Creative

StoneMason has some interesting perspectives on the way things work. For example, cribs are for playing peek-a-boo. He peeks over the edge and laughs at us when we put him down for a nap.
Exersaucers are for crawling under like a tunnel.
Binky pacification isn't only achieved through sucking. For him, it's all about how and at what angle he makes it go into his mouth. It's just as soothing (and definitely more fun) if you put it in your mouth sideways or even backwards
When our cell phones ring, we are sure Mason is thinking at least one of the following:
- "That sounds good. I bet it tastes good."
- "Who cares who it is, how about those lights and that music."
- "I'll get it."
Paper is many things for him such as the most terrific toy, a nice noise maker, a tasty treat, and great for origami (the cloud he made was amazing).
According to Mason, food can be used for eating, art work and spitting. My personal favorite is when he uses food (or at least our desire to feed it to him) to show us that we can't impose our will upon him and that he has a little will of his own. Mason and his gaping mouth will happily be devouring every bite of food we put in front of him and then all of a sudden, the mouth closes and his face gets serious. For the next few minutes there is nothing you can do, short of using your own two hands, to get that mouth open. Then, out of nowhere, he starts eating again.

I did it...

before...

and after.
I was sick of getting my hair pulled, so I cut it! Its the shortest its been since I was little.

"scawling": a combination of scooting and crawling

All we do is place a cell phone (his favorite thing) across the room and call it so it lights up and makes noise.
He can't resist...
he was a lot more cheerful the first time though... this was his 3rd.

*sorry, this is a bit long. I should have cut some of it out... and the cell phone is a bit loud since it was right next to the camera... we'll do better next time.

VERY CUTE

Grandma bought him this outfit... about six months BEFORE he was born. It's adorable...
But either the shirt is getting too small now, or his belly is a bit too big...
He wore this to church and everyone in the ward wanted to take him home.

I believe in miracles...

he fell asleep ON HIS BACK for the VERY FIRST time...

It's a New School Year

... and for the first time since I was five... it has absolutely zero impact on me. Well, not quite. I tossed and turned all night dreaming they didn't have a 6th grade teacher and had to call me in last minute. I had ADULTS in my class mixed in with kids who were throwing bouncy balls around the room and couldn't even multiply. I was taking recess away from them already because they were TERRIBLE! I was happy to wake up for once.
In all honesty, I am feeling a little blue. I miss feeling like I really accomplished something or contributed in some way. I was reading my friend's blog and she mentioned how some days she feels down because she sees the cool crafts others do and wonders why she isn't that way. I could completely relate!! I keep thinking I need a hobby. Sewing? Cooking? Scapbooking? Not for me. So, StoneMason and I have fun on our own... just in a boring way. And my desperate need to do SOMETHING has been filled in an unexpected way. A lady in my ward has a friend who needs some help cleaning and taking care of her 4 year old three mornings a week. It's not too long, and it pays, but most of all, it gets me out of the house!! Yeah! I start today. I hope its a good substitution for teaching.... or else the nightmares of run-amuck 6th graders/adults might persist.

Stone Mason of the Squished Face

That's what you get when your parents make you wear a life-jacket.

Caricatures

We got these in New Orleans. Any good?

The last week

We had a great week last week. I'm finally getting the pictures onto the computer!! New Orleans was fun. It was interesting to see- even if its not a place I would normally visit. It was interesting to see the areas that were damaged by Katrina and some of the historic places. Above, we discoverd a new kind of soup... made fresh with titanium. Drake managed to scrub his ring off 3 times while cleaning of the BBQ shrimp from his hands. Speaking of food- that's probably what we enjoyed most about New Orleans. I ate on the more conservative side (as always) and Drake enjoyed everything I won't normally cook!
Here we are at the Super Dome in New Orleans. They had an "opening ceremony" for the convention. I think it was just an excuse to party. And no one can say they don't know how to party! The music was great (gospel and jazz) and of course entertainment was live. There was great food too. Everyone seemed a bit tipsy and loud thanks to all the free drinks they were handing out. Here we are standing in line waiting for a man to draw a caricature of us. Mason actually looked at the camera.
Happy Birthday to me. Drake was a doll and got me my favorite: cinnamon rolls and books. He made me promise I'd post some of these.

Two Vacations.

We haven't updated anything in a while. We didn't drop off the face of the planet- well, we did go to Montana- that's close. We spent a week in Montana with the some extended family up at Flathead lake, two days at home, and then Drake's work sent him to New Orleans... so I tagged along. It was all fun and games, but boy, it is nice to be home again.