Mini break for the Fourth!

We kicked off our mid-week holiday in high-style. I begged my way to a pair of tickets to the Yankees-Twins game on Tuesday night and decided to bring along a couple of good-looking guys as my dates. Good thing Mason still fits on a lap. The Yankees won, which is normally a good thing, but since Rob's real loyalty lies with the Twins (he was born in Minnesota), it was bittersweet. We did have a great time -- and great seats, thanks SI -- and Rob worked on training Mason's loyalty early.

For Wednesday's enjoyment, we braved the elements to hang with a group of friends at the park. We had a nice old-fashioned pot-luck picnic and managed to stay mostly dry, despite the rain. We had a nice natural umbrella under the trees and it was generally pleasant, coolish (not humid, yippee!) weather.

All aboard the potty train

I mentioned Mason's potty chart a few posts ago, but now it's time for a new potty chart. Some combination of those stickers (one for the chart, one for Mason), the praise of Mommy and Daddy, getting to wash his hands with fun soap and say "bye-bye" as we flush the big toilet has propelled that kid to completion of chart No. 1. As a reward, he got an even bigger treat: TMX Elmo. Here's Mason with his new friend...

Summer Friday...

Mason had his 18-month checkup on Friday and passed with flying colors -- if you can *pass* a checkup. He checked in at 25-pounds, 5-and-a-half ounces and was 32 and 1/2 inches tall. He demonstrated his command of vocabulary mostly by saying uh-oh (when he dropped his car) and sticker (when the doctor told him he could get one after she *stuck* him.)

Since he was a good sport, though, he and Mommy found some time for a little reward later in the day. After trekking to three different technology stores we finally settled on a new digital camera and put it too good use -- while sharing an ice cream cone in Union Square.

Eighteen months and counting...

Mason celebrated his year-and-a-half birthday on Sunday. Hard to believe it??? I think so. Anyway, we went to the Skyscraper Museum (where Dad-o had wanted to go for a long time) and then on to Battery Park to play in the fountain on a sweltering hot day. It was fun. Mason was soaked, but had spare clothes. Rob was soaked and had to sun himself. I was mildly wet.

That kicked off a big week for Mason, though. He started at his new daycare center on Monday -- conveniently located in the apartment building next door to ours. He's doing just fine there. I took the day off Monday to help him ease into the new center, but after standing there and watching him play for 10 minutes, I took a cue that he didn't need me and headed home. It's so nice not to have to commute with him, and easily saves us an hour a day.

We go to the doctors for his official check up tomorrow. I'll update on his progress then...

Good bye...for now

We said bye-bye to Nursery North last week, where Mason had been attending daycare for a little more than a year. It was tough to leave all our friends and the great teachers he's had behind, but it was time for a change for many reasons. But, you know, before you go, you have to PARTY. Mommy baked *mini* cupcakes for Mason's 1-year-old classmates, and they went to town. Mason loved them -- eating them and wearing them!

Mace got spoiled with gifts: some really cool books, a new backpack for his new school and a boat that all the kids wanted to play with, and which Macy still hasn't put down! For more snapshots of Mace's daily life at NN, check out this gallery.

Ish...the Fish

Mason got his first pet...oh, about two weeks ago. A beta fish who lives high on the shelf in our apartment and only comes down to play when there's a watchful eye around. Here's the proud pet owner -- but mind you, when I backed up five feet to take the pictures, Mason decided Ish (that's how he says fish) was hungry for a chocolate chip granola bar. I plucked it out quickly, and don't worry, these pictures are old (as in not digital). Like I said, we've had Ish for a couple of weeks and despite the granola bar incident, he's still thriving in his bowl.

Who's a BIG boy now?

OK, so admittedly, we haven't been good on the blogging front lately. That's mainly because we have no pictures to share (after losing our camera), and after all, a picture is worth a thousand words.

That being said, no one wants to see a picture of this: Mason using his big-boy potty. In less than 24 hours we've had a No. 1 and a No. 2 in the potty. Mason squeals with delight when Mommy and Daddy congratulate him on his accomplishment, shower him with hugs, high-fives and a personalized song, as well as adding a new sticker to his potty chart.