Mason's Bucket List: Things to do before I start Kindergarten

Kindergarten is quickly approaching, so there's a few things I need to get off my list before I start school.

* Help with the landscaping.  Cut off the tops of all my mom's tulips as soon as they hit their prime. You see a tulip once, that's all you need, right? Let's not clutter the flower beds.

*  Do nice things without being asked.  Secretly dump out the dish of sugar that my mom is dipping her strawberries in. Replace it with salt.  Enjoy the face she makes when she takes a big bite.
 
* Use less dishes.  Why pour cereal into a bowl when I can just pour milk into the cereal box? Seriously, am I the only one who has thought of this?

 * I know it's tough for my mom to see her little baby boy grow up so fast.  I want her to remember  how little my hands were at this age.  I should trace them. With a black sharpie. On the couch.

  * Help organize the pantry.  I'm not quite sure how my mom makes it without me.  For years now (years, people!) she has been putting flour, sugar and rice in 3 different buckets.  Think of the space that's been wasted.  You should've seen how happy she was about  my discovery.  Tears of joy, I'm sure.

* Practice using scissors.  Those things can be tricky buggers.  I couldn't quite get JoceLynn's hair right. 

 I thought I did a decent job on her hair, but my mom had to take her to a "professional".

Nope, that's not a baby picture of me.  That's my sister.

It's hard to tell in this picture, but her hair has started to grow out (6 months later). Still not sure what the big deal was all about.  

 

I mean, really.  Look at that mop.  It probably took my mom a whole 2 minutes to put it in pig-tails.  Think of the time I saved her.

Sigh.  I don't know how my mom is going to make it when I'm gone for half the day.  I should think of some extraordinary to do for her before next week.

JoceLynn

Jocey,

On your 1st birthday, we thought for sure you'd dive right into that cupcake. However, you were little Miss Dainty. I'm surprised you didn't ask for a fork and a napkin.
You've mastered the art of tantrum throwing. Really, it's quite an art, and you, my dear, have perfected it.
There's so much I still want to teach you, like the fact that small bowls and spoons are over-rated. Wait.... you got that. I love you and your manners. My favorite is when someone does something for you and you say "You're welcome", instead of "Thank you." It's as if we should be grateful for the chance to serve you. We are baby, we are.
My absolute favorite is when you insist on hugging and kissing everyone goodnight. You seem to know when someone's had a bad day and needs extra loving. If we skip this little night-time routine, you've been known to climb out of your crib just to pass out those loves. Bathtime is also a fun treat. You love to splash in the water and everytime you hear the shower turn on, you assume it's for you. You average about 3 showers a day. Squeaky clean.
Ahh, little lady bug.... We love your little lady guts so much. You bring so many smiles and laughs to our home and we couldn't image it without you!

Payback Is a...

To My Children: They say what goes around comes around. I plan on living until I'm 114. Here's a sampling of what you can expect while you are taking care of me:

• It will be easier to hog-tie a rhinoceros than it will be to change my diaper. Once you get the diaper on, I will immediately take it off & do my business on the carpet.


• I will take 17 minutes to decide what to eat. I will have one bite of it & decide I don't like it. I will do this a minimum of 5 times. Per meal.


• If you need to go to the grocery store, I will insist on pushing the cart that I can barely see over. I will run over people and knock down displays. When we get to the checkout, you will discover that I have loaded the cart with random things that we don't need, such as cat food and wart remover.


• Should you not allow me to do the above, I will lay down in the middle of the aisle and scream like you wouldn't believe.


• Oh, and don't bother getting the pricey shampoo. I will dump it down the drain the first chance I get. Don't try hiding it either. I will have my ways of finding it.


• I will use your cell phone to call whomever I please, whenever I please. I promise to only call out-of-state relatives in the middle of the night, leading them to believe that there is some sort of emergency.


• Speaking of phone calls, I will be a perfect angel until you are on the phone. At that time, I will pester you non-stop. I will suddenly forget how to put on socks and I will urgently need to know random things such as the capitol of Missouri.


• If you have anything of importance such as church lessons, passports, birth certificates or homework I will color on it and maybe even cut it into little pieces. I will leave the junk mail in pristine condition.


• I won't tell you about the gallon of water I spilled until you sit in it.


• I insist on choosing my own clothing. You will allow me to wear shorts and a T-shirt when it's 26 degrees outside. When we are going to any sort of public place, I will wear pants that are 8 inches too short and a shirt that has no less than 3 stains on it. Also, sometimes I will run around the neighborhood with nothing but my cowboy boots on. Giddy up!


• When we drive past Hart's, I will beg for a treat. Every. Single. Time.


• When you announce that it is time for bed I will act shocked and appalled, as if this is some hideous new rule you just came up with.


• Please don't expect me to sleep in my own bed for the entire night. Are you kidding me? I prefer to sleep right next to you and kick you in the head all night.

Are you getting discouraged? Hang in there.

• 
  
  I will show you the cutest toothless grin this side of the Mississippi.


• 
  
  I will color you pictures and write you love notes all the time.


• 
  
  When you pretend you are sleeping, I will kiss you ever so gently on the forehead.


• 
  
  When I fall asleep in the car, it will take all your willpower not to smother my chubby cheeks in smooches.


• 
  
  Sometimes I will be so kind and thoughtful that you swear your heart will explode.

Just thought you should know what you have to look forward to.

Love,

Mom

Dear Crazies,

I am making this blog private soon. So sorry, but my boys are just way too handsome. And that daughter of mine? Oh, be still my heart.

To all my loved ones who actually do read this: if the two of you will leave me a comment with your email address, I'll hook you up with a free annual subscription to all that is wonderful in the Hunter Household. Hurry, this offer won't last long!

So, who's monster of a ribbon is this? Mine, you say? Sigh. One could only dream of something so magnificent. No, no little one. This bad boy belongs to...



wait for it....

This handsome fella. Did I tell you he got glasses? So darling, huh? But I digress... Dylan got second place in the science fair! I know, so awesome, right?

He grew germs in petri dishes for his project. Yeah, yuck is right. He wanted to see what place in his first grade class had the most germs. He tested lots of things, including the doorknob, the radio, his desktop, the hook where he hangs his coat, the pencil sharpener, the bead jar, and the boys' bathroom pass. What do you think had the most germs? His teacher thought for sure it would be the boys' bathroom pass. It's a big plastic tag they have to take with them when they go. Mrs. Bills used to have it on a string they could wear around their necks, but it was too long. It came back, umm... a little messy. I'll wait while that one sinks in.

Ready to move on?

OK. The place that had the most germs was.... drumroll please........

The pencil sharpener!

Good job, Dylan. We are so proud of all your hard work!

Bling Bling

JoceLynn got her ears pierced last week. She looks quite beautiful. I thought I'd take a picture so you could see how right I am. Here's the first attempt...

Hmm, a lovely picture of her forehead. Maybe if Dylan

sets her on his lap....

Uh-oh. Sorry big guy. How's your nose feeling?

Jocey kinda has an evil look on her face. Sassy. I like it.

You'll have to settle for this. See that baby bling?

What We've Been Up To...

Some hunting,

some hiking,

some mud splashing, (and lots of laundry)

some BYU cheering,

and some getting way too big!