{It's the Little Things}

Mason despises pictures. Like completely loathes them. So every time that I ask him to take a picture with me I get a few huffs and puffs and groans before he agrees. Then right when I go to snap a picture he turns his sweet little head and plants a big ol kiss on my cheek. Every.single.time. And I love it.  And then he exclaims, "your turn!!!" and then we have to take another picture with me kissing his cheek....

These are some of my favorite moments with my sweet boy!! Most of our pictures may look like the above instead of us both facing the camera, but I am not complaining. I will kiss that sweet little face any chance I get.

Linking up with Jess for It's the Little Things!

{It's the little things // helping daddy}

This past weekend when we were out in the shop DIY'ing Mason wanted to help his daddy disassemble the pallet. So, Nate let him help. Mason was so excited to actually use a crowbar! I love that Nate is patient enough to stop and let Mason help even if it takes triple as long to get it done. Something so little made such a big impact on Mason. I could see it in his sweet little face. He felt so big.

He's building a good foundation in that one...

{It's the Little Things // A day off of school}

Mason had no school yesterday for a fair day so we got to spend the entire day together. It was perfect for a Monday after camping. Oh how I wish we had off every Monday after a weekend trip. Mason was able to sleep in a bit {and me as well} and then just hang out all day.

He helped me tidy up the house and then played with his big foot people toys and watched a movie while I worked. At lunch time we went and got McDonalds {his choice - yuck!}. We also visited the dollar spot at Target and scored big time. Mason left with a light-saber, glow in the dark spider webs to decorate the porch, light up Halloween rings & halloween socks. I got a chalkboard tray, a chevron pumpkin and a fall sign and also a chalkboard to make a weekly menu sign for the kitchen. I put the pumpkin, tray and fall sign on our DIY coffee table.



Later that afternoon Mason Wolverine helped me bake ghost sugar cookies. He was so excited to be able to put the cookies on the tray all by himself...and to eat them afterwards too, of course. I just love spending time with him!

While the cookies were baking he took a break and played on his iPad.

It was the perfect day with my little man. We sure did miss Daddy, though. I can already tell how much I am going to cherish his random days off of school. He reminded me all day of just how much he is growing up...using words like regeneration and such. It's so bittersweet. I love hearing about the things he learns in school, counting by 5s & 10s, and reading everything in sight, but I also miss him being a little tot.

Oh and a cute thing I want to remember - this morning when I was waking him up I was cuddling him and I said "you may be five and big, but you're still my baby" he said "Yes ma'am". I asked him if when he is big and married and has kids of his own if he will still be my baby and he says, "Yep, even if I still love Minecraft." haha! Goodness, I adore this boy!

2015 Fall Bucketlist:

+ make s'mores or the s'mores dip
+ make a fall wreath
+ decorate the porch
+ make fall crafts - there will be more
+ take Mason on a nature scavenger hunt
+ go geocaching around our town
+ buy pumpkins
+ decorate & carve pumpkins
+ have a Halloween movie night {most likely Hocus Pocus} with themed foods
+ find Mase Halloween pajamas
+ go to Mainstay Farms/Pumpkin patch
+ make a thankful jar with Mason
+ take Fall pictures
+ have a playdate with friends
+ go to the zoo
+ go camping in a tent
+ go to Round Top, TX for Texas Antiques weekend
+ stay in a cabin somewhere
+ follow a Fall photo project
+ go on a hayride
+ go to the Texas State Fair
+ visit the Farmer's Market
+ take Mason trick or treating
+ Boo a friend
+ roast marshmallows
+ bake Halloween cookies
+ buy a few 'fall' wardrobe staples
+ go to a football game
+ nacho bar for a football game watching night

{It's the Little Things}

This past Sunday Nathan took Mason to the Ranger game and they had the best time. It was a 2:05 game, but they left early so that they had plenty of play time. Nathan planned on grabbing them lunch and then taking him to the kidzone area at the ballpark to play. They had planned on grabbing Subway {which is right across the street from the ballpark} and in the same parking lot they were having a Fireman challenged. They got to watch that for a while before grabbing their lunch and venturing over to the ballpark. 

Nate took Mason to the kidzone area as soon as they got in. Mason had a blast! Then Nate treated him to ice cream and cotton candy and they watched a few innings of the game before they headed back over to kidzone. 



It fills my heart with so much joy that they got this time together. Sure I was lost without them...but I couldn't have been more happier either. Mason and I get a lot of one on one time due to Nate's work schedule and location. So anytime they get some times to themselves just makes me smile from the inside out. 

And Nate told us that it has always been a dream of his to take his son to Ranger game some day. 

I melt. Completely. 

