It's all about the treats

Tonight we decided to have a family dinner early and then take the kids to the park and maybe for a treat. We had a good two hours just to relax and have fun. We so rarely do this, so it was a perfect opportunity.

We spent a good hour playing at the playground and enjoying each other's company. Ellie even made some rock chalk drawings with me again - her request. Max is learning to climb like a monkey. There's nothing he's afraid to try out. David indulges Ellie in games of chase and make believe (such as this evening when Ellie was the make believe witch.)

After playing at the park, we also took a good half hour walk around the park. I showed the kids the little fuzzy tails that grow on the end of tall grass. Ellie was quite interested. I think that was probably because I rarely pick up nature, more less encourage her to do so, and she just loves it.

After the walk, we promised some ice cream. We took them to Jimmy Cone and everyone got their own treat - even little Max. The boy may have eaten about 100 - 125 calories worth of dinner and claimed he was full, but boy did he want to polish off his own ice cream cone. I tried helping at first. He kept saying, "I do it. I do it." So finally I gave up and gave it to him. He would do it a while and then hand this soggy, drippy, mess of a cone back to me for help to clean it up and allow him to inhale more of it. We had a good little process going. He'd stick out his tongue and I'd wrap the cone around it trying to catch the drips on a perfect summer evening. It was cute. Even the little girls beside us, 4 and 5, commented on the messy state of Max. But he was happy. So happy, that when he was done and got down from the picnic table, he turned around, squatted down and growled with excitement. David said he looked like the sugar devil, or something like that. It was funny and a bit scary all the same. That boy really doesn't eat enough to be allowed such treats, but I do like to indulge in the treats and love to share it with the people I love, especially my children!

Ellie too enjoyed her treat. She's learning to handle ice cream cones a bit better these days. She also enjoyed some conversation with the girls beside us. I can just see her now in a year when she's going into kindergarten. She's going to have so many stories to tell me.

We came home and finally got the kids in be around 9pm. But before I laid Max down, I realized he'd thrown up a little bit. That was just too much a treat. Nearly 40 minutes later and he's still laying up there jabbering to himself. That sugar and caffeine combo is so new to his pristine little body.

What a great family summer evening!

My greatest fan and cheerleader

I am not sure if there's been a bigger fan or cheerleader of mine in my life then my little Ellie Grey. That girl loves me so much and will defend me and my behaviors to the hill and back! It's not that I need all that much defending. I usually see this when David's trying to tease me about something, or even tell Ellie that I did something she doesn't approve of instead of him. Her response is always to show me love, usually to run over and kiss me and hug me. That little girl shows me so much love, it's unreal. They say the Mom is supposed to give the unconditional love, but I think I'm not near as good at showing that to my daughter as my own daughter is to me. I am blessed by her love and belief in me. I hope that I can always give her the same as she grows!

He's got me wrapped

Last night Max was sitting at the table and I wanted him to eat his vegetables. He didn't want to. He wanted to be done. I was sitting beside him. He reaches over to my arm and gently rubs it back and forth and quietly says, "Mommy." Then he smiles, looks at my and puts his little arms out and says, "Hold ya?"

So sweet! What did I do? Well, of course, I held him. Even if I shouldn't have. I sat him on my lap and encouraged him to eat the vegies. This was a bit of a disappointment to him. But, eventually he ate them.

That little boy knows how to get his Mommy's attention. I love him so much!

Max loves babies

Ever since little Benjamin started at Ms. Sarah's, Max has shown a keen interest in little babies (and small animals). He's so extremely gentle.

Each morning when we arrive at Sarah's, priority one for Max after he gets his shoes off is to give Ben a little kiss on his nose or head. They both smile and laugh while he does this too. It's so sweet.

He also feels this way about other babies. There's a little girl at church who's now 16 weeks old and Max just loves seeing her. Today when her mom had her down on the floor in circle time, Max could not help but wiggle himself right over to her and be just in front of her. He wasn't happy until his face was on the floor looking up at her where she was making eye contact with him.

I love that he is so sweet and gentle with little things!

Big Girl

Today before nap Ellie asked me if she could keep her underwear on like a big girl. Although I'm skeptical, I said , "Sure Ellie. You will keep then dry, right? " She said yes. Verdict's still out. We will see what happens!

Ba Ba

My little Max continues to need Ba Ba Blacksheep anytime he's upset. His favorite thing is when he needs a little comfort is to put his head on my shoulder and her his song. David captured this for me. I love the way he snuggles into me for this. Thanks.

Off to Grammas for the night

Ellie was invited to spend the night with Gramma tonight. She was really excited. As soon as she got home from Ms. Sarah's she went up stairs to pack her stuff, despite the fact that she was told dinner was on the table and it was time to eat. After much convincing she did join us for dinner. I told her I would go up with her after dinner to pack.

She was able to mostly focus on dinner and eat enough to be able to enjoy whatever treats Gramma has planned. Gramma arrived to pick her up just as she was finishing up.

