Mason- the tricycle riding Picasso

We love to paint!!  We got out the easel and went to work yesterday afternoon under the umbrella in the yard.  It only took about 2 minutes for Cosmo to get green paint all over his paws...good thing we were outside!  Mason painted 3 wonderful masterpieces for his Daddy to take to the office.  

These pictures are just funny.  I finally remember to get Mason's old tricycle up from storage for Sophia to learn to ride on.  Guess who LOVES riding it around the house in circles singing and racing around.  Hilarious...

Fun in the sun

The weather here this spring has been so weird, hot, rainy, cold etc.  But this past weekend we did have a chance to get out the good 'ol splash pool in the yard while the kiddos ran around.

Very serious digging going on here by little Miss Sophia.

Filling up the pool for fun times.

Here's Tiggy getting in on the action.

I wish I looked as cute as Toady does in here 2-piece...

Yes, Cosmo got to try out the slide.  He went back for more too... Crazy doggy!

An end to an era...

Yesterday I said goodbye to the school I've loved and taught at for the past seven years.  I'm excited to be a full-time stay at home mommy, but it was hard to leave the friends and families of students I've gotten to know over the years.  Not to mention the kids.  The class from the year I started is now in the 8th grade!!  That's 175 kids and countless memories over the years.  

Here's to my new adventures...and hoping I will return someday to the classroom.  

The Butterfly Effect- Part 1

In cleaning out my classroom, I came upon this Butterfly Garden I had never used.  Inside is a voucher where you send away for free caterpillar larvae.  I did this about 2 weeks ago, and today guess what was in our mailbox???  Five of the cutest little caterpillars you have ever seen!  Mason was so excited as we built the little butterfly box and watched the spiny black caterpillars crawl around in their cup.  Ah, to see the world through the eyes of a 4 year old.  Precious.

Watching the little guys crawl around, they are so active!

Mason kept asking, when are they going to turn into a butterfly?  I had to tell him a couple of times that we have to be very patient...  They are fascinating little creatures... they taste with their feet!  And they have 10,000 eyes!  WOW- you learn something every day.  
Just a side note- I had put on Elmo for Sophia while Mason and I were building the butterfly house and checking out the caterpillars.  I look over at her and she had dumped SALT all over the floor, ottoman, couch.  I knew she was being too quiet!  That's what I get for trying to introduce Mason to some science!!!  A salt scrub for my floor and furniture....

A day at the park

We headed to a park yesterday to try to take some cute recent pictures of the kiddos together.  This is about how it went....it was a lot of fun and we captured some cute ones.  Such a perfect day!

Mason's last day of Pre-School

Today was a bittersweet day for Mason, Matt and I.  We have all enjoyed his first year of preschool so much.  He has grown so much, and made some great "buddies" as Mason calls them.  Along with one number one girl friend, Kelsey.  I can't say enough good things about his teachers....from the great field trips throughout the year, the programs, the wonderful DVD slide show and art show...they really went above and beyond to make the best possible experience for Mason.  We are anxiously awaiting the next year to make more memories.  

Here's his awesome teachers.  He says Miss Jenn is fun, Miss Millet is smart and pretty and Miss Connie is funny.  

Say goodbye for the summer!!

Wow- my baby boy...looks so grown up  (sniff-sniff)

Sophia's First Haircut

It was time.  Sophia's little wispies were starting to look "mullet-ish" so we decided to get a cute little haircut for our little girl.  Here is the before.  Adorable of course!

She doesn't know what she's in for yet....

Here's Rebecca (worlds' best kid sylist by the way) getting started on the cut.  Sophia did so well the whole time.  She is already used to sitting for me to do her hair.

Look how long it was in the back!!  Sophia loved the little car you get to sit in at the Cookie Cutters.  

Getting a blow dry by Rebecca.  Still sitting pretty.  

The finished product.  The cutest little bob you've ever seen!  I think she aged about 6 months in this process...she no longer looks like a baby!!!  sniff-sniff

Smile Cosmo!

I realize this is out of focus.  But it's just too funny not to blog about.  I was taking some pictures of Cosmo yesterday, and he yawned right as I was taking this one.  It totally looks like he is smiling for the camera- cracked me up!  I will have to get it in focus next time...  

The Royal Feast

This past week Mason was learning about Fairy Tales and Fantasy at preschool.  The ending activity was a "Royal Feast" including cupcakes, sandwiches on rolls and royal juice.  The kids decorated King and Queen hats, and got a jewel ring.  The room was decorated so cute, with stars hanging all over, and the castle outside the door.  When Mason saw his room he said, "What the heck is going on here?  Who put this here?"  He has been wearing this crown now for about 4 days.  What fun!

Outside the castle that is the "orange room"...

The drowned rat

Our little Sophie has quite the love of spashin' around in the tub...she intimidates even the most seasoned bath-time splasher with her techniques.  A tip:  Wear goloshas.  

Mason's First Soccer Game

Mason was up and at 'em at almost 7 am to get ready for his big game.  We had yummy bagels and applesauce for breakfast and headed out for the 9 am game.    It was about what we expected, Mason warmed up pretty good, then they started the game and he played goalie.  He blocked a couple of shots, then this AWESOME kid on the other team kicked a really fast ball at Mason.  He blocked the shot- but it kind of scared him.  Then the rest of the game he just kind of ran around.  It was a lot of fun though- there are some cuties on his team for sure!!

During the warm up.

Here's our # 10 hanging out warming up with the team.

Coach Brady (Mason's friend Gibson's dad)

Playing Goalie.

Watching from the sidelines, and giving another player a chance.  

Cosmo Update

Some recent pics of our little pug-let.  He is growing up!  He has got to be the most hilarious dog ever...the little snorts he makes as he runs around the house, the crazy way he attacks dog treats.  He has turned out to be the best little playmate for Tigger too, she needed a canine companion in her life.  

Soccer warm-up

Mason is starting his first organized (this term is used lightly I am sure) sport this spring in a few weeks.  I started thinking it might be good if we spent some time practicing soccer before sending him out on the field to be the only kid who kept picking up the ball.  Well, he has gone full force excitement mode for soccer.  He asks every day to put on his shin guards - he calls them his "super cools".  As in, "Mom, can you help me put on my super cools so I can go play soccer."  It is all just TOO adorable.  

Here he is celebrating the GOAL!

Can you believe how grown up he looks?  My little man.  

My oh my it's a Gymboree day!

So every Thursday, while big brother is at school- the girls head to the super fun, fabulous Gymboree Play & Music for a little climbing, sliding, bouncing and parachute play.  Sophia loves every minute...especially the bubbles at the end of class.  Here she is exploring and having all kinds of fun.    I love our girl time!




  

The Tiny Plant

Mason planted this little flower seed at school about 2 weeks ago. We have been diligently watering it and giving it sun. He has been obsessed with it, checking it everyday to see if it had grown. Here it is last night- right before he pulled it out by the root!!! Now we planted a new seed, and we'll start over. It's all part of the learning process, right?