The Scrapper Takes The Red-Eye

But first a little cruising in Burbank Airport. The non-stop flight from Burbank to NYC, became a Burbank-Denver-NYC flight because of refueling due to high winds. Max slept the first leg, and never fully woke up or cried through the second, due to constant patting by Mom. When Jess and Max deplaned, a few of the other passengers commented on what a great baby he was. After a total of maybe 3 hours of sleep, Jess felt the urge to scream, "What a great PARENT, PARENT!!!" She did not.

The Scrapper Persists

Max is not allowed to touch the electronics, which means that all Max wants to do is touch the electronics. And he will not be dissuaded. Jess caught this video after he had repeated these actions 5 times.

The Scrapper Is So Close

And yet so far.

Madd Max Crawls And Gets Attention

Max has finally figured out how to be mobile, impressing his parents as they have never seen this "crawling" in their own home. So as not be ignored, Maddie decided streaking was a sure fire way to get some film time.

Madd Max Dines At The Stand

Al fresco brisket and Findleys.

The Scrapper Snacks

Blackberries. Yum!

Madd Max Has One Last Fivesome

Ok, not the last, but in one week Jess goes back to work, and the Leonhardts are heading east for a visit. These weekday playdates will be missed (by Jess - the kids still get to have them).

The Scrapper Strolls With Curiousity

Following in his sister's footsteps, Max chooses to grip the stroller tray when out strolling instead of leaning back. Burbank is just too interesting.

Madd Max Wonders Where Mom Is

After an evening out and away from Max for the first time, a greasy, caffeine filled breakfast was in order. Upon returning home, Jess walked into a freshly cleaned house with 2 napping kids. Ahh.

Madd Max Celebrates With Cheese

At the Grilled Cheese Invitational Themed Shower for the Wearnes.

There were good friends (Jess' personal favorite pix of the 3 BFFs).

And fine toasting, both the kind that you listen to and the kind you eat.

Then it was off to an evening of debauchery at the Hearne bachlorette.

This pix at the bottom of the hotel trashcan says it all, as it demonstrates how to vomit properly into said receptacle.

The Scrapper Has His Inside-Out Day

9 months have passed since Max came outside into the world, matching his time on the inside. Today he celebrated 9 months plus 1 day with Feldie at Paty's.

This also meant he had his 9 month check-up. Stats as follows:
Weight: 18lbs 12oz (20th percentile)
Height: 27 3/4" (25th percentile)
Head Circumference: 18 1/4" (25th percentile)

Maddie joined her bro at brunch and at the pediatrician's for her 2 year check-up. Stats as follows:
Weight: 28lbs 14oz (75th percentile)
Height: 36" (90th percentile)
Head circumference: 18" (55th percentile)

Slappy Plays At The Mall

Since it was so great on the weekend, why not go there with ELF for more good times?

Madd Max Lunches At The Mall

Whose escalators are better than Disneyland (we assume, having never been).

Plus, there was pho, which Maddie was served the Auntie Jamie way.

And Max choose to wear.

Madd Max Supports The Playoffs

The Kings are in the Playoffs. Tonight was Game 2. The Leonhardts came in appropriate colors.

The youngest supporters gathered around the chip bowl.

Then everyone settled in for a tense game.

Oh yes. Victory!

The Scrapper Smacks His Lips

But only when he eats pears and blueberries, and it cracks Jess up.

Slappy High Fives

With ELF and about 50 percent accuracy.

The Scrapper Goes Old School

In his hand-me-down Run DMC shirt, which he totally rocked.

Track suit next?
Here's his sis, same age, same shirt.

Slappy Has A Friend

Who is a boy, which is unusual as it seems that the west coast is particularly good at making girls. This is Aiden who goes to school with Maddie. Every Wednesday, they end class by walking through the school yard holding hands.

The Scrapper Loves His Dad

Because he came up with the idea of a giant bowl of puffs to go along with some lap time.

Madd Max Celebrates 4 Year Olds

With some bounce house sliding.

At the party of Emma, who is clasping her hands in anticipation of cheese pizza.

Proud mama Val took some time with Max.

While his sister messed around in the ball pit.

Before she decided to offer up rides around the space.

Then it was over to celebrate Lilly.

Through food and drink.

And animated convo.

Ending the evening with a celebratory Feldie tongue grab.

Slappy Gets Wings

A birthday package arrived for Maddie from the Janisz family. Handmade by Great Aunt Renee, was a pair of butterfly wings with detachable butterfly spots. Maddie spent the afternoon, putting the wings on, taking them off, putting the spots on, taking them off, and saying "Fly!! Fly!!"

Madd Max Has Chili With DoZee

At Chili John's.

Followed by a jamoca shake.

And to work off the calories, some "1,2,3!!" with Dad and DoZee, formally known as Dzedo (Maddie's choice).

Madd Max Goes Under The Sea

"What's this dude doing?"

"Who cares? He's hilarious!"

Because it was a rainy morning, the fam headed to the Under the Sea Indoor Playground, where Max got rides from Dzedo.

Maddie got in on some driving action too.

Madd Max Celebrates Easter

It is a Kender tradition to have a scavenger hunt, beginning with the first clue attached to the Easter basket. With Uncle Wills at college and therefore no hunt in Leonia, Dzedo began the tradition for Maddie in picture form (first clue, the potty).

First, both kids got to dig into their baskets. Favorite for Max - the Easter grass. Favorite for Maddie - chocolate eggs; she took each one, unwrapped it, took a bite, and moved onto the next.

Then it was scavenger time which became very confusing. With the first clue being the potty, Maddie thought each additional place was supposed to be sat on like a potty, which can be hard when it's a bookcase.

The final clue lead to the penguin humidifier in her room, and a Big Bird and Ernie figurine set.
Then it was over to ELF's for her Easter Egg Hunt - this time the egg to kid ratio was much better.Even the teeny kids had eggs on a blanket, filled with puffs for munching.

Somehow, our girl still found a way to have issue with it.

Things got better, decorating eggs with Dzedo.

Elizabeth also had her grandfather in tow, who shared Dzedo's interest in the spinning, shiny things along the back wall.

And finally, the source of Maddie's pain was revealed when she demonstrated that eggs are meant to be carried under your shirt, not in a basket.