Madd Max Celebrate Edith's 2nd

One week away from the arrival of baby Jane, Edith got her birthday party.

Yay for 2 year olds!

Dragon cake made by mom, Shanna.

Decision to go hands-free made by Edith.

Call to help Edith with her present opening made by Maddie and ELF.

Madd Max's Parents Go Free

On an overnight date to Laguna Beach, while the grandparents watched the kiddos.

The view from the room.

What a night away can do.

And the welcome greeting upon arrival home.

Madd Max Have A Busy Social Calender

Coffee with Norah.

Lunch with Aurelia.

Dinner with ELF.

The Scrapper Helps

Taisie get the garden beds into planting shape.

Madd Max Celebrates The Leonhardts Return

By having a first time at the piano (Max was super pleased with himself).

And some princess dancing.

The Scrapper Likes Fire

Just like Dad. Even when it's being squelched.

Madd Max Brunch With The Feinsteins

Karl and Lea, who sang for their food.

That's a cozy meal.

Followed by a crisp walking of the dogs, where both kiddos insisted on holding a dog's leash, or else.

Followed by another round on the preschool circuit for Luke's pirate birthday party.

Madd Max Have An Artistic Grandma

Taisie sat for the kids this morning. When Jess returned, this is what she walked in on.

Please note, in the center, there is a climbing structure for the barrel of monkeys. Maddie, upon seeing Jess, said, "Nooooo!! Go away, Mommy! Go away!!!"

She was only brought back to happiness by the promise of a McDonald's lunch with Aurelia.

Slappy Makes Mom Wonder

Hmmm.

Madd Max Have A Historic Bath

In the tub where Sam also bathed as a child. Taisie, Toby and Tulip are staying Sam's childhood home for their visit, which is now home to friends, the Woodwards.

Madd Max Has A Fundraiser

A first for the family - 15% of the bill went to their preschool. It was at Fuddruckers, which is one of Jess' least favorite restaurants, which in turn says a lot abut how much the family likes the preschool.

Slappy Has A Valentine's Day Party

At school. And Taisie came. And they had Cherry 7Up in red cups with bagels and strawberries. She came home with a goodie bag filled with Valentines and candies which she took a nap with. Which really meant she opened everything, and ate all the chocolate, incredibly quietly.

Madd Max Take Dad To Travel Town

Where Sam was much more interested in the static trains then the kids.

Who were waiting for their go at the choo-choo.

Please note the distress on Maddie's face, caused by Jess walking out of the train car to take a picture. Sam was more saddened by the run-down state of most of the exhibits.

The choo-choo!

Slappy Starts The Preschool Circuit

With her first birthday party, complete with requisite pinata.

The woman hitting the pinata is Miss Marty, Maddie's teacher. The blond boy behind her is birthday boy, Connor.

Madd Max Celebrate 7-11

Static electricity, much?

One of our neighborhood parks is block away from the brand new 7-11. Jealous?

So the kiddos, Aurelia and Isabel took a stroll over.

Who knew 7-11 could do it up like this? Free ice cream, face painting, balloon animals, Laker girls, a DJ and twinkies for all.

The Scrapper Drums

You may notice his sister in the background saying, "Help, help me. I'm stuck." This should be translated to, "Help, no one is paying attention to me. I'm stuck in a place where no one is looking at me."

Slappy Is Consistent

The more things change,

The more they stay the same.
At least in some cases.

Madd Max Bake Brownies

With ELF and Taisie.

Madd Max Head To IKEA

For playtime and just a little shopping.

Also, a little spoiling. Maddie left saying, "So much fun! French fries, ketchup, chocolate milk.... ice cream!!"The day ended with more yummy food, this time brought by Alison.

Madd Max Have Chili

Brought over by their grandparents, who made their playdate with ELF even better.

The Scrapper Has A Music Class

Max has been going to music class with Maddie ever since he was 2 months old. Today was different, as his sister was in preschool, making it his first class all by himself (if you don't count his 2 grandparents and mom). He loved it, and surprised Jess by approaching it totally differently then his sister. As Saskia, their teacher, says, "Some are kinetic learners, and others love singing along with the group." We now have one of each.

Madd Max Have Story Time

With Dad, every night before bed. The kids take turns with 2 books each. Right now the favorites are "Art & Max," "Olivia and the Missing Toy," "Yummy, Yucky," and "Counting Kisses."

Madd Max Parties For The Superbowl

First, at David and Carol's who, in true LA form, had the TV in the backyard.

Next, at AK's annual party.

And finally, over to the Williams'.

Where the kids spent an enormous amount of time by the beer.

And Taisie proved how awesome grandparents are, by playing, "We are all dogs," in the front yard.

Madd Max Knows Winners

The first being August, who turned 4 and had a birthday party.

The second being Tim and Shanna, who headed out to the ADG Awards, where Shanna won for "Mad Men."

The third being Edith, the dancing queen (that blur lower right is her).