Transitions at Day Care & Father's Day Fun

We were all sad to see Mason's favorite teacher leave this month.  I made sure to get a picture of Mason with Ms. (now Mrs.) Whitney on her last day.  You can tell they are pretty fond of one another.  She was a wonderful first teacher for Mason.

This month marked Tony's first Father's Day.  Mason "signed" a card for daddy with his signature scribbles.

Leo and his mommy and daddy came over for a barbecue with us on Father's Day.  Look at big ol' Leo sitting up so well at 5 1/2 months old (or so)!

Ashley was telling us about how Leo holds his arms behind him, and it looks like he's doing just that in this picture.  Maybe he holds his arms back to act as a counterbalance for his big, cute cheekies!

Look at those baby blues!

Leo was getting a kick out of me bouncing back and forth with the music [that Mason was dancing to...you just can't photograph dancing effectively; MUST use video camera more often] and making some crazy noise in his face.  It was adorable.  He's got such a sweet, happy personality.

Leo loves watching Mason, but I don't think he knows what to think of our little wild man.  Mason is a very loud, boisterous "talker."  On several instances on Father's Day, Mason talked/yelled in Leo's face, and the poor little guy got the saddest face and let out the most pitiful cry each time.

Tony with the boys...it looks like they're up in smoke, but I think the lens on my camera was fogged over after coming out of the air conditioning.

Proud papas goofing off with the nephews.

Time for bed!

Messy Time

We took Mason to "Messy Time" at the library the other night.  He seemed to enjoy it!

Playing in the oats...I made sure we avoided the adjacent tub of Cheerios because I knew those would go straight to the mouth.  Given the communal nature of these tubs of "edibles," I wasn't too excited for any of it to end up in Mason's mouth.

Bubbles (and the flash turned off on the camera; a storm did not suddenly move in, in case you were wondering)...

Ice...a favorite, I think.

Oh, yes.  Definitely a favorite for the teething baby!

And chalk.  Although Mason didn't actually do any sidewalk art, he did enjoy throwing the chalk out of its container!

It was a fun half hour, or so.

Fun Around the Palmer House

The month of May was a busy one--lots of unpacking, cleaning, yard work, etc.  And plenty left to do, of course!  Memorial Day weekend, my family came for a quick visit.  All six of us "kids" were at my house at some point...can't remember if we were all at the house at one time though.

Mason enjoyed some fun with his cousin Leo.  Both boys appear to be doing some teething (or they just like chewing on their hands).

Ah, cousins holding hands.  Getting along nicely!

And even sharing!  Hope this always goes so well...

Mason and Grandpa visiting on the deck.

I made chili over the weekend and decided to let Mason try it (after soaking it in water to remove some salt and spice).  He loved it, but I'm not sure his teacher did when she had to change an armload of diapers the next day...oops!

One of Mason's new favorite things to do is pushing the chairs all over the kitchen/dining room area.

He is walking quite a bit and regularly takes several steps unassisted.  But when he has the support of a chair (or other push-able object), he's a little man on the move!