Madd Max Hit Kidspace

 After school, when Aunt Rachel picked them up for a playdate.

Good, exhausting times.

Madd Max Bonds

And so do Uncle and Nephew.

Madd Max Get Small Legos

Because as Simon puts it, "I LOVE small legos."

Madd Max Has A Civilized Morning

Some convo over cinnamon rolls (and dry rice krispies for E) after a 5:30am wake-up.

Only Jess had coffee.

Madd Max Has A Sleepover

Which began with a little chess.

 Some Rice Krispie kitty-cat making.

Tandem story reading.

For all - Maddie is also to the left of the bed.

And ultimately bed - at around 10:15pm.

Madd Max Intro Simon To Karate

Every month and a half, the kids' karate has "Parents' Night Out."  This time Simon joined, and it may have skewed his idea of karate a bit.  The night consisted of karate, which he took seriously, but then was followed by nerf gun wars, pizza, sleeping bags and movie.  He has requested to return.

And the parents, nighting out.

Madd Max Celebrates Rachel's Birthday

With the Page Birthday Cake.

Madd Max Makes It Onto The Set

Jess has been giving updates to her Art Department about the latest in Simon's rabies vaccinations.  During one discussion, everyone discussed that not only had the Page-Bethel family had a rough time, but that bat did as well, what with the starving, the poking and it's ultimate demise.  The next day when Jess went to open set, there was this picture with a group of "Art Therapy" pictures in a hospital hallway.  Please note it's title, created by the Art Department, "Poor Bat".
Let it be noted - our sympathies and those of the Art Department lie primarily with the Page-Bethels.

Slappy Has A Good Reason

Why blue is her favorite color.

The Scrapper Reads Bedtime Stories

To his cousin, and both of their moms' hearts melt.

Madd Max Have Some Pool Time

 At the Findleys.

 With some tandem jumping.

 Oh yeah.

Followed by some LEGO time provided by Taisie.

Madd Max Have Cousin Fun

 Minecraft.

 Gerald and Piggy.

 An introduction to Plants vs. Zombies with Aiden and Tio Greg.

 Playground, where Maddie taught Simon, "how to be brave," and Jess "ruined everything" when she stood too close to the highest parts just in case of falls.

Ice cream.

Madd Max Get A Surprise Visit

From Aunt Rachel and Simon, who flew into LAX at 11:30pm and headed straight over to Children's Hospital for the first in a series of rabies vaccinations.  After Simon had possibly gotten bitten by a rabid bat, and Panama was not able to procure the proper immunoglobulin, they headed quickly to the states.  The kids were thrilled to see them the next morning.

Madd Max Head To The Beach

Spencer invited the fam to join him at the beach for the day.  If not for him, this would have marked the second summer in a row that the fam had not made it to the actual West Coast.

Kelp.

Hour 4 of boogie boarding.  Sam manned Maddie and Spencer manned Max.  Jess observed until Spencer took a short break where she was called to fill in, duties consisting of "pushing him into the right waves" and "helping him when he is struggling."

And finally - the cousins, including Faber who joined us for the last hour.

The Scrapper Heads To The Raingutter Regatta

His first Boy Scout event.

Madd Max Have A Strong PTA

Who sponsored a family/staff picnic that came with some cool body painting, bounce houses, balloon animals and a magic show.

 Also this water balloon toss that Maddie and Max's Kinder, 1st and 2nd grade teachers all participated in.

The Scrapper Heads To A Den Meeting

He was feeling a little nervous about taking this picture, but really wanted Jess to.

Madd Max Has A Hiatus Playdate

 Both Jess and the kids have been anxiously looking forward to her hiatus.  One of the big reasons was because they were going to get an after school playdate with Luke and Stella.

Homework with 4 kiddos is just as hard as you would think it is.

Followed by Legos, Legos, Legos.

The Scrapper Becomes A Tiger Scout

After envying his sister in Daisies for 2 years, this Wednesday Max will officially get to test out the Boy Scout waters.  So far, he loves his hat and has been wearing it regularly.

Madd Max Sends Off Some Friends

These friends, the SmithAldridges, who are heading back to the East Coast.

A pot luck was had.

Kid chaos was created.

Along with a toast or two.

Maybe both Max and Jess teared up at the end of the night saying goodbye to those cute faces.

Hooray for new adventures!  You guys will be missed.

Madd Max Head To Stella's Bday Party

Bowling unicorn rainbow fun.