Vacation!

Last week we returned from our wonderful vacation in the Keys. It was so nice to get away and MUCH needed (is it ever not needed?). When we first planned our trip to Hawk's Cay we were told all about the wonderful kids camp and babysitting services. We thought great - maybe we'll put Max there a few afternoons so we get some time to really relax. But Max ended up being SUCH a pleasure - full of fun and happiness (he also seemed to want to relax) it just wasn't necessary. He has developed a sudden fear of the pool (NO DUNKING!) which we are addressing, but otherwise he loved every moment - walking around, talking to people and socializing, hanging out in our villa - playing with the sliding glass doors was his favorite thing on the entire vacation + walking on the rocks outside ("I get those bugs!"), playing on the pirate ship, helping some nice 14 year-old twins with their life-sized checkers game (SO cute, every time one would jump the other, they'd call "Maxie, Maxie" and he would go pick up the piece) going up and down the stairs (with one small fall), floating in the pool with us, seeing fish and Dolphins ("Olphins"), ICE CREAM, and more. Just a wonderful week we'll never forget.

The view from the back of our villa....

He had his first fishing trip and first time on a boat, which was pretty darn exciting. Kudos to Charlie for driving and landing us! The video below of Max fishing is pretty priceless (I keep asking him what he thinks of the boat because five seconds before he said "Mackie WUV the boat"). Some pics too, of course.

Playing with the "shrimpies" (our bate...for the record, we caught nothing)

Admiring Dad's casting technique....

Dancing up a storm to the dude playing cover tunes of Grateful Dead and Bob Seger. He is a classic rock fan...

Baseball Game!

A couple of weeks ago, Charlie took Max to his first real baseball game. It was a VERY exciting event. That day, Maria told Max he should take his