The Big Four

Mason's fourth birthday has come and gone. Hard to believe he's already that old -- and believe me, four sounds SO much older to me than three!

We had quite the week of birthday celebrations, beginning with a chocolate explosion at preschool. Mason shares a birthday with Alexandra, one of his classmates, so her mother and I teamed up to bring chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting (me) and chocolate Klondike Bars with chocolate coating -- which we fed to the kids at afternoon snack and then sent them on their merry, sugar-filled way home. Sorry other mommies and daddies!

There was an impromptu dance party preceding the snack (see!) so maybe that helped?!?




After school, Dad-O and I whisked Mason away to Radio City for our second-annual birthday viewing of the Christmas Spectacular. Mason was well-prepared before the show started with his 3D glasses. After fulfilling his request for an "Old" McDonald's birthday dinner before returning home to open a pile of presents!







The birthday fun continued on Saturday with his ballpark-themed party. We had lots of fun with all his friends and their families. There was a bunk-bed to climb on, many toys to play with and a pinata to bash ... all before devouring a Dallas Cowboys cake and ice cream.

Monkeying Around

I was lucky enough to accompany Mason on his first field trip -- ferrying 20 preschoolers to the Bronx Zoo.

The morning started off with a first ride on the school bus. We literally stopped traffic on Madison Avenue trying to get all 20 kids onto the bus. First, it was just the parents blocking off the lane, but then some passing police officers offered an assist.

After our very bumpy (Mason and I were in the WAAAAAAAY back ... I seem to remember that's where all the cool kids sat in my bus-riding days) ride, we arrived. We didn't see the usual array of animals that Mason is used to seeing when he goes with Mommy and Dad-O, but we had a great time. I have a new appreciation for lisa, his teacher, and her assistants. It's no small feat to keep track of that many kiddos!





The highlight of the day -- for me, at least -- came after lunch, when the kids decided to show-off their "Grizzly Bear" song. We had just seen the grizzly bear sleeping in his cave, so the song was perfect.

Community Meeting

Every Wednesday morning, Mason's school has a community meeting where each class is expected to participate by sharing something with the group. I have yet to attend one -- as Rob is the usual dropper-offer, but here are some scenes from yesterday's meeting courtesy of another mother and the Pre-K teacher, lisa. They sang "We Went to the Animal Fair." Mason is on the left side in the front.







And the video:

Welcome to the real world

Today was a big day for Mason -- and all of us really -- as he had his first day of preschool! He's attending Central Park East II on the Upper East Side, where we're oh-so-glad to have landed a spot. Turns out even public Pre-K spots (at good schools!) are difficult to come by in this city!

So, bright and early we headed off this morning -- the whole family -- to his first day. Mason was rockin' his new New York Yankees' backpack, which is almost as big as he is. He got a little lift from Dad-O on the way there.



Piper rocked her apple shirt/skirt combo, if only because it seemed fitting for a first-day-of-school sort of thing!


When we arrived at the school, we found Mason's class lined up in the big school yard and waited (nervously, for Mommy) for the big moment when we'd head inside to the classroom. We also managed to squeeze in a family picture.



We headed upstairs to his classroom and helped him find his name on his cubby and unload his backpack, then it was time to say goodbye. Mason handled it the best of all of us, I think. He looked at me and said "See ya later, Mom!" I practically had to beg for a hug and a kiss ... then leave before I started tearing up! Rob gave him one big squeeze and then we reluctantly headed out and hit up the new-parent breakfast down the hall.

Three hours later, Piper and I were back to pick him up and take him out for a special lunch at McDonald's. The first thing he said to me was "I loved school, Mommy! Thanks for telling me about it!"

Oh, kid, if you only knew. I'll have to remind him of that in a few years and often after that, to be sure!