The Scrapper Is A Player

Or maybe a baller.

Madd Max Lunches In The Hills

At the home of the very tolerant Greta, who responded with only a quiet, "hey," when Maddie began happily licking the cream cheese block Greta had been dipping her crackers in.Henry preferred the opportunity to pat Max, rather than to parallel play by his sister. Henry and Max do share a kinship - they were both delivered at their respective homes by the same midwives.His sister didn't mind, not when she found out that she could bounce on Greta's bed.

Which provided mom, Rachel, and Jess the opportunity to chat and nosh, an impressive feat with four 5 and unders.

The Scrapper Uses His Charm

At dinner at the Findleys. It began with a little lap sitting on Erin.

John had to pull Max aside to ask him to respect the bling on Erin's finger.Moving on, Max turned his attention to Suzanne, who while also taken, responded just as happily.

Madd Max Has A Dip and A Show

Appetizers out by the pool with the Findleys.Entertainment provided by the Burbank Airport.

Slappy Returns

To Kidspace. Please note, that dish she is in is filled with water, and is more typically used for dipping toys, rather than people. And as required, she is wearing shoes. Squish, squish, squish.

Madd Max Has A Goodbye

A tearful one as Dad headed to work.

"Don't leave me here! I don't trust her!"Jess pulled out backup, for herself, not the kids, in the form of Mimi's love: strawberry muffins. Mimi had frozen 6 of the muffins that she had made the night before Jess gave birth so not only are they delicious, but they also are full of good feelings.Max was less concerned about their first day as a threesome, and more concerned about why he was hovering.

The day picked up for all after 3 hours at Kidspace, and by the time Sam got home, he was treated as if it were any other day.

Madd Max Has One Last Day

With Dad before he heads back to work.

Maddie, however, was occupied with trying to woo fellow stick-lover, Mateo, with a modified rose-in-the-teeth move.

Madd Max Gets Tested

With Sam heading back to work in a day, Jess was concerned that food shopping with 2 under 2 would now consist of quick trips to the corner liquor store. But before giving up all hope, she decided on a test run with the fam. Maddie would be kept in the cart, and Max in the Bjorn.

Much to her and Sam's surprise, both kids handled business, making it through the entire trip without distress, and the fam left with groceries. Dinner may not have to be just mac n' cheese and 40s.Alison got to enjoy our success with a pasta dinner followed by her slow cooker pie.

Slappy Is Just Chillin'

Watching Sesame Street on Mom's laptop.

The Scrapper Has Head Control

Which comes in handy at bath time.

Max has also begun to get his hand into his mouth -on purpose- with the occasional smack in the eye -not on purpose- and although this is not shown, it is a pretty sweet accomplishment.

Madd Max Hangs With ELF

ELF was determined to show Max how to use his paci properly.

She also schooled Maddie where the best toys were to be found.

For example, the cool pool in the backyard. Aarin kept Max from being too jealous of the girls flagrant use of the pool with some McLovin.

Slappy Has Toast And Jam

"Yeah, I eat it jam first. I lick it off, you got a problem with that?"

Slappy Watches The Sea Lions

Woah! Tubular.
Sam feeds the monkeys.

The Scrapper Returns

By early morning ferry with Uncle Wills and Dzedo.

And another peaceful airplane ride - Jess read 269 pages in her book - with a layover in Vegas for some quick gambling.

Finally they landed in Burbank. Sam and Maddie met Jess and Max at the baggage claim. Upon seeing Jess, Maddie put her hands out, buried her head in her neck, and patted her back. Jess cried. Then all of Maddie's attention turned to her little bro, and she spent the rest of the day trying to pat and hug him.

The Scrapper Is Concerned

"Social security check not come?"
"Socialized health care ruining the country?"
"Kids on your lawn?"

The Scrapper Has Beach Time

The day began with some pensive, thumb-chewing from Aiden.

If his mom was playing with his cousin, who would play with him?

All fears were put to rest when Aunt Tara proved she could entertain 2 babies with equal zeal.

Plus, Uncle Ant was nearby for baby back-up.

Who was additionally backed-up by Uncle Wills.Who was also backed-up by Tio Greg.

The afternoon continued with some wave riding.

Aunt Tara coming out of the waves to meet Aiden for lunch.

Jess hid behind Max, avoiding the cold, cold Atlantic.

Then it was time for evening wear. (Evening wear provided by Great Aunt Renee, who has a picture of Uncle Wills and cousin Sebastian at about the same age in matching apparel.)

The evening wear portion of the evening was followed by dinner and ice cream, and a totally candid family photo.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Maddie enjoyed nature's bounty of green beans.

The Scrapper Male Bonds

By the afternoon, the rest of the family had arrived and the storm had cleared.

Max got in some Antiques Roadshow Price-Is-Right playing time with Uncle Ant.

He spent some time with Uncle Wills, noticing how much more mature he seemed with one week of college under his belt.

Tio Greg schooled Max on the importance of ninja-sharp reflexes.For evading the cold, cold ocean and siblings who want to put you there.

Aunt Tara brought Aiden down to the beach to watch, learn and bond as well.

Tio Greg remained skillfully dry, until he arrived at the house where his brothers used the patented, spray-you-with-the hose technique.

Good times.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Maddie found a happiness at the top of a hike in a good digging stick and her bellybutton.