It began with Dad being left at home to enjoy his very quiet, calm house, while Mom and Madd Max met Marissa (how's that alliteration?), Lilly and Elizabeth for brunch.
Followed by dancing.
Then the two, very lucky kiddos spent a little swing time with their amazingly, awesome Dad.
If one can't see their BFFs during the week, one makes it happen on the weekends.
"Bells make music in my mouth."
The more mature Elizabeth blew Jess' mind when instead of shoving the chalk into her mouth, she used it as it was intended.
The afternoon began with a little ball tossing at ELF's.
While Maddie and ELF drew with chalk on the available palettes.
It ended with Max pushing Elizabeth around the back patio, both of them thrilled at the fact that they could accomplish this.
While eating grilled artichokes and baked ziti with John, Feldie, Hunvey and Alex.
And of course ELF, who brought her mom. All 3 kids played in their bedroom by themselves, letting the adults enjoy some game time. Amazing.
At the zoo, where Max smiled and bounced at every animal he noticed.
Maddie brushed a goat, which Max got to pat-pat with Jess' help (the bouncing became even more vigorous).
And makes Dad draw it over and over again. It being Foofa, Muno and Plex.
And it feels so good.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, John and Sam listened to Dr. Seuss on the iPad. Really.
Jess' first cousin, Kristin, and her fiance, Brandon came through on a whirlwind tour of SoCal, and met us for lunch.
Max liked them immediately.
Especially when, back at home, they pulled out some animal crackers, a cat book, and for Max, a paper bag.
Next up, August! (The month of their wedding)
With a brunch with Edith, Shanna, Tim, Kathleen and Eric.
And then a play date with Emma who was very good at sharing goldfish.
All of which ended with some dancing to Yo Gabba Gabba.
Which began with Maddie's new hat from Liza Mae. What you can't see is the floppy bunny ears on the back of it. She wore this from 6:30am until we left the house.
Next we headed to ELF's house to pay some attention to the cats, since she's out of town. Talking Elmo was memorizing.
Followed by some Japanese soul food. Max dug the edamame.
Now that Jess is back at work, the kiddos have 2 new nannies - a mother/daughter team - whom they thoroughly enjoy. Pictured here is Morena, who took them on a trip to the zoo. As you can see they are well fed (and have no problems when Jess says goodbye in the morning).
This morning the fam and Mimi headed to the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round - a first for both kiddos.
Maddie was very cautious at first, so Dad and Max hopped on for the first ride. As soon as Maddie saw them on there, she attempted to climb under the fence to get to them. Max found the ride slightly dull.
The next go round, Maddie and Mom hopped on to join Dad and the slightly bored Max.
This time Mimi came along to show Maddie how to ride the horses. Maddie was too nervous to ride but loved watching Mimi in front of her and saying "Hi!" to Dad every rotation.
Mimi came out for a weekend visit, and we all headed out to some Vietnamese Diner food - bring on the french fry mixed with cilantro, garlic, and jalapeño. Sam, Jess and Mimi were all commenting about the deliciousness of the fries when both Maddie and Max began to have horrified looks on their faces. Then the wailing with confused pauses began. Once Sam and Jess stopped laughing and the kiddos mouths cooled down, some plain fries were ordered up with ketchup - that Maddie proceeded to down with a spoon.
