[It's the Little Things Link Up] Valentine's Day

This year's Valentine's Day was an especially fun one because we got to celebrate for 3 days! How lucky are we? The festivities started on Thursday for Mason when they celebrated at daycare. Luz always decorates her place SO CUTE for each holiday. She also makes lunch and snacks for the kids all day so we don't have to pack anything. It is so awesome what she does for each holiday. She also took a picture of the kids to send to the parents on Valentine's Day which was an extra bonus!

On Friday, actual Valentine's Day, I had to work. Boo! Seth had off since it was his Friday off so he and Mason got to spend the day together. I was so jealous and 3:30pm couldn't come fast enough so I could get home to my Valentine's. Come 3:30pm, I was out of there and went home to spend the rest of the day with Mason and Seth. This is when the best Valentine's Day happened. I got home and let Mason open up his gifts. I got Mason a couple little gifts because...well, I could always use a good excuse to buy him some new things!

I actually picked up the Melissa and Doug animal magnet set when they were on sale at Target a couple weeks ago and had been so excited to give it to Mason since then. I also ordered him the Little Blue Truck Leads the Way since he loves the Little Blue Truck so much. In my personal opinion, I like the Little Blue Truck Leads the Way better. Both are great but I like this one more. Maybe because it's new? And I picked up this Spiderman bubble gun as well. Mason LOVES (and I think love is an understatement) bubbles. LOVE. We literally can't get the bubbles out of the container fast enough and he wants more. So I figured, why not get him something that can have a continuous stream of bubbles? And I was not wrong! He LOVED this too! Valentine's Day was a win for mommy in the gift department! I got Seth a couple gifts too... some candy and the Bruno Mars CD but didn't take any pictures of him opening his presents :) He did like them just as much as Mason liked his gifts though!

We immediately opened the magnets and put them on the fridge. Mason was so excited about them and played with them for a good 15 minutes. A win in my book!

I taught him what a bird says (tweet tweet) and what a doggy says (bow wow) and now when I say "where's the tweet tweet?", he picks up the bird and shows me. This kid! He is so smart! He can also point out the bow wow but the tweet tweet is definitely his favorite!

After the magnets became old news, we went for a walk over to the park. We brought Mason's new bubble gun and had a BLAST.

We took a family photo (BEST one yet!!!! SO excited that Mason smiled!), blew a few more bubbles, and headed home for dinner. This was also when Seth informed me that Mason knows how to give real kisses now. Like leans in for a wet, open mouth kiss on the lips.

MELT. MY. HEART.

He's been giving real hugs recently where he puts his arms around you and puts his head down on your shoulder but now he gives real kisses to. 

We came home and I made Mason's dinner while Seth made ours. Mason had chicken nuggets, pasta, blueberries, and strawberries while Seth and I had steak, artichokes, and pasta.

Luz had sent home some cute little cupcakes the day before so we let Mason have one for dessert.

Mason went to bed at 8pm and Seth and I had some wine and enjoyed hanging out with each other. I was reveling in the memory of what a fun day we had and thinking about how excited I was that I finally didn't have to work a single weekend day and could sleep in on Saturday (ha! not with a toddler but a girl can dream, right?)

Then Saturday Seth and I got to celebrate together by going out to dinner, just the two of us. My wonderful, generous friend Vickie offered to babysit and we decided to take her up on the offer. We went to Stonefire Grill for dinner and Sprinkles ice cream for dessert. DELICIOUS.

Seriously, the little things like fridge magnets and bubbles and wet, open mouth kisses made this Valentine's Day the BEST Valentine's Day to date!

Linking up today with Jess from Sadie Sky Boutique and Ashley from Words About Waverly to share our Valentine's Day because really, it was the little things that made the day so amazing!

February Citrus Lane Box

Mason got his second Citrus Lane box in the mail on Friday and to say he was excited about it would be... a lie. To be honest, he had no idea that he received a box in the mail but mama was pretty excited! Since I had to work on Friday and then we had some Valentine's plans, I waited until Sunday to open with with Mason.

To be totally honest, when I opened the box, I was actually the most excited about these Boon Dive Appliques. They are basically these little foam toys to play with in the bath in the shape of different water animals. I'd been eyeing them for forever on Amazon and was so excited they were in our box!

He also got this cool blue silicone bowl from Oogaa. I had never heard of the brand before but it seems like a pretty great bowl. I love that it is silicone because when (not if) Mason throws it off his high chair table, it won't break! We also got this really beautiful book called Starlight Sailor which was obviously more interesting to Mason than the bowl. Kids and their priorities! Ha. He actually sat there and looked through the book for a good couple of minutes which is a win in my book!

