Fishing with Papaw

While we were back visiting Papaw we had some nice weather so Papaw took Mason fishing. The water was too cold so we didn't even get a bite, but Mason was just tickled to be fishing and enjoyed casting and reeling. It brought back a lot of good memories for me sitting at the sand pit fishing with my dad. I think everyone had a good time, I am excited for their next fishing adventure next spring. I think Mason is going to squeal with delight when he actually catches something. Rob, Ellery, Dan, and I were just along for the ride although we did let Ellery hold the pole too.

To Papaws

We headed to Papaws on Black Friday morning. I think it saved us some money because we didn't do any shopping. I am almost done with my shopping, but when I go out on black Friday I tend to buy items I don't need, so it worked out well.
We had a great visit and the kids really enjoyed visiting with Papaw and Grandma Debbie. I think they enjoyed their basement filled with toys the most, but the good company too. It also could have been the chocolate milk and all the goodies they kept giving them. Grandma Debbie got them a flashlight that is a rooster and crows when you shine the light. They also got a barnyard that is filled with barnyard animals that make noises. We hid the flashlight after a bit, but the barnyard was a hit. Ellery carried the barn around like a purse while Mason enjoyed tending to the animals. Everyone enjoyed riding and spending time with Papaw, he was even a good sport and let them push him around.Papaw also got out the 4-wheeler and took everyone for a ride around the circle, and allowed Mason to drive. If you ask Mason if he can drive, he will tell you no because he doesn't have a drivers license. It was a great trip and the kids did great, our goal is usually to wear the kids out, but I think it was the other way around this trip.

Holiday Wreath

Ellen is cleaning her stuff out and brings us small treasures quite often. She is currently bringing boxes of Christmas decorations up and I have gone through them and kept some items, donated some items, and then made a wreath from some items. I think it turned out beautiful.

Thanksgiving

So much to be thankful for this year. I won't bore everyone with my list because I am sure your list will come close to mine. Most of all I am thankful for my wonderful husband and two healthy beautiful kids.

Turkey Hat

Mason came home from school today with a turkey hat. He was thrilled to wear it, but wasn't thrilled to take a picture of himself wearing it. They read a book in school about pilgrims and growing corn, it must have been a profound book about corn because when you ask Mason what he is thankful for he states "corn".

Nebraska Football Game

A big draw on the reason Todd came to visit was because we got him tickets to the Nebraska football game. We picked the K-State game before it became such a big game. We had a lot of fun going to the game. Rob and I wore KU shirts under out coats and Todd kept telling me I was an embarrassment to him. We thought it was going to be colder so layers were shed and since Todd got a new Nebraska jacket he asked me to wear it so it wouldn't get dirty, I think it was just to cover up my KU shirt. We posed in Nebraska wear for a photo opportunity and to make my brother happy. We enjoyed ourselves, but I think my brother enjoyed himself more.

He Comes with Gifts

My brother is here visiting and his family wasn't able to come back with him. We get to see them next month or I would have stomped my feat harder on having them come, but next time I won't take no for an answer. Anyways, he came bearing gifts for my children, and I know he didn't have the idea or do the shopping so a big THANK YOU to Aunt Jill. I believe this is Ellery's first specific "girl" toy other than the baby dolls. She is in heaven talking on her princess cell phone. She also got a grooming kit with a blow dryer that actually blows, plastic lipstick, perfume, brush, curlers, etc. We have witnessed her blowing her hair with one hand while tousling her hair with the other then applying lipstick. She loves it, but I think Mason loves his Buzz Lightyear action figure more. He was thrilled like we have never seen when Uncle Todd had him close his eyes and then open them to see Buzz. We let him watch most of Toy Story the other day and he has been imitating Buzz and flying every where we go. It has been a profound impact on him. He slept with Buzz last night and asks to take him to the store. Rob even caught him saying that his prized stuffed animal Double and Buzz are now really good friends.

We didn't get our heigh from our Great Grandma

We defiantly didn't get our height from Great Grandma Gray, but we could have gotten it from her Papa he was 6' 2". Todd said it perfectly when he said she was like a soldier the way she gets around. She is a strong 97.
My brother came to visit us in Omaha because we have tickets to the Nebraska K-State game tomorrow. We should have moved here sooner, if all it takes for a visit is Husker tickets. Also, for a man who doesn't like shopping, he is a kid in a candy store right now with all of the Nebraska paraphernalia.

Dramatic Play

At Mason's parent teacher conference we were encouraged to work with Mason in dramatic play. It seems he likes to spend a lot of time in that area of school, but he doesn't contribute much, he gets his part and goes with it. Rob and I were joking on the way home who was going to have to take on this task, I of course nominate him while he nominates me. We thought we have witnessed Mason in imaginative play at home, but I guess she wants him to initiate it and role play more with others rather than with himself. I guess it will come as he matures, but then he came around the corner yesterday wearing his train tunnels and shin guards, he informed me he didn't want to be kicked? Can this be considered dramatic play?

Hmmmm

I have caught Ellery in this position the last few days, if I only I knew what she was thinking. For some reason I think it is adorable, but maybe it is because I am starting to see myself in her. I hope everyone has something as bright to brighten their day!
Oh my, what a revelation I just had, as I sit here and admire this picture and read what I wrote one last time before posting, I found myself in the exact same position, maybe she is mimicking me, maybe I brighten her day!