{It's the Little Things}

Yesterday evening we went over to some of our good friend's house for some swimming, bbq'ing and hanging out. We had the best time! I am now convinced that pools are the saving grace for wearing a child out and getting him to sleep well at night. ;) Mason usually sleeps in his bed an hour and a half before he wanders into our bed, but last night he slept in his bed until 5 am. That hasn't happened in a while. 

When we got home it was fairly late for a week night so Nate and I told Mason we needed to go straight to bed. Of course he asked for books. I was so tired and didn't want to read, but when he picked the Easter story I couldn't say no! This book is a favorite of my sweet boys {and mine}. And a chance to read about Jesus? Yes, please! 

Mason's eyes were very heavy before we laid down so I didn't figure he would last long. But as soon as we finished the book he started asking all kinds of questions about Jesus, Heaven, and praying and talking to God. Oh my sweet boy! I could talk to him about Jesus forever. 

And before he rolled over and went to sleep his last words were...

"I want to live for Jesus and do what he wants me to do. I want to go to Heaven."

Oh, me too my sweet, sweet boy. Me too. 

{It's the Little Things // I never want to forget}

Just a few of the little things about Mason right now that I do not want to ever forget. Ever. 

Like the way his freckles brush over his cheek, then across his nose and to the other cheek. And how summertime really brings out those freckles. He used to call them sprinkles and I loved that. But now that he's a big ol' five year old he has started calling them freckles. Sigh. And those eyelashes...and those sweet little lips. And we can't forget his signature cow-lick. Everyone points out, loves and remembers him by his cow-lick. A couple of weekends ago we were camping and Mason got a sunburn, but not where his cow-lick hair hung down. It was the wildest & funniest thing. 

I also want to remember how he always has to be near me. All day every day. That's okay by me...I can't get enough of him either. Or how he will call out "Mama, Mama" like something is wrong or he needs me quickly only to tell me "I love You!" He's got a sweet soul and tells me and his Daddy he loves us {along with a plethora of other sweet things} a million times a day. He completely melts me daily.

Another thing I love is how he says, "Mama, I gotta tell you something" every single time before he says anything else. When his Daddy was his age he did something similar. Nate would say, "Let's talk about...{insert anything and everything}." I just love this.

Oh how I love this child. Thank you Jesus. Thank you for choosing me to be his Mama and for trusting me with one of yours.

{It's the Little Things // Mason & Diesel}

"Diesel, I am your brudder and I will always love you and watch out for you. I will never hurt you," - Mason

Oh these two!! They fill my heart with so much joy! Mason is head over heels in love with Diesel and says that he's the puppy he's always wanted. I am so, so happy Diesel is back into our lives and that he and Mason are the best of friends. Mason truly is the best big 'brudder' to him and I can't wait to watch him with an actual sibling someday. 

PS - if you haven't read Diesel's story click HERE >> it's a good one! 3 years away and he's back home. 

{It's the Little Things // Swim Lessons}

Mason started private swim lessons this week. The only time the instructor had open {by grace of someone else cancelling} was for weekdays at 1:30, so my mother in law has been taking him for us. He came home pretty excited yesterday. His instructor asked him to go under the water for 10 seconds and he went for 28 seconds. That's a big deal for a kid that just up until a week ago didn't like his face to get wet! ha. Anyhow...he came home from swim lessons and made this face ^^ and says...

"Look Mama I don't even have to hold my nose to hold my breff at swim lessons. See"

Oh parenthood....even the simplest of things make you so darn proud!!!

Oh and in other news...he now wants to be a lifeguard when he gets bigger.

{It's the little things // souvenir from Disney World}

I posted this on my Instagram yesterday, but wanted to post it here too. We accidentally found this stand while stopping to look at a map at Magic Kingdom. I knew this would be the perfect souvenir from Disney World and couldn't wait to get one made! $8 bucks for two copies, yes please. What I didn't know is how awesome it would turn out and how much it would truly look like my little Mason Lane. It's perfect!! It looks just like him and it even shows his little cow-lick! And the most impressive part was that she just looked at him and cut and that was it. And it came out this great. I will cherish this for eternity! And I can't wait to get this on our gallery wall.

Do you have a souvenir that you love a little more each and every time that you look at it?

{It's the Little Things // Daddy's Hat}

Happy Wednesday friends! Linking up with Jess for "It's the Little Things". 

Last week I shared about Mason putting holes in his pants because he wanted to be like Daddy! Well, today is all about Mason and Daddy again. I just love the relationship these two have. 

Nathan always wears a straw hat anytime he does yard work. Well this weekend we were at Home Depot and they had a stack of nice looking straw hats and Nate grabbed one. When we got in the truck Nate asked Mason if he wanted his old hat. You would have though Nate gave him a million bucks {or a million Lego toys}!! He was so excited!! He said, "I'm never going to mess this hat up. I love it." 

