Been a While

Yes, it's been a while. We went from not much going on too, and explosion of activities. Spring is here, which means Mac is getting busier with Scouts, School, and teenage life. Mason has been busy being Mason. Our Ward was split about a month ago, and I volunteered to continue doing Webelos until the "dust settled" a bit-so I've been busier than usual. I've also been going to Mason's School every single morning to help him sit and do his school work in the mornings. It was brought to my attention after his conference that something needed to be done about Mason not sitting, not doing his morning work, and being uncooperative. So I suggested that I come in to help out. The first few days were rough (on him). But yesterday, his teacher and I saw success. He sat down did his work, and went to his different learning stations, without being told! Lee is more involved in the Scouting program and in the Unit Committee Chair for our Troop, or Mac's Troop.

With the weather getting better, and school coming to a close (in June) things have been a little crazy, but in a good way. We continue to feel blessed and are grateful.

Baptism

In our Church (LDS/Mormon), when you turn 8, you get baptized. Mason turned 8 in December, but we wait a few months when the weather is better so family members from near and far. Mason was baptized by his Dad (Lee) on March 27th, 2010. This was a special day for our family.
I didn't get the traditional picture of Lee and Mason, because Lee was not being cooperative. But I think Patty (Lee's Mom) was able too. I need to ask her. So I took this one of Mason in his white outfit.

Lee and Mason afterwards at our house. Mason is getting tall. Lee in his kilt.

The Bryant Men. (ssshhh, don't tell Pa Bryant he's on the blog, being exposed to the internet!) From left to right: Calvin, Lee, Mac, and Pa. Mason is in the front. As you can see, Mac is getting taller. He is almost as tall as me (1 more inch!). This is the only recent pic I have of Mac, because he is also an unwilling, uncooperative, picture taking participant.

Pinewood Derby Car Part 2

So, Yes....this happened last month and almost 2 months ago. But here it is. Mason's Pinewood Derby Car. After watching Mac for years with his Pinewood Derby Car, and then 3-4 year hiatus from Pinewood Derby's (because we didn't have a Cub Scout for 4 years) Mason FINALLY got to make HIS car with Dad. After years of waiting what did he want to do? Well, we weren't certain. At first he wanted flames on the sides. But when it was all said and done, he wanted to make it a "Pickle Car". Don't ask me what possesed this decision. He is the pickiest eater in the world, and absolutely HATES pickles. I don't even want to know what is inside his head. But after 3 coats of green paint (that Mason picked out himself)-and me not knowing how to make this lovely green car into a pickle. Here is what we came up with.

The Gray things on the top is his "weights" or aka: ammo. You got to work with what you got.

He had this smile on his face all night long. He was so excited, he was jumping up and down all night, and when he raced his car, I thought he was going to puke. He didn't win, honestly, there was alot of technical stuff going on with computers, gadgets, and etc. It kind of sucked the fun out of it for the boys. All they wanted to do was race their cars. Mason didn't care, he was thrilled about being able to do it.

The Making of a Pinewood Derby Car-Part 1

After watching his brother and Dad make Pinewood Derby Cars since he was really little......

The time has finally come to where Mason FINALLY, gets to make his OWN Pinewood Derby Car.

He's just a little excited. Just a little. He just got done sanding it-all by himself. He's actually in the garage as we speak, waiting to prime it before they paint it.

This is him telling me he has no idea what color him and his dad are going to paint his car. They might be making a trip down to Ace Hardware tomorrow to pick out a color.

More to come.....

Not Much Going On...Again

I guess the time between Christmas and Spring is a slow time for us. We have been busy with the day to day, but there haven't been many pictures to be taken-or a need to take many pictures.
Mac has been Wrestling and he's really enjoyed it. He's made a few new friends, and over all, he's doing well. He has lost 4 pounds (not on purpose)-and seems pleased when he's lost weight. He had his IEP (Individual Education Plan) re-evaluated this year. 2 of his Teachers and the School Psycologist (the person who evaluates him) expressed to me what a good kid Mac is. They have been empressed with his school work, his work ethic, and how he tries really hard on his school work. He is well liked amongst his peers, and is a good example to others. While I was in the meeting, it was after school. One of the Science teachers were offering homemade cookies to us. He told us that they made the cookies for a experiment, but because the kids were misbehaving (badly) he decided NOT to let the kids in his class eat the cookies, so he was giving them away. After he left, the School Psycologist said "See! This is the stuff we have to deal with day in and day out. We have alot of kids around here who misbehave, but Mac is NOT one of those kids". As a parent, you always aren't sure how you are doing. So as long as Mac isn't being kicked out of school or worse, I guess we are doing alright.
Mason has a conference pretty soon....I bet you $1,000 dollars they are going to mention something about him not sitting in his seat. I'm at his school once a week volunteering, so I KNOW what goes on with him. I am grateful Mason doesn't have the learning issues Mac has. Mason has seemed to inherit Lee's smarts, I guess. Lee has always had a photographic memory, if he sees it once, he knows it. So with Mason...he doesn't like to "practice" reading, or practicing his sight words-because "I know it already!" With Mac, we had to practice and go over things over, and over again. Mason LOVES Math, and loves to count in 2's and 10's. I'm going to enroll him in swimming lessons this spring and summer. He has no interest in anything else. Mason is also getting ready for his baptizim at the end of the month. He is getting really excited about it-and so are we.