Good Things Come in Big Packages!

When we received something in this huge box, Mason wanted the packing peanuts so bad! Wayne picked him up and stuck him in there and he had such a good time! Of course we had to say "DON'T EAT THAT!" every 2 seconds, but he looked so cute and had fun.

Recent Scrapbook Layouts

I thought I'd post just a few recent scrapbook layouts (with the exception of the one with me in it--it's older but it's one of my favs) You can view more (not many more--I just finally started posting!) at www.twopeasinabucket.com I go by Scrap Fairy in the "Peanut Gallery" and I have a lot of quotes in the "Pea Soup" section under Resources. (I collect good quotes) That's where my "Scrap Fairy" name originated--I've been going to that scrapbooking website since 2002! In fact, this blog started out to be a purely scrapbooking blog! Hmmm...somehow I got off course! :)

Mason's UNofficial first haircut!

I couldn't stand the hair hanging down in Mason's eyes, so I did a quick snip of his "bangs" and it looks so much better. I'm not touching those curls!

TOP: BEFORE

BOTTOM: AFTER

Speaking of growing up...

My niece, Chloe' turned 14 in May. I can't even believe that I was 16 when she was born! She is a young lady now but it seems like just a few short years ago I was changng her diapers! Love you, Chloe'!

Happy Birthday Cameron!

I can't believe my nephew is 10 today! He had to go back to school today on his birthday--which has happened before. He's getting so big! Mason just loves playing with him. "Camo-ron" had a camo party--it was cute.

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY, CAMERON!

New Layout!!!

Well, as you can see, I finally gave in and changed the look of my blog--after several years I guess it was overdue--but it just looks weird to me! I'm sure I'll get used to it...

Mason's 1 year Dr Visit

Mason had his one year old check up at the Ped today. He weighs 26 lbs 10 oz and is 32" tall!! He is such a big boy! He's still in the 95th percentile for his age group. He is right on track with growth and development and is thankfully a very healthy baby! We are so blessed! He had to have 3 shots also today--which is never fun for anyone. They also pricked his finger--which he didn't mind at all and he really quite enjoyed the prismatic band aid he got when it was overwith :) He was very cranky tonight and would barely even eat dinner, so I pumped him full of tylenol and put him to bed. Poor little guy.

Why is this so LOW???

I don't know why this is posted so low on the page-I didn't change anything in the template! Working on fixing this... (ugg)

What I'm up to these days

Here's what's going on:

1. Mason's one year professional photos were taken this morning. He did not have his usual morning nap so he was a little cranky and very clingy, but I think we ended up getting some good shots in spite of that. I love our photographer, Amber Lanning.

2. Last week we finally cleaned out our office closet (way overdue) and moved my scrapbooking supplies from Mason's closet into it so I can actually scrap after Mason goes to bed instead of going in with Wayne's headlamp on quietly digging for supplies!! (It's quite a site to behold!) Man, that was one long sentence! Since then I have already completed several pages--I just needed a little inspiration & motivation from 2 peas in a bucket and to be able to get to my supplies!

3. Our 8 year wedding anniversary is tomorrow, July 31st. We went to Branson over the weekend and left Mason with my parents--he has never spent the night at anyone's house! Yes--he is sheltered! He did wonderful--he actually slept better at their house (go figure) We missed him a lot but it was nice to get away and have some time to ourselves. We went to the Titanic Museum which was pretty neat and the Butterfly Palace which turned out better than I expected. (picures above) Other than that we hung out in our jacuzzi suite and had some nice meals. The traffic was horrible but it was a good trip.

4. Southern Living at HOME parties. I have several parties booked--and they're fun--it dosen't feel like work. The new Fall catalog is out and I want everything, as usual. They finally have the entire catalog on the website instead of just a sampling--see it at: https://www.southernlivingathome.com/wbslah/skins/s01/catalog.aspx?repid=534206

5. My best friend, Victoria's (aka Tori) Birthday--is TODAY!!!July 30th!!!!! That's right--8 years ago today she had to spend her birthday at my wedding rehearsal! poor girl. Happy B-day, Tori!

6. Junior League--starting a new league year. I'm on the same committee as last year (2 year placement) so I'm pretty comfy with that right now. I usually like to be challenged, but right now with the rest of my challenging life, I'm glad it's not for me right now. :}

Well, that's all the high points for now!

Vintage Clutches

Love these from Vintage Clutch!!! Too bad they are a little expensive or I'd have several!
Check them all out at:

http://www.vintageclutch.com/products.php

One Year Ago Today...

Looking back one year ago today,

July 10, 2006 ...

Mason Cole

Born 7-10-06 @ 5:53pm

Weight 7 lbs 10 oz

Length 21 in

Mason's First Birthday!

Mason's First Birthday party was on Saturday. We only invited our families (and it was still overwhelming!) Mason was a little freaked out when he awoke from a much needed nap to find the house full of people.

