3rd week of August 2017 - Maxwell Turns 5

We are almost at the end of summer.  The days until school are rushing by and I'm not ready yet!

Playing at our little neighborhood park.  She's big enough to climb up to the tall slides.

Maxwell's preferred method of swinging.

Adorable heart part to match her heart dress, courtesy of Aunt Britt.

The kids hung out with me at work.  I love having them there, but get no work done when they are!

She quickly found my bag and determined it was a perfect purse.

Playing with the calculator

Maxwell hiding the rocks in my zen garden from himself.

This should be an ad.  Who wouldn't want to buy NOWMints with a cute face like that staring at them?

Well, my green pepper finally was "picked".  It just wasn't going to go any further than this.  Sad.  I did eat a bite but there wasn't much to it.  I'm still going strong on my cucumbers (with help from me to mate the male and the female flowers).

Little drummer girl

A note from Maxwell

The kids LOVE to play with this play house and all the contents.

Maxwell had meet the teacher night so we all went to the school to see his classroom and meet his teacher - Mrs. Garza.

The names of all the students were on the board.  Clearly Maxwell isn't the majority demographic in this classroom.

For Maxwell's birthday, I did a little decorating.

Last sleeping picture of my 4 year old

We all went to McDonalds for lunch on Maxwell's birthday.  It seems to be his number choice always - thanks to that silly toy in the happy meal.

Getting chocolate milk was a must.

They were out of toys! (How does that happen?!) To make it up to him, he got an ice cream cone instead.

He's acting older already - - he climbed all the way to the top (he's on the top right side) of the playground.  That's not common for him.  

We had his well-child check up with his pediatrician.

Past 40 lbs!

Emmalyn came along for the doctor's appointment.  She loves going to all doctor's appointments.

Working on balancing on one foot

Page 1 of his questionnaire.  You use the same questionaire for ages 4-6 and you are supposed to keep going until you get a certain amount of "no's".  He got through both pages with all yes's.

Second page.  

Maxwell's 5 year old stats:

Weight - 41.6 lbs 57th %

Height - 40.25 in 7th %

BP 99/50

Heart rate 89

Very little change from last year.

After the doctor we went to Little Caesars to pick up pizza (maxwell's choice) for dinner.  It was POURING rain and we all got wet!!

Poor girls was soaked

Enjoying his pizza on his "you are special" plate.

The rain sure made her curls stand out though - - I'm still in shock over them!

BOING!  Those curls!!!

The cousins waiting on the cake.

Woo!  Way to go Maxwell!

Licking the candle

Sweet curly hair framing that sweet face.

The baby is slowing fading out of this face.  :( 

After cake, we opened some presents.

Kids update:

Emmalyn loves having Grandma Donna around.  Max calls her Donna.  

When doing kisses at bedtime, Emmalyn gets off bed and runs away saying "I'll be right back!"

So many questions from her..."why" "why" "why"

Second week of August 2017 - saying goodbye to Montessori

I helped coordinate an event at work where we had the American Heart Association and an expert in heart health come and talk to us.  We learned hands-only CPR.  It was a really great event while shocking and scary to heart all the statistics.

To help Donna be more comfortable in her room, I went and bought her a desk and a chair and then Peter put it together (he was thrilled - can you tell?).

I went and read to Maxwell's preschool class during their library time for the last time.  :(  I've loved doing it once a month for the past two years and will really miss it.  I have a ton of respect for his teacher - it's not easy wrangling all these 3-5 year olds!

Pool style

Mr Chris spoiled her with a popsicle after swimming.

My cousin posted this picture of my Grandparent's house with such a nice thought.  She is so right on!  This room has changed very little in the last 25 years (how is that possible with so many little grandkids and great grandkids running around that everything has held up so well?!) and I love it and my grandparents so much!

He got to wear a big backpack to school.

My giggly little girl was helping water the tree...

...but quickly decided it was more fun to get other people wet,

including herself!

Once she was all wet, we put on her swim suit and her and Landen played in the pool (still with the hose).

Video - Emmalyn singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider.

Maxwell's note to his preschool teacher on the last day of school.  This is the front of the envelope.

And his note inside.  

Last time driving him to preschool.  I have LOVED the quality time we've gotten together during the 15-20 minute drive to school in the mornings.  

(tickling himself for a good smile)

Last picture out in front of the school.  He's certainly grown since the first day.

Last time for him to sign in with his code.  He's been in charge of doing it himself for awhile now.  I stayed for a little bit so I could watch the kids participate in field day.

They had a field day. (It wasn't technically the last day of summer school but just the last day that Maxwell would go.  I wanted him to have a couple weeks "off" before he started Kinder.)  I took this picture because at many previous school parties he would refuse to walk along the beam because he was scared so I was super proud of him for doing it this time while trying to balance a frisbee on his head.

water/sponge relay

We love Ms. Cynthia so much!  She and I both teared up as I gave her a hug goodbye.  She has been a great teacher for him and he's thrived in her class.  I am already looking forward to Emmalyn having her as a teacher in a year.

His cubby

All these boys are going to Kinder at different schools - Dylan, Luckshya, Maxwell, and Joshua.

Diaper head shenanigans

She swapped her couture hat for some heels and a backpack (backpacks are a big staple of her wardrobe lately).

The kids and I hit up the farmer's market on Saturday

She's eyeing his sucker with a determined look on her face!

Then we had a birthday party for Emmalyn's neighborhood friend, Hudson, at a play place.  The cash register again was popular for both of them.

Giddyup!

Enjoying her cupcake

The wall was a big light brite toy - it entertained them for a long time. 

Our busy Saturday wasn't over yet.  We also went to the library for new books, (Maxwell has rocked the city's summer reading program) a few minutes on the computer, and to play with the new toy area.

Sweet little hand on that mouse.  Computer skills run in his genes.

And if this wasn't a busiest enough day?  We also fit in a haircut! Got to look studly for Kindergarten.

A few details that show his personality...  He's wearing an "in-n-out" pin on his shirt that Uncle Joe gave him.  He totally loves it.  He's also rocking his sweat band on his wrist.  He loves things on his wrist whether it's a bracelet, a watch, or his sweat band.

The kids wrapped up their night with their favorite babysitter, Bridgette, while Peter and I went out on a date.

Peter created this "Emmalyn" pancake on Sunday morning.  It's stuffed with Nutella. mmmm

The kids still have their weekly swimming lessons with Coach Katie and Coach Jada.  Maxwell's getting better thanks to the private lesson but Emmalyn is still hesitant to swim and wants me in the pool with her.