Max's Birthday & Things about him

 And just like that - Max is 4.  Where have the last four years gone?  I'm just not sure.  This year Max wanted a "Star Wars, Pirate, Captain America, Army Man Party".  Grandma Ruth talked him into just a Pirate party, and it turned out really fun.    Mike and I made the map from something I found on Pinterest.  Sshhh. Don't tell.  I still hate it - but yes now I've used it.  Perhaps I'll try again, but don't count on it!

 We had his party at Mike's parents, the kids did the treasure map and collected various pirate articles along the way, including a pirate hook, sword, eye patch, hat, vest and gold coins.  There was even a treasure chest at the end, and I didn't get a picture. 

 (The grand kids had their Easter pictures right before, so my kids are in their Easter clothes...who doesn't love a pirate in a purple shirt and tie?"

 My niece Daisy -

 Grace may have had a few root beer brewskys before the treasure hunt...

 Max has been watching the Avengers on Netflix and he is into super hero's big time right now.  He got dress up for Thor, Captain America and Cowboy - The McBride's gave him baseball stuff, and cap guns and he loves them! 

The Tyler's gave him some clothes, a baseball mitt and the new Star Wars space ship, that he slept with that night - my cute boy.

Aunt Caitlin gave him an old fashioned view finder - and Aunt Beth and Uncle Josh gave him a T-Ball stand, bat and balls. 

My Sister-in-law made the cupcake toppers - which turned out really cute.  Especially since the cupcakes weren't what I ordered/pictured.  I ordered red, black, gray and white cupcakes with no toppers.  Mike picked them up for me and when I saw them I cringed, big time.  They were all white frosting and had been airbrushed gray and dark purple.  They thought they were for an over the hill party, not a 4 year olds.  Once the toppers were on they were really fun, and it didn't matter.  But I was so not happy when I saw them, then on the way to the party one of them fell out of the tray so I opened the lid messing the frosting up on 2 more, then I couldn't get the lid closed and messed up a few more.  I had a sinus infection and my head was killing me.  That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

One day I'll figure out how to take video's so they aren't sideways...maybe.  This is cute, Max is singing to himself and is REALLY anxious to blow out the candles.

Some things about Max at 4 -

Every morning Max wakes up and in a sing songy voice says "Good Morning."  It warms my heart - and when he stops I'll be so sad.  He also can't function without his morning cup(s) of chocolate milk.  If I'm still in bed when he wakes up he comes in and says "Good morning, it's day!" 

Max loves to play.  He can entertain himself with his toys for hours.  He loves Star Wars, Batman, and the Avengers.  He loves to dress up and his Spiderman and Buzz costumes are stretched to the limit - they'll have to be retired very soon. 

He could also watch TV forever, if I let him.  He loves watching pretty much anything, but he's especially fond of He-Man, superhero's, Star Wars and Scooby Doo.  Put the kid in front of the TV with some toys, I'm pretty sure he'd be there 10 hours later.

Max makes friends everywhere, he is rough and big for his age, but he loves kids.  I have to remind him to play soft all the time.  He has a good heart, just no boundaries.  Grace gets jealous because every time we go to the park Max makes friends and she usually has a hard time.  Max is just carefree - and I love that about him. 

Max thinks his bodily functions are hilarious.  When do they outgrow this?

Max loves Mac n cheese, and can put away most of a Little Ceasers Pepperoni pizza if we let him.  He likes broccoli and his favorite candy is Crabby Patty's (gummy candy). 

He likes being read too, and he prefers his dad read to him because he loves the voices.  Mom is boring, but I'll do if dad's not home.  He is the first to remind us if we haven't read scriptures or prayed before going to bed.  I'm betting it's because he wants to procrastinate bedtime - but perhaps he's developing a love for them.  Most nights I don't think he gets much out of them, but during General Conference there was a talk about Limhi.  We'd just finished reading about Limhi and his people the night before, and Max said "Limhi!  I know him!  The Lamanites are bad!"  Perhaps he's getting more out of scripture time than I give him credit for.

Max loves going to preschool, his teachers report he's happy and social.  He doesn't like to clean up toys, and struggles with the educational portion, he'd rather play for the 2 1/2 hours, and that doesn't surprise me at all.  In church Mike is sitting in his class for an hour each week because Max has a hard time sitting still and listening, once again - no surprises there! 

Max's speech is getting better - he still is hard to understand but has improved by leaps and bounds over the last year.  My current favorite thing he mispronounces is Layton Utah.  We live in Wayton Who-ha.  There are like 10 letters that come out as a W - but that is my favorite combo.  He finally knows all his letters and my lefty is struggling writing his name by himself and cutting with scissors.  All things we get to work on next year while Grace is in school.

I love Max's free spirit.  He's carefree - and easily excitable.  He loves to tickle and kiss my belly, and talk to the baby.  I can't wait to see him interact with him.