More Flags, More Fun!

Brian and I have been working so much lately that I sometimes feel like I don't get much of a chance to spend quality time with Mason. I wanted to take him somewhere special and I knew he would enjoy it more with someone his own age...so, my friend Michelle and her daughter, Layla, joined us for a fun-filled day at Six Flags over Georgia. What a perfect day to go! The weather was perfect! We also chose to take a Thursday off from work after the holiday weekend so it would be less crowded. Boy was it less crowded! We only waited in line for two rides: Thunder River and Splashwater Falls!


Thomas Town opened in mid May and featured things for people of the small variety. They had a small train that went around in a couple of circles with cutsie children's music playing in the background (I assume from the show, but Mason never watched it). There were several of these little fiberglass people set up for photo ops and also a guy in a Sir Topham Hatt costume. You had to pay for the photo taken with Sir Topham Hatt, but we all know how I feel about paying for photographs.


Even though most of the stuff in this area was for children even younger than Mason and Layla, the playground area was pretty sweet! Of course, it is larger than most playground areas because of the shear volume of children that could be playing at one point in time. There were 3 large tube slides, bridges and climbing areas! Layla and Mason didn't want to leave this area, but we had a lot of other things to see!


Mason's first experience on a roller coaster: Wile E. Coyote Canyon Blaster. Now, as a veteran roller coaster rider this was pretty mild, but as a rookie rider I think it may have been a giant leap! The look of terror on Mason's face was priceless. Sorry, that one was not captured on film, but is forever burned in my memory. He did work up the guts to ride this one again...so it couldn't have been tooooo bad!


There was no shortage of carnival-like rides for the little ones! They were allowed to stay on this ride several times before Michelle and I thought we should see more of the park than just the airplanes.





Similar to the "Acrophobia" ride that drops you 16-stories to near death by heart-attack, this ride seemed to please as well. What a wonderful day to go to six flags! They were allowed to stay on this ride several times as well!





Petunia Pig was around for a photo op! How cute!


There are types of rides that I can do, and types of rides that I know will make me yack. Although roller coasters are in a whole different realm of thrill, rides that go around and around make my head spin just thinking about them! Mason and Layla were so brave to ride this one sans parents...


...and I look over to see this! Such a lady's man!


For only having met the morning we set out to conquer Six Flags, Mason and Layla got along famously ALL day! Layla's only complaint may be that Mason is very affectionate.





Splashwater Falls was a big hit because of the "wet factor". Although the degree of wetness of this ride paled in comparison to Thunder River...where we all got drenched from head-to-toe! I was pouring water out of my purse. Thankfully, Michelle had brought a small plastic bag that all of our electronics fit into. Note to self: take a change of clothes and plastic bags if you're going to ride Thunder River!


We ended the day with some Ben and Jerry's ice cream and super hero capes for both Layla and Mason. Never would I have believed someone if they told me that children ages 4 and 5 would spend 8 hours at an amusement park and STILL not want to leave!

Meet Callie...

Calloway is the newest addition to our little family. She came to us from the Petsmart adoption day! She's a yellow lab mix and has the sweetest demeanor!!! She spends her days chasing geese on the golf course with Brian and her nights snuggled up next to the front door (protecting us from strangers). Welcome Callie!

Graduation Presentation:

God Bless America! The graduation presentation began with the children marching into the sanctuary singing "God Bless America" which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.




I'm not sure what this song was, but doesn't it look like fun?! The sunglasses were a nice touch.





These are the colors of the color wheel. The still photos really don't do this song any justice. When each color was called out, the children raised their colored circle and shouted the name. So cute!





Let's go fly a kite! Low-lighting really stinks for photography, but the movement in the photos is nice. I can't wait for the DVD release, can you?



Let's go to the zoo! Each child with an animal-on-a-stick got to dance across the stage when their animal was called. Mason got many compliments on his dancing ability!




Shhhh! There's a spider next to me!!!


They all had their alphabet down pat! The little smarties! Each child was given a letter and told us what sound it makes and an object that started with that letter. School isn't all fun and games...it's serious business!



The founder of Kids R Kids joined the ceremony and handed out the faux diplomas! It was a shining moment seeing the children in their caps and gowns!





One last song before CAKE! Congratulations class of 2021 – Love, Mom and Dad!

Good Lighting Never Lasts...

Every photographer swears by north-facing evening light. It's fabulous...it's soft and pretty...and it doesn't last as long as I would like for it to! No matter, Mason wasn't thrilled about me taking his photo anyway. Graduation photos and videos to come!

Anybody Out There?

This blog's for you, folks...and yer lack of comments iz givin' me a complex!

Fun with Letters...

The children learned every letter of the alphabet and each sign for the object. More videos to come after graduation. I wish you all could be here to celebrate with us!

Game, Set, Match...

Just when you thought this blog should have been titled "The Famous Mason", I change things up a bit by posting about my hubby, of whom I am so proud! I knew nothing of tennis (with the exception of that foxy Andre Agassi) until I met Brian. Since then, I still don't know much about keeping score; but I do know a good serve when I see one.

Just look at that focus! This must be where Mason gets his concentration from. To those that know me – my mind tends to wander from on thing to another; which makes me a good multi-tasker but not much of an athlete. Good genes there! Thanks Bill and Janet!

Check out the height on that ball! Good thing Brian is 6'2" or he'd be waiting a while for gravity to take hold of the ball again.

He wasn't as thrilled with this action shot as I was. I'm sure he's not too keen on me posting this photo of his body all twisted. Maybe a good tennis serve is like a good guitarist – you have to get your body knarled up to get the best results. I was impressed. Hey, I can't do it!

He and his partner went on to win the match in 2 sets – 6-1, 6-1.

The team won 3 out of 5 matches...which takes them to the semi-finals tomorrow! Best of luck guys!!!

Musical Genius in the Making...

Today Mason's class helped their mothers celebrate Mother's Day in style. We were all treated to a fantastic display of musical talent and then ate muffins. It was certainly the highlight of my Friday! Happy Mother's Day!

School-Aged...

Almost! It seems like only yesterday that I was jiggling Mason around in my belly. It seems like only yesterday that he took his first steps and it seems like only yesterday that he learned to smart-mouth me (oh wait, that WAS yesterday!). Now look at him – so grown up and full of personality! His graduation from Pre-K is officially on May 16. Off to Kindergarten in the fall. Look out New Life Academy!

I was fascinated!

This little guy basked in the sun as I took his photo over and over. No need to say cheese.