Happy Fourth of July!

We went down to watch the Kirkland parade again this year. Mason loved all the trucks and buses, danced to the music, had a flag fight with buddies Porter and Jaxon, and enjoyed a large popsicle.

We had a few friends over that evening to join in our neighborhood’s war zone activities. We live in unincorporated King County so setting off fireworks is legal. Our neighborhood takes full advantage of this. Earlier in the weekend while we were doing yardwork and Mason was playing peacefully in the dirt, some of the neighbors set off some M80’s. It scared the you know what out of poor little Mason. He was scared to go outside all weekend and he usually loves being outside. For our own little firework show, he and I sat in the back of my car. Yesterday was the first day he didn’t confirm with me that there would be no more fireworks.

Mason counted to 12! Mommy is impressed.

Apparently Mason learned to count to 12 while in California as well as learning the alphabet. 
Today, while helping me put branches into the yard waste container, he started counting and got all the way to 12.  I'm impressed.  I didn't know he could do that without help.
He doesn't do that well with the alphabet, but if you give him a letter he can do the next few. :)
Must be a sign for me that he is ready for some more advanced games, toys and books.
They grow up so fast.  He took his first steps just 1 year ago and now he is counting.