Close Enough

I was beginning to think poor Brynnie was going to be in a rear facing car seat when she started kindergarten. We had her 15 month checkup last week and although she didn't quite hit the 20 lb mark, she was close enough at 19 lbs 12 oz (8%). Once we turned her carseat around I was expecting some big smiles and excitement from her, but all I got was a wrestling match buckling her in and then this.She wasn't very impressed. Apparently it wasn't the view she's been disgruntled about, but the fact she's restrained in the seat. I know I've mentioned it before, but seriously, this little girl (29.5 inches, 22%) has a big opinion and does not like having her movement restricted at all. She completely refuses to eat if we strap her in her booster seat, but literally the second the buckles are undone and she can move around freely she starts chowing down. We have finally surrendered in this battle and let Brynn climb up and down and all around during dinner and are just grateful she's eating well and gaining weight. Unfortunately she'll never win the car seat battle. Even though she tries to hide it, I think she's been enjoying her time in the car more.

Fine Dining

Last night Mason was helping me make dinner and spotted some champange flutes on the very top shelf and exclaimed, "Mom, I didn't know we had those cups! Can I have one with my dinner, Pleeeeeease?" I thought it was cute he was facinated by these oddly shaped "cups", and got one down for him to use for dinner. As we finished setting the table Mason noticed no one else had the cool cups and said, "Mom, you need one of these cups so we can mash them together like this" and did a perfect "toasting" motion. I started laughing so hard and asked him, " how do you know that is what you do with those cups?" He matter of factly stated, "They do it on Ratatouille". So we had a very fine dinner of German Pancakes toasting our milk all night long.

Furry Cousin

I came across this picture of Mason and his furry cousin, Weston, from the 24th of July and had to post it. Mason loves Weston so much and from what I can tell, the feeling is mutual. He still thinks Weston is just like any other friend and plays and talks to him like he's a person. Mason couldn't quite understand why we didn't want Weston to play Toy Story things with him. He was more than willing to let Weston be Woody and was confused why I wouldn't let him share his toys with his friend. It melts my heart watching them together and almost makes me want a dog.... but then I realize I just want SteveJenna to move in next door so Mason and Weston can be best buds without added responsibility for me. Brynn warmed up to Weston during their visit and liked him from a distance. She is completely in love with dogs now and so I can't wait for another visit...Hint Hint.

Top of Utah

I did it! I completed my first full marathon and LOVED it! This has been on my life list of things to accomplish for a long time and I decided even though I had no one to do it with and I wasn't able to commit myself entirely to my training program, now was the time to do it. I struggled getting my long runs in due to time constraints so my longest training run was only 14 miles, which anyone who has trained for a marathon knows is not even close to the 18-22 miles most training programs suggest. I also have been battling a bit of runner's knee and a sore hamstring along the way which inhibited my training a bit. I was a little nervous going into it because I wasn't sure if I was physically prepared, but I knew my determination could get me through. So I really didn't make any goals as far as time or performance, just to finish. Scott and I drove up to Logan Friday night and witnessed the whole city overtaken by runners. It was fun to be a part of it. Saturday was a beautiful day, perfect for running. As I started the race I just found a comfortable pace, turned up my music, and enjoyed the most beautiful run down a canyon full of changing colors. Scott met me throughout the race dressed in his running gear ready to jump in with me if I was struggling, but I felt great. I told him I was good to go at mile 21 and he said he'd see me at the finish. Then I hit mile 22. I still felt great conditioning and energy wise, but my joints started screaming at me, starting with my hips and lower back and then moving to my knees and ankles. My pace slowed from 8:30 minute miles to almost 10 minute miles for the last 4 miles. I was still able to finish with an offical time of 3:58:36 and was thrilled to have finished under 4 hours. I really enjoyed the entire thing, even those last few miles weren't too bad. I don't know what it is about running, but it is like a drug to me. I get the biggest high from it. I will definitely be doing more marathons in the future and would definitely recommend the Top of Utah Marathon for anyone looking to do one. It was a great course.

Preschool

This was Mason's first week at Discovery Preschool with Mrs. Young. He has been waiting for this day for a long time. At the beginning of the year Mason asked me if he could go to preschool. I told him he could go when he was 3. I realized my mistake in April, when he announced on his birthday, "Now I can go to preschool!" I had to correct my previous answer and tell him he would start preschool after the summer when the swimming pool closed. He has been counting down the days ever since. When Wednesday morning finally came Mason was so excited and 12:30 just couldn't come fast enough. He asked me all sorts of questions about preschool that morning that showed his excitement mixed with a little bit of nervousness. My favorite went something like this.
Mason: Mom, will I leave my backpack upstairs at Mrs. Young's?
Me: No, preschool is just downstairs. You will hang your backpack up on the wall by the door.

