Christmas In New York

A couple days late, but here's what we've been up to this holiday...

Mason and Mommy baked cookies on Christmas Eve morning, while Dad-O had to head off to work. Mason, as you can see, is a good helper and always willing to test the batter.








In the evening, we headed to 5 p.m. mass and took some time afterwards to take in the beautiful nativity scene and all the decorations set up at church.



Next, we headed downtown and grabbed some dinner before our traditional stop at Rockefeller Center to see the tree in all it's glory. Here are some of our favorite shots.







On Christmas morning, we awoke to find a pile of presents from Santa on top of the pile of presents that had already found it's way to our tree thanks to all Mason's generous aunts and uncles and his Grammy and Papa.

Mason opened.



And opened.



And opened presents.



Then, we got to take our turn. Dad-O, as you can see, was very pleased with his new video game.

We enjoyed a low-key day. We spent a little time out in the lobby of the apartment visiting with the neighbors and watching Mason and their little guy play with some new toys. Later, we closed out the night with a trip to visit Melissa and Kellyn next door.

Mommy was wearing her comfy sweats all day and decided that's just about the best way to spend Christmas!

The Big Three

We celebrated Mason's official birthday yesterday with a day full of family fun. Both Dad-O and I were lucky enough to have the day off so we could devote the whole day to doting on the birthday boy.



We started off with a very nutritious birthday breakfast of donuts and followed that up with opening more presents. Mason had plenty of time to play with all of them: he and Dad-O built a Lego tower taller than Mason, Mason had a ball with his new Diego Mobile Rescue Unit and then we all headed into the lobby so he could go wild with his remote-control car from Grammy and Papa.



After recharging at naptime, we headed downtown for the much-anticipated Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Mason posed for some quick pictures before we set out to find our seats.



The show did not disappoint. Afterwards, Mason said his favorite part was the arrival of the three wisemen, presumably because they were accompanied by real-live donkeys and camels (seriously, I work right across the street from the place. I want to know where they hide those animals when they're not on stage!). Of course, later, he was overheard telling his Uncle Kirty that it was the Rockettes who really stole the show. My how fast he's growing up...

After the show, we grabbed some cupcakes at Magnolia and headed uptown for one last surprise: Pizza, soda and games at Chuck E. Cheese. Mason always points it out when we pass it by, but we rarely go there. It's a special treat. Dad-O, with Mason on his shoulder walked by the door initially, only to turn around and go back, and plop Mason in front of the door -- where we were treated to a big ol' birthday smile. He was so excited.



We closed the place down and headed home, only to find our door all decorated by Mason's daycare buddies. It was so cute -- two collages, plus a card from each of his friends and a portrait of the birthday boy. Mason remarked: "This is beautiful work!"



It was that, and a pretty awesome end to his third-birthday extravaganza. We all had a great day...and will have to work real hard to top it next year!

First Snow!

Winter (and by that I mean snow, we've already had our share of cold!) arrived in New York today. There were snow flurries off and on all day, but by the time karate class was dismissed at 7, it was coming down pretty good!

The kiddos were all bundled up and snuggled down in the four-seater.



Mason tried to catch some flakes on his tongue.























Kellyn was so comfy and unaffected, she fell right asleep. Maybe I need to get me one of those snowsuits!

Mason's Wild Third Birthday Party

We spent the better part of Saturday with a big ol' group of friends -- both ours and Mason's -- celebrating Mason's third birthday with a Diego-themed bash.

We were lucky enough, again, to borrow Melissa's place for the shin-dig and everyone had a great time. The kids wore animal masks instead of party hats. There was plenty of food and random fun. They colored. They danced. They fought over the big ol' bowl of Pirate's Booty, which I've learned must be a children's-party staple.

Here's the big moment when Mason blew out his cake:



All of the photos from the day can be found here.

It will be hard to top the fun of the party, but Dad-O, Mason and I are gearing up for a trip to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular come Wednesday -- his actual birthday -- not to mention more presents to open.

We'll check back in after that adventure!