And he wore it proudly!! 

They melt me. Over and over. Every.single.day.

{It's the Little Things // Like Daddy}

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




A few days ago Mason mentioned that he had a hole in the knee of his pants and he was acting sad about it. I told him that it was okay and that it was almost Spring/Summer in Texas and he'd be wearing shorts in no time. Daddy also told him how it's "cool" to have holes in your pants that big boys like that and showed him a couple pairs of his with holes.

Fast forward to Monday...Mason and I are at the snowcone stand for an after school date and I notice a giant hole in his pants. I asked him if he made that tiny hole bigger and he says...

"Yes Mama, I wanted to be like my Daddy!"

My heart melted into a giant puddle. Can't be mad about that! I just adore the love this child has for his Daddy.

{It's the Little Things // Sweet Teachers}

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

Nathan and I were talking yesterday about Mason and school and how we love the fact that FHK hand picks each child for a teacher based on their needs and personality. In the threes class we were blessed with such a sweet teacher that Mason adored. And now here we are in Pre-K and they couldn't have put Mason with a sweeter, better teacher. She has been nothing but kind and understanding. Mason and I are attached at the hip and we have a touch of separation anxiety. Mornings have been a little hard for the last 5 or so days. Mason cries when I leave and it rips my heart apart. He cries not because he doesn't like school but because he doesn't want me to leave. It's so hard on my Mama heart! But, his teacher is so incredibly sweet...she will send me a quick text or a picture of Mason just a bit later to reassure me that Mason is happy and having a good day. It totally turns my day around. And this is just one of the sweet little things she does for us. I will have a whole Pre-K post soon!

What little things are making your heart happy this week?

{It's the Little Things - a giver's heart}

Pre-K // Day 2

Yesterday we stopped by the donut store on the way to school. Mason picked out a glazed donut with white icing with a black storm trooper ring in the center of it. He loves those donuts with the silly little rings. And I love that those silly little things excite him. We paid for his donut and headed back into the car. I was already buckling him in his car seat when he says,

"but, I would like to get a donut for Ms Mistty Mama"

Without any hesitation I said sure and unbuckled him and we went back in. While we were walking I told him that he was a sweet sweet boy with a sweet heart and he says,

"Yes mama just like you. I want to do something nice for her."

Cue the tears!!!

We walked back in and the owner tilted her head and looked at us and said 'you forget something?' And I told her that Mason wanted to pick out a donut for his teacher. The lady behind us said, "Oh how sweet!" and Mason just smiled. He picked her out a donut with pink icing and sprinkles and we were on our way.

 Anytime my baby wants to give I will not stop him! I love that he has such a sweet soul and a giver's heart. I want to encourage that. I want to encourage giving...and not just of material things but of many things. Giving his time to help a person in need, giving a shoulder to lean on, praying for others, etc.

It was something so little, but yet so so big.

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee

- Deuteronomy 16:17 

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

{It's the Little Things - PreK Meet the Teacher night}

Last night was Meet The Teacher night at Mason's school. I wasn't sure how it was going to go. Mason took the Summer off and he wasn't too keen about getting a new teacher when he returned. He absolutely adored his teacher he had in the 3's room and really couldn't fathom being in a different room. A few days ago his Pre-K teacher sent him a letter. It was addressed and written too him. He thought it was neat. He said, "I guess she's not so bad after all"! haha.

Anyhow, fast forward to last night. He invited his Nana and Papa and uncle T-Ty to go with us. They are very much a part of his life and they also pick him up from school on occasion. We pulled up and Mason started getting so excited and jumping up and down! It calmed my Mama heart so much! He couldn't wait to get in.

{It's the Little Things - Snapping}

For as long as I can remember Mason has wanted to learn two things...

Snapping

Whistling

His Daddy has spent many a hours trying to teach him both. {I can't whistle for anything}

Well, Mason has finally mastered snapping. And it makes him so darn happy. He walks around snapping all day everyday. I told Nate can you imagine the day he learns to whistle? We better brace ourselves for that.

It's definitely the little things...

Linking up with Jess and Ashley.

{It's the Little Things - I'm not ready for college}

I posted this on Instagram yesterday, but wanted to post it here as well.  We got Mason's Pre-K supply list in the mail yesterday so I was reading it out to him {thinking he would get excited about buying new supplies} and by the time I was done he was crying huge crocodile tears! I asked him why he was crying and he says, 

"I'm not ready to go to college!"

Oh my sweet, sweet boy! Mama isn't ready for that yet, either. Let's slow down a bit.

Then he says...

"I don't need to go to college. You and Daddy can teach me everything. You have those ABC and number cards and Daddy can whistle and everything. So y'all can teach me." 

Tears!

Linking up with Ashley and Jess for "It's the Little Things". What is on your heart this week?