The Scrapper Enjoys A Night Out

When Maddie is at a sleepover, Max gets some alone time with the adults.  Tonight was spent at Granada, playing a little Telestrations.  Classic.

The Scrapper Wood Works

This time Sam came in to the Den to teach them wood working, and Max was super pleased.  It was one of the only times Max was nervous about arriving late to a meeting.

Madd Max Heads To The Findley's

But first, Sam taught Max how to bake a cake.

Super domestic goddess, Aarin.

The big girls were going on 24 hours of a sleepover and still enjoying themselves in their outdoor fort.

Family dinner.

And Jess' custom made birthday cake.

Madd Max Heads To The Women's March

Madd and Jess working their shirts.

Listening to the speeches.

Jess' favorite sign was the third over and read - If my vagina could shoot bullets, it would be less regulated.

Insta feminism.

Peace dove.

Followed by lunch in Pershing Square.

The Scrapper Gets An Old School Camera

 The kids were not allowed to bring electronics to OSS, so Max had a go at a disposable camera.  Most of the pictures were dark.  But some were dope.  Here's he and Mia.

 Tough selfie.

And a wee snowman he built.

The Scrapper Gets Some Webcam Time

Walking into frame on the left in the red jacket and pom-pom hat.

At 4:30pm - all parents could turn into the camp's webcam to see their kiddo come by in a group.  It's amazing their site didn't crash.

Madd Max Celebrates Jess' 44th

The morning began with Sam's first attempt at Great Grandma's kolach.  It overflowed the bread pan, and was utterly delicious.

That evening - presents and blueberry crumble.

Yummy.

The Scrapper Heads To OSS

Getting ready for 3 nights away at Outdoor Science School with his best buds, Stella and Mia.

The pre-school set - Ava, Chloe, Stella.  These guys have been together since Max was 2 1/2.

Sam and Jess came to see Max off.

As did many another parent.  There were tears, as Max had been warned by his sister that OSS sucked and was also very nervous about sleeping away for that long.

Buses rounding the corner.

And the first picture the parents recieved from their teachers at Thousand Pines in Crestline.

Madd Max Heads Back To Cleveland

For Great Grandma's funeral.  Mimi had prepared a breakfast for everyone at the vrbo that included Great Grandma's coffee cake.  She said the recipe had a Great Grandma note on it - "delicious."

Dinner in celebration of her life with the fam - Rollie, Biggie, Aunt Marilyn, Great Uncle Rick, Great Aunt Carole, Margot, Noelle, Tio Greg, Bryson, Landon, Carson, Great Aunt Toni, Great Uncle Jim, Anmarie, Steven, Dozee, Mimi, Uncle Ant, Uncle Wills, Jess, Kristin, Jeannie and Vivien.

Later, the cousins, Jess, Mary, Greg, Anmarie, fiancé Steven, Kristin and Wills caught up at the vrbo.

Madd Max Says Goodbye To Great Grandma

Great Grandma has begun to have some memory problems over the past 2 years.  While still able to chat and be warm and friendly, she hasn't remembered exactly who Jess was - just a general sense of family.  The day before Jess and fam arrived, her health began to fail.  At the end of the day, Jess and cousins went to say their goodbyes, and spent some time telling her the importance she held in their lives, the sense of family she created and all of her cookies that were still made by all the different members of the family every Christmas.  She told the three how she wished that they would have as happy and full lives as she had.  Jess hugged her goodbye, and said, "I love you, Grandma."  She replied with, "I love you, Jessica."  Great Grandma passed away peacefully at home two days later.  

Madd Max Have A Cleveland Afternoon

Spot it with cousins, Bryson, Iris and Brandon.

Followed by a little movie time.

Chatting around Great Aunt Carole and Great Uncle Rick's kitchen table with Kristin and Great Grandma.

There's a yeti in my spaghetti!

More good times with Jeannie, Margot and Noelle.

Dinner with the group - including Dozee, Biggie and Aunt Marilyn.

Vivien cheers on birthday girl and sister, Margot.

And some by the pool time while the younger set actually entered the hotel pool.

Madd Max Have A Cleveland Morning

Indoor pool time.

It almost works both ways.

And a surprisingly good Mexican lunch with Dozee at Maya.

Madd Mad Hit The Road To Cleveland

And stopped for dinner in the middle of Pennsylvania Dutch Country at this rest stop where the angel in the window moved her candle back and forth.

Classic placemat menu.

And dinner.

Madd Max Hit Hoboken

Much to their dismay, the kiddos had gone back to school, so electronics it is.

And to get Jess' Jersey bucket list finished - a vodka penne pizza for lunch.

Yum!  (No matter what Eddie's face says).

Madd Max Visits With Aunt Dr Kerry

A little Montclair brunch.

And then back to Leonia where Dr Kerry helped paint in the basement, much like she had about 30 years ago when Jess and she painted a mural on one of the walls.

Hang time with Tio Greg.

And a shot of bed time in Bloomfield - all 5 kiddos in Sonia and Clara's room together.