Easy as ABC

The spotlight turned onto Max yesterday as I was finally able to catch one of his songs on video. I present to you this fabulous rendition of The Alphabet Song by MaXman. He chose it, not me :-)

the Easter company

This Easter we had family visiting. Uncle Hayden and Aunt Salmon (Samantha) came for an extended weekend. Upon their arrival Friday afternoon, we took them to a community egg hunt (40,000 eggs just laying in the field) which gave them the opportunity to hear and see Max's obsession with them.  As Max puts it ... "eggs are filled with all kinds of stuff like candy, toys, and stickers!"  On Saturday, we had a blast riding the train, going to the zoo, and eating bbq at Pecan Lodge. Sunday was spent eating a ham dinner and sticking around the house since it was a rainy spring day. During the rain break in the evening, Aunt Salmon and Uncle Hayden went out back and hid some eggs for Maximus which was to his delight.

Max & Camille on Good Friday.  Camille is wearing the same gown that I was baptized in 30 years prior.

Max got his cookie monster play-doh kit that he has been wanting for months.  

Camille's favorite item ... her food pouches.  The Easter Bunny knows her well.

Maximus the Wordsmith

Max has reached a whole new world in his vocabulary. We've always been amazed at how he (and probably kids in general) just say phrases for the first time, like all the time. My favorite part about that is not only the new words he's learning, but how he uses them. What's more amusing is how he actually says them. Below are two of my favorites in his wheelhouse right now. Now if we can only get him to stop saying "booty"...

Love The Zoo

Featuring your tour guide, Maximus

 We got a membership to the Dallas Zoo from MiMi and PaPa (Tyler's parents) for Christmas and decided to put it to good use. The family sans me has already gone this year since I've been working out of town, but it was perfect weather so we couldn't resist. Here are some highlights, including how much Max has grown since his first visit.

Various species of monkeys were a highlight, as were the elephants. Mille seemed most interested with the penguins. She was eye level with those little guys. It was the perfect Valentine's Day trip. We are definitely looking forward to many more visits this year.

May 2013 - 2.75 years old

February 2015 - 3.5 yrs old

Playdate Fun!

Maximus had a play date with his friend Maddy last weekend. It was rainy so the kiddos had to stay inside. Maddy was the perfect hostess from picking out the snacks of chocolate covered strawberries and mini chocolate cupcakes to selecting a gender neutral "arts and crafties" project (apparently she wanted to make jewelry initially).

As with all play dates, Max was super excited to play with someone else's toys. He took a particular liking to Maddy's Barbie RV. I have to admit it was super cool. Max just wanted to arrange it and set it all up when Maddy wanted to actually play Barbie.

Classic toddler hide and seek location

Camille was in heaven too as she was surrounded by girl toys which is something we are lacking at our house. 

Christmas Time with Willie the Elf

Willie the Elf joined our family this Christmas to make sure Maximus and Camille were good little children.

It was pretty impressive to see how fast Max could find Willie each morning. Max requested that Willie go to visit Santa with him so that he could tell Santa how good he had been, I emphasized (again) that Willie goes each night to tell Santa but Max didn't believe me so he wanted to be there when Willie told Santa.  Thats our kid making sure that the "truth" is being told to the big man in the North Pole. It was also a little sad when he wanted Willie to see how many toys he got this year for being good ... "I show Willie" ... and I had to explain that Willie had already gone to the North Pole to be with Santa.  As much as I was excited and dreaded the Elf on the Shelf, it wasn't as hard as I thought to entertain a 3yr old and due to Max being so good at finding him I didn't lose too many minutes off my morning routine.  I look forward to Willie returning next year.  See you soon Willie as I am aware how fast a year can fly by.  Here is a tribute to our little Elf ...

    

Amateur Hour

We gave Max a camera today, which was Courtney's first digital camera from college. We were extremely impressed with his photography skills, we thought we should share. These pics below are 100% from Max. Straight from the eyes of a 2 year old boy. He took pictures of his favorite things; some of which I never even thought of to take a picture of (Thomas the Tank Engine on his iPad). He was very excited and, remarkably, very good. His framing was textbook perfect, but he just couldn't quite keep his finger off the lens because the camera was so heavy that he needed both of his little hands just to hold it. He knew exactly how to work it, both physically and metaphorically. We would say "Cheese!" and FLASH! Check these out below.

His first shot

His second shot

His favorite subject

That finger just kept creeping in

See? His favorite subject

"A" for effort

Our neighbor and his best friend, Harrison

We'll blame this one on the camera

Our neighbor's dog, Kita, checking out all the commotion next door

Forrest's dog, George, was also a favorite subject

A little out of focus, but c'mon, he's 2!

The photographer may change, but Forrest's patented pose never does

I mean, he's a natural (Harrison and Max)

Perfect framing

He loves his mommy (and Lucy)

Max hunted Lucy down for this beauty

He knows what he loves

There were about a dozen more like this

You think he loves his Lucy?

What else is his favorite thing? Well Thomas the Tank Engine of course

He's 2!

I promise, this was Max. This might be one of he best photos of us together.

Loo-shee