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. 

Wienermobile

Errands with mommy aren't too bad when you get to see the Oscar Mayer  Wienermobile up close and personal. We stopped by the grocer (2nd grocer of the day, to be exact) and there it was at the entrance. We didn't even make it all the way into the parking lot when Max began to squeal in excitement. I know he had zero clue what it was but he knew it looked like fun. My friend Kate reminded me that I've seen the Wienermobile a few times in my life, let's call that luck or maybe it just stalks me.

Max became a bit disappointed when he realized it was just a bonafide trophy vehicle for picture taking thus his face of excitement below. He perked up though when he got the infamous whistle. 

With the TX heat on him, he was a hot dog/boy

They also gave us a sticker which I very lightly placed on his back without him knowing. It was great to see him surprised by people asking if he saw the Wienermobile. He was definitely a bit confused and gave the whole "how did you know" look when people asked. And his look could have easily been "are you referring to that weird car I couldn't touch at the grocery store?" 

Sneaky Mommy

Potty Time, Excellent!

Max is officially out of diapers! We started down the ONLY undies path on Memorial Day.  Max wasn't ready (by book standards) but I think the kid would have never been ready if it were up to him. Once we started the 3 day program, I was ready to give up at hour 3. Max should be thankful his more patient father was home. I know I was thankful. 

First day back at school following 3 day program - NO ACCIDENTS

Most of you are aware we started potty training, as you may have been on the "I went potty" bragging call list. We also went all out with toys, stickers, fun undies, candy, and special trips for ice cream. Whatever did the job! Lucky for us the only thing he expects is a sticker for his chart and all the initial incentives are a thing of the past. And occasionally I still reward him for a full day of no accidents at school because this mom wants to celebrate too! 

Big toy = Poo Poo in Potty

Potty training is expensive (even excluding rewards) with all the undies, Clorox wipes for flying boy pee, potty seats that he used for an extremely short period of time, matress covers / extra sheets, plastic shoes (ie ugly crocks) for school, and a host of other products that make our life easier but aren't necessary (flushable wipes, potty covers for public bathrooms, car seat waterproof pad.) I am also thankful for my cloth diaper knowledge during this process. Our house always has Rocking Green detergent on hand which is our saving grace for pee/poo soaked clothes. 

Showing off his sticker collection - so proud!

We have had some frustrations along the way. For instance, what ruins nap time better than a bout of IBS from CiCi's pizza?! That would be 7 trips to the potty which is not exaggerated since I have the stickers to prove it. I couldn't be upset because he was recognizing he had to go. Although we missed a nap, I at least wasn't having to soak undies and hose him down because we were going IN THE POTTY!  We still have our occasional accidents but they are few between and he seems to be doing better at school than at home. It's pretty rewarding as a parent to hear teachers commend you on your training skills. Now to get Cami potty trained ...

An ordinary night

Sometimes it's the simple things like pizza and ice cream for dinner that make your toddler behave. Easiest night in a long time. Dinner, bath, and bed went smooth. 

Here is Max showing off his ice cream to me. It's the same mug (got to love that 80s yellow) that I ate ice cream in as a child. 

Maximus and Mommy

I cherish my one-on-one time with my little man. We have a good time running errands and making fun stops along the way. 

Daddy and Maximus

We had a fun filled Labor Day weekend. We started the holiday off right by eating a chocolate chip cookie in the car. Max spotted it and I didn't fight him for once.  He was so darn happy and cute eating it that the mess was worth it. 

On Sunday, Max and Daddy enjoyed a morning shower together which later resulted in my little baby looking like a boy. Max kept showing me that he looked like Daddy or maybe he was just trying to point out that Dad put his towel on wrong. Either way, they look pretty darn cute ...

I swear I was around this weekend but was never captured on camera. But sometimes a mom just needs to get pictures of her boy learning to be a man from the best man I know. Here they are distracted at our lunch spot. What is it with boys and video games?!

We closed our Labor Day with a great meal on the water of Lake Lavon in Wylie.  Max was trying to feed the fishes all of our dinner so Tyler was trying to be the distractor. He did a good job of it. 

Trip back to the motherland (Alabama)

I know this post is coming almost a month late but here are a few photos from our trip back to Alabama. It was a full 5 days of family, family, and more family.