Parent Teacher Conference

We experienced our first parent teacher conference for Mason. I know it is only preschool, but we were anxious to hear how he is doing and what we need to improve on. I am not sure what evaluation they use, but you can either get a W=working, E=emerging, and M=mastered. In Self Helps skills he is working on putting shoes on himself, along with performing his class job independently, he tends to need a reminder. He can put his coat on himself. I might be to blame in this department due to my impatience in allowing him to dress himself. In his Practical skills, he has mastered all body parts except for hip, eyebrow, eyelash, and stomach. I have to say I have never asked him where his hip is, but they do work on it in school. He knows his phone number, address, and our names, but he spells his name for you when you ask him what his name is. He knows his name, but I find it funny that he feels the need to spell M-A-S-O-N, yet won't say it when asked. He has mastered all Social and Emotional Skills. In Reading Readiness he has mastered all the upper case letters, over half of his lower case, and only mastered a few letter sounds. In Language Development he has mastered most except for appropriate tenses when speaking, listen quietly to stories, attention span is lengthening, and respond to a story by recalling specific details. Fine Motor skills he is currently working on pates and glue, draw pictures, write letters/numbers/words, tie my shoes. I guess he does not initiate drawing, but will do it when asked by his teacher. He has also mastered all Gross Motor skills except for skipping. Cognitive Development (numbers) He assigns objects up to the number 20, but when he counts at home he goes into the 40's, but I guess I help him out. He only has mastered 1-9 in recognition. He has mastered all in Cognitive Development (colors/shapes), Work Habits, and Activity Involvement with the comment that he is attentive for the most part, but is easily distracted and led away from topic. Our next steps at home and school are to promote more activity in writing area, continue with alphabet and work on sounds and lower case letters. Encourage time in dramatic play and workin on listening skills during circle time.

Visit to KC

We headed down to KC this past weekend and had a wonderful time visiting Kim, Ben, and Cora. Something must be wrong with me because I didn't take very many pictures and Cora would run away every time I brought the camera out. Usually I would stock her or the subject until I got my shot, but I let it be. Not usually like me, but I'll take it. Kim said she got one of Mason and Cora together, so I will have to get that one from her to share.
We had a fabulous time gorging on food all weekend. We hit BBQ the first night and got a baby sitter on night two and went out for dinner and listened to some jazz. We also ended the night with a chocolate bag, yummy. It might be my favorite dessert of all time, and I am lucky I have to drive 3 hours for it or I would eat it all the time.
Saturday morning we all loaded up and headed to Union Station and looked at the miniature trains they put up for the holidays. Mason loved it , and this is when I broke out the camera. I was unsuccessful at catching the kids running and stopping to look at the trains, but they all loved it. The kids all wanted to bring an animal friend with them on the excursion and they all ended up in the stroller. I wanted one of us to just walk around the venue alone with the dolls in the stroller to see what kind of looks we would get, but I didn't have any takers on the idea. Rob did watch the stroller and animals while the kids ran around the exhibit. Rob and Ben watched the kids on Sat. afternoon while Kim and I went out for some girl time. Surprisingly we went shoe shopping, not so shocking for Kim, but it is for me. This is the second time I have gone shopping with Kim where I have purchased something and she showed restraint. That is not the norm, usually it is reversed. I blame my new shoe love on those darn red ones I got for the gala.
The kids had a good time playing all weekend and Ellery enjoyed loving on Cora's animals. We are getting ready to depart and she is giving back Cora her animal blanket. Cora likes to dress herself and wears a tutu and leotard when she can. At one point she had made a head scarf out of the animal blanket that Ellery is giving her back. It has inspired me to finally let Ellery choose her own bow for the day, so if you find Mason and Ellery in mismatched clothes, it is because they are sporting their own creativity. Maybe the three of them will have a fashion line someday!

Postings

I am sorry for the delay in postings, I was saving my posts rather than publishing them. I have no idea why or what I was thinking, well obviously I wasn't thinking, but read below, lots to catch up on!

Mr. Potato Glasses

I need to catch Ellery in these glasses, she is the one who gave Mason this idea. He has had his Mr. Potato for quite some time and never put the glasses on himself, but Ellery loves to walk around wearing them. She loves wigs, masks, glasses, etc. I happened to only catch Mason in the potato glasses, but I did catch Ellery in a mask.

Whose going to pick up these leaves

November has been a nice month compared to October. October was very rainy and cold, but we are making up some of that time now in November. We have been raking leaves in our back yard and usually the kids like to help pick them up, but not today. When asked who is going to pick up all these leaves Mason was quick to reply "Not me".

Bows Bows and Dog Bows

Nana sent us a package full of bows the other day and some of them were in interesting packaging advertising a dog boutique. I have to admit I have been putting dog bows on my child, but you won't catch me telling you which ones are.

Pretty New Hat

Grandma Ellen knitted Ellery a hat for the winter and it is adorable. Ellery likes to wear it around the house and I didn't see anything wrong with that until.... I took it off her head yesterday after she had it on for a good 45 minutes and her hair was soaked from her sweating. It will be a wonderful hat for the cold, but I might have to monitor her indoor wear.
Also, note the red mark below her right eye. She was snuggling on the kitchen floor, but placed herself right in aim of fire. Mason likes to slide his match box cars across the floor in the kitchen and one hit her, ouch! I guess what goes around comes around, because she threw one at him the other day and left a mark.

So You Think You Can Dance

I am not a closet So You Think You Can Dance fan, but it doesn't come up in conversation too often. I did learn that my friend Jen is also a huge fan so we splurged and got tickets to the show. We were on the 4th row and loved every minute of it. We thought we would push the average age of viewers up, but we were happy to see Grandmas and possibly Great Grandmas enjoying the show as much as we did. I hate to admit it, but I have called in and voted in the past and plan to do it this season as well.