Madd Max Heads To San Juan Capistrano

Lunch and word puzzles.

Mimi had heard about Maddie's love for the guinea pig, and it was her idea to head here.  For Maddie, it never gets old.

Sam was given this one by the kids.

Max, mining for precious stones.

And the corn pit.  Corn came out of all the places when Jess went to do the wash.

Madd Max Have A Typical Saturday

With the exception of having their grandparents around as a fan club.  Mimi went Maddie's gymnastics, and Dozee came to soccer.

Jess loved this "practice" move where all the kids had to put their heads on the ball.  Why?  Perhaps purely for the parents entertainment.  If so, it was successful. 

Madd Max Gets Out Of School Early

Much to the distress of Dozee, Jess pulled the kids out of school at lunchtime.  Then some spoiling commenced at A'Float Sushi.

Followed by the movie Moana.  Not bad for a Friday afternoon when all the rest of your friends are in class.

Madd Max Gets An East Coast Visit

From Mimi and Dozee, who walked the kids home from school.

Later, a little dinner with Taisie.

Madd Max Celebrate Marissa's Birthday

At an Italian dinner with singers and a piano - singers who sing show tunes, Disney songs and take requests.  It's a theater major's Italian paradise.

Madd Max Digs Some Women's March Signs

Madd Max Protests At The LA Women's March

The morning began with a picture from Mimi who was at the DC March.  Taisie marched there as well.

Then there were these socks from Kathleen (at the March in DC as well).

The fam in the Metro station.  Erin made this awesome sign for us to carry.

The crowds were so large that it took 2 hours and 45 minutes to get Downtown.  It was inspiring. 

Leaving the station at Pershing Square.

So many people.

Powerful.

The feeling after the march was one of solidarity and positivity.  Enough so that there was even singing on the packed Metro on the way home.

That sign is now in the front window, reminding Jess that this is marathon, not a sprint.

The Scrapper Loves Him Some Puddles

As Dozee pointed out, "Mud luscious and puddle wonderful" - e e cummings.

That's a wet and happy boy.

Madd Max Enjoy Some STEM Lab

A gift from Aunt Tara and Uncle Ant.  

Slappy Makes Gloop

After school with Jess - although she insists on calling it Ooblek.  Not sure why.

Madd Max Packs It Up

In an amazing turn of events - all the kids chilled in front of the TV while the adults packed.

During clean up - Jess found these Deth Trap Blueprints.

They involved the mud, a bed, the pool table and the couch.  Good thing we found them before we left.

The crew - minus Sam, Kathleen and Eric who all took off the day before.  Imagine them smiling with us.

Madd Max Heads Out To The Slopes

While the driving looks easy here, it was actually quite difficult to get out onto the main road.  Enough so, that for awhile there was a fear we would not be able to leave for the day - luckily, there was enough food to tide us over.

Once out in town, the Kender-Page hit the inner tube slopes.

The kids were thrilled that they both got to tube on their own.

Whee!

Back at home, men in their layers (Eric is the only one of the group who actually hit the real slopes on his snowboard).

Madd Max Settles In

Some Pictionary.

Some homemade pasta.

Some time on the climbing wall in one of the bedrooms.

Kid dinner.

Adult dinner.  What's not to love in all these faces.

A birthday cake for Jess.

And some fine game playing.

Madd Max Head To Big Bear Take 2

But first some breakfast to prep for all the traffic.

What we did see upon arrival was pretty amazing.  Snow everywhere, and a few snowmen already standing.

The kids loved shoveling the deck off.  In bare feet.  With no pants.  And some plumber's crack.

John explains daylight savings to K-Dub.

Thankfully upon arrival drinks and food were plentiful.

And the hot tub was warm.

So relaxing with 7 kids.

And inside birthday celebrations were just beginning with more apps.  Aarin seen here playing sous chef to Sam.