I stayed home today, riding my bike and playing with my remote control car.
I took a nap.  I guess I was tired from my busy day at the lake yesterday.
Mommy ordered the invitations for my birthday party.  I will take the invitations to school and give them to my classmates.

Mommy and I went to the lake to swim and watch football.  Andy, Kristan, and Anna Kate were there also.  I checked on Anna Kate several times, but she was always asleep.  I heard that she sleeps all day and stays awake all night.  Andy swam with me.  Mommy and I rode my bike and played with my remote control car.  Papa fixed the remote control car.  It had not been working lately.  Mommy and I spent the night at the lake.  

I woke up on the right side of the bed, but fifteen minutes later, I threw a little fit and Barbara put me in Time Out.  It is funny how I am so very good after Time Out is over.  Time Out lasts for four minutes, but in a few weeks it will last for five minutes because I will be five-years-old.

I asked Barbara to wait until after I was out of school to go to the new Sprout Farmers Market, because I wanted to go with her and Great Grandma.  As I was getting out of the car, Barbara reminded me to be a very good boy.  The helper who came out to the car to help me get safely into school, heard her say that and she said, "Mason is always a very good boy."

Mimz showed the volunteers she works with at the hospital the note I got from school yesterday.  It makes her so proud to share my good behavior with her friends.
   

Reserved Thursday
good note from school
car wash
stickers book
rash

Going to bed earlier sure makes it easier for me to wake up in the morning and now that I go to school five days a week, we hope to make 8:30 be my bedtime every day.

I took my homework to school and I shared my pictures and three little fireman with my teacher and classmates.  I had pictures of my family, me as a baby, Monk Monk, and me riding a bike.  I explained that I don't have training wheels anymore.  I also showed them the three little fireman I play with often.

Mimz and I rode bikes for about twenty minutes after school then we decided it was too hot to continue.  The Cicadas are sooooo very noise in Mimz neighborhood.  Mimz took a video of me riding my bike and you can hear how loud they are.  There must not be any in Barbara's neighborhood.  It is so quiet.  After we went inside, I entertained myself with Mimz' iPad.

I asked Mimz how she knew how to spell words.  She told me she learned in school when she was little.  Mimz explained to me that the reason I go to school every day is to learn how to do all sorts of fun things like reading, spelling, and math with numbers.

I had been acting tired all afternoon and I fell asleep on Mimz' sofa at 3pm after eating a big bowl of cereal and watching Adam 12.  Mimz didn't let me sleep very long, for fear I would not be willing to go to sleep at my bedtime. 

I was in the tub by 8 and in bed by 8:30 and asleep by 9.  I never argue about going to bed. 

Day two of Pre-K was fine.  I didn't want to talk about it except to say we had recess and I didn't eat the cookies in my lunch.  They were homemade sugar cookies, not my usual Oreo cookies.

GGF, Barbara, and I stopped at Panda Express.  The girl at the window knows me.  She knows I want a small glass of water and the fortune cookie.  GGF was the only one of us getting a meal.   We go there two to three times a month.

I was glad to know that GGM was napping when they left home to get me.  That meant she would be rested and ready to play.  Well, that was sort of right... she was rested and willing to play for a bit, then she wanted to rest.  So I watched Gunsmoke with GGF.  I played Legos with Barbara and watched a new show...well, new for me.  It is called Wild Kratts and is about wild animals.

A funny thing I did:  I went into Grandma room while she was sleeping.  I said her name, but she didn't wake up, so I picked up her shoes and socks and carried them upstairs.  When she did wake up she was confused as to where her shoes and socks were, so she put on different socks and shoes.  Later she found them upstairs and she knew I must have been the one doing the hiding.  It made her laugh.

I have a homework assignment to bring a picture of me as a baby, my family, my favorite food or pet, something I like to do, and something that is special to me.  We looked through the few prints of my pictures Barbara has and found pictures that would work.

Mimz found a recent picture of me riding my bike and my three small favorite firemen toys.  I think my teacher will have me share these things with the class so they can get to know a few things about me.

As soon as I noticed that Mr. Brad was outside mowing, I insisted that I needed to get outside, so when he finished I could work with him.  We worked straightening up his garage, and raking in the flower beds.  And we went for a bike ride.  It was 93 degrees outside, which didn't bother me, but it bothered Barbara but she stayed outside.  She thinks it is her duty to keep me safe at all times and she can't do that if I am outside and she is inside.

