Showcase day

Max's 'Big Beasts' class at the Little Gym had their end of year showcase today.  When Max's name was called and he ran to grab the certificate I definitely teared up.  He proudly held it out to show me [the back of it], and then tried to rip it apart.

Max also got to sing his new favorite tune, the Birthday Song, several times today.  First, he went to Cecelia's princess (and prince) birthday party, where he took a whack at a piñata for the first time.  Later, he sang to Uncle Jordan and even helped him blow out the candles on his cake (at least five times!), through FaceTime.  It was a very 21st Century, toddler safe, sweet scene.

Little Gym showcase certificate 

Happy Birthday, Uncle Jordan!  Good thing I filled up on cake at Ceci's party, or I would come through the screen for a bite!

 Whack!

Daddy's game

Max was ridiculously excited to go to "daddy's game!" and in true fan form, chanted throughout the car ride.  He was very well behaved the whole time we were there- the last half, of the last quarter.   Toddler steps.

Yay! We made if to daddy's game!

Three points!

Court time for the Max

Whipping up some oatmeal pancakes for breakfast

Hi, Fred

Max likes to say "hi" to his Flintstone vitamins.

Time-out

Max got his first negative report from school today.  His crime- spitting at another student three times!  His sentence- 5 minutes in the time-out chair*.  The shocker- he sat for 5 minutes!  Unfortunately the behavior itself was not a shocker, as Max has been the poster child for the 'terrible twos' for several weeks.  His temper tantrums are as intense as his laughter, and his slaps are as piercing as his eyes.  The spitting is usually his last resort- when his hands are being pinned down so that he can't beat his parents (who love and adore him very much).

*It should be noted that Max really likes the time out chair and will often sit in it for fun during the day.      

Where's Max?

Daddy's home!

Too cold for school!

Schools were closed today due to "dangerously cold temperatures".  What is more dangerous- cold weather or a two year old going stir crazy?  

Chocolate cake on a cold day off school!

Hugging it out

Toots!

Max loves talking on the phone and luckily both his new playhouse and kitchen came equip with one.  He holds up the phone up to his ear and has full conversations, which are especially entertaining given his quickly increasing vocabulary and hilarious vocal inflection.  Newest on his list of words is, "toots!".  Even though it really sounds like, "torts", anyone who knows David and I knows exactly what he is saying and why it is so funny.

Chillin with Jackson 

Gianna is the Queen Bee!

Welcome!

Max was so excited that Sadie came to his new bachelor pad

Snow man

Dribbling with daddy

Two year check-up

I told Max he was going to the doctor today and getting a shot- he was very excited.  Because he thought I meant a basketball shot.  He was so calm and cooperative during the exam and when the doctor left the room, Max shouted, "shot!".  Who reminds a doctor for a shot? Although he did the expected amount of crying once he got his non-basketball shot, he swiftly recovered and came home to take some real shots. 

Reading up on two year old behavior and testing out the medical equipment.

A bicycle built for two

Sadie is teaching Max how to change a baby's diaper

Fishin' and drinkin'

Clean in 2014!

Washing off the icing of 2013!

Do I really have to take a shower?

Happy New Year Ansdel Court!

Helping Ceci blow out her 4 candles 

Slide cam

Bundling up

Our heat broke, but Max took the chilly temps in stride. He asked for his hat and coat and also asked for a hat and coat for Pawley.   

Someone is still in the holiday spirit!

Bros

Max and Jackson behind the wheel

Thanks for teaching me how to drive, Jackson!

Order up

Max put Pawley in his seat, prepared him a meal in his new kitchen, and fed him.  He even blew on the broccoli in case it was too hot. 

Nine to nine

Max set two personal records today- he slept until 9am and stayed up until 9pm; the 3.5 hour nap sandwiched in between was also a nice treat.  Winter break is shaping up to be as exhausting as it is fun!

Max was dying to go ice skating.  He pleaded, "Ice skate- my turn", every time we walked by the rink.  Since they actually had skates in his size, we decided to give it a try.  As we attempted to jam his three-sock layered feet into the skates he eagerly repeated, "get them on" and "tie them".  He was excited when Aunt Arielle and I walked hand and hand with him towards the rink.  But once we hit the ice, the General had a sudden and severe change of heart.  A minute later we were back inside taking off the cutest little ice skates you ever did see.

If you're happy and you know it snap your fingers 

Kisses between baskets 

Rooting for daddy's team

Pizza and a basketball game

Dealing with winter weather 

Merry, Happy, Jolly, Jumping for Joy Christmas!

Max had a blast on Christmas!  He smiled, played, danced, and literally jumped for joy non-stop all day, so much so that he took a 3.5 hour nap and promptly walked himself upstairs to sleep at 7:20pm!  It will be tough to top the Christmas two years ago, when we brought Max home from the hospital, but this one came pretty close!

Max must have been a very good boy this year- Santa was quite generous!

Wrapping paper fight!

Chef Max at work in his new kitchen 

Max loves his new presents but his heart still belongs on the basketball court 

Christmas lunch

Playing his birthday guitar in his Christmas playhouse

Max was jumping for joy all day!

Straining to keep his eyes open to watch the last quarter of the Heat-Lakers game