Birthdays and Crafts

February has been a big month for me in regards to birthdays and crafts. Three birthdays and many different craft projects. Here are couple of random pictures of it all:

Here is Mason at his friends 5th birthday party. I thought the mom had invited the whole class, but it was just Mason and all of their family. Out off all the kids in class Sebastian had chosen my so to invite and they stayed together for most of the party. It was so sweet.

Also my nephew turned 3 this month. Here is the drawing my son made for the wrapping paper. He wrote Calvin but ran out of room so the NI are on the other side. When I saw this it just made me smile. I love to see how my son's drawings are progressing. More people like, with hands and feet and shape.

Here is a picture of the cape I made for Calvin, it should have been a Christmas present but I have been a little behind, anyway it didn't matter to him. He loved the cape, and I have been told he wants to wear it all the time.

Here is another one of my scarves. I am still just trying to master the scarf until I get really comfortable with knitting. Each new thing I make I get better and better though, and it gives me a real sense of pride. To put something in this world that wasn't there before.

There is so much more that has gone on this month but, as I am finding more as I grow older, time is flying by at an alarming rate. In a month I will have been in Connecticut for a year. It seems like such a long time, but I feel I have just gotten settled. Anyway, I cant wait for spring, and warm weather, and being able to go outside on my lunch break again.

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Friday my son caught the fist bug of the season, which caused him to wake up at 5 am that morning vomiting, among other things that will not be named in this blog. So that day was spent keeping an eye on him with a bucket near by and reading Twilight that I borrowed from the library. Not that I don't enjoy watching cartoons all day but the book was much better. I also made chicken noodle soup out of anything I could find in the house. I was a little surprised it turned out as well as it did. But I have to say it does not compare to the soup my sister brought over today. Both soups were just what we needed.

Mason was much better by late afternoon. All he had to eat that day was some cheerios and a bowl of oatmeal. His appetite is still not up to par but it's getting there.

Mason has definitely grown in independence these last few weeks. He likes to make his own sandwiches now, pictured below.

And this morning we made a Lego castle together and he dressed himself. Which he does all the time but the difference this time was that he picked out his own clothes. He did everything. And if you look closely at the second picture you will notice that he put on two shirts. I think because I usually have him wear an undershirt that he felt he needed one, anyway I have to say I was very proud of him.

And I think you can tell by the picture that he was proud of himself. And can there be anything better feeling for our children?

I am glad Mason is feeling better, I just hope that what ever he has doesn't get passed to me. Well so far so good.....

Random Pictures

Here is a couple of random pictures of Mason from the last few weeks. We have really enjoyed all the cold weather. Especially Mason, his new favorite is sledding and catching snowflakes on his tongue.

Here is a picture of him on the first semi warm day in a while. We spent it at the park and Mason loved every second. To be outside doing the things he loved, it was great. Everything excited him all over again.

But of course there still are REALLY cold days, so when that happens we spend time inside. Board games and make believe are the big things for Mason right now. Here is Mason playing Chutes and Ladders.

We also tried Ice Skating last week, This was not very easy, at least for my back. I ended up holding Mason up the whole time trying to get him around the rink. He really liked it but I think I need to wait until he is a little taller so I can actually hold him up with a little success.

And of course there is the snow. And Mason LOVES the snow. Here he is sledding at the park by our house.

So far we have survived our first winter here and I hope we can continue doing as well as we have been. But only time will tell.

My Grandpa

Earlier this week my Grandpa pasted away. He had had two strokes and it's a possibility he died of a blood clot that moved to his lungs from being in bed for so long. See my grandpa has always been one of the most active people I know. He played Tennis every chance he got, he loved the out doors and to travel in his RV or go boating in his speed boat named the "Booby Bouncer". And yes he also had a great sense of humor. I think some of my favorite times with him was a trip we made to Yosemite. We hiked and roasted marshmallows, went river rafting, which was an adventure in itself.

Another favorite was spending time with him in Berkley. He had gone to college there and told me some great stories about him and his fraternity. Below is a picture on him in 1952 when he was attending Berkley. I found this picture when I did a random search of his name, but I love it because he seems so happy. He had whole life ahead of him.

My only regret is that before I moved out to Connecticut, before his first stroke, I didn't make the time to go see him. But I didn't know what was to come and sometimes you feel that everyone you know will live forever, that there will always be time later to say how much you care. I think he knows I loved him, even though I did try to steal all those quarters from him when I was 12, but I think he'll find a way to get back at me when we meet again in heaven.

Goodbye Grandpa, I love you.

Christmas

It's Christmas time again. Time for wrapping paper, long lines and a reflection of the year past. I look at the 2009 with great happiness and deep sadness. Happiness from having a wonderful son, a new leash on life and a great job. And SNOW!!! Sadness from not being with the ones I love because of the choices I have made. But I can only pray that my higher power with look out for me and help me with the patience I need to get through tough times. But I have faith, and I believe that love and faith is all you really need.

Mason writing our Christmas cards.

In 2009 I also learned to nit. Here is a cream scarf I made for myself.

And a turquoise scarf I made my nephew for Christmas. Turquoise being his favorite color.

Mason next to our very small tree, but when you have a very small apartment a very small tree can seem very large.

I hope everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mason's Name

Mason is starting to write his own name. I still can't believe how fast he is growing. But I am also so excited to see him learning how to accomplishing things on his own. Like getting dressed, brushing his teeth, making his own PB&J and of course writing his own name.

I look forward to the future and the great things that are ahead of us both.

Mason Happenings

I feel like I haven't shared to much about Mason so I thought I would dedicate this post to the boy I love the best: Mason. All of these change at random but these are his favorites at the moment.

Food: Perogi's with tomato sauce and corn on the cob

Book: Shel Silverstien's "Falling Up"

Questions: "Mommy where is he/she going?" or "What's that?" or my favorite and this one is always directed towards strangers "Do you have any food for me?" (My son is such a moocher)

Toy: a little yellow duck that he won at the fair last weekend and his bike.

Park: the school across the street. (We go there almost everyday.)

Thing to do after school: Play Dora the Explorer on my computer while I make dinner. (His teacher just told me he speaks and understands Spanish with her in class, so I am think Dora may have an impact.)

Song: I've been working on the Railroad and You are my Sunshine also on the radio he loves "Tonight" by the Black Eyed Peas

Friends: a boy name Jesse and girl named Keali that are always at the park across the street.

Secret: "I love you" and "I'm gonna stay in bed all by myself"

Game: Tag

Drink: Water in a glass cup with one ice cube

Ticklish Spot: Inside thigh and neck

Shoes: His Green Crocks

Movie: Finding Nemo

At Bedtime: to tell stories to each other. (Because of this I now have a tape recorder next to the bed and I have been taping our talks together)

Bizarre thing: Socks when he sleeps (he will not go to sleep unless he has socks on)

Well that concludes my post about Mason's favorites. I will try to think of more and post them next time. Have a Great Labor Day!