy week ahead of us...

Monday - dentist for me at 4 to get my permanent crown

Tuesday - Mr Music, Gymnastics @ 7

Wednesday - Swim lessons @ 6

Thursday - pajama day for Mason

Friday - Mason dentist @ 9, preschool gymnastics party 10-12, head to Dinosaur Valley State Park for the weekend!!!!

{Mason's first Pajama Day at school}

One thing we love about Mason's new school is that they have so many 'themed' days throughout the month. Today was Mason's first time to get to participate in Pajama Day.

He proudly picked out which pajamas he wanted to wear last night. He opted for his glow in the dark dino pajamas because they are" so cool". He slept in them so he'd be ready to go in the am!

He woke up so excited this morning.

The first picture was a “hurry up mom”...

...so I can dance (2^nd picture). 

He’s a mess.

But he's my mess, and I love him dearly! 

{It's the little things - week 6 - confidence}

Linking up with Ashley and Jess for It's the Little Things.

Nathan and I try so hard to instill confidence in Mason. No matter what he is doing, we always want him to be confident in himself. So, with that being said we recently enrolled him in Gymnastics. We've heard {and seen} how great of a foundation gymnastics builds for children; strength, balance, speed, focus, flexibility, endurance, coordination, and of course, confidence. 

We have loved gymnastics so far. It's quickly becoming my favorite night of the week. Mason loves it too and does so well listening to his teachers. 

In just three short classes Mason has already learned so much. 

This last weekend Mason showed us something little, but yet so entirely big! 

We took him to a playground while we were on our little getaway and what did he do? Without saying a word {just a big ole' determined smile on his face} he climbed that playground like it was his job and went straight for the biggest/tallest slide. He didn't hesitate one bit! And he slid down only to run to and do it again, and again!

He was so confident in himself and climbing that jungle gym! 

We were so incredibly proud! 

{A spontaneous trip to the Hill Country}

Okay, let's rewind...back to Friday morning. I sent Nate an email that went a little something like this...

What if we took a road trip this weekend? I have it all planned...just say the magic word.

He said,

Book it.

And that was that!

When I finally gave him our itinerary he was excited!  

We spent the beautiful weekend in the Hill Country...checking quite a few things off our Texas Bucketlist. Our cabin was in Kerrville {a town we loved} and Mason, of course, loved the bunk beds.

Saturday morning we got up before 8 and got ready for our day! First up...Enchanted Rock in Fredericksburg. We've heard that it gets crazy busy and they only allow so many people to visit in a day so we wanted to get there as early as we could. And, I'm glad we did! It was already busy, but by the time we left there was a line of cars for days!

Enchanted Rock was beautiful and so neat to see. We climbed up about half of it and that was all that Mason and I could do. Nate will tell you we barely covered a quarter of it. ha. Killer workout, for sure. We're paying for it now! But it was worth it. Oh so worth it. Nothing like the views of the Hill Country from up top! Gorgeous!

After we crawled hiked back to our cars we were starving! It was barely 11 am, but it was time for lunch! We headed back to Fredericksburg with the intention of eating at Sweet Marleys...but it was an empty building. So instead we just walked Main street until we found something. Mason wanted to sit outside, so we found a restaurant with a view. Bejas Grill was fantastic! Mason especially loved that they had Etch a Sketch for the kids to play with!

After lunch we walked Main a bit and then decided we were ready to head on over to Luckenbach! They were celebrating Texas Independence so we weren't sure how quickly it would get crowded.  We were ecstatic to see Luckenbach where 'everybodys somebody'.  

From the parking lot you can't see the little area that is Luckenbach, so that made the anticipation that much more intense! There were motorcycles everywhere!! We round the corner and finally see the Post Office/General Store in all it's glory! Looks just like every picture we've ever seen. So excited to be seeing it with our own eyes.

We went in the store {bought Mason the cutest shirt} and Nate had a cold shiner, of course. 

 We hung around outside for a bit and walked around. Two sheriffs started talking to Mason and gave him a badge. He was in hog heaven!

We left Luckenbach and headed to Old Tunnel State Park. We saw a sign for it on the way to Luckenbach and wanted to check it out. It was about 12 miles down Old San Antonio road. So many great views! 

Some more hiking, we did! It was just a day for exercise and being outside. Oh and it reached 87 degrees that day. So beautiful!

On our way back from Old Tunnel State Park we caught a Trail ride. They were going to let us pass, but heck no...we parked the car and watched! Everyone was so sweet to wave at Mason and yell out things like "hey cowboy" as they passed. One gentleman even brought his horse over to meet Mason. Gus was so sweet!!! Mase loved it!

Once the trail ride passed we made the trek over to Llano to eat at Coopers. This has been on our list for years! And oh my yum! It was delicious. When you walk up to the pit there are numerous pits. You give them your meat order and then they carry it inside to be chopped and packaged accordingly. You can get extra sides, but the meat comes with all you can eat beans and bread. And the beans? I could have just eaten those as a meal. So delicious. Mason opted for white bread only. He's not much of a meat kid! But, he comes about that honest because neither is his Mama! I'd rather have the veggies! 

After supper we headed back to Kerrville. We found a nice state park to visit and had a blast. Mason was able to run off some energy he built up between our car rides! We finished the night off with some ice cream at Dairy Queen. Came back to the cabin, showered and I think we were all asleep before 9. It was a long, but good day!

We were going to hit up Pedernales Falls State Park on our way home, but we woke up to cold and rain! So we decided it'd be best to just head home. It's a good thing because it started icing as soon as we pulled on our street! 87 to 18 degrees - hello Texas!!

It was such a fun little getaway!!!

How was your weekend?