Tis The Season

We took Macey Man to Macy's last night to visit the big guy, a.k.a. Santa. Mason was eager to see his old friend, who almost didn't recognize our little man because he's gotten so tall (or so he said.)

Mason asked Santa for toys. Nothing specific, just toys. Santa suggested some trains to the delight of Mason. Then, Santa asked Mason to leave some milk and cookies for him and some carrots for the reindeer. I have a feeling both will be happy to oblige come Christmas Eve.

After the big moment, we enjoyed the decorations in Santaland -- especially the trains...



Then took in the window displays...



Our last stop of the night was Columbus Circle, where we were treated to this light show:

Random Cuteness

About a month ago, Mason and his daycare buddies started going to karate class. On Tuesday nights, I meet up with them to make the trek down to 135th Street for the class. They all look SO cute in their uniforms with their little white belts. Here's a couple of videos from last week's class. They're getting the hang of it a little more each week.





And, last but not least, Mason helped me get a jump on Christmas baking. We made M&M cookies last weekend. Here he is helping out -- or sampling the brown sugar that Mommy spilled.

Balloons, Balloons, Everywhere Balloons

One week, two cities, two big balloon parades.

First stop, Sunday, Stamford, Conn., for the UBS Parade Spectacular, which we attended with our friends Claire and Mike, who are Stamford residents.

The big hit of the day -- you'll never guess, no really, you won't. Gumby! Mason loved the little green clap of clay.




Thomas, predictably, was also a big hit.



Come Wednesday night, we headed to the Natural History Museum to check out the big balloon inflation for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, with, oh, about a million of our closest friends.



On Thursday, we joined that million, plus about 2.5 million more to watch the parade life in midtown Manhattan. This year, we watched from 48th and Broadway. Mason's favorite part (before Santa, that is) just may have been watching the antics of the cartoon M&Ms on the big screen across the street, in front of the M&M store.

There were plenty of other cool sites to see, though.




And, as a grand finale here's the kiddo's reaction to Santa's arrival on the scene.



Mason and Dad-O posed for a little Thanksgiving portrait in the middle of Seventh Avenue, which was still shut down as the parade marched further downtown toward Macy's.



We closed out our Thanksgiving outing with some delicious turkey and all the fixin's at a restaurant and then headed home for a family nap!

Road Trippin'

With a full tank of gas and a cooler full of snacks, we loaded up in our ZipCar and hit the road last weekend. Our destination? A surprise visit to see Uncle Clint and Auntie Meg, who had trekked from Colorado to Baltimore to take in a little football game.

Since they weren't available until after game time, and since we don't usually have a car, we took the long route and stopped in Philadelphia for a little tourist action on our way there.

First, we hopped on a horse and carriage and took a little ride through town.



Next, we did a little sight seeing on foot. Taking in the Liberty Bell (don't ask Mason how he liked it. He didn't.)



The U.S. Mint.



And a Quaker Meeting Hall (Mason really liked the loft!)



Before seeing what our mugs would look like on a $5 bill.




Back on the road, we met up with a very surprised Uncle Clint and Auntie Meg (who was in on the surprise) in Baltimore and had some crab cakes, before heading back to the car. On our way, we found this curious sign above a gutter, which made us all giggle.



After a hotel-room football game of our own, and a little pillow fight, we all crashed for the night. Sunday started out with church and then after much indecision by all of us adults, Mason picked out the aquarium for our activity.

We -- mostly Uncle Clint -- teased him mercilessly on the way there, saying we were instead going to the Museum of Dentistry, but in the end, we stuck with the original plan and Mason saw eye-to-eye with a sea turtle, checked out some rays and sharks and had Clint and Meg to lean on the whole time.





Our last stop at the aquarium was the dolphin show, which wasn't quite Sea World, but wasn't too shabby either!



After lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe, it was time to take Auntie Meg and Uncle Clint to the airport and head for home ourselves. We did make one final detour, to Philly as the cheesesteak lines were a little too long Saturday. Mommy and Dad-O indulged in the sandwiches, while Mason opted for fries and we both decided Geno's won out.