When I came home to get a drink, I noticed that GGM had made a Fiber One cereal treat.  I took one back across the street for Mr. Brad.  He took a break from working while we ate our snacks.  I worked with him for a couple of hours before Mommy came to pick me up.

I went to bed earlier than I normally do. 

School doesn't start until 9am, but by 8:30 I was so ready for Pre-K.   I was very happy to find out that in Pre-K we still have recess and we played in the big kids playground.

 Today was Morgan's first day of high school.

Mimz and I rode bikes after school until it got too hot for us.  We watched the movie Frozen and ate Popsicles.  I had some every eyes but I did not fall asleep.

I got in the bathtub before Daddy came to pick me up so I would be all nice and clean, but I wanted to go back outside, where I would get not and sweaty again.  I am so funny.

Mommy and I had to go over to Barbara's to get my swim trunks before we went to Hannah's birthday party from 10:30 to 12:30.

 There was a fun water slide set up in the backyard.  That kept us entertained and happy...

 until we had to stop to have cake and ice cream.  It was a Princess party mostly but they did have fireman hats for all the boys.  Hannah liked the gift I gave to her.

There were five boys and five girls at Hannah's party.

At 4pm Mommy, Daddy, and I went to my school so they could see my new classroom and meet my teachers.  I already know Miss Reagan.  I have been going to that school since I was 18 months old, so I already know my way around the entire school. 

Afterwards we went over to Mimz' home.  She fixed dinner for us and I was spending the night with her so she could take me to my first day of Pre-K.  Also it keeps me from going over to Barbara's where they have colds.  After dinner Mimz and I went outside to play.  I rode my bike with Skyler and her little brother.  Skyler starts Kindergarten and her brother goes to my school.  I like playing with them.  We had bike races and I won every time.  Skyler still has training wheels but she will learn soon to ride without them just like I recently did.  

I had a good bath and was tucked into bed with Monk Monk by 8:30pm, which was our goal so I would get plenty of rest and be ready to start Pre-K.  Everyone hopes I am always happy about going to school, like I am today.

reserved Saturday

*** Pictures were added today going back to Aug 17th.  The excuse: Barbara has been sick.  She always comes up with some excuse... but at least she tries.***

Mimz volunteers at the hospital on Fridays and Barbara and GGM both have cold or the flu, so Grandma and PaPa got to take care of me.  That worked out great for two reasons:
1. I got to go see my new cousin, Anna Katherine.  I got to hold her at the hospital.  She did go home today, so now the fun begins for Andy and Kristan.
2.  This is my last day as a little kid.  Monday I start Pre-K five days a week... only from 9 to 1.  The next year I will go to Kindergarten which is all day.

 Here is Miss Anna Kate.  I know how to be very very gentle with babies.  I especially like baby girls.  Hum... I don't know if I have met any baby boys???

 Grandma loves her two grandchildren.

 Anna Kate was home when Aunt Bridget got to meet her. 

This is my last day of Mother's Day Out at School in the Pines.  Starting on Monday I will be in their Pre-K program, going to school Monday through Friday from 9 to 1.

I listened to GGM tell ma a story about a little girl riding at the county fair.

Barbara, GGM, and Mommy all developed a cold last night.  I hope they all get better soon.  They are not so sick they are in bed, just dealing with cold symptoms.   By noon Barbara and GGM were starting to feel worse and then worse so Barbara told Brenda she needed help taking care of me tomorrow.  They don't want me at their house so I am not exposed to their germs.  They can't even go see Anna.

This was a very special day...... Baby Anna Katherine was born today at ____pm.  She weighed 5 pounds 9 ounces and 21 inches long.  Andy said she was long and skinny.  She was born in The Woodlands, it was 91 degrees and skattered thundershowers at that time.

And Happy Third Anniversary, Andy and Kristan!

We have a National Geographic Magazine from the month and year all of the family was born.  This is the current months magazine for Baby Girl.... of I forgot... she now has a name.... Anna Kate!

I was sad that Mimz was not feeling good and hope she feels better soon. There was no water play at school and no more swim lessons.  Barbara took me to school and GGF came with her to pick me up.  We stopped at Lowe's for a few minutes and at Panda Express for a few minutes.  GGF wanted some Honey Walnut Shrimp.

