Heading South for the Winter ... or a Weekend

We just got back from a big Florida adventure, where we visited Grandpa, Grandma Julie, Auntie Ro and Uncle Reggie in the Tampa area. It was a short trip, but we made the most of it!

We flew out last Saturday, and Auntie Ro picked us up at the airport. When we got to Spring Hill, Grandma Julie, fresh off a trip to clown graduation, answered the door with her clown nose still painted on! Once Grandpa arrived, we headed to the park to play, where Mason herded us all aboard his bus.

Then, he took a long ride on the swing.



Back home, we played a bit in Grandma and Grandpa's pool. We started out throwing a grapefruit in (they float!) but by the end of our adventure, Mason was stripped down to his skivvies, and the rest of his clothes had to be tossed in the drier!



Later that evening, we went to a little Halloween fare where Grandma was volunteering on the Haunted Nature Trail. Grandpa watched the Mace man while we big kids took part in that, but there was plenty of fun for him. Our first stop was a pony ride.





Later, we took a haunted hay ride. Grandma picked us out in the crowded line from her post on the nature trail. She recognized Mason's hair as he sat on Dad-O's shoulders. So, she joined us and got to sit right up front with the driver. This was my favorite part of the night, even though I was the only one of us who got scared on the ride! Seriously...



Sunday, Grandma and Grandpa took us up to Crystal River and the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. This was REALLY cool. For starters, we rode a little pontoon boat on the Homosassa River from the visitor's center to the wildlife park. While on board, we saw a real live -- wild -- alligator!

Once we arrived back in the park, our first stop was to see the manatees. Mason was so excited when he spotted the first one, Amanda, coming in to feed on some carrots that had been left there.



After all of us posed as manatees...





We got an underwater look at some schools of fish. They were so thick that you couldn't see beyond them.



Our next stop was to visit Lu, the 48-year-old hippopotamus. You see, the park used to be privately run, and Lu was one of a bunch of *exotic* animals housed there. When the state of Florida took over the park, it was decreed that only animals native to the state could be housed there. After failing to find a suitable home for Lu, he was granted honorary citizenship and allowed to stay on.

Lu treated us to a little show. Turns out hippos like to eat watermelon. Our melon-loving Mason thought this was pretty cool. I liked the way Lu opened so wide to get his juicy treat tossed into his mouth.



Living right next to Lu are the Florida gators. This one swam right up to us.



We also got to see a ton of birds, some black bears and Katie, the possum before we headed home.




Monday we went to Orlando and took in Sea World -- something we had done on our last visit, when Mason was a mere 14-months-old. He loved it so much then, that we really wanted to get back!

We weren't disappointed, either.

We petted some rays...



Fed some dolphins...



Then watched them swim underwater...



Took in the dolphin show...



Saw some penguins -- I'm not sure who is more penguin crazy, Mason or Grandma Julie. We let the two of them get a head start on the Penguin Encounter, because we all knew they'd be in there for a while!



And, of course, what's a trip to Sea World without visiting Shamu!



We were in the splash zone, as you can see. But, Mason loved it, which made our soaking wet selves as happy as could be. That was truly worth the price of admission!



Later, we visited the sharks, sea lions and a few more fish. We even found time to pose for a family shot before we all headed home exhausted at closing time.



Tuesday was our last day in town, so Grandpa took us out to MacDill Air Force Base, which was a first trip on-base for both Mason and I. We got up close and personal with some retired airplanes and Grandpa took great joy in explaining each one's function to Mason, as well as how he had worked with them during his time in the service. It was pretty special to see. We also drove out the the base's private beach, which was beautiful. And, we got to see some planes that had just taken off overhead.





After meeting up with Auntie Ro, and grabbing a little lunch, it was back to the airport for us, and alas, back to reality.

Moving on up

After witnessing a little early morning acrobatics on Sunday where Mason climbed into, then out of his crib we came to the conclusion it was time to convert -- to a toddler bed.

Trips to three kiddie stores ensued as we searched high-and-low for some cool big-boy duds (bye, bye teddy bears, hello fire-engine dogs) to deck out the bed.

After much fanfare, here's what the little man looked like Monday night when we tucked him into his new-and-improved big-boy bed:



And here's what he looked like when I went in to wake him up Tuesday morning:



Mind you, all the pillows, blankets and stuffed animals I lovingly placed on the floor to break any possible fall had all be placed in the bed sometime during the night by him. Despite leaving himself very little room, he managed to sleep through the night without sustaining any bodily harm.

