Madd Max Celebrates New Years Eve

In a way that was designed for the 2-year-old sensibility.

A make your own pizza dinner.

"Sprinkle, sprinkle, sprinkle!"

Max applied/squished mushrooms.

Followed by the sugar rush of make your own sundaes.

The goal was to keep the kids up until East Coast midnight. At a certain point, Maddie decided to put herself to bed since her parents were clearly not up to task. ELF thought this was a fabulous idea.

Which then led them back into punch drunk.

We made it!

Here is what the girls decided we were celebrating.
Happy 2011!

Slappy Has A Shiner

Maddie got a black eye above the lid. After trying to capture it on film, unsuccessfully, Maddie showed her distaste for the process.

Madd Max Heads To The CA Science Center

Ooo! Ecosystems.

And tinkertoys.

And that evening - more presents from Aunt Tara and Uncle Ant.

Madd Max Has Trikes

An awesome Christmas gift, and today they literally took them around the block. Maddie figured out the steering, pedaling thing in about 1/2 a block, mostly. Max's feet don't quite reach the pedals, but luckily Taisie had the forethought to get him a trike that can be pushed and lets him put his feet up. They did not want to come in for lunch.

Madd Max Falls Victim To Merchandising

The Buzz Lightyears.

The Woodys. Bigger Woody lying on Toy Story pillow, covered by Toy Story blanket with Toy Story backpack at the top of her head.

The Scrapper Makes His First Movie

That's him saying, "Cheese!"

Madd Max Finishes Off The Presents

After getting tired before all of the presents were opened the day before, Maddie and Max still had some left to open.

Ah, good times.

Madd Max Has A Merry Christmas

Maddie woke up first, not aware that anything was different. Upon reaching the end of the hall, she kept repeating, "Look at all the presents." She then proceeded to carry her stocking with her everywhere, not wanting to open any of it.

Max got up about a half hour later, and didn't seem to notice much of anything except that his sister was excited.Sam had prepped the cinnamon rolls the night before, and stood by ready to frost.Yummy.

Around 9am, after getting up at 7, Maddie decided to open her first stocking present.

Max way preferred the candy canes.

Although he did enjoy his new cars, and making their sounds as they drove.

Maddie enjoyed helping Dad put the garage together. (Max, after watching his sister, grabbed the screwdriver when it became available, and had his go at it as well).

The excitement of the day almost made it so that the fam did not get out for the traditional Thai lunch. Maddie said she was ready for nap (about an hour and a half early), but luckily she did a last minute rally.

Which even involved dancing to the constantly playing karaoke machine.

After nap, the fam headed over to the Leonhardts for Christmas dinner, where Scott and Elizabeth bonded under the tree.

And Lilly with all the kids, enjoyed the new slide that was standing in the kitchen.

Steve-o manned the ovens.Which culminated in a delicious Christmas dinner with the LA family.

Complete with requisite kids' table.

Slappy Dances Old School

Jess put on the movie, "White Christmas" because it reminded her of the album with Bing Crosby that her family would listen to every year. Maddie came across one of the dance numbers - see here - and went nuts for it, dancing to it 10 times over. Clearly, musical theater is in her blood.

Madd Max Has A Happy Christmas Eve

With the making of the chicken paprikash. Sam is actually making the spaetzle, a homemade dumpling.

Hungarian food - he digs it.

Then the fam headed out to view the over the top neighborhood lights.

They both loved them. Maddie's process was observe, and then move on. Max, however, liked to savor every display, and would yell, "Noooooo!!!!" every time the stroller began to head off (you can hear the beginning of this at the end of the video).

A Christmas Eve bath, which they had been asking for, for about 3 hours after opening some bath toys from Aunt Rachel and Uncle David.

The result of all of Sam and Jess' wrapping.

And the wrap job that filled Jess with pride.

Madd Max Falls Into Traditional Roles

Sam ended his birthday with a Steelers game at the Leonhardts, where Max took up an Elmo seat with the boys.

And Lilly lent ELF and Maddie some princess dress-up.

Madd Max Celebrates Dad's Birthday

With all the LA contingent getting older and creating their own holiday traditions in LA, Sam actually had enough people around to have a birthday party.

They filled the play room.
The kitchen.

The bedroom.
And even brought enough Grandparents to share with the kiddos.Which felt even more festive.
The kiddos in turn celebrated Sam's birthday with a holiday gift exchange.

Which resulted in a gazillion bubbles. Please note the concrete still drying from 5 straight days of rain.

Finally, a little help blowing out the candles on the traditional Page birthday cake.

Madd Max Christmas Preps

The kiddos have been allowed to open a few presents every day so as not to be overwhelmed with love on Christmas. Plus, it's fun. Today was a gift from Auntie Kerry, a Play Doh Mr. Potato Head.

Once they were in bed, the wine was brought out as well as the IKEA kids' kitchen.