First Day of Preschool

Our baby is off to school. That's right, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, Max will be with Miss Katie and his new friends. This is going to be an amazing adventure for Maximus. And he is so ready! He walked into his classroom confident, excited and ready to try something new. All traits I love about our little man. 


The first day of school simply consisted of an hour-long orientation. Half of the time, we stayed in the room with him, the rest we split up giving Max time to get acclimated to his new classroom. As some of the children sat on their mommy's laps clinging to them for dear life, our boy started exploring the room and would periodically look over his shoulder and give us the eye as if to say, "aren't you leaving yet?" 


So maybe this school thing is going to be harder on me than it is him. I love spending my days with Max. He is funny and adorable (and I should mention strong-willed most of the time.) But, this school thing is going to be great for him. 


So cheers to growing up my little man! I am so proud of you!

OBX 2011

Hurricane Irene could not keep us away. Maybe delay us by a couple of days (while we were safely tucked away and enjoying Raleigh, NC), but vacation 2011 proved to be one of the best years yet! 

The build-up for this vacation was like none before. Max fully understood what it meant to go to the beach, build sandcastles, fly kites, go boogie boarding, you catch my drift. It was a loooooong summer waiting for THE beach vacation. 

And once we arrived, the beach did not disappoint. Family, fun, afternoon naps, ice cream, walks on the beach, waves, seashell hunting, games, movies, and more. It was quite the week to remember. 

Here are some of the highlights:

Max's love language: chocolate ice cream.

These waves are fierce dude! 

This face sums up Max's disposition all week: sheer joy!

The annual family photo on the beach. 

The kiddos.
Thirteen total. Ten under the age of 5!

One big happy family. 

Life at the beach. I love it!

Chawocklit and Manilla

This is, hands-down, my favorite words in Max's vocabulary right now. Just wanted to give you a chuckle too! 

Blue Bike

Max just seems to be growing up before our very eyes. His new passion: the blue bike. 

He has recently mastered riding his bike. It took some practice sessions and determination, but he's got it down! We have spent the last couple of days doing family bike rides. As I watch Max riding down the sidewalk, I can't help but think, "really, he is big enough that we can take a bike ride together?" Some days I feel like I blinked and then he was three, and mister independent. ;)

Max and the Motorcycle

Max can't seem to get enough of Sam's 4-wheeler. He asks constantly, "Can we can go out to Uncle Tom and Aunt Beth's farm today so I can ride my motorcycle?"

Well, daddy delivered today.

As I weeded, and worked, and labored, and tended our organic garden, the boys were living it up. Laughing, smiling, and grinning from ear to ear. They would blaze by me, then slow down to a crawl so Max could yell out, "do you see me mama, do you see me?" Sure do buddy.

So what does a piece of heaven look like to Max? Apparently, it's a hunk a metal that you can ride at high flying speeds, and includes dirt in the face, grit in the teeth, and a sweaty head of hair under that helmet. Go get em' boys!

Isn't He Handsome?

Maximus played the role of ring bearer over the weekend for my cousin Michael, and his bride, Missy. Max took his job very seriously and won the crowd (errr I mean guests) over with his adorable toddler strut, big blue eyes and commitment to get the job done right. He was all business while standing in the bridesmaids line-up and when it was his big debut, he stuck his hand out for the flower girl and said, "hold my hand Bailey." He and Bailey successfully made it down the aisle, with flowers and pillow in tact. Well done!

Melt. My. Heart. These photos are priceless.

Happy Independence Day!

4th of July is one of my favorite holidays we get to celebrate. And freedom is such a powerful word. Webster's defines it as a state of being free, at liberty rather than confinement, and independence. In Scripture it says this,"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

We are truly blessed to have freedom. To experience life as free people, not in bondage, not in slavery. But, truly, free.

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Can you believe how time goes so quickly? I love doing then and now pictures. And this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Max

4th of July 2010

Max & Family

4th of July 2011