After Mason played with all of his new goodies, I came to my favorite part of the box... something for me! It was a tube of Green Apple Age Defy Hand Cream from Juice Beauty. I am usually pretty skeptical about trying new lotion. I don't really consider myself a "lotion snob" but I guess I must be considering that statement! Ha. The main thing I don't like is the oily-ness leftover on your hands after you put on lotion. I often use lotion at work or right before I need to go somewhere and I don't want to have lotion-y hands where my pen will slip out of my hand or I feel like I am getting oily-ness on everything I touch. So, I figured, it's free, I might as well try my new lotion and... I love it! Honestly. It seems to be a little thicker than my regular, everyday lotion, which also made me skeptical. But I put some on my hands, rubbed it in, and no oily-ness leftover and my hands were no longer dry! I think this may be my new go-to lotion! Honest. And the best part about the lotion? There is a coupon for for $10 off any purchase of $40 or more on their website through 4/30/14. Score! Might have to check out what else they have to offer :)

That night I was pretty excited about letting Mason play with his new water toys so when it was bath time, I happily took Mason and his new toys upstairs. I put the toys in the bath with him and showed him how to stick them to the bath tub. Unfortunately, Mason was more interested in eating them or throwing them ALL over the edge of the tub and into my lap than playing with them. At least he had fun :)

Also, a side note, today is Mason's 19 month birthday! Where did the time go? How is he now closer to TWO than to ONE?! Time needs to slow down!

A very happy, happy 19 month birthday to my little man!

xoxo

[BOY MOMS] Heather from Fourth Down and Forever

Hey yall, it's Heather from Fourth Down & Forever! Mother of not just one but TWO sweet boys (5 1/2 Brayden & 2 Tate). I am so excited to join in and share my everyday adventures of being a boy mom x 2!

My husband and I met in college. I was a sorority girl and he was a football player. We met in 2004, got engaged in 2006, and married in 2007. Three months after the wedding SURPRISE! I was pregnant {VERY unexpected} but we knew it was all in God's plan and we were so excited to start the journey of parenthood! I had always said I wanted a boy first...and I got my wish! 

May 31st 2008 I gave birth to our oldest son Brayden!

The first time experience of motherhood was MORE than I could have ever imagined. The amount of love I had IMMEDIATELY for that tiny little human was beyond my wildest dreams! 

We knew we wanted more than one but wanted at least 2 or more years between them. At about 2 1/2 he started to tell people he had a little sister and she lived at the park. Three months before Brayden's 3rd birthday we found out we were pregnant! Everyone was very excited, ESPECIALLY big brother. At first when we asked Brayden what he wanted he would say a sister. We took him with us to the gender appointment so we could all find out together. The whole family was hoping for a girl and so were we. When we were getting the ultrasound the sonographer asked him if he wanted a brother or sister. He said brother and she said "Well that's what your getting!" He smiled so big. My husband on the other hand quickly said "I don't mean to sound rude but how good are you at your job? And how many times have you been wrong?" I wanted to crawl under the table! WHO says that?!?! 

After the initial shock that we were going to have TWO boys we were very excited! My husband is a football coach so he immediately started calculating to see if they would get to play high school football together & they will!

My pregnancies & labors couldn't have been more different. Probably due to chasing a 3 year old around, working full time {until the day before delivery} and being a coaches wife! They weighed the exact same 6lbs 12 oz and were 1 inch different in length! Everyone says I had twins 3.5 years apart.

Nothing in this world is more precious to me than watching my boys grow up together and enteract with each other on a daily basis. We had by far the best experience with Brayden welcoming little brother into the family!

They LOVE being outside. They love cows, horses and all things country! 

They are ALL boy & our pride and joy! 

I couldn't be happier God blessed us with not just one but TWO little boys! Every day is an adventure and you never know what's next! We look forward to watching them grow and learn together.

Now to decide if we want anymore. Currently up for discussion daily in our house! If we do I'm sure it will be another boy which is great with me!!! 

**************************************

If you would like to share a post about you and your son, email me at elizabethrose84@gmail.com .

I would love to feature you! You don't have to have a blog to participate!

[BOY DADS] Special Valentine's Day Edition of BOY MOMS

First and foremost, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I have a very special post today. It is a special Valentine's Day edition of Boy Moms called BOY DADS! And my very special guest blogger is...my husband, Mason's dad, Seth. I asked him a couple weeks ago if he would do a special post on Valentine's Day about love - specifically the love he has for our son. Without further ado, let me introduce you to my husband and why he loves being a boy dad!

*********************

A few weeks ago Liz (known as in our household as Mommy, Momma, and to me Wife) asked me to write a post for her #boymom series but with the twist of life through the eyes of a #boydad.  Immediately I was thinking, "how hard can this be" followed quickly by, if not immediately by, "holy crap, what did I just sign myself up for?".  So after receiving a few reaffirmations from my lovely wife in the form of "you know you can do this", "just write about whatever comes to your mind"  and "you are still going to write a post for me, right?” I knew the time was now and I needed to stop procrastinating.  And let me get this out of the way, THIS IS NOT AS EASY AS I THOUGHT, so props to all you bloggers out there.

Before Mason was born and I became a Dad to the most amazing boy I  could ever ask for (#humblebrag #inmyeyes #dontjudgehesmyminime), I had no idea what life would be like with a baby, toddler or a boy on the move. Don't get me wrong, I am also an Uncle, but being an Uncle is easy compared to being a Dad. I played with my nieces, fed them when asked to and got to go home at the end of the night.  I rarely, if ever, changed a diaper though.  So once we found out that Liz was pregnant I was super excited and ultimately scared at the same time.  Cue the millions of questions and "advice" from family, friends and strangers...