We all went up stairs together to finish packing. Turn out, Ellie really did have it all under control. The only thing she hadn't packed was her hairbrush. She already had cloths, pajamas, friends, toothbrush and toothpaste. She was very organized! She was also very full of energy.

We headed back downstairs, Ellie wearing her Tinkerbell backpack and convinced she didn't need any help carrying it - even though it's bigger then her back. Although we hung out at home for another 5 minutes or so playing, she didn't take the backpack off.

Gramma said it was time to go. After maybe 20 kisses and 10 hugs, Ellie paraded out the door with Gramma. I haven't heard from her since. I'm sure they are having a blast. Ellie was looking forward to watching Cinderella with Gramma!

Through my children's eyes

There's a great song by Martina McBride, In my Dughter's Eyes, which has always caught my ears. I really heard the words at a friends bridal shower when her mom made a video for her of her growing up. At that moment I thought about life ahead of me, becoming a mom. I have always looked forward to it. But this song talks about how you enjoy life through the eyes of someone else you love.  I don't think I ever fully understood it until I actually choose to watch my children see something special - usually something they are seeing for the first time. I've had this thought a few times since having kids, like watching Ellie see fireworks that first year in Frederick, or seeing Ellie catch a firefly for the first time in the season.

Tonight we were walking through the mall and saw this funny new gadget flying through the air. We took the kids over to see it. I was holding Max and watching the thing flying through the air. I turned to see what Max thought. His eyes were glued to it as he focused on the object. He had a slight smile on his little cheeks and his eyes were lifted up towards the sky. He was really intrigued. He knew it wasn't a bird and it didn't make sense how it was doing what it was doing. The amazement of this new little thing to Max's mind was fun to watch. Although the gadget was cool to see, I prefered watching Max's face as he enjoyed the gadget. That was a far better view and much more fulfilling for me as a Mommy!

My kids are the best!

The best haircut so far

Max's hair cuts have been traumatic since the very first one. They are also expensive. I decided to try doing it myself and ordered some simple clippers from Amazon. After dinner tonight, we went out on the deck and skeptically (on both our parts) gave it a try.

Max wasn't crying, but wasn't exactly thrilled either. However, he did sit through all the buzzing of the top of his head and sides with the longer blades. I gave him a pretty good buzz cut while he sat on David's lap. Then I tried to trim up around his ears. Apparently David didn't think this was necessary, so neither did Max. This is where we had a little drama and so Daddy up and left me and Max to finish it out. I sat him on my lap and we finished it up.

Overall he gave me about 10 minutes of sitting and I think it turned out pretty good. I suspect next time he'll let me do it myself. We talked about it afterwards. He agreed that Mommy doing it wasn't as hard as going to the shop to have it done. His only complaint was apparently I got a bit too close on one of the ears. That's the part I guess I'll just need to practice on David for - ha ha.

Special Time with Ellie

I need to make more time to talk with Ellie and do things she likes. When Ellie and I get time alone, I see how cute she is and how innocent she is. Sometimes I forget that she's only four. Sometimes I expect her to be as grown up and logical as me. I know this is unfair. She deserves better.

Tonight she accompanied me to the dry cleaning, with the promise of Yo Bubble. I enjoyed sitting beside her and enjoying our treat together. I liked seeing how excited she was to hold my little Nemo credit card. I like talking about our favorite treats and just being with her. She's so sweet! I'm so lucky to be her mom!

Ellie is growing into such a grown lady. When I was making dinner I turned around to see her reading by the window on the bench seat. (And Max was playing nearby.) It was perfect.

Max's first NIH study

Today I have taken my first step in supporting NIH studies - Max is enrolled in a study for watching his forsightedness. I always thought it would be me, or an older member of my family.

At Max's two year old visit, Dr. Clarence suggested that he go to a eye specialist. Today I took Max for a nearly 3 hour visit to the doctors. He was a trooper. There was a lot of waiting, asking questions he couldn't answer becuase they were not age appropriate at first, and poking and prodding of his little eyes.  At the end of the visit, the doctor explained that there is mixed protocol for Max's condition and that he'd like to let the computer decide the treatment protocol.

Initially I wasn't sure what treatment I wanted, so I went along with this idea. At the moment when he was being randomized I decided I wanted him to get glasses. (I think this was largely becuase the doctor put some lenses on me to allow me to see how Max sees and I decided I wanted him to have only the best.). Unfortunately, for my decision, Max was randomized into the no-glasses group. For now, we watch for cross eyed looks and otherwise, let him go about his normal life. This is easier of course, but I want him to see clearly so he enjoys the things he's attracted to - such as playing ball and reading books!

We'll see how this all goes.

