Madd Max Head To Peekaboo

Peekaboo Playland, that is. Otherwise known as Jess' possibly most favorite indoor playland, as not only is it awesome, but they also provide coffee, comfy sofas and wi-fi for the adults.

The kids, aka those blurs agree.

The Scrapper Has Seperation Anxiety

Which has been brought about by daycare. Which in turn has made his daycare experience to date, not so awesome. Day 1 - Jess stayed with him all day. Day 2 - Jess stayed for an hour, left for two. When she left he was crying. When she came back, still crying. Day 3 - All by himself. Jess picks him up, and he cries, "Mama! Bye-bye! Maddie! Home! Stroller!" Day 4 - He has been taking some time off of crying to watch the other kids. Day 5 - When Jess goes to leave, he begins wailing and grabbing at her legs. Jess removes him, and heads to the exit. In running to go after her, he trips and slams into the concrete, hence the welt on his forehead. Both Jess and Max are having a tough time, but everyone says it gets better.

Slappy Will Catch You

And Edith was ready. Shanna stood by for backup.

Madd Max Head To The No-Longer-A-Death-Trap

Where Maddie shows off the fact that a big change has just happened. Just this month she became one of those kids who you can keep an eye on from afar without fear of her killing/wounding herself.

Max still spends a majority of his time with his parents. This slide involved some heavy static electricity and a very slow butt scoot by Jess.

Sam went down easier by curling up like a cannonball.

A new skill for Max - he can hang on longer then his sister.

Madd Max Has Hockey Night

For kids. Sam has been trying to engage the kids in hockey, and it's beginning to work. Max now yells for "Hockey!!!" when a commercial comes on, and Maddie likes to carry around "the duck" (puck) while she watches.

ELF and Drew came over to watch, and make sundaes.

Then it was hearing aids for everyone! ELF's own idea.

Which Max thought was fab.

Madd Max Seriously Draws

A blank palette.

To stick or not to stick?

Fine art.

Madd Max Have An Eagle Rock Afternoon

At swork with cars. Max played with this one toy for over an hour.

Jess enjoyed her coffee for over an hour.

Then it was out to the farmer's market for some watermelon juice.

And then to the corner pizza joint for some dinner.

The Scrapper Begins Daycare

The best part of daycare - the cars. Whenever Max is with his sister, she always drives the car while Max tries desperately to get a turn. Here, they are plentiful.

Jess stayed with Max the entire first day (3 hours), and was very proud when Max immediately sat down with the group for snack.

Madd Max Like LA

Why? Because in January, it was 80 degrees and breezy.One of those days that makes parents happy they have kids, as it has forced them into the beautiful weather vs. staying inside watching movies all day (ew, yuck - sleeping in, even worse).

This gave Aarin and Jess the chance to see one of the most attractive/appealing/titillating sites for a mom - watching their fine hubbies play with their kids.

Add some Hugo's tacos and you have the perfect Sunday afternoon.

Madd Max Has A New Steelers Hang Out

But first, a lunch introducing Aurelia to Senor Fish. As the kiddos waited for Aurelia, as patiently as 2 under 3 can, Jess sat and thought how very grownup they seemed.

As always, the Fish was a huge hit - particularly once the kids found a hole in the cement filled with water.

Then it was over to John and Erin's, since Steve is in Costa Rica on a job.

The game and the kids were watched intently.

After all, Maddie had taken great care in creating what she called her "seatbelt."
Max spent some time trying to rock himself in the Williams' rocker.
Trying hard!
PS Erin caught these photos. Jess is not sure she has ever seen this expression on Max's face before.

Madd Max Goes Back To Pacific Park

It has been a long time since the kiddos went to the park by their house together. And how things have changed.

Aurelia joined them and there was a lot more climbing then before. Maddie even scaled the climbing wall - not pictured, but a first.

They also rode the chipmunk together, without any adult needed to prop them up. So big.

Madd Max Eats Waffles

Made by Tio Greg the night before, and eaten by Uncle Wills, the morning that the fam headed back to Jersey.

After Maddie headed out for her second day of school, Kathleen and Diane came over for some lunch and portfolio work. Max stayed busy and Jess was distracted enough to not miss Maddie the entire time.

Madd Max Celebrates Mom's Birthday, Early

With some Uncle Wills spinning.

Some Tio Greg spinning.

Some other thing that Tio Greg did that Max thought was awesome and could not stop applauding.

And an ice cream birthday cake.

And just in case there wasn't enough sugar, Tio Greg made cupcakes with Maddie.

Who took the entire thing very seriously, and remembered it enough to tell Mom, "Happy Birthday" the next 2 mornings. (Happy Birthday beating out her normal morning greetings of "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Halloween.")

Madd Max Dance

Waltz? Their dances typically end with this type of dramatic fall. Exciting for the participants and the observers.

Madd Max Takes Two More Kenders To Disneyland

That's some good spoiling.

Look closely - that's the top of Max's noggin in front of Tio Greg. It was DoeZee's intention to take him on, but then he was snatched up by Tio Greg at the last minute. This left motion-sick DoeZee to ride alone, wondering, "Why?!?"

The third time around on the Buzz Lightyear ride. The lines were amazingly short.

Possibly her second favorite ride.

The Jungle Boat ride - a Kender family favorite.

And the perfect sundae ending to the day (followed up by just one more train ride).

Slappy Goes To Preschool

The morning began with burrito sharing with Uncle Wills.

While Maddie and Jess got ready for Maddie's first day of preschool. Who looks more nervous?

The first half hour was spent playing outside. Maddie went back and forth between dancing with the older girls and sitting with Jess.

Her first cubby.

After circle time, the kids headed back out for snack and play time. Miss Marty gently suggested to Jess that while she was welcome to stay all day, Maddie would probably interact more with the other kids if she headed out. She did, and Maddie did.

Upon arriving home, Jess found Uncle Wills, aka the sitter, and Max cuddling on the couch for some Sesame Street viewing.

And then Max had a first. His first time, without Maddie, at the park.

So much attention. So much freedom.