Being a Toddler...

Being a toddler means having a lot of bruises! (note Mason's forehead to the left!) It seems like he will go months without an injury, then have several in a row. Maybe he's growing during those times??

Rainy Day Lockout

We had a good storm roll through the end of last week. I thought I'd take some pictures--these were the few that I got of the front and then I went to the back (to the sunroom) and ended up getting locked out of the house --WITH MASON INSIDE!!!!!!!! Needless to say, I was a hysterical mess! Long, agonizing story cut short--I managed to get to a neighbor's house (in the dumping rain!) and call Wayne. He came home from work early to let me in after 35 minutes of being locked out!!! I was freaking out!! Mason was fine--and I'll spare a few other details so that I will still be eligible for the "Mother of the Year" award!!!! (UGG!)

Bedhead

And this is the next morning...bedhead and all!

Toothy Grin

I know I'm biased--but what a cutie!!! This is the first picture where you can see his teeth! (he has 8--4 on top & 4 on bottom with at least 2 more on the way) This is right before bed (he looks so sleepy, huh?) a couple of nights ago.

New Layouts

I just had to scrap this pic of me and Chloe'! The quote is very fitting for her right now, "It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are."
It was fun to use pink on a layout again. (I painted the chipboard swirls) I've done so many baby blue & green pages lately that I had to take a break and use some girly colors! (although I did still use turquoise--but it's my favorite color!)

These pics of me & Mason were taken on his actual first birthday. (his party was a few days before his b-day) So they are even more special to me!

Mason's Halloween Costume

No, this is not Mason! It is, however, his Halloween costume! He loves the Backyardigans and Pablo the Penguin is his fav, so I didn't have to put too much thought into his costume this year! I got it on eBay and it should be on the way. Now Wayne and I are trying to come up with what we are going to dress up as. Our friends have a costume party every year so we also dress up. I love it! Halloween is my favorite holiday. Can't wait to see Mason in this!

Couch Potato?

Mason can climb up onto the couch in our office now. He can almost make it onto the living room couches, but they are a little higher. He will turn on the tv, climb onto the couch, turn around and sit there and smile--it's so cute! He also likes to stand on his head, as you can see! He can get down on his own, which is a big plus!

I just can't believe how big he is and all the things he can do!

His favorite new word is "pretty." He points at almost everything (esp. at Mimi's house!) and says "pretty"--kind of under his breath--he likes to whisper it for some reason.

Oh no!

OMG! I just went to a website that I visit every once in a while--it's a scrapbooking challenge site--well, I mean--IT WAS!!! To my surprise, it is now a nasty website that I immediately deleted!! I had it on my links here on this blog--so if anyone clicked on it (it shall remain nameless!!!) then I do apologize!
It reminded me--our Junior League website got taken over by some nasty stuff a year or so ago--Junior League members were going to the site and finding a whole new meaning for "volunteer!" They had to create a whole new site. How does someone just commendear a website???

Treasure the "doing"

Thanks to Ali Edwards for introducing me to this wonderful quote by Anna Quindlen:

"...but the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of the three on them sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4, and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in a hurry to get on to the next things: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less. "

I hope my scrapbooking and journaling will help a little with this--that, and learning to slow down and enjoy.

Exploring

First he wanted to swing...

Then he had to check out the tree--what perspective!

Stopped for a cute pose.

"What are these white things?"

"Mom, haven't you taken enough pictures of me today?"

Then he took a rest! Exploring is hard work!

Ok--so I took about 15 pictures of Mason in the backyard tonight! Lucky for you, I parred them down to just this many!

A Night Out

From the Walton Arts Center website: "In the Tony Award-winning new musical comedy, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser. SPELLING BEE has been hailed by the Wall Street Journal as "perfect in every possible way-- that rarity of rarities, a super-smart musical that is also a bona fide crowd pleaser." This tuneful, offbeat and at times heartwarming show offers audience members the opportunity (strictly voluntary) to become part of the action as on-stage spellers. The New York Times calls SPELLING BEE, "irresistible, riotously funny and remarkably ingenious-- gold stars all around."

Last night, my sister, Angela, and I went to the Walton Arts Center and saw "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." It was very funny! It was nice to have a night out --we ate at Noodles before the show and then rushed to find a parking spot on Dickson. (always terrible!!!) Wayne had some guys over to watch the game and Mason went to Mimi and Grandpa's. We all had a fun evening (with the exception of the Razorbacks losing!)

Sept Family Night

My immediate family gets together once a month for "Family Night." We rotate houses each month and the host serves dinner, then we have a show & tell or play a game or something. It's a great time to catch up with family. Tonight, Wayne & I hosted for September and I made Taco Soup with lots of toppings (see pic! Didn't get one of the soup!)

Chloe's show & tell was her artwork--she has such talent! The ones she had tonight were dragons and mystical creatures. Cameron's was that he was appointed in school to assist a special needs student to school assemblies and things of that nature. I thought that was just great!

Mason was so tired and overstimulated by the end of the night, as soon as everyone left, he passed out. It was well past his bedtime as you can tell by the picture of him! (looking a little frazzled, baby!)

McGarity-Simpson Family

To make yours, go to: http://www.simpsonsmovie.com/main.html


Mason

Wayne

Lindsay

Our Backyard

The first is a bloom from our Rose of Sharon bushes that line the fence--they're loaded with blooms right now. the next is a Crepe Myrtle. (or however you spell that!)

I just loved the perspective of the big pine trees (they're in our neighbor's yard behind us) and the contrast between them and the blue sky.

Just a Swingin'

The weather was so nice the last few days--a little cooler with a nice breeze. We ventured to the back yard so Mason could swing since it wasn't so hot. He was very sleepy and subdued, as you can tell! I handed him a leaf and he couldn't care less about checking it out. Nap time!

Before the Razorback Game....

GO HOGS GO!!!

Mason has been learning how to call the Hogs. He'll raise his hands up and make a little noise but he really just can't wait to get to the end so he can clap!

Messy Eater

What a Mess!! Mason insists on having his own spoon while I'm feeding him or he won't eat.

Just a few of me...

I'm always the one behind the camera, so there's not that many pics of me, but why is it that when there is, I'm not wearing any makeup??

My New Favorite Picture of Mason

A Few More Scrapbook Pages