Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas morning

Santa left Mason lots of goodies this year. He said Mason was a good boy. Obviously, Santa didn't talk to me first. HA! Just kidding. The look on Mason's face was priceless. He was in awe over the gifts he saw when he came around the corner to the living room. We enjoyed watching Mason as he walked around the room. At first he just looked at everything, kind of like, "are these my toys"? So cute. Then he started picking up things and taking them to show Daddy.








Mason said he needed to pee pee on the potty. HA! So funny!










Sunday, December 25, 2011

Friday, December 23, 2011

Who needs Santa's elves?

I have my very own elf right here at home. Mason has enjoyed watching me cook/bake this Holiday season. Well, maybe he has enjoyed eating more.











Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Christmas lights

Daddy was off on Monday, so we took the opportunity to take Mason to see the Christmas lights at Meadow Lights in Benson. We road the 'train' and saw Santa.

Mason was all set to see Santa. He did great too! Walked right up to Santa and said "Hey Santa. How you doing?"














Friday, December 16, 2011

Is this the 'terrible two's'?

Patience is running thin in our house these days. Mason is definitely TWO! He is determined, stubborn, whiny, aggravated and all the above. He wants what he wants, when he wants it. Kevin and I asked him yesterday, "What have you done with our son"? "Where is Mason"? He screams now to prove his point. Yes, that will lead to a time out.




I will say he is having a terrible time with his teeth again. The two year molars, as they are called, are definitely making a mark in his mouth. For the last few days, Mason says he has a 'boo boo'. We asked him where is his boo boo, but he never mentions his mouth. He has actually asked for medicine. We usually give him tylenol or motrin. We feel bad for him, but this doesn't excuse the bad behavior.



Don't get me wrong, he isn't terrible all day long, just little bits here and there. It's enough to wear me out! HA!

Here's my handsome boy!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Tis the season....

....for giving and continuing Holiday traditions. When we lived in Apex, we had a neighbor who gave us this yummy Christmas chex mix every year. This stuff is addictive and I had to have the recipe. So this year, I decided to make my own and share some with our new neighbors. The recipe makes a ton of party mix and is great to give as gifts. Kevin took a huge container to work, we kept some at home, and three other containers were given to neighbors.

Here is what you'll need: 5 cups of Cheerios, 5 cups of chex cereal, 1 can of peanuts, 1 bag of pretzels, 1 large bag of m & m's (red and green or whatever the Holiday) or 2 small bags, 2 lbs. or 3 bags of white chocolate chips, 3 1/2 tbsp. of vegetable oil, and wax paper.




I did not have a bowl large enough to mix all ingredients at one time, so I mixed what I could which was, the m & m's, peanuts, cheerios, and chex cereal.




I lined my kitchen table with wax paper. I put two sheets side by side and actually taped them to the table so it would stay put. I poured out the ingredients from my bowl onto the table and then mixed in the pretzels. By the way, I used the small snap pretzels (mini squares).



I melted the chocolate and oil in the microwave in 15 second intervals until completely melted. The chocolate should be almost watery. I poured it over my mix on the table and mixed it well using my hands. Kind of messy, but since I didn't have a bowl big enough, I improvised. Hey! It worked.



I let the mix cool and harden for a while maybe 30 minutes or so. Of course, I ate some during that time. I had to make sure it was good. HA!

Then I separated some of the pieces, filled up my containers, and voila! Yummy!



I placed a pretty bow on the package along with a name tag and delivered them that night. I hope everyone liked their gift! ;)


I hope you continue your Holiday traditions and share with others. You never know. You're tradition may very well become someone else's tradition.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Just in time for Christmas

My long awaited DIY project is complete and just in time for the Holidays.