Season of No

I read recently that all these painful phases that children go through should be seen as seasons. And that all mothers should remember that seasons pass, although some faster then others. Well, I don't remember the Season of No with Ellie. She liked all the words she knew and the new ones she was trying to learn too much to focus on one such word. But, I can not say the same of my little Maximillian. It is officially the season of No.

At first, only I noticed it. Max tries everything with Mommy first. Eventually he moved on to sharing this new found defiance with Daddy too. Finally, today he's shared with Ms. Sarah too!

Max says No even to things he generally likes. For example, tonight at the park we stopped for a picnic and were ready to have our picnic. Max wanted to play at the park first, so when we all sat down, he stood by a tree about 10 feet from us saying No for about half of our picnic. This went on for a good ten minutes while the 3 of us sat on the blanket enjoying dinner. Finally, Max came to us when he realized he wasn't going to play or get any chocolate covered raisans if he didn't walk over, so he ran over and plopped down on the blanket with a bang. Then he was proud of himself and started smiling. It was nearly a relief to him to be done with the standoff. I just do not understand what's going on in his head. We, the parents, just have to wait it out. It can be quite hard.

I will really need my patience for this season!

Close your eyes

The past week I've noticed a new trick of Max's when I put him to sleep. After we do his prayers, songs, tuck into bed, get his blankies all sorted just perfectly around him and finally cover him just right with the blanket, I tell him "Sweet dreams Max. Close your eyes and go to sleep now."

He proceeds to smile at me and the place his little hands curled up over top of his eyes. He lays there like that as I leave.

How cute! Max is getting so big for his crib. He's still just a little baby who loves to snuggle Mommy, but his body is growing so big so fast!

Sick little boy

Max has had a rough go of it the past few days. He had a wierd infection in his leg on Thursday which caused a fever and limping for a day. After a morning of tests, we got some antibiotics and he started to heal. He was just getting over that thanks to the medicine , and he ended with a fever from some type of flu the kids with daycare have too.

With this fever, all he wants is for me to hold him and sing to him. He's so warm and cudly. He was feeling so rotten at dinner that he laid in his reclined highchair holding his blankey bears waiting for me to bring him juice. He's such a sweat little boy. I hope that he gets well soon. I am thankful for being his mother and getting to take care of him when he's sick. I think he'll end up snuggling me in bed tonight; his little hot body pushing me out of the bed. But it makes him feel better!

Love my little Maxers!

The Park

My favorite escape with the kids these days in the park. They are both very independent at the park this summer. They love to climb and swing. I usually also have a little fun playing with them and taking some photos. As long as it's not too hot, it's just so relaxing to be outside and not see the things in the house left undone as well.

Max is still very much into climbing anything he can. Ellie has mastered solid surfaces and is on to trying to conquer the bars with some gymnastics thanks to other girls she's watched. I love this photo of her on the monkey bars. Since she hasn't mastered crossing them, she's quite proud she can get her feet up and in them.

Recently it's been quite hot, so sometimes we stop for a juice. I love Max in this little green hat we have for this summer!

Diggers

Over the past couple months Max's love of diggers of any sort has become very apparent. One day a couple week's ago there was some work being done in Sarah's neighborhood. Evidently all the kids watched this man and machine work for a while, and then the operator got out and started talking to the kids. Max was so excited to be this close and have this experience. He learned this particular sort of digger is called a Track Hoe.

Date time

I've introduced the concepts of dates to the kids recently. We've been trying to make a point of spending 1 on 1 time together and calling this dates. Ellie has really taken to this concept. So far, her and I have had a couple dates, Daddy and Max have had a couple dates, and Daddy and Mommy have had a few dates. But, Daddy and Ellie still need a date.

Tonight Ellie helped me go grocery shopping and we had fun together. When we got home and I was giving her her bath, Max came in. He was excited to see us both after we returned. He ran over and gave Ellie and hug. She hugged him back. She said to me, "Max and I need a date Mommy." I laughed to myself a bit and asked, "What will you do on your date?" Ellie responds, "We'll go to the play ground and play together."  Then she follows up with explaining how they will wait until they are a bit older before going out by themselves for their date.

How cute! The innocence and watching the connecting of concepts is so fun! Ellie loves her brother very much and loves spending time with him. As they are learning to play together they are really learning to appreciate one another. I hope that they are able to keep this up. I regret I didn't enjoy my siblings and get along with them as well as most. Siblings can be best friends and I wish this for them!

PS. I just realized I need to work harder at getting pictures of them together. Max just moves so fast!

Happy July 4th

It was a great July 4th! We had a nice family get together at David's to celebrate Ryan's third birthday. It was quite a hot and sticky day, but everyone had fun. There were water guns and hess trucks and lots of craziness. We then even ended up going into Ski Liberty and watching fireworks with all the kids. They had so much fun screaming and enjoying the view from the back of the truck. Ellie was actually really excited and laughing and screaming during most of the display. She was so excited to see fireworks! Max was good and didn't scream at the noise. They were all tired, but in good spirits. It really was a nice day.