Self Portraits by Max

Still playing catch up: Max's Birthday a la Chuckie Cheese style

To big for kisses.  

We are pretty serious about our candles.  No pressure though.  :)

Happy 4th Max.  You may wonder if I was at your party.  I was.  Someone has to plan the parties, buy the cakes, invite the friends and take the pictures.  That was me.  I did it because I love you my 4 year old big boy!   You have brought indescribable joy to me these last four years.  I am so grateful for you.  Thank you for being my little buddy.

Conversations with Max

Max:  When I grow up I'm going to marry you.

Me:  What about Dad?

Max: I'll get Dad a ring and go to work with him.

Me: What do Dad's do exactly?

Max:  They go to work.  Haven't you noticed?


He also wants to change his name to Robert because that's the name Dad's have.

Jackson's homework: The second grade Rorschach test.

Insight into Jackson's thought process:


His homework page tonight with instructions to solve the "riddles"  with words from the box:

Word choices:  flame, take, mistake, same, snake, make, name, brake, games, became.

1. People play them.  They are _____. (games)

2. Someone gives you something.  You______ (Jackson's answer: brake) it.

3.  This stops the wheels of a car or bike.  It is a______.


Question #3 had Jackson really frustrated so he called me over to help him.  He couldn't figure out what word it could be!  We had a talk about the difference between "break" and "brake" as soon as I could control my giggles.  It was the best thing that happened all day.

Playing catch up: Kate & Ella's piano recital

Birthday Wishes

Max just told me for his birthday he wants an Ipad:  "weally, weally, badly Mom with Angry Birds and Pants and Ombies and Ankon Games and Iron Man."  Awesome.

What do you think?  Should I get one for him?  :)

The FIRST day of school!!!

I am now "that Mom" who embarrasses her child with a photo in class.  Kate said to me as I came into her classroom (because she doesn't need me to walk her to class anymore) to make sure she was okay: "Hi, Mom.  Okay, Good-bye."   What a stinker!   She was not co-operative in the least as you can see.  I hope someday I'll be cool again.  

Jackson was up at 6:30 a.m. this morning.  He was not at all excited/nervous for school to start.  Kate and Ella soon followed and they were all ready to go at 7:30 a.m.  It made for a loooong morning.  I have been somewhat looking forward to the kids getting back to school.  I knew that I would miss them but I was excited about cleaning my house and it staying clean for more than three seconds.  I have given birth to four hurricanes and they tend to whirl and whirl and leave destruction in their wake.   I have been going insane at the lack of organization and cleanliness of my house and so I have some big plans for the hours they are in school.   However, that was far from my mind when I dropped them off this morning.  It always seems weird after I've walked them to their classes and given them a kiss that I'm suppose to leave.  I feel strange leaving my kids somewhere by themselves after having them attached to one of my appendages all summer.  It's a little sad too.  Another year at school means they are growing up and are one year closer to leaving me for good.  Sigh.  But I am resolved to take pleasure in the things that I am afforded because of their absence--like private bathroom time and being able to dress myself uninterrupted and no in-shower peace negotiations.  Still, I do miss them...