We started our trip off right by going to our favorite breakfast spot in Dallas on our way to the airport. Max was happy to have Daddy joining us because the last few times to Benedict's it has been just been mommy.

Then we got on a plane and made a scene when we efficiently got Max from point A to point B. A stewardess even took his picture saying it was a first. 

We went swimming ...

And hung out with cousins ...

Showed off our love of bowling (especially the hand dryer). 

Went to the pier and got up close and personally with some fish. 

The trip was jam packed and there are so many videos that these photos just don't do it justice. 

Potty Doodle all Day

Yesterday, I had big news awaiting me at daycare ... Max went to the potty. 

Both teachers said to put him on the potty if he was dry every 2 hours like they will at school. So this morning, even though he had a wet diaper, I put him in the potty and it happened fast and naturally ... He went to the potty again! So fast that when he pointed to the toilet paper I made a quick remark "that we have to potty first" and then realized he had in fact. He and I were very proud. 

Gifts and a little more

Our house has been a little chaotic recently. Tyler came home a couple weeks ago unexpectedly which was a nice surprise especially since he was home for Father's Day. And when Daddy comes home it is all play. Our daily rhythm / schedule was thrown out the window. Max and I are still trying to adjust. It's also hard to have him here for more than just a weekend and then have him leave. Still not used to it. 

Since I've failed to post any pics or stories recently, I thought it was finally time to blog. For Mother's Day I received a one of a kind masterpiece, a necklace of my favorite Max artwork. It still makes me smile every time I see it. So glad I have the necklace which might outlive the cheap construction paper the real chicken is on. 

For Father's Day I had been a little sneaky. Tyler had dropped off his bike to get repaired and I went to pick it up for him (without him knowing) and purchased a cart for Max. Our neighborhood pool and playgrounds are a short 1/3 mile however Tyler said the trek is just too far for walking. ;) So I fixed it.

 

Max has been kicking up his vocabulary skills a notch and everyday there are multiple new words. It's about time! The kid still won't speak in front of strangers but Mr.Chatty can't hold it back when riding in the car with just mommy. I treasure those moments and wish I could bottle up his voice forever. There is something about his voice that warms my heart. I can't get videos of Max talking because he puts up the wall. I've got to have Tyler rig up the car with mics so we can capture it. You would hear "looook" which is super drawn out and makes me smile every time I hear his twang. I ask him questions about his day where he proceeds to say "yeah" and "NO". For how long he draws out "look" you would be shocked how quick he can yell out "no". He has his "I did it" and "all done" mastered. We have been working on our manners where Max says "peas" (in place of please).  Thank you is still foreign. But one day he will do it just like this morning where I set him down from his changing table and ran off screaming "school!" That was our new word of the day. Can't wait to see what he says tomorrow ...

He is still my baby

There are times when my little man still reminds me that he is my baby and not fully a toddler. During mom's run this week, we made a pit stop at the playground. He is in a phase that he carries around a stuffed animal but luckily not any particular one. So we took lamby on our jog. 

Indoor playtime

I've been wanting to enroll Max into Gymboree for a long time and today I finally made the commitment when he was running through our house screaming. I called Tyler telling him that I was already exhausted at 8:30. He then reminded me about Gymboree.

Don't you love when kids get into a play area that you paid for only to get them to do this ...

He started off shy

I finally got him out of the corner and the playtime ensued. I'm pretty sure I had just as much fun as he did. Max didn't let me down with his dancing skills when the music was turned up. But he wasn't thrilled about the color parachute and stayed by my side. In due time, I suppose.

Can't wait to go back again next week. I think it will be a perfect place to burn energy on those hot Texas summer days!

Aside from the balls, the tunnels and tubes were his favorite.

Today's lesson ... hard and soft

Love of water

Maximus has always enjoyed playing in water. We have never struggled getting him into the bath as evidenced by these photos.

Tyler and I will be visiting fountains and slip & slides this summer for sure.

Big Boy School

Max began classes in the toddler room. Our baby is a big boy!

His teachers say he is great ... listens to commands, isn't afraid of the other kids (my fear), a good eater, and loves story time.

This is him post class because he is the lucky kid that gets dropped off before the sun rises.