Flowers For Mom

When we were kids, my brother would often grab up bunches of weeds and come inside singing "Happy Birthday" to my mom with the flowers hidden behind his back. I never understood why she was always so thrilled to receive these bedraggled bouquets. I mean, it wasn't like it was actually her birthday. Today - it all became amazingly clear. Mason presented me with the most beautiful bouquet I've ever received. I thanked him for the lovely flowers, and he said matter of factly, "Mom - they're leaves." At least he's honest.

Dancing Boot Camp

Last night Mason announced that he was going to hold a dance class out on the deck. Why is not surprising that I was the only family member that showed up? He plugged in his portable stereo, cranked up his 101 Sunday School Favorites CD and climbed up on the big deck storage box to hold court. He shouted at me just like a drill sergeant, "Dance, Mama, Dance." I wasn't quite sure how to dance to "Jesus Loves Me" so I just sort of swayed and clapped. Mason wasn't satisfied. In his drill sergeant voice he instructed me on HOW to dance. Then he announced to the class (me) that he was going inside, but I was to stay out on the deck and dance. Great. The neighbors already think we're weird, but now they'll see me out on the deck doing some white girl moves to "Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam." So like any normal person would do, as soon as he closed the deck door, I stopped dancing. Unfortunately, his big brother (who'd been immensely enjoying the whole scene) was watching out the window. Marcus told Mason that I'd stopped dancing, and the deck door came sliding open and drill sergeant Mason yells, "Dance, Mama, Dance". Priceless. I finally got up the courage to drop out of the dance class. I did hear, though, that he plans to hold another class tonight. So if you're interested - there are plenty of openings!

Impress Them On Your Children

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 states, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

It is so important that we teach our children about the Father. And sometimes our kids say things that make us realize we need to do a better job! Today Mason noticed that the sun was shining in Max's eyes as we were driving in the van. He adjusted the sunshade and said, "We don't want Max to go blind like the blind man that Jesus helped." I asked Mason to tell me how Jesus helped him. Mason said, "Jesus spit gum in his eyes." What! Gum? Did they even have gum then? Wait - there's a more pressing issue. I corrected the story and reminded Mason that it was dirt that Jesus spit into and mud that he applied to the man's eyes. Mason seemed to remember that being correct. And I will remember to continue impressing the Lord's commandments on my children.

Can You Duet?

As Blake continues his pursuit of country music fame, we became addicted to the Country Music Television show Can You Duet?. The winners just blew the doors off the thing, and have set the bar pretty high for Blake and me. If we ever make it, this is what we'll have to compete with. Ha! We fell in love these two and are SO happy that they won! Watch for them world - here come Caitlin and Will!

Another Funny Day

There's never a dull moment in the Baysinger house. Here are the funnies from today:

• Marcus was "flashed" by a woman at Bible study this morning as he prepared to work in the child care department. When you're 14, that scar runs deep. She didn't intend to flash him, but the damage is done nonetheless.
  
• A few years ago, Marcus put an external slide lock up high on his door so he could prevent Mason from entering his room when he wasn't in it. Every time Marcus leaves his room, he slides the lock shut and voila - little brother can't get in. Unfortunately, little brother has access to a step stool and locked Marcus IN his room today. Time to inact plan B.
• Mason has been making his bed regularly lately, and at some point I started rewarding him with popsicles. Today he told me, "Hey mom - I made my bed twice today!" Nice try buddy.
  

Happy Father's Day

Today I asked each of the boys to tell me their favorite thing about their dad. I thought it would be a fun way to honor Blake on this Father's Day.

Me: Since today's Father's Day, tell me your favorite thing about daddy.
Mason: I like the cake.
Me: Yeah. Me, too. But what is your favorite thing about daddy?
Mason: I like the presents.
Me: Let me help. I love daddy because...
Mason: He's SO STRONG! He's WAY stronger than me.

Me: What's your favorite thing about your dad?
Marcus: (Rolling his eyes) This is weird.
Me: Come on - it's for my blog.
Marcus: I like that he drives really fast in the Jag (this merits some investigation on my part), he drives really fast on his motorcycles (this I knew) and he gets wild hairs and spends money on random things.

That last point made me giggle as I remembered the time Blake went in to Wal-Mart to buy low-carb candy bars and came out with a go-kart. A few weeks ago he went in for a microphone and came out with an acoustic guitar, a water slide and the microphone. Marcus is right on - and since he was the recipient of the go-kart, it makes sense that he would be fond of that impulsive trait in his father.

Me: Baby Max - what do you love about your daddy?
Baby Max: (spitting carrots out through a huge grin) Sspppppllllllttttt!
I think that translates to the most precious thing imaginable!

I guess I'll answer the question, too. While I could create a list a mile long, one thing that has been on my mind today is how incredibly capable Blake is. I am convinced that there is nothing he can't do. I often joke that if there's ever a disaster, even a nuclear attack, I'm pretty sure we'd be the only people with fresh water, electricity and high speed internet. Even as I type this he's creating a new masterpiece on his wood lathe. Capable with a capital C.

What an awesome daddy! We have an awesome life. He's a great provider. He's fun. He loves his kids like crazy, and I am so thankful that God gave him to me.

Say What?

Kids say the funniest things. I get such a kick out of hearing kids mispronounce words or use the wrong word in place of the correct one. Sometimes it's just downright hilarious. Other times their comments are simply mortifying. Here are a few of Mason's classics from the last few years:



Mispronounced words/lyrics...
Tibberphoon (Microphone)
Reneckerize (Recognize)
Vand (Band)
Bathtized (Baptized) - honestly his version makes the most sense, now doesn't it!
Festibal (Festival)
Alvin and the Chickmunks
Rock-a my soul in the busta my faverhead

Funny conversations:
Me: Mason, how do these sunglasses look on me?
Mason: You look very extinguished. (That was probably most accurate given the day!)

After I caught him prancing through the house wearing one of my bras...
Me: Mason - are you wearing my underwear!
Mason: No - I'm wearing your boob thing. (Said with a twang more like "boob thang")

At Aiden's birthday party...
Mason (to Jill, Aiden's mom): May I please have the expensive chips?
Jill: You can have cheap chips like everybody else. (Great reply!)

Server at Applebees: You're being such a polite boy.
Mason: It's just a show.

When discussing taking a sack lunch to school for field day...
Mason: I don't want to take a Zach lunch. I want a Mason lunch.