Mason Turns 4

After a long summer of waiting until Auntie Rachel and Uncle Chad were married, Mason's birthday finally arrived. Leading up to his birthday, we finally agreed that he could play Wii Boxing when he turned 4 (we had used this as a bribery tactic for potty training and then he pushed it out to when he turned 4 on his own). As Mason awoke on his birthday morning, his first words were "I can go play "Working The Bag," which is a training exercise for Wii Boxing. Since his birthday fell on a Wednesday, Mason was able to spend the day with his friends at Anna'a Bananas where Miss Rachel made him a birthday crown and he shared birthday cookies.

After school, we celebrated Mason's birthday at home with Mom, Dad and Cooper. We had Mason's favorite dinner of chicken nuggets, fries and chocolate milk from "Old McDonald's," known simply as McDonald's by most. After dinner, we made a trip to Toys 'R' Us where Mason got to pick out his first big-boy bike, a Spiderman bike to be exact. We ended the night with cake, ice cream and song at home.

The following Sunday we celebrated Mason's birthday in baseball fashion complete with field, family, food and fun. Mason was excited to share the baseball field "my dad" made to all of his guests, which included some corporate sponsership (thanks Regis). We served some food items typically found at the ballpark (i.e. Dome Dog replicas, complete with paper basket and Old Dutch Chips, and nachos). Mason as always was showered with great presents and enjoyed his birthday cake.

And that wraps another birthday.

Up Next....

Mason's Birthday Party Invite

The Fours Stats

Cooper's 4 Month Stats

Length: 25 3/4 inches (67th percentile)

Weight: 16 lbs 13 oz (75th percentile)

Head: 17 3/4 inches (96th percentile)

Mason's 4 Year Stats

Height: 41 inches (64th percentile)

Weight: 37.4 lbs (61st percentile)

Ring Bearer Extraordinaire!

We have been anxiously awaiting Rachel and Chad's wedding and Mason's debut as a Ring Bearer. Corey and I had been fairly confident that he would do fine, although we were slightly nervous when Rachel and Chad requested he carry their actual rings. Of course, Mason was perfect and as I have said many times since the wedding he was the "best ring bearer ever."

The Practice Run

The flower girl was Grace Bremer, Chad's goddaughter. She is the daughter of Anne and James Bremer. Anne and I grew up on the same street. James was in our graduating class at Red Wing High School. Needless to say, we have known her parents for a long time. Grace and Mason were also born just 4 days apart.

Just a few (ok, there are quite a few) photos from the day.

Stay tuned for more photos and video.

Regis Valleyfair Day

Every year, Regis pays for its employees and their families to go to Valleyfair, which is ideal for taking little ones since it is an expensive venture, especially since you don't know how they are going to react to rides. Corey and I took Mason last year and he had fun on a few things. This year, Mason and I ventured out to the park on our own (Corey was out of town and Cooper stayed with Grandma Geralyn) and had a blast. Mason went on so many rides and enjoyed just about every minute of our time there. I had to carry a crying kid to the car when it was time to leave.

Mason went on the following rides: Antique Autos (twice); cars (twice), trucks & carousal at the Corkscrew Totspot; the train & slide (twelve times) in Kidsworks; Bumble Bees; Hot Air Balloons (his favorite); Sea Planes; and Mild Thing.

We are definitely looking forward to next year's outing.