We served hamburgers and hot dogs and all the sides. He had a great party and was in a good mood--especially while tearing into that cake--and after when he had a sugar rush! He got a lot of cute toys, books and clothes. I can't belive my baby will be ONE tomorrow!!!

No More Bottles!

Mason has decided that he's done eating from a bottle! He's been eating more finger foods and suddenly, over the last week has not wanted a bottle at all! When I've given him one, he'll eat half of it then start goofing around with it. He has little interest in it at all. This is amazing--I thought we were going to have to wean him and it would get ugly--but that's what he did with his pacifier months ago--he just didn't want it anymore! Aren't we lucky parents???

My Little Backyardigan

Mason LOVES the Backyardigans!!! They are so cute and I must admit that Wayne and I are both addicted, also! I find myself singing thier songs everyday. Mason smiles and dances to the music--although in these pics he's just glued--in a tv coma! I only let him watch a few a day--I don't want him to watch too much tv. We happen to have 23 episodes Tivo'd!!! We love them!

Mason's First 4th

Mason's first 4th was pretty uneventful. We stayed at home and Mason was in bed by 9:00. I thought the neighborhood fireworks would scare him or wake him but he didn't seem to mind--he slept right through them! They were very loud, too! Wayne and I sat in our backyard and watched the local show--just like we did last year, except I was expecting Mason then. My due date was July 3rd last year so it was kinda bittersweet for me--I have to admit I was sad. I guess it's just a Mom thing--and now that he's growing up and doing so many things I really miss the tiny baby that he was. He's such a sweetie!

HAPPY 4TH!!!!!!!!!!

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY AND SAFE

4TH OF JULY!

THANK YOU TO OUR TROOPS--PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE!

The Starfish Story

I was reading the latest issue of Parents magazine and came across an ad for Pepperidge Farm's new Goldfish crackers, including starfish. (It's to promote a charity that helps kids achieve goals.) Anyway, this little story accompanied the ad and I thought it was so inspiring!

The Starfish Story

A little girl was walking along a beach that was covered with thousands of starfish left dying in the sun by the receding tide. Seeking to help, she picked up a starfish and tossed it back into the ocean.

A man, amused by her action, said to her, "Little girl, there are too many starfish. You will never make a difference." Discouraged, she began to walk away.

Suddenly, she turned around, picked up another starfish and tossed it as far as she could back into the sea. Turning to the man, she smiled and said, "I made a difference to that one!"

The man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had said and done. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing the starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved.

A few sites that are fun to surf:

(I need to add them to my links...)

http://www.etsy.com/index.php

1. Etsy is handmade art, jewelry, pottery--you name it. Some of it is wierd and some of it is amazing. Very artsy-fartsy.

http://www.whoisisabella.com/

2. I can spend hours reading insightful articles by women at Who Is Isabella.

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipes/

3. Need a recipe quick? I go to My Recipes.

http://www.nrdcactionfund.org/

4. Ok--this one's not "fun" but if you want to delve into Activism, NRDC Action Fund is great--they make it so easy for a politcally challenged person like myself to voice my opinion to our representatives.

http://www.plumparty.com/index.shtml

5. Even when I don't NEED party supplies, I go to Plum Party to look at all the cute stuff I could use...someday.

http://flickr.com/

6. My love of photography is indulged at Flickr. You can post your pics to share or just browse thru tons of intriging photos from around the world.

http://www.cafepress.com/

7. CafePress is a collection of creative merchandise ranging from clothing, home and office accessories, to prints, posters and cards.

I need to spend less time surfing the web! It's one of the few mindless, quiet things I can do after Mason goes to bed and I'm tired. And it's quite inspiring, too. Later.

Horray for Mika!!!!!

You've got to watch this video clip--she rocks!!!

http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g

I so admire this newscaster for REFUSING to do a lead story on Paris Hilton over the war in Iraq. We need more people--especially in the media-- to stand up and fight to get stupid celeb fluff stories out of the main headlines and show the real world issues!!!

Mason is Walking!!

I can't believe my little baby Mason will be ONE YEAR OLD in two weeks!!! It feels like he was just a newborn. Some exciting news--He just started walking this week! He just took off and got confident and now he's walking everywhere (and falling down a lot.) He says so many things also--hi, dog, bird, mama, dada, gigi (his great grandma) and also uh and oh, but not together!!

I have his birthday party planned--we only invited our families as to not overwhelm him (and me). I hope his cake turns out. I was so disappointed in Rick's because I called and ordered his cake and then they told me they couldn't do it b/c they would be closed the entire week of his birthday for the holiday!! I guess we'll encounter this problem every year since it's so close to the 4th. The lady at Rick's told me to just go ahead and order it and freeze it---uh, I don't think so!!! anyway, I know Harp's does a great job. My family and my work has used them many times. So I went to Price Cutter in Rogers. (same as Harp's) They seemed like they knew what they were doing, but I guess we'll see. It's just like me to worry about what a cake will look like ! It better be perfect for my baby's first birthday!!! (heehee)