On the chopping block.

I lopped off my hair. I did it because I needed a change. I did it because Caleb didn’t think I would do it. And I did it because I have always had “donate hair to Locks of Love” on my bucket list. And when you get to be thirty-something, time’s a tickin’ on that to-do item.

So tonight I am missing—but not really missing--10+ inches of hair, and loving all of the time I will be saving on prep work. And since I can still pull my hair back in a ponytail, this cut is mom-approved!

Mason is that kid.

I have three kids who I love dearly. All for different reasons. I, however, do not love Mason for his smarts and common sense. In fact, if any of my three children never move out of my house, it will be Mason. So the other day I was talking with some neighbors at our front door as Sadie dog helped herself to be pet by them on the front step. Enter Mason, who wasted no time exclaiming to the neighbors "Hey, we have a dog that looks just like that." Yes, Mason. Yes, we do. That boy makes me laugh, but my goodness...

Pony!

About 1/6 of Camryn's hair is long enough to fit in a ponytail!





Too bad you would never know that it is tied back when looking at her from the front!

Busy weekend.

Among everything else that happened this weekend, we learned that Jacob has two loose teeth, and that Camryn is not allergic to bee stings. It was that kind of weekend.

Man down.

The puke bug knocked on Mason’s door this morning at 1 am (always a convenient time), and landed him a spot in the bathroom for several mid-night hours. At 4 am, I drug his tired little body to the couch where he and I caught a quick nap before the rest of the world woke up. He was no worse for the wear—grabbing a quick bite for breakfast like nothing ever happened. I, on the other hand, have realized that this body does not function on 3 hours of sleep…

And, clearly, exhaustion catches up with even the most active kids. Jealous of the nap I wanted to take!

I feel as if our family is playing Russian Roulette over here. Three down, two to go?

Barf.

That happened. Lots of it. The puke bug hit Jacob late yesterday morning, and knocked him down for the count the remainder of the day. Then it moved on to Camryn. In the car. As gross as it sounds. The house has been sterilized at least 8 times since yesterday, and all linens have been washed. Fingers crossed that we are in the clear and no one else gets it. We will just go ahead and knock perfect school attendance off the list early!

PTO

In an effort to be active in Jacob's schooling, I planned to follow in my mother's footsteps by becoming a "Room Parent." Back in the day, this was a group of three stay-at-home moms who would get together and plan holiday classroom parties that usually involved some sort of craft using a paper bag. So when the opportunity came up to be placed in the lottery as a room parent, I jumped in with two feet. And I nailed my landing. Folks, you now know THE head Room Parent for Jacob's kindergarten class. With that title, I unknowingly signed up to recruit volunteers, lead projects and parties, attend board meetings, and collaborate with the rest of the PTO. Holy cow, this is what I signed up for, but is it REALLY what I signed up for? Hyperventilating. I could use one of those paper bags to breathe in to right now!

Star Student

Jacob received the Principal's Award for excellent behavior last week at school. He received a kindness ribbon in his classroom, and his teacher told me what a pleasure Jacob is to have in her class. I am beyond proud at what a great job Jacob is doing with classroom behavior. Rest assured that awesome behavior stays in the classroom and does not transition to home. UGH!

Side story: Jacob got off the bus the other day giddy with excitement. Before I could ask him what his favorite part of school was, he started this conversation:
J: Guess what I did in school today?
M: Umm, you went to Gym class? Had a computer day? Did a really good job working?
J: Nope. I organized my pencil box with all of my pencils on one side and all of my crayons on the other...

I will never question again if Jacob is my child. Type A at such a young age. I'm not sure if I am beaming with pride or feeling super sorry for this poor child. He is me. Through and through...

Mason’s Party

 

[Second verse, same as the first. Last year, the theme was Dusty Crophopper as Mason was just beginning to get in to that character. This year, the theme was Dusty Crophopper as Mason eats, breathes, and sleeps that character!]

[Lots of presents! And lots of Dusty Crophopper loot. Since the party, Mason has spent the majority of his days flying miniature planes around the house in various scenarios. I love to see his imagination at work!]

*Today Caleb took Mason to his 4-year-physical. He gained five pounds and three inches in the past year. Still a skinny little runt, but on the up-and-up! Mason requested that Caleb take him to the appointment. When Caleb asked him why, Mason responded with: Mommy said that if she takes me and I’m not good, that she will leave me at the doctor’s office.

Though I can assure you I most certainly did NOT say that today, I am sure I have made mention of that on several past doctors’ visits. Whoever said these kids don’t listen?!