Whittle Shortline Railroad

Today our playgroup had a fun meeting at this train museum, it's free and the kids get to play on several different train tables that are set up. In the past few weeks Mason has expressed an interest in trains, so Erick took him to a train show last week and bought him his first track and a few trains...he LOVES it! Currently it is set up on our ottoman in the family room, but soon will be moved to his room once we get a table. Today he was in heaven with all the different trains to play with, bridges to go over and through, and of course friends to play with. This will be a place Mason and I will go back to soon, and bring Daddy!

After this outing we went to get Mason's haircut. He did amazing, I was shocked! He sat perfectly still and watched the lady in the mirror. I am not sure why I had doubt he wouldn't do well, he really is growing up so fast!

Things you do on a snow day......

It has been cold with snow and ice here! The past two days we have had lots of movies, hot chocolate, and fires. Mason thinks there is nothing better than going out to play......

Followed by baking some cupcakes (with supervision of course)

Recap

We've been busy-but loving every minute of it! Since my last post we moved...twice! Mason got his first hair cut, enjoyed 2 wonderful holidays with family and friends, Mason's first Christmas musical put on by his Mothers Day Out school, and celebrated me turning 30 (sigh). Things have been super crazy around here and now that things are getting settled and unpacked I will blog again. These days we have been putting the finishing touches to our new home, enjoying finally being together in the evenings, and playing in the snow we have had lately! Here are a few photos to recap the past couple of months....

Eagle Fork Farms

Mason and I went with our play group to Eagle Fork Farms Pumpkin Patch. It was a nice little farm with lots of fun things for kiddos to do! We took a hay ride, then went over to the play area where there was tractor racing, crawling through tunnels, and playing in corn kernels. Normally they have pony rides and a bounce house but those were not running today-but based on our last pony experience, Mason wouldn't have taken a ride anyway. It was a perfect way to spend a fall morning with friends!

It's always hard getting everyone for a group picture

Mason's first hayride-he looks nervous

Where he spent most of the morning

So big! Where has the past 19 months gone?!?

All Dressed Up

Erick's brother, Jim, got married September 24th. Mason was a ring bearer...he wore a tux...he pretty much melted my heart! Seriously the cutest thing ever, right down to the little black shoes (thanks Marci!), and he walked down with the flower girls and did a terrific job.

Playing catch up...

Things have been crazy around here so this post is a summary of the past couple months. Summer has ended with fruit, ice cream, learning how to master using a fork at meal times and starting "school". He LOVES the mothers day out program and has such a good time. They do crafts, go to chapel, play outside-all the fun things kids love to do. So I am pretty happy that he is so happy at his school:)

Ryan and Mason enjoying ice cream for Marci's birthday

Mason goes to school

Having some fun at the park

1st visit to Monkey Joes: it was a HIT!

Helping Mommy with a Sunday morning pancake breakfast. Mason has been helping a lot in the kitchen, when I cook I try to give him something to do so he can help too. I can tell this makes him feel sooo big! Hope this interest sticks around as he gets older!

Summer

Sorry for lack of posts, summer is in full swing and we have been busy! Our computer crashed a few weeks ago, then we had wedding showers to plan, out of town travel, and so much more going on! I have had no time to download pictures or keep up with the blog.

Here are a few pictures from today. Mason participated in Little Gym all summer and LOVED it! It was money well spent, I got to meet other moms and Mason got to run, jump, swing, and climb on everything in sight without me scared he was going to get hurt. For those that didn't know...I am a little of a nervous nelly:) I looked forward to our classes, Mason ran like a wild man around the room with a smile from ear to ear and I found myself smiling a lot just watching him get so much joy out of playing and exploring.

A few skills he perfected were playing well with other kids, forward roll, backward roll, walk on the balance beam, hang from the bars and swing, and fun new songs we can sing at home. Mason and I were both sad today, he is going to miss his new friends and I will miss the long naps he took on Tuesday afternoons. I could always count on The Little Gym to wear him out!

In a couple weeks Mason starts Mother's Day Out at a local church. He will go on Tuesday and Thursdays. I am really excited for him, but really anxious about him being away (and not just at Grandma Bev's or Aunt Kelly's). I know after a few weeks he will get into a routine and benefit from all the fun activities they have planned and new faces to see.


Most of the group (a few sat out due to kids crying)

Showing off on the balance beam

Our wild child

Swinging away!

Mommy helping out with a forward roll