Max got a new haircut

Periodically we have to cut his crazy, wavy hair into submission. This time max chose his own style

Sunday afternoon

Sometimes we just have to get out of the house. Today was one of those days. We had already gone to the zoo in the morning so we didn't feel like a BIG outing, but needed to keep the kids (and ourselves) from going crazy.

This fountain at the local strip mall fit the bill perfectly (and it's free fun!)

Max's Spring Show

It cracked me up to see this posted on his classroom door

On Friday, Max and his pre-school class performed a spring show, compiling dances from around the world.  Some other big hits were the Irish dancing, cowboy boogie, and of course gangnam style.  Max represented Latin style with the Macarena followed by a soulful rendition of "around the world."

Keep your eyes out for rogue nose pickers ;-)

Now that we have a funny and successful spring show under our belts, Max is on spring break this week.  He spent some fun quality time with Papa today going on 'ventures, and the rest of the week will be fun with grandma, Mama and Papa who are all alternating days.  Should be fun!

More Birthday ....

As you've seen from the recent posts, we've been celebrating Hana's and Max's birthdays for what seems like months.  Its been lots of fun, but next year we'll be a bit more strategic in consolidating the celebrations.

Max's School Party

On Max's actual birthday Leif and I went to his school to have a party with his friends.

We brought pizza, fruit, milk and of course cupcakes.  It was really fun being part of their classroom for an hour and seeing the kids interacting with each other and with the teacher.  A highlight was when the "circle time" was all about Max.

Joint birthday party with Ethan, for their friends

The final Max birthday event was a joint party with his friend Ethan. These boys were in daycare together from the time they were 3 months old.  They are two peas in a pod and even though they aren't at the same school now, they love to meet up for play dates.  They are about 1 week apart in age, and their temperaments seem perfectly suited for each other.

The boys greeting each other as the party started

The theme was dinosaurs, the activity was gymnastics!  We expected it to be a bit of a free-for-all where the kids could romp out their energy before sitting down for pizza and cake.   Turns out this is a hard-core gym and they were pretty no-nonsense and had the kids working through each exercise in rotations.  They had a good time, but I think it may have been a better venue for slightly older kids. 

Parents watching from the viewing area/ party room

Even baby Hana got into the action

Nana, Grandpa Dennis and his daughter Jessica are in town this week and they were a big help at the party. They were live savers in setting up and then Nana was the unofficial Hana watcher.

Funnily, this is the only picture I got of Dennis.  Reminds me of Mr. Wilson from  Home Improvement.

Max's favorite friend from school, Laura

I'd say it was a very successful party, if not a bit crazy at times!

Afterwards, the Leotauds came back to our house to help Max open his presents.

Nice impromptu family pic, love when we can get us all in the same photo

Hana & Silas hanging out

And with that...the birthday events are over for another year.

Disneyland!

Last monday, we packed up the kids nice and early and drove to Disneyland to celebrate Max's third birthday.  It was Auntie Jessy's brilliant idea, and the timing was perfect for the kids' very first trip to "Mickey's House."

Disneyland charges admission for kids 3 years and older, so strategically went the day before Max's actual birthday (that's $85 dollars in our pockets).

We had a pretty peaceful drive up as you can read about here, and we had oodles of fun throughout the day.  We met up with Auntie Emily, Auntie Jessy, Julian, Grandma & grandpa who had all had a big slumber party at the grandparent's house the night before (which is an easy  5 minutes from Disneyland).

We started the day in fantasy land, where kids of all ages can enjoy the rides.  We found out quickly that the Pinocchio line was non-existent because the ride is frighteningly nostalgic.  The babies were terrified, and tell you the truth, I was pretty unsettled too. I had forgotten how Disneyland embraces its history and keeps the older rides exactly as they were decades ago, when cartoons were a bit scarier  However rides like Dumbo were a success.  Max and grandma loved it, Hana was unsure, and Em had to fight to keep her breakfast down. 

After our initial focus on the kiddy rides, we took turns  with the littles and let the others tackle some of the adult rides in shifts.  Through the day most of us managed to ride splash mountain, the Matterhorn and space mountain.  It was great having the grandparents there, and I think they really enjoyed the special time with their grandkids. 

As any parent will tell you, a good nap can make or break an otherwise fun day.  We were a little nervous that the kids might derail in the afternoon, but the ALL took great naps.

Julian catching his snoozes.

After a semi-quiet time in the afternoon we hit small world, a classic and for good reason.  Hana and Julian adored this ride, which was one of the few without loud noises and flashing lights...perfect for babies.

The only shadow on the day was that in the evening Max got sick.  He was starting to get pretty quiet and withdrawn and at 5pm he asked to go home (very unexpected from this go-getter).  On our way out of the park he threw up twice and was pretty lethargic on the way home.  We figure it was a quick acting stomach bug since mama woke up sick in the middle of the night too.  Everyone rebounded quickly so it was a minor blip on an otherwise SUPER FUN day. 

Max was a great age for enjoying Disneyland and it was a day that we will all remember.

Its SPRING!

One morning this week I woke up and SPRING was here.  Welcome!

the plum tree outside our kitchen window is glowing this week

around the yard

when she starts blooming I know that spring is HERE!

When the weather is beautiful, we like to go to the park.  It gives us a chance to burn kid-energy and to play together as a family.  Hope you are enjoying this spring day what ever your weather!

Happy Third Birthday Max!

We love you so much and love that you have grown from a toddler to a little boy.  We are so proud of your kind, silly, lovable personality.  This has been a huge year for you:  your vocabulary has jumped from single words to complex sentences and stories (often staring monsters).

His super hero cape is a current favorite, he even wears it to bed

You love playing with friends, and will often pray for everyone you know before bedtime, starting with the grandparents and going through EVERYONE even including Maggy who you met in the park last weekend.

 You really enjoy playing dressup.  You wear props like hats, scarfs and capes show up every day.  The creative story-telling part of you is developing so richly.  Don't get me started on swords.  Max can and does turn anything into a sword including sticks, paper towel rolls, and scrap wood from the garage.

Opening presents

For his first birthday we got Max his first "big boy bike."   Papa guided us to the local bike store where Max got to try out the difference between steel framed and aluminum framed bikes. Max decided "I want the blue one."  He's done really well picking up the logistics of the big bike, though pedaling took a few hours to figure out.

Max shares his cake with Hana, who was sick on her birthday

Max, you are such a special boy.  Mama and Papa and Hana are so proud of you and love you to pieces!