Coming home from school, I told Barbara my leg hurt, but it only hurt if I put pressure on it.  I'm writing this because Barbara was impressed that I used and understood the word "pressure."

We played all the regular things.  It rained off and on.  I rode my bike up and down our street while I waited for Mr Brad to get home with a truck load of mulch.

 I watched hundred of tiny ants move a giant dragon fly.  I would ride off on my bike and return to find they have moved the dragon fly farther and farther.

 Mr. Brad got home and we went to work.

 I would fill my wheelbarrow with mulch...

I needed a step stool to be able to reach into the truck bed.

 Then we spread it out in the flower beds.

We did this for a couple of hours.  When Mr Brad decided he was calling it a day, I went home to get cleaned up and wait for Mommy to come get me.

 I went to tell GGM I was home and wanted her to play with me after I got cleaned up.  I did take off my hat before I got into the shower.  For the first time at Barbara's home, I took a real shower, standing up the entire time, with the curtain closed, with the spray coming from up above.  Barbara gave me soap in my hands so I could wash all my body.  I don't remember if I have every taken a real shower somewhere else or not.  

I had two ice cream cones today, which is unusual for me because normally I don't want the Butter Pecan Ice Cream they always buy.  I like it, but don't care for the pecans... but today I devoured both cones without one comment about the pecans.

Today was the last day of water play at school.  I had a strawberry banana snow cone.
GGF came with Barbara to pick me up from school and we stopped at Wal-Mart to get a few items from the store.  We purchases two items that were not on the grocery list: jalapeno Cheetos and some juicies, both for me.

At home we played the usual: Car Town and Keep Away.  We looked a few home videos of me as a baby.

 Mr. Brad and I rode our bikes in the neighborhood.

I was never ready to quit but he needed to go to work, so I agreed we could ride again another day.

I spent the entire day at Barbara's and I was very good all day.  We played almost not-stop.  We spend a couple hours building with blocks.  That is something we don't do every day.

 I made a shelter for my babies and GGM tried hitting us with balls.

 We places stickers in a book.

 I am very good at this activity.

 I ate a good lunch.  I wore this hat most of the day.

It rained in the afternoon and if there is not thunder and lightening....

... I like playing in the rain.

Mimz and I received an invitation to Rylee's first birthday party. 

I went to see the new Disney movie with Mimz.  I didn't fall asleep in the movie but I was alseep five minutes after we were in the car.  Mimz bought me M and Ms at the movie and I brought what was left home to share.
(insert video)
Uncle Scott took the ALS ice water bucket challenge with the assistance of Morgan.  He challenged Daddy to take the challenge.

 Daddy and I took the ALS ice water bucket challenge.   I took the challenge with Daddy and I then challenged Uncle Andy and Aunt Bridget.

 Uncle Andy took the challenge.

Aunt Bridget took the challenge.

Mimz took the challenge.

My neighborhood had an "End of Summer" party. 

There were a couple of big water slides for the kids.  I went and had a great time.  I had a hot dog and a snow cone.

Mommy, Daddy, and I went to the lake to swim in the pool and to be there while workmen worked on the outdoor kitchen.  Grandma was away doing something.

 ***New pictures added today going back to August 11th.***

 These two trees were to be cut down today.  One is dead and the other has some kind of beetle infestation.  The other trees appear to be okay and there were to be sprayed.

  I had a front row seat upstairs.  Barbara got video of both trees falling into the street. 

The three guys worked fast so they did not stop any cars that needed to drive by. 

 I stood on the two stumps that were left behind.  GGF had to move the flag pole holder because it was on one of those trees. 

I watched Leave It To Beaver while eating a Popsicle.

Brad was not home, but his sprinkler system was on in the flower bed, so I went over to play in it. 

Of course, I slipped and got muddy, and boy did I have fun. 

Again, just like last time I did this same thing, I took off my clothes in the garage, streaked through the house, up the stairs, without touching anything and into the shower I went to get cleaned up. 

I got cold so I found a jacket and wore it while laying down watching Gunsmoke.

GGM, GGF, and Barbara watched me kick a soccer ball around while we waited for Daddy to pick me up after his workout.  

Mommy took me over to Mimz' home before school.  Mimz got me registered to attend Pre-K from 9 to 1pm five days a week at my school.