For the most part, I'm pleased with the way it turned out. This was the first time I have used chalkboard paint and it's not the same type surface as a chalkboard you find in schools or buy in the stores. The surface is a bit jagged from the brush strokes. Even though we used a sponge paint brush to apply the paint, it still dried with the lines. Maybe we should have used a roller, but who knew? You really don't notice too much until you write on it and you can see the lines. No big deal. It will serve the purpose and I love the way it looks in our kitchen.



Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Our family tree

After our experience with Mason and the tree last year, we decided to get an artificial tree. This was the first artificial one that we have had together. We always go to Lowe's to pick out our tree every year. Well, maybe we have a new tradition. Mason destroyed our tree last year. Ornaments were flying off the tree, needles every where, branches falling off, he was all over it every day it was up. Of course, now this year, he hasn't bothered it much at all. He walks up to it and say's "it's pretty, Mommy". He may touch an ornament here or there, but nothing like last year.


I'll admit, it was strange reading instructions on how to put together our Christmas tree.





Once we were finished, it looked like a Christmas tree, not an artificial tree. We were pleased and it was nice to not have to worry about watering it every night.

Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Mason's tree



I will never forget the day Kevin and I bought this ornament. It was actually the day we found out we were having a boy. We saw it in Hallmark earlier and I told Kevin, if we are having a boy, which we were naming Mason, we HAVE to come back and get that ornament. It was meant for our son to have it. There was only one left in the store and we went back to get it and it was still there. I just love it!!




Mason is so excited to have HIS own Christmas tree. I put it in his playroom so that he can look at it all day (or at least when he is in there playing). This will be his special tree every year and he will be able to decorate it himself. Of course, not this year. I had to put it up so that he doesn't destroy it. I think it will be fun for him to see his own ornaments every year. So far, he doesn't have many that are 'just for him', but through the years I'm sure we will collect several (& make several) and we'll have to get a larger tree.



A monkey, for a monkey. Actually it's Curious George, but Mason calls it Monkey.




"LOOK, MOMMY, I SEE POOH"! He was so excited to see Pooh on his tree. This one (& the Monkey) came from Nina.


Monday, December 05, 2011

I want cake

For Daddy's birthday this year, I made a chocolate cake, with chocolate icing, and chocolate chips. Yes! He loves chocolate. The moment I made the cake and put it on the table, Mason's eyes lit up. Every second of every day, "Mommy, I want cake", "Mommy, I like cake", "Mommy, cake is good". Yes Mason, we all know you like cake. So, all week, we have all enjoyed Daddy's cake, especially Mason. Poor fella, it's like he's never had cake before. :) We all know that is not true.




Kevin had a nice birthday. At least, I hope he did. It's hard when you get older to just sit back and enjoy the day. We look around and see the chores that need to be done and can't relax. He actually took Friday off, only to work in the yard most of the day. He planned to power wash the house, but after realizing that it would take the whole day Friday and probably the whole day Saturday, we decided to hire someone to do it for us. Best decision ever. The guy did a fabulous job and we were able to enjoy the weekend.




Silly Daddy. He's trying to look like the guy on cereal box. This gift was just a joke. He loves Cap'n Crunch and I saw this Christmas special in Wal-Mart and had to get it. He got a lot of nice things for his birthday. Jeans, a couple of sweaters, shirts, and money.

Thursday, December 01, 2011

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Giving Thanks

We spent Thanksgiving in VA again this year. We had a nice weekend, but boy, I'm tired. We ate, shopped, put up Uncle James and Lori's Christmas tree and drove a lot. Oh and Daddy practiced his target shooting along with Grammy, Paw Paw, Uncle James and Lori. I said, No Way! Guns make me nervous. I would rather stand back and watch. Lori, Mom and I, were able to shop with out the men (including Mason). Thank goodness! It's so hard to shop with that little boy. We all got some great deals and I got so much of our shopping DONE!





Mason had a good ole time running around playing outside and jumping up and down on the air mattress and playing with Lucy, the neighbor's dog.






There are so many things that I'm thankful for and just too many to list, but I try to give thanks everyday. How about you? What are you thankful for this year?