Grandma saves the day

One day last week we got a phone call from Grandma Kate, she was in Salt Lake for a meeting my dad had to attend.  I hadn't been feeling well for several days and I was just sick of being sick - so we happily met at the Gateway for lunch.  After lunch we headed to Hogle Zoo, one last visit before our year pass expired. 

It had rained most of the morning, but by the time we got there it was a lovely day.  I've never been when it was so empty, and it was awesome!

 I have to say, Grandma getting up on the carousel, I was pretty impressed.

 I however was thankful Max chose the peacock - no climbing or standing for me!

We didn't stay long, but it was sure a nice little visit!  Glad we could enjoy it with my mom :)  It made my head hurt a little less for a few hours - and that was very welcome.

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. 

The reason I'm crazy/Easter Sunday

The kids dyed eggs with their Grandma and cousin this year, so we decorated sugar cookies instead, it just might become our tradition. I enjoyed it so much more, way less mess, staining of the fingers/table...and SO much more tasty to eat!

The Easter Bunny's offerings-

Max showing off his new sunnies and his hot new spring shirt.

Grace in her matching dress -

I wanted to get a few family pictures - can I just say that is the reason people go insane? My children, what can I say?

A special thanks to my brother for the side shot while we were waiting. I know no one forced me to post it, but I guess one side shot of me pregnant should be included...

So just to keep a tally - I think my eyes are closed, and Grace's head is down.

Grace is complaining and Mike and I are looking down trying to bribe her, Max is thinking about all the candy he'd like to eat.

Cute of Mike and I, and okay of Max. Grace is pulling a lovely face, still complaining about how bright it is.

We move out of the sun and my brother, whom I love, doesn't let us know Mike looks like he's highlighting his finer features...Ok so after 15 minutes I'm sure he was done too. Max's eyes are closed, and Grace actually has a smile but her hair looks like it's being smooched by Mike's shirt.

A cute picture - without the kids!

One last attempt at the kids, me threatening they won't play outside if I don't get one good picture, and this was the one I got....whatever!

So I move to individuals, Max can't look the camera straight, but it's not too bad.

I'm not sure what was so dang interesting over yonder, but both kids ended up looking that way.

So tonight, when my MIL wanted to get grand kid pictures, I just smiled and said okay. I wished them well and thought with my little pills, you may need a Xanex when your done. And trust me, she did.

One day, when my kids complain that I don't have good pictures of them, or why didn't I ask them to smile for a picture I'm going to pull up this post and say, "dear sweet child, I love you so much, but you drove your mama crazy!!!" :)

Barnes Park Easter Egg Hunt

We have always headed up to Hyrum for the annual Easter Egg hunt with my sister and her kids. Blast them for moving away! We had to find our own hunt this year, and you all know how much I love to try new things....not! There were 3 hunts withing a few miles of my house, we opted for the one at Barnes Park, and I figured it would be insane. It was. But managably so - they were really organized. They have 4 ball diamonds and had thousands of eggs in each, so even though there were hundreds of kids they all had a good amount of eggs.

Max, anxiously awaiting the start. Which the announcer said 1 minute left! and all the kids took off, it was kind of funny.

Grace waiting with her dad.

And they're off!

Grace was all smiles, she did really well and got a nice haul. Max on the other hand slow motioned falling down over his first egg, picked it up and slow motion slam dunked it in his basket, and then he pretended to run to the finish line. Yep, he's my goober.

I didn't know what to expect so I had a dozen eggs in a jacket pocket, I didn't want my kids to be the sad kids who didn't get any eggs. Mine had coins inside and Max loved shaking the ones with money. I'm a great mom, just ask me.

I tried so hard to get a couple cute pictures of them after the hunt - but they can't look at the camera at the same time to save their lives.

If my sister is still in California next year, I'd go there again - it wasn't bad at all.

Disney on Ice

A few weeks ago Mike came home and said he'd like to take the kids to Disney on Ice. Those are not words I ever thought I'd hear before - we've never been and I don't like crowds - but I did want to take the kids so we checked on tickets. Wow, unless they were in the nosebleeds they were expensive. I said it was probably not a good time - but then I thought maybe my old friend Abi could help. By saying old friend, I don't mean someone who is ancient, but rather someone I met many years ago. I haven't seen Abi in over 7 years, I was her supervisor at Convergys and "refriended" each other on Facebook. She works for Larry H. Miller and it turns out she can get some killer seats at an amazing discount! We were able to sit really close, for our whole family for less than the nosebleeds seats. Mike wants to know how often I can call on my friend for help, probably not frequently but I really appreciate being able to take my kids and having seats they could enjoy the show!
We didn't tell the kids where we were going, and just said we had a surprise for them. Saturday morning we went to Salt Lake and ate lunch at Gateway - the whole time they pestered us about what we were doing. Grace asked if we were going to Boondocks, I said better, she then exclaimed McDonalds!?. My kids don't have very big imaginations..... After lunch we headed over to the ESA. While were driving the kids started seeing some kids dressed up - I asked the kids what they thought it was and Grace thought it was a costume party.

Max loved it! he was so excited, I brought his Buzz costume and many people told him how great it was, he got a big kick out of it. I had a princess dress for Grace, but she didn't want to wear it. And no, I wasn't about to buy her a Jessie costume, I'm mean.

Grace wasn't too sure of the loud music at first, but she got used to it.

Love her face, Mickey and Minnie had just come out on the ice - she's a big fan!

Love Max's face - this is where Zurg comes out and the music is intense - he was mesmerized. I've never seen him so calm for so long!

Grace of course was scared, she's a pansy!

Max stood like this most of the show, the poor lady in front of him didn't seem to mind, I kept sitting him back down but he got right back up. (Just like Primary....)

Grace was all smiles, with a bucket of popcorn! Love her smiles!

Ken was one of my favorites to watch, he's was pretty dang good.

Max loves to close his eyes for pictures.

Outside the ESA afterwards - we really had a great day! It was fun to see the kids enjoy the show so much, it made me want to go to Disneyland - and that's a long time away I'm sure.