...and than he dribbled it

The pumpkin did not bounce so well, but the stem makes a nice keepsake.

Pumpkin drum

Rise and shine

Late night, earlier morning 

Happy Monday!

Sunday football/basketball/soccer ball

With his [daddy's] gym bag full of gear, Max headed to Oakton and played all of his favorite games in the beautiful pre-autumn sun.

Let's play balls!

Max loves the Elmo alphabet game, mostly because, "A is for astronaut".  It is especially fun to play while dressed in an astronaut suit.  Obviously.  

Show time!

Max had a fantastic time at his first show- Sesame Street Live!  When he woke up this morning and found out he was going to see Bert, Ernie, and the Count, he jumped up and down [on his bed] with excitement.  He was great during the trip to Baltimore and held his ticket during the hour drive.  "I need my ticket for the show, mommy," he repeated.  

The long car ride was completely worth it!  Max was positively mezmorized during the first act and after intermission he danced like crazy in the aisles.  

To cap it all off, Max ended one of the best Saturdays with one of the better bedtimes.

"Everybody!!"

Dancing in the aisles was encouraged and immensely enjoyed!

Lunch at Di'Pasquales- the first resturant (and public place!) that Max ever went to

The big boy in his big bed looks so sweet  when he surrenders to sleep.  Mission accomplished after 45 minutes and one temper tantrum- best night in a long time.

Max at bat

Max only wants to play with his Uncle Jordan ball.  Mommy is on [20 feet in front of] the pitchers mound and behind the camera. Multitasking at its finest!

Out of control in love with Sadie Jean. But..."don't hold baby Tessa (not pictured) mommy."

These two. They hold hands without even being asked to. True love.  Maybe Sadie can ask Max to go to sleep!

Morning music time

Max has added a new form of defiance to his bedtime routine: taking off his pjs and diaper.  While still crying and screaming.  And rubbing his eyes like crazy, because yes, he is tired. 

Max rocked the morning away

The great morning continued to school, where Max requested his traditional photo.  He runs to stand in the exact same spot every time.  Even on mornings  when he is mad or crying (sadly, the night behavior has been spilling into some mornings), he asks [through the screams] to have his picture taken.

Farmers Market Wednesday

Max has been all smiles, all day.  But still just the opposite at night.  All night. 

Zucchini bread, mommy!

It's all fun and games until bedtime 

School pictures

Max loves Miss Miranda! 

Max's friends at school

Early morning oranges

Baseball field, please

Max could not wait to get back to the baseball field after school.  He asked if his friend from yesterday, Alexander (which he somehow remembered and pronounced!) would be there, but unfortunately he was not.  There was, however, a little league practice going on, which was great until Max got booted off the field.  But before that, Max got in some pitches off the mound and even directed daddy where to stand [albiet incorrectly on home plate].  He wished he could stay on the field with the big boys, but once the practice started he liked watching it.  One of the coaches even gave Max a baseball, which he now refers to as the, "that's so nice of that man ball".

In contrast to nice, nighttime is still dreadfully loud and lasting past 9:00pm; yet somehow morning is starting earlier than ever at 6:15am.  On the bright side, pre-meltdown story time was very sweet.  Max noticed a birthmark on mommy's arm and said, "Can you take that off, mommy?" and, "Does that hurt you, mommy?". No, I thought, but your crying does. 

Running to 3rd 

"Go to home plate, daddy"

Watching practice is fun, too! 

Max insisted on bringing his "Uncle Jordan ball", signed by Don Mattingly, to the field.

Bigger boy bed

The weather was gorgeous today and Max had a great time on the football field at daddy's school.  He also met a new friend, and fellow baseball fan, at the playground.  The boys played baseball and Max did a great job sharing and taking turns.  At times Max can be shy, but he will become immediate besties with anyone who has their baseball equipment on hand.

The fresh air and activity did not tire Max out.  Throughout the past couple of weeks, bedtime (including naptime) has become an all out battle.  Max does not want to sleep.  Ever.  After unsuccessfully exhausting every technique and reward system (ie: bribery) we decided to ditch the crib all together.  Max simply refuses to sleep in it.  Most nights he winds up on the floor or his chair.   He even pulls the changing table pad off the dresser and sleeps on that.  But sleep only lasts so long in those odd spots; in addition to a two hour 'cry/scream/bang on the door' bedtime routine, Max wakes up several times throughout the night.  

Max was happy to help disassemble his crib, and he joyfully christened his new bed with lots of jumping.  Unfortunately, bedtime did not improve.  On the bright side, it did not get worse. 

I like it, but I still do not want to sleep.

The General finally surrendered- in the bed!

Bye, bye crib! 

Touchdowns!

Max and Jake cheered the Gators to a 65-0 victory in the opening game of their season.  The boys had a great afternoon of football, guitar, and pizza pie! 

Halftime show 

Hole in one!

Max requested to go to the golf course after school and played the best round of his life!  Unlike last time he played mini golf, Max followed the rules, hit from the tee, and played the holes in order.  The highlight of his round was an incredible shot at hole three; he hit the ball through the rocks and made his very first hole in one!  We were all so excited; Max ripped the flag out of the hole and did a well-deserved celebratory dance.

Hole in one!

Putting practice 

Watching daddy shoot

Max took a break at hole 14 to break into the batting cages.  He went back to finish the golf after.

Hit a home run, daddy!

Celebration cone 

"I look just like you, daddy!"

Bubbly bath

Farmers Market love

Kisses 

...and away they go

Heavy lifting 

Thank you!

Like with playing ball, practice makes perfect for Max when it comes to being polite.  We have been emphasizing the importance of saying "please" and "thank you", and it is finally paying off.  Max has started to say "thank you", with great pride, for an interesting variety of things such as, "thank you for my waffle, mommy!" and "thank you for washing my leg in the bath!".  The big grin that comes along with the "thank you" is pretty great, too.

What a great way to be welcomed home 

Carrots are hilarious!

Labor Day fun

Max made the most of the last unofficial day of summer.  Not only was he smiling and laughing all day, but he was on his best behavior- bonus!  This was truly the type of day to bottle...and open on snow day #10.

Max clapping at Mr. Knick Knack- Gator Chomp style

Max's new thing is to request pjs for naptime.  He is also experimenting with napping locations; today the floor fared well and led to two solid hours of shut eye.

Max and Jake rocking out in their diapers

Boys only!

The perfect end to the perfect day- Max helped clean up- really!  He even followed Mommy around with his vacuum (and did not get in the way).