Yes, we're still here...

I know, once again it's been too long. With Chris being away for basketball so much, it just seems that time for working on the computer (without interruptions) is pretty minimal. Anyhow, here we are.
Life in Grande Prairie is moving right along even through this winter doesn't want to end. We are actually in the midst of a pretty good snow storm right now. Yuck! It's been a really long winter for Mason and I because, as I already mentioned (not that I'm harping on it), Chris has been away for basketball A LOT (he's coaching the senior team at the high school and with no local competition, they are on the road most weekends). I sure give single parents a lot of credit, because it's not easy being on your own. Mason is a pretty easy kid, but he's busy and keeps me on my toes. I am also a little bit of a chatter, so being alone so much, is a little lonely. But, 3 more weeks and the basketball season is over, ya-hoo!! And let me tell, the old saying about absence making the heart grow fonder, is absolutely true. When Chris/Daddy is home, we sure to enjoy our time together. I have a deep appreciation for our family!

OK, enough complaining. What have we been up to since the beginning of January? Well, I guess one big thing is that Mason is almost potty trained. If you would have asked me about this last week, I would have said that he was potty trained, but this week he seems to be taking a step backward. Overall, he's asking to go, sometimes goes all by himself, and even uses the potty in public. The one place he won't use the potty is at the sitter's house. So, she keeps working on it and I'm sure that will happen soon enough. We are so proud of our very big boy.
The other big news with Mason is that he's now moved into his big boy bed in his new big boy room. We had done some trim work in his nursery that didn't turn out as well as I had hoped, so we decided to move him into our other spare room so that we wouldn't have to fix the mess right now. I've posted some before pictures of his room, but until I'm totally done, you'll have to wait for the big reveal.

Even though the room's not quite finished, Mason is moved in. It took a few days, having to put a safety latch on the door so he would stop escaping (and showing up downstairs where Chris and I watch tv to say "hi mommy, hi daddy, watcha doin?") and a rail on his bed, but he seems to have adjusted and is doing great. I think the highlight is the fact that all 3 of us can crawl in and read stories together. I still peak in every night, and still get a little teary (after 2 weeks) that he's so grown up. I just can't believe how fast time goes. It seems like just yesterday Chris and I would peek in on him and watch him sleep so peacefully, all swaddled up, just weeks old...

Other than these major changes, we've just been keeping busy with everyday life. Mason is in gymnastics class every Saturday with Reese. He absolutely loves it. I think hanging from the bars and jumping into the foam pit are his favorite activities. Every morning he asks "go to nastics today?"

We've also been spending lots of time outside either walking Molly, tobogganing or playing in the backyard. One weekend, Erin, Doug and the kids invited us out to their new house (not finished yet) and Doug pulled everyone around on the sleds behind the quad. It was a great afternoon. Mason actually likes to play outside all by himself (well with Molly). He has a little shovel and likes to fill his dump truck up with snow. As long as he knows that I'm keeping an eye on him through the window, he seems to be really happy. He's never been super independent, so I'm really proud of him.

Erin and Doug's new place (out on a 1.2 acre lot just outside of town)

And of course, life wouldn't be nearly as much fun without friends and playing. Nearly every weekend, we have a play date with Rory and Bretton. And now that baby Ella is in the picture, things have changed a little bit. Every time she cries, one of the boys stops what he's doing to come over and check on her. Mason seems to think she's pretty cool and has made the comment of wanting a 'baby sister' (sorry folks, no news on that front!!!) But, since Jacquie (Rory's mom) is due in May with another girl, there will many babies around for Mason to play with.

Of course Mason still loves his books. He's actually very interested in reading to us now so I'll have to get a little video for you.For a few days, Mason insisted on wearing his new rubber boots all the time! And just a little picture to sum up the joys of having a toddler. Mason was eating noodles for lunch one day when I ran upstairs to grab something. Imagine my delight when I returned to this scene (and yes, before anything, my first thought was to grab the camera, major scrapbooking opportunity!!!) And finally, since Mason and I were also alone during Valentine's Day, I made sure we had a great day together. We had pink, heart shaped pancakes (this is so something that my mother taught me), went to gymnastics, were going to go to our first movie together (but no cartoons were playing so we bought Cars instead), went to Boston Pizza for heart shaped pizza, and then came for a movie and popcorn and a snuggle on the couch. Overall, it was a great day, and one I will never forget.
So, that's the update for this time. I hope you're all doing well. Mason and I are in Edmonton in the middle of March so maybe we'll see you soon. Until then...
Love, Jenn