Do you think it's a boy or girl?

Which do you want?

Are you ready for this?

Better get your sleep now!

Oh is your life going to change

 and my favorite Being a parent is amazing! 

I AGREE IT IS AMAZING!!!

Nothing, and I mean nothing, prepares you for what life is like with a baby. From the sleepless nights, late night feedings and countless dirty diapers to watching them grow, learn, laugh and cry. But from that first moment I met my Mason, I was hooked.  

Mason has grown into this amazing, energetic, mischievous, fearless and fun little boy that I cherish spending every minute I get with him. Playing with him is amazing -  be it rough housing on the floor, tickling him, throwing him in the air and onto the couch or even teaching him to throw a ball. 

As a wild boy, he keeps us on our toes because if you turn your head away for a second...boom! He is on the move, getting into things, climbing and destroying/playing with everything he can get his hands on. I love watching him grow, play and learn new things.  There is nothing better than watching Mason play at the playground, dance with his cousins, interact with all the kids at daycare and at Gymboree, curl up in his moms lap to read a book and of course listen to his laugh. 

 I look forward to watching him grow and learn every day. I can't wait for the day that I can introduce and teach him  to play sports (mostly baseball and soccer), go to the park and play catch and of course I am very proud of teaching him to raise both his arms when we say "touchdown".

I never could imagine how much Mason would change/impact my life, my marriage and even how I see my wife.  This little guy has made me grow as an individual and makes me strive to be a better man, husband and dad.  

And I can honestly say my love for my wife has grown exponentially all because of Mason. From the way she makes my little guy smile and can calm him down just by the touch of her hand. I am astounded every day on how good she is with him.  I absolutely love my little family and couldn't ask for anything better.  

********

A huge thank you to Seth for guest posting and sharing his view of being a boy dad. I am seriously in awe of every time he and Mason are together. They are just the cutest to watch together and Mason just adores him. We work so well as a team parenting Mason and he is the best father and husband I could ever ask for.

Happy Valentine's Day to my two loves, Seth and Mason! I love you both so much! xoxo

Valentines.

By now everyone should have received their respective valentines so I think it is safe to share them with you all. But before we get to this year's valentines though, let's enjoy a little Throwback Thursday action and revisit last year's Valentine's Day... Mason's first!

Eeekk! He was so little and cute! Gosh, I remember it like it was yesterday...

Anyway, enough reminiscing for one day :)

This year Mason decided I decided that he I wanted to make different valentines for daycare and for family. So one day when I was at Target, I picked up a cute little valentines making kit. Seriously, Target, you get me every time. They have the best holiday stuff there!

For family, I made cute little valentines cards for all the girls in the family (and the grandpas too).

The kit came with these little foam-like cards with punched out hearts.

So I mixed and matched the colors to make it more fun.

It also came with hearts in different colors, patterns, and shapes

and conversation bubbles with punch out heart centers.

There was also a good amount of letters to write messages on the cards.

I contemplated Mason helping me because I figured he would just try to eat the pieces. But he actually did really well and enjoyed trying to make a card.

I made a list of who we wanted to send the cards to and tried to write out as many messages and names as I had letters for. The rest I just used lots of cute foam heart stickers for.

When I was done with the cards, i addressed the envelopes and added a "Happy Valentine's Day" message on the back as well as some cute washi tape to make them a little more festive.

And with that, they were on their way to Mason's grandmas, great grandmas, grandpas, cousins, and aunties!

For daycare, I went simple. 

I love the fun-ness of the Pirates Booty but the usefulness too. If the other kids at daycare are anything like Mason (which I know his cousin Addie is!), the kids will devour the Pirates Booty. Seriously, if I gave Mason the whole huge bag, I think he would eat it all in one sitting. Or at least he would try. He can't get in in his mouth fast enough and is usually double fisting it.

I started off by cutting out hearts out of red construction paper. Then I printed a cute little pirate saying off the computer. I taped the two together, wrote the kids names, and then taped them to the Pirates Booty bags. A little piece of ribbon and the valentines were ready!

Super cute and festive and easy peasy!

Happy Valentine's Eve!

[It's the Little Things Link Up] Playing in the Park

As adults, we sometimes get so caught up with the hustle and bustle of daily life that we forget to stop and see the little things. One (of the many!) things that is so great about having a toddler is that everything is so new and exciting for them. There is always so much to discover.

We took Mason on a walk over to the park across the street from our house a couple weekends ago and it was so awesome to just stand back and watch him walk and investigate the world.

Unless of course that investigating heads him towards dog poop or trash...

then he needs a little re-directing :)

Normally I try to avoid him touching random things because he likes to stick EVERYTHING in his mouth and who knows where things at the park have been, but on this occasion, I decided to let go of my inner OCD and let Mason just explore.

We can always wash his hands when we get home, right?

After investigating the leaves, we had to investigate the slide as well. 

You know, to make sure it hadn't changed from last time.

Big boy can go down the slide all by himself now...without falling over!

Linking up today with Jess from Sadie Sky Boutique and Ashley from Words About Waverly.