I could have gone swimming with Mimz after school but I wanted to go bike riding instead.  So we went for a long ride in her neighborhood.

 For two weeks I have been asking Mimz what the loud chirping sound was up in the trees.  Mimz explained about Cicada.

We found two exoskeletons in the yard and street and I got a big kick out of showing them to Daddy when he picked me up.

This was a odd starting day.  Barbara overslept, but as soon as Mommy woke her up, she jumped into action and managed to get me to school on time with two minutes to spare.  Barbara does not like to be late for anything.  Oh, Mimz did not have me this morning because she had jury duty.

It was another splash day at school and we got another bowl of vanilla ice cream.  I'm going to miss this part of summer when real school starts in a few weeks.  Barbara took me straight from school to my swim lesson with Miss Sherrie.  I am making slow progress.  After my lesson we needed to do some grocery shopping at Walmart.  It was so hot outside, we decided to treat ourselves to an ice cream cone at old McDonald's and a cookie from the bakery.  After two trips to the restroom, and browsing the toys, we finally finished our shopping.  I ended up getting some Cheetos, chocolate pudding, and a water balloon bump. It ended up being after 3pm before we got home.

GGM can't play with me at all today... part of my punishment for bad behavior yesterday.  Barbara and I tried to use the new water balloon pump, but we had a problem getting it to work right.  Barbara and my great grandparents will have to practice using it.  If we can't get it to work we will take it back to Walmart.

Mr. Brad started working outside, and of course, I had to ask him if I could help me.  He said, "Teamwork, buddy.  I can always use your help."  

We played/worked in the dirt in his flower beds.  When we finished we decided to go for a bike ride, but first we had to do some work on my bike.  The chain fell off for the second time in a past two days.  Mr. Brad put the chain back on and tightened something to keep the chain in place.  He raised my seat because it was way to low for me.  He put air in my tires and he fixed the chin strap on my helmet.  THEN we were ready to ride.  We first rode around our dead-end street, then we rode down to the circle and back.  Each time a car was going past, we pulled over to the curb and stopped until the car had past.  We were doing so well, we rode around the small block two times.  I can't wait to do that again.

Mommy had a headache, so she went straight home for a nap.  I ate dinner and played in the bathtub for a long time.  Mommy came to get me around 7:30pm.   

Today was splash day at school and we all had a cup of vanilla ice cream.

After school Barbara took me home and we played all afternoon, all the regular things.   I was in Time Out twice and I was so bad that GGM did not playing with me the last two hours of today and will not play with me all day tomorrow.    I have been told a hundred times not to throw things up-close and hard at GGM, but I did it again today.  And I back talked to her.  Barbara says what we have been doing hasn't worked, so we need to do something else.  GGM not playing with me for longer than a half hour is what we are going to try.

Other than my two bad moments, I was a super good boy.  Funny thing is, after Time Out, I am on my very best behavior.  I guess I do some thinking during that time and then try practicing what I know is the way I should behave.    I only do two things I shouldn't:  I sometimes am too rough with GGM, GGF, and Barbara.  (I have never injured them, but I have hurt them a little.)   And I talk back when I don't get my way or get angry.  (I think most people do that, but I not supposed to talk back.)

Mimz got me off to school and picked me up.  We went to the park where I rode my bike and when four other boys showed up, I played tag with them.  I don't have any trouble meeting new people, well, sometimes around adults I am shy, but I do like meeting kids.

After lunch Mimz took me over to Barbara's.  We brought some pictures from our vacation to show my GG parents.  I also brought my sunglasses to show.

We played lots of dodge ball, just a little Car Town, a matching game three times, Break the Ice, built airplanes, and played with my tool set. 

We also did some art work.  I made two balloon art pictures.  I picked out the colors and did all the dabbing.  Barbara did help me put paint on the balloon.

We washed my two pair of gardening gloves.  One pair was so very dirty from my working in the rain and mud last week.  I had not seen a sink of really dirty water before.

Barbara and I practiced Form 1 three times.  I am getting better every time I do it.  But I didn't want to go to Taekwondo.  I couldn't give a good reason.  Today was the first time I have said that.

 I worked with Mr Brad for two hours in 90 degree heat. 

We drank lots of water and ate Popsicles.   Barbara sat in the shade and watched me.
I went the entire afternoon without playing policeman or fireman.  And of course there was no time for TV, I was too busy.