Mason Memories: Keeping Up

Spring is here and I am loving life lately with my littles.

Last week both preschool and CBS had spring break and the downtime from our routine gave me a chance to realize we are on the brink of summertime. Usually a little panic grips me when I think about how I will entertain these two during the dog days of summer, but last week offered a hint of gentleness.

We threw our "schedule" to the wind and enjoyed the unplanned moments in the week. Taking walks by the lake, teaching Lucy Mills to ride her big girl bike, snuggling up together to read book after book, and really just taking hold of the ordinary moments that make my life extraordinary. Children are so teachable. So impressionable. So precious.

Sweet girl is finally tall enough to reach the pedals on her princess bike and a day doesn't go by that she doesn't want to ride it. Thankfully we live on a cul-de-sac.

She is pretty proud of herself.

Yet she still wants Mama to walk beside her "just in case."

I didn't grow up wearing a bike helmet and never gave it a second thought. After having some friends over to ride bikes one afternoon, Lucy Mills and McClain instantly insisted on getting bike helmets like Mary Wallace and Banks. So off to Walmart we went to let the kids pick out which one they wanted. I think McClain weighs almost as much as his Spiderman helmet.

This boy loves his dog.

Maggie puts up with a lot from these little ones but she sure does give us so much love.

My neighbor asked if Maggie was spoiled and I have no idea what gave him that impression.

I have begun potty training Coolio here. We've had some hits and misses, literally.

We enjoyed a visit from Grandmother and Grandaddy over Easter weekend. The children light up for their doting grandparents.

Our time was special - an indoor egg hunt, neighborhood walks, sidewalk chalk drawings, grilling out, and Trav and I even slipped away for a relaxing date night. McClain is officially obsessed with ipads and cell phones. He swiped Grandaddy's phone and enjoyed teaching him a few things about this technology. ;)

Over a month ago my best friend from my Columbia College days had her first child. I had the privledge of taking sweet Mary Madison's newborn pictures.

For the last ten years, Mary Madison's mom Cara and I have been dreaming about the day we would be mama's to our double-named little girls. What a joy to see this wish become a reality.

Lucy Mills is in love with Mary Madison - wants to hold her, feed her, share her blanket, her bed, everything with that sweet babe. I was so proud to witness such a gentle, nurturing side of my daughter.

I have seen both children grow in their love of learning. We spend time learning and counting numbers, working on letters, and phonics, but I also realize they are 3 and 2 years old. As long as it's fun and engaging we go with it. Lucy Mills loves the memory game and has gotten quite good as it. Of course I am biased but both children seem so smart. They even teach me a thing or two somedays.

I was doing laundry one day and McClain scampered in and started putting on Travis' clothes. I thought I'd snap a picture now to capture how big the shirt it is my little guy. Maybe we will hang onto this shirt and take another picture of McClain wearing it say, his senior year of high school.