Waiting is the hardest part

Mason was so excited for Christmas this year, and I think his level of excitement is just going to keep increasing each year. Even with his advent calendar to help him count down (it's the kind that you velcro and ornament on a tree for 24 days) he still would ask "Is today Christmas?" or "When will it be Christmas morning?"

Christmas Eve did finally arrive, and putting Mason to bed that night was a real treat. He did finally fall asleep, but almost 2 hours later than normal! He kept "needing" things...my favorite need was chapstick. Anyway, Santa was able to come once we were all in bed and boy did this kid get spoiled! It's a good thing Todd and I recently went through a bunch of old toys and books to donate so we had room for the new stuff.

This year was the first Christmas morning in my entire 32 years that I didn't go to my parents house for Christmas morning. Everyone came to our house, which is probably how it's going to be since we have the "Santa house" (i.e. house with a kid). Guess this means I'm really a grown up now.

We also lit the menorah and played dreidel this year. Mason amazed me the first night of Hanukkah when I lit the candle and he looked at me with a puzzled look and asked if it was Shabbat, then proceeded to cover his eyes and say (almost) the entire Shabbet blessing in Hebrew! It was so cute, I wished I had my camera out to record it.

Showing off his stocking

Having fun with the tree ornaments

We had to "make it snow" downstairs in his playroom
so I hung paper snowflakes from the ceiling

The gingerbread house we decorated

Looking at his new gifts from Santa

A snow globe of Jingle the Husky Pup

I love how much he's concentrating here

A new shovel, just Mason's size

And a new green sled

We made a little hill in the yard, but I think
he's ready for the sledding hill at the school now.

Hot Tub Time Machine

Mason recently went in our hot tub for the first time. He thinks it's just the funniest thing to have a "bath tub" outside, especially one that is so deep and has so much room for playing.

Getting ready to go

Mason thought the thermometer was hilarious

Hi Mommy!

So much fun

I don't know why the water level is low, Daddy

We had to show him to dunk down if his arms
or shoulders got cold to warm back up

Lunch Date

Mason and I had a whole day off together last Tuesday, which hasn't happened in a LONG time. We had so much fun. We went to Petco so Mason could pick out a new toy for each of his dog-siblings. Then we went to get Mason's haircut, which he LOVES doing because there are toys there and he gets a lollipop after. After the haircut we went to the Sears Mall to see Santa (he's the best one in Anchorage, I think). Mason was so excited to see him and sat right up there and told Santa he wanted Legos (which, luckily, Santa had already thought of a bought since this was the first I'd heard of wanting more Legos).

Once the Santa visit was over it was about time for lunch, so I asked what he wanted to do for lunch, home or a restaurant. He, of course, chose restaurant so we headed across the street to Table 6.

He was so much fun to hang out with all day, and a great lunch date, too. After all that excitement he took a really good nap, too. To keep the excitement of the day going, after nap and dinner we went over to see some friends and exchange gifts. Haily and Ashton are so good with Mason, they love playing with him and he thinks it's so fun to be around the "big kids" and see their rooms and toys.

Long hair is good for bath tub mohawks but not much else

Showing off his new quilt his Aunt made him. This
picture also shows how long I had let his hair get.

Post haircut (and Santa) at Table 6

He had to wear the reindeer antlers Santa's elf gave him

Playing his new game that Haily and Ashton got for him

The elephant shoots butterflies out his trunk, and
you have to catch them with your net

Or, when catching them with the net doesn't work, just
put it on your head and look cute

Happy #5!

My nephew, Landon, turned 5 this month. We met up at the bowling alley and then headed to Nana's house for cake and presents. I think he had a great time, and so did Mason. They are such good buddies, it's fun to see them grow up together.

Waiting to see how many pins got knocked down

The crazy birthday boy

Mason waiting his turn to bowl

Daddy helping Mason

Present opening is always a group activity with these two

They move to fast, it's hard to get everything in focus!

Spiderman cupcakes...made by Nana, of course

Sarah, Landon and Cameron

Nana and Papa got Landon a huge box full of costumes and
dress up stuff. They had fun trying them all on.

Cowboy Woody

Funny Nativity

After my last post about Mason being quite the "singer", my mom sent me this video. Todd and I both laughed so loud and hard we were in tears. 

The next American Idol?

Mason decided to use one of his foam blocks as a microphone the other day. Had I been thinking, I would have recorded his "singing", but I think you get the idea from these pics.

December Fun

It's seems like we've had a very busy month here around the Loy house...and it's only the 13th! I'm pretty proud of myself, by the 3rd I already had our decorations out (including tree and menorah), holiday cards mailed, shopping done, and even some wrapping complete. This is not normally how this time of year goes for me. 

I've been trying to be better about exercising again. I don't mean to use MS as a crutch, but it really does make things difficult. Between the fatigue and then my balance issues, exercise is generally not top of my priority list...then add in the heat issues I have and I'm usually out. But I've been trying, and it does (most of the time) make me feel better, so here's hoping I continue.

Mason went to his first hockey game. The Guns n Hoses game was a lot of fun, and this year it was Anchorage vs Fairbanks, and Anchorage (of course) won. We went with Cameron, Sarah and Landon, and I think everyone enjoyed it. 

Mason loved having the "cheer sticks" to bang together.
They also make great swords.

Landon enjoying his popcorn.

Face painting. He picked "fire axes and flames"

Airplane balloon.

Mason is still completely into playing with all of his birthday gifts. Especially the fire station he got. He is also turning into quite the little football fan, but his choice of teams is definitely questionable. He has decided that because his favorite color is green (and yellow, too) that he is a Green Bay Packer fan. Ugh. Oh well, at least he and Sarah can cheer on their Packers together.

Go Pack Go!

Party time

We have had such a busy weekend, and I am exhausted! Between Thanksgiving and Mason's birthday, then Mason's birthday party...phew!

Saturday was Mason's party, and he had such a great time. His party was a construction theme, complete with "hard" hat party hats. Todd and I got him a new "big boy" bed (a twin) and got rid of his crib/toddler bed. Then he was of course spoiled by family and friends at his party. He has so many new, fun toys to play with now, and to think Christmas is right around the corner!

It's so crazy to think that my baby is already three!

Another amazing cake from my mom

The birthday boy

New quilt from his aunt

Fire station

Landon helping Mason with a present

Pinata time!

Happy kid

New excavator toy

Showing us how old he is now