Friday, June 22, 2012

Texas Style Luau

Hot dogs may not be the most traditional thing to eat at a luau, but I suppose when you attend one in Texas, that's what you get. Our YMCA held a family luau last night with hot dogs, music, and an awesome bounce house/obstacle course contraption in the pool (this was intended for the older kids, but I'd be lying if I didn't say it took some will power to not get in line to try it). Mason showed up in his finest Hawaiian attire for dinner, then changed to his suit for some splash park fun. Thankfully I had packed him his own dinner because this little man is not a hot dog fan. For such a brave food-trier it's funny to us that he doesn't like something so popular! It was a great evening and a fun way to kick off summer!
Waiting for Daddy to arrive from work

Viewing all the activity and munching on his dinner

Water Bottle Bandit. If you leave yours near him, it will be stolen. You've been warned.

Aloha!
Splash park fun

He loved walking through this area

He kept sticking his face in this one!

Sean-in-Training

As I mention in almost every post, Sean is an amazing dad to Mason. In return, Mason just adores his daddy and loves to do things just like him. Messing around with projects in the garage is one of Sean's favorite things to do, so naturally, Mason loves tools and the garage too. Sean decided to make Mason a miniature work bench and it was a hit with him. I am quite impressed with how well it turned out and I'm hoping it's one of those things Mason keeps forever and passes down to his own children. I can't believe I'm referencing my grandchildren, but Mason plays with a little tool set at my parents house that was my brother's in the late 70's so it's not an impossible wish.

Sean's current project is a picnic table for Mason and even in it's early state, it is adorable. I smile every time I see it sitting in the garage and can't wait to share the final product with everyone! Wonder what we be next? A chair? A table? Maybe a jewelry tree for me? (hint, hint)








Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Father's Day 2012

I hope all the dads out there had a wonderful Father's Day! I think Sean would agree that we had a wonderful day around here. Mason and I let him sleep in on Sunday while we made a sausage and cheddar cheese strata for him for breakfast. After breakfast and opening gifts (which included matching Father/Son swimsuits), we had a lazy morning around the house then headed to the park. Mason had a blast playing with his daddy, running around with Hazel, and going down the slide a million times.

After relaxing during Mason's nap we headed out to my parents house to celebrate with my dad. The Gadek's were there too and we all enjoyed the amazing spread my parents had put together.

I am so thankful for the relationship I have with my father, and he is an amazing Papa to Mason. I get many of my particular ways from him, all the way down to the way I spread peanut butter and jelly on my sandwich. It's nice to be able to pinpoint where I get my left brain tendencies from!

The relationship between Sean and Mason is really something special and unique. I have so much joy watching them together and look forward to the wonderful father/son memories they'll make. Sean had a great childhood with his father and has already started teaching Mason the many things his father taught him (starting with tools - I'll do a post soon about the work bench Sean recently made Mason!). With Sean's parents living in the Seattle area we don't have the luxury of seeing them as much as my parents, but are hoping for a visit sometime this summer! We miss them tremendously, especially on days like Father's Day.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads in our lives. Hope your families spoiled you!

Sausage and Cheddar Cheese Strata - forgot to take a picture before we dug in!
Cooking in our jammies
Merry-go-round!

Heading down the tunnel slide

Daddy does it too!


Taking a quick break

His sweet cheeks get so flushed when he's hot
Follow the leader

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Father's Day 2012

Laughing with BeBe & Papa!


This is his "cheese" face

He's a squirmy one!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Who's this party for, anyway?

Last weekend we went to a pirate-themed birthday party for some of Mason's neighborhood friends (and siblings), McKenzie (4) and Parker (2). Part of the fun at the party was an extremely large inflatable water slide. At first Mason was having fun just getting splashed in the pool at the end of the slide by the bigger kids going down the slide. But knowing how much Mason loves water and adventure, we had to give him a go at the slide. Sean suited up and hiked Mason up to the top so he could slide down too. He LOVED it. 

Let's all give a round of applause to Sean for being the only adult at the party to jump in and get his feet wet (literally).

Enjoy these photos and videos of their adventure!

I don't know whose expression is better!

Hiking to the top

Pure excitement
Splash!




18 Months

Our little man has hit the 1 1/2 year mark! He is as active and curious as ever, and definitely keeps his parents on their toes. :) He has a word for everything now, but can still be difficult to understand. He is tracking along perfectly for an 18 month old, and in most cases is doing a step above what's expected of him at this point. The only thing we couldn't check the box on was putting two or more words together. This doesn't mean 'bye-bye' or 'uh-oh' (which he says both of adorably), but more along the lines of 'where's mommy?' and 'go outside'. We aren't at all concerned and know he will pick that up soon. He is always able to get his point across somehow!

One of Mason's favorite things right now is books. If he's not outside or playing with his toys, he has a book in his hand. He loves to flip the pages and point out the things he recognizes on each page. When he wakes from his naps he asks for his books in the crib with him and flips through them for up to 30 minutes. His favorites are The Little Train (a Christmas gift from Grandma), and Goodnight Moon. The binds are close to falling off of these two books and I can recite the words from memory!

Mason had quite the growth spurt in the last three months, gaining three pounds and growing 3 inches. He went from the 50th percentile in height to the 90th percentile! Sean and I are pretty average in height, and I border on a little taller than average. I was always the tallest in my class in elementary school, so it looks like he might shoot up like me and then sort of even out with his peers.

Each day is a new adventure with Mason, and we are loving every minute. He is absorbing so much and learns something new each day. He has a funny personality and loves to make people laugh. He loves his dog, Hazel, and likes to bring her toys and treats, ask her for kisses, and take her on walks. He has many favorite activities throughout the day, but his absolute favorite is when Daddy comes home. If Sean is working late Mason still goes to the door calling his name at around the same time each day. It is so sweet. We have to get out of the house every morning, or we will both go stir crazy. He definitely likes to be on the go and around other people. Many of our afternoons are spent around the house (inside and out), or on walks that usually end in playing with his neighborhood friends at someone's house.

I always say that the stage he's in is my favorite, but I'll say it again. He is the sweetest little boy and we count our blessings each day. He takes a walk with Sean and Hazel each morning, and upon his return, runs the length of the house squealing my name and then collapses in my arms with a huge hug once he finds me. Melts my heart. (my name is still sometimes 'mama', but he has also started saying 'ma-meeee' - so cute!) He seems to be able to read a room, and if someone is upset about something, he gets genuinely concerned and often tries to console them. Then he'll run off to find a car or ball and continue on his joyful ride through life.

Mason, we love you so much and look forward to every moment your future holds.

Stats
Weight - 28.3 lbs (75%)
Length - 34" (90%)
Head - 19 1/4" (75%)
He is a tough cookie and didn't make a peep when he got his shots. He was more upset that he had to stop playing to go lay down for 30 seconds than he was about getting pricked! :)

I haven't taken any pictures specifically for his 18 month birthday, but here are some from the past week!

Say cheese!

Splashing in his crab pool

Exploring First Tuesday's at the Dallas Museum of Art - a free day at the museum with activities centered around children

Working on the oval puzzle


Making oversized bubbles with his buddy Jeff (and the million other kids at the DMA that day)

Waiting for the doc at his check-up

Reading books at B&N

Rainy day activity - sometimes the banana and markers got mixed up :)

Reading books to his stuffed friends...

Laughing at himself and clapping his hands

At the Walnut Hill Rec Center where he could 'juh-juh' his little heart out!