14.7.08

Happy Birthday Dear Mason

Mason's 3rd birthday celebration began much like it did last year. On Thursday we welcomed Pop, Mimi, Uncle Rob and Aunt Kristi from Georgia. Friday evening we went out to eat and arrived home to a surprise waiting for Mason on the door step. Thank you Marshall, Cindy, Eli and Aaron!

Saturday was the big party. Mason is really into everything cowboy . . . cowboy hats, boots, guns, horses . . . so that was our theme for his birthday party this year. PawPaw, MawMaw, Aunt Ashley and Abbie came for the day from Louisiana. Mason's friends Logan and Ford came also. We enjoyed BBQ and Chic-fil-A nuggets (Mason's favorite) and all the fixin's for lunch. Mason couldn't wait to blow out the candles on his cake. When Seth lit the first one, he immediately blew it out. So we had to explain to him that he couldn't blow them out until all three candles were lit AND we had finished singing Happy Birthday.

And then Mason opened his presents. He received so many fun toys, most of which he specifically asked for and some of which were surprises to him.

One of the things that Mason asked for was a garbage truck. Yes, garbage truck. He has always been fascinated with all kinds of trucks and has several books about trucks. He became interested in the garbage truck over a year ago, especially when he got to see it in action. Every Monday we wait with bated breath for the garbage truck to come through our neighborhood picking up the trash. Mason can hear the truck before it even turns in to our neighborhood. He runs to the window and watches as the workers dump our trash and our neighbors' trash into the big truck. He's very fascinated by the whole process. Several months ago, he spied a Tonka garbage truck at Toys R Us. He begged us to get it for him. I just thought it was a passing fancy so we didn't. Every time we've been back, he wants to go see if the garbage truck is still on the shelf. When he realized his birthday was approaching and that he was going to be getting presents, he started asking for the garbage truck again. I tried to divert his attention to other toys instead. I mean, I really don't want him to grow up to be a sanitation worker. Well, when we were in Louisiana for the 4th of July, his PawPaw asked him what he wanted for his birthday. "A garbage truck!" Mason enthusiastically replied. So, of course, he got the garbage truck.Uncle Rob and Aunt Kristi gave Mason a set of Lincoln Logs. He has already enjoyed building all kinds of things with his new blocks. He also likes to put his logs in his garbage truck. He says, "I'm haulin' a load."Mason did a great job opening his presents this year. He also got a John Deere tractor and trailer, aquadoodle travel kit, barrel of monkeys, matchbox cars, shirt with an "M" aplique from a really cute western themed fabric, shaving kit, monogrammed cup, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, bug box, Cars puzzle and activity coloring book . . .What's a cowboy without a pair of boots and Wranglers?!? Mason absolutely lit up when he opened his cowboy boots. Now he has a pair that are his size so he no longer has to wear Daddy's old cowboy boots that are too big for him.And no self-respecting cowboy wears his Wranglers without a big ol' belt buckle! Of course Mason immediately wanted to wear his new belt and boots . . . never mind he had on shorts.And then there was this really weird shaped present. It was a lot of fun hearing everyone guess as to what was inside.So what's your guess? I'll bet the suspense is killing you . . . The last thing a cowboy needs is his horse!For party favors we gave out cowboy hats. We tried to get everyone to pose for a picture in their hat, but that was nearly impossible. Even little Hannah Kate got into the spirit of the event.After all the presents were opened, we went outside so everyone could take a whack at the pinata. Seth eventually had to help it along a bit, but we finally got all of the candy and little toys out of it.

It was a really fun day, and Mason enjoyed playing with all of his new toys the rest of the afternoon. He also insisted on wearing his blue jeans.

Sunday was Mason's actual birthday. He wanted to wear his blue jeans to church. Thank goodness I had a really good excuse why he couldn't . . . they needed to be washed. But then he wanted to wear his cowboy boots with his Sunday outfit. That was a major DISCUSSION. After church, I stopped by Mc-Happy-Donald's (that's what Mason calls it) to get him a happy meal for his birthday lunch. I know, I know . . . but Chic-fil-A is closed on Sundays!

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY my dear, sweet Mason!