Finally, just for giggles, here's what he looked like mere minutes ago, when he was standing upside down -- his words, not mine -- while we were playing trains.

Back In The Real World

Mason and I had a great trip to Colorado over the past few weeks, though we missed having Dad-O along for the ride. Hopefully I'll have some time to post more later, but until then this will have to do.



For all the highlights, check out my album here.

Ready For Some Football

Sports have been the rule in the Mercier House lately (always, really) and here's some proof that our little Mason Man is ready for the start of football season:



That, my friends, is Mason's YouTube debut, and here's what it looked like today on SI.com, where Mommy's friend Mallory included it in her daily Campus Clicks.



Go Buffs! Beat the Rams. We'll be watching on TV for now...but Mommy, for one, is looking forward to the West Virginia game in a couple of weeks.

Tennis, Anyone?

A few years ago -- four to be exact -- Dad-O and Mommy stumbled upon the U.S. Open grounds on Arthur Ashe Kids Day, and had a great time just walking around the facility, despite not having a kid. So, we've had this day marked on our calendar for quite a while, as we looked forward to taking Mason out to Queens to participate in the fun.



Our first stop was the Nike SPARQ training court, where Mason was given a GIANT T-shirt (we're talking only feet visible if it wasn't tucked in!) and the chance to run through some drills.



Here's the highlight, hitting balls with a real, live tennis pro!



Later, we met up with our friends Aimee, Rob, Nick and Maddy. We mommies are already plotting to mold a doubles team out of this duo. Pretty cute, don't ya think?



This lady was Mason's biggest fan. He gave her a huge hug at the end of the drill.




This was Mommy's favorite drill to watch, and in case you're wondering why they're all shoeless, they're a little prickly about dark-colored soles on the nice Billie Jean King National Tennis Center courts!



After fighting (almost literally) for a table and the crowded food court, and refueling with some lunch we went to hunt for some big-name pros, and found none other than the two biggest.

First, we watched Rafael Nadal through the bushes. He's not one for the crowds, and was practicing on the very end practice court.

Later, we moved to the stands of an adjoining court and peered over the top of the fence.



As we were leaving, who did we see conducting interviews? None other than Rafa's chief competitor newly dethroned top player, Roger Federer.



Overall, not bad for a (free) day at the courts!

Firefighters Rule (Yet Again!)

Last Sunday morning, Mason and I were on one of our usual adventures -- as he likes to call any jaunt into the city. After all, you're never sure what you'll encounter in this great city, and this particular morning was a perfect example.

We were heading back uptown after one of our early morning treks to Trader Joes (So worth the trek, and the best time to be out 'n about!) when we saw a firetruck parked on a curb at Union Square Park.

I pushed Macey over to it, and was explaining that it was the No. 14 engine, and a hose car, as opposed the the hook 'n ladder truck that's been a (unfortunately) frequent visitor to our 'hood lately. Our bold little Mason waited patiently until he saw the firemen, and then yelled "Hello Firemen!" to them.

Besides a friendly hello, you know what else they offered? To let him sit in the truck.



Then to push the horn! He did this three times. The first time with a big, scared jump. The second time a little less of a startle, and by the third time, he was an old pro.



Alas, after about 15 minutes (seriously, they let him sit there that long and he got lots of passersby cooing about how cool he was!), he had to climb back down to reality and let the brave firemen go on their way, but he was beaming all day about his latest adventure.



He even regaled the old church lady who sat next to us on the bus with his tale. She asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up ... he answered "A garbage-truck man!" We were both expecting him to say fireman, but, you know garbage truck men do have some pretty cool rides themselves!

(Editor's note: Inspired by this, a few too many hours of Olympic coverage in our house and his swimming lessons, Mason has declared a new career goal: "I want to be a swimmer," he tells me this morning.)

Harlem Day and More

Saturday marked the highlight of Harlem Week (which is really actually a month, but who's counting?) -- at least for our family as Mason and Mommy took a stroll down to 135th Street for the Harlem Children's Festival.

There we found a pony to ride, an obstacle course to conquer and plenty of free food, gadgets, fliers, coupons and other street fair staples. Not to mention, we were able to spend some quality time with our pals Kya, Fiona and their Mommy, Sandra!



After the street fair, and a futile attempt at getting Mason to nap in his stroller, we met up with Dad-O to head to the Bronx for our friend Dionna's birthday party.

There, we met this clown:



Who later morphed into Dora:



Aside from his decidedly interesting taste in costumes, the clown could do it all. Paint faces; a pirate-boy, matey!



Mold balloon creations ...



Not to mention an array of *magic tricks.*