First Burst of Spring

The last part of March is when the Bradford pear trees bloomed out all around town-and in our backyard. They don't last very long, so I always try to get some pictures of them while they're loaded with flowers! It's always so pretty when they start to leaf out because the petals fall to the ground like snowy confetti.


I like this moss that grows on the bark of the pear tree, too!


The bright coral azaleas...

A rough, rugged looking boy...
...who picked his Mommy a few flowers :) What a sweetie.

Our Helper Boy

The last day he had to wear a hat for the season, (a chilly day in March) Mason helped Daddy out by sweeping what we call "dingle balls" (AKA sweet gumballs) from our driveway into the grass so that he could rake them...for the four-hundredth time.


Although the Sweet Gum trees are beautiful trees, we despise the gumballs that fill our yard each year!



My hatred for them runs deep, as I grew up with sweet gum tree in the front yard of my childhood house! I can't get away from them!! I used to rake them as a kid--not fun. At least Mason found this to be fun at his age. Just wait, kiddo.

(Check out the lunging action!)


The Enemy.

Afternoon at the Lake

Back in October, we went to the lake to visit Wayne's parents & grandparents who were there camping in thier RV's. It was Mason's first trip to the lake and he couldn't believe how big it was! Wayne's Dad, Bill, took us out on the boat while his Mom & Grandma stayed on dry land, watching Madelyn. We had a great time & Mason was so excited to be out on a real boat. Bill took off really fast a few times & we laughed as we just about got blown away!

Mason's New Sandbox

Wayne added a sandbox area underneath Mason's new swing set/fort. It was the perfect place for it and he has really been enjoying it this week! We got him some sand molds to make castles & such & he will play in it for over an hour if we let him! Wayne even made a cover for it because we didn't want debris getting inside or neighborhood cats using it as a big cat box. ("Uh...I don't think those were Lincoln Logs..." TS3 quote! LOL)





Also, I posted about Mason's Annual Handprint on my poor neglected blog Daily Chrysalis since that is were I posted about each previous year. That blog is just about artsy/crafty stuff usually. Anyway, you can check it out if you want...

On another note, Wayne & I have both been so incredibly busy trying to get EVERYTHING under the sun done before our baby girl gets here. My due date is in just 7 weeks and we've been stressing-but also getting a lot done each weekend. We've been so overwhelmed with all the stuff that is breaking around here! Why all at once? Why now!? I know we'll get it all done & be ready to welcome our little one though!

Swimming & Swinging

On Sunday, Mason got to try out the new swimming pool he got for his birthday. He had a great time splashing & jumping & even did a few cannonballs!






While Mason was swimming, Wayne finished the assembly of the playset! He worked so hard over the course of 3 days to get it together. Mason hopped right out of his pool & onto the swings & glider when he heard it was ready. It has a bumpy slide & a little picnic table/bench area. We are talking about putting a covered sand box under the fort (behind the picnic table area.) I know Mason (& eventually his baby sister) will get years of play out of the set!

A Little Dirt (& Chalk) Won't Hurt

Earlier this week, Mason played in the dirt and drew with his sidewalk chalk while I priced yard sale items in the garage. I cringed when he started to dig in the dirt but tried to remember that he's a boy and it is just dirt! He ended up so dirty & chalky by the time we went inside, but it was all worth it!

Taking a minute to pose for Mommy

This is his new "I'm cute" look
This is a guy that he normally draws, but this time I had to ask what the lines were coming from the nose & mouth. He informed me that it was air coming out! I was impressed & glad it wasn't what I thought it was!
This is "a Space Alien," thus the one eye.
Here's where he made a dirt road then started drawing road signs with chalk.

On the right is a stop sign and on the left is an "M" sign! McDonald's must be up ahead.

Spring has Sprung!

Mason has gotten to play outside the last 2 days. It has been warm and beautiful, although windy. Yesterday, he rode his Jeep until the battery ran out, played on his slide, and had me push him in his swing over & over again. He's so glad to be able to play outside, although we are having to limit the time he spends in the sun due to his allergies. He not only has regular seasonal allergies and eczema, but has now developed a skin sensitivity to the sun that makes him break out into an itchy rash. Poor kid~our pediatrician says to try to play in the shade, so that's what we did today. (post to follow)

Treasure Bottle

As the season is changing and my little boy has been a preschooler for 2 weeks now, (post to come-I promise!) I have been relishing the little end-of-summer moments with Mason. A few weeks ago, he drew pictures with sidewalk chalk, rode his tricycle, and then decided to do a cute little boy thing...collect "treasure" in an old apple juice bottle. He dug it out of the recycle bin and started searching for little rocks, pretty leaves, tiny sticks, anything that he could dig up to put into his Treasure Bottle. It was so cute. I snapped way too many pictures and tried not to say anything about how dirty he was getting.

Searching...

The Booty

Making a deposit

The recycle truck is coming up the street...

Doing a little happy dance!