Mason: Oh, okay.

5 minutes later sounding a little bit concerned.

Mason: But mom, will there be a little ladder for me to climb on so I will be tall enough to hang up my backpack?

Me: No, you won't need a ladder. At preschool everything is just the right size for 3-year-olds like you. You will be able to reach the hook.

Mason: laughing Oh, I didn't know that.

Mason goes to preschool with his cousin Kennedy. I am so excited about this because I went to preschool with my cousin, Anthony, who was my best friend. I have such great memories of preschool with him and I'm so glad Mason gets to have his cousin and buddy with him, too.

On the first day, Mason and Kennedy held hands and ran right in, never looking back. It felt so weird leaving Mason and going home with just Brynn for a few hours. It is very nice to have some alone time with Brynn and then when she naps having time to get things done uninterupted. When we picked Mason up he came walking out with his class then ran over to me and gave me a hug. He enjoyed his first day and was excited to go back for more today. I'm so excited for this next phase of our life.

My Little Fishies

Today we put on our swimming suits and goggles for one last Hurrah at Scera Pool. This summer has been an adventurous one at the pool. Having two kids who love swimming and are fearless of the water is great, but difficult when they each want to spend the day on different ends of the pool. Mason loves the deep end of the kiddie pool where he can barely touch and can jump off the edge, dive for sticks, and practice his swimming. Brynn, little miss independent, is not about to have her freedom taken away by being in my arms or a floaty in the deep end. She wants to be in the shallow end where she can walk, crawl, splash, and go down the slide as she pleases. So we did a lot more evening trips to the pool this year so Scott could join us and everyone could be happy. Here are some pictures and stories of our adventures in the pool over the summer. *Warning! This may get a little journally. Enjoy the pictures and feel free to skip over the rest*
Throughout the summer, my mom took Mason to my Aunt Marilyn's pool for some little swimming lessons. Each time we would set a goal for him and he usually did a great job achieving it (sometimes it required a little bribery). One thing I've learned about Mason's personality is he is cautious of new things but if I can get him to do it once then he has no problem.

The first time he was scared to jump off the diving board to my mom, so she had Marilyn help him walk out and drop him off (for the record he was totally fine with this he just didn't have the courage to jump on his own). He now loves to jump off the diving board even without his floaties if someone is there to help him swim to the side. Mason has never had a problem sticking his face in the water, but ever since we got him a pair of goggles we can hardly keep him above water for more than 10 seconds.

One of Mason's favorite games at the pools is to chase diving sticks. I sit with Brynn and throw diving sticks and Mason chases them and dives under the water for them (even if it's only in a foot of water). I love how excited he is every time he comes up with a stick. Mason is getting so close to being able to swim on his own. He does great holding his breath and kicking, but the distance can't be too far because once he runs out of breath he's done.

One thing Mason still doesn't like is floating on his back. We'll have to keep working on that.

Little Miss Brynn is hilarious at the pool. We might as well be teaching her to swim, too, since she mimics everything Mason does. I tell Mason to put his face in the water and blow bubbles and Brynn dunks her face in the water right along with him. I tell Mason to kick, kick, kick and I look down to find Brynnie kicking away. One of the perks of a second child, I guess.

Brynn does like to join Mason in jumping off the side of the pool. We count 1-2-3 and she squats down and leans forward until she falls into our waiting hands. She thinks she is pretty big stuff jumping with Mace.

You can usually find Brynn pulling herself around on her tummy with her bum and legs floating behind her. She always seems to be testing how deep she can go before her head goes under.

She goes on the slide over and over and over laughing every time. By the end of the summer she didn't even need my help climbing up or sliding down. I would sit and the bottom and cheer her on. I would always hear people around me talking about that little babyon the slide. She still looks too tiny to be doing all the coordinated things she does.

Little Goodbyes

One spring morning Mason gave Scott loves and kisses before he left for work. As Scott walked out the side door, Mason, completely unprompted, sprinted out the front door and sat on the top step to wave goodbye as Scott pulled out. He has done this every morning since. Alway the same wave... tight fingers, elbow down, quick little side to side motion.

It didn't take long for Brynn to join in. Scott claims this is his favorite part of the day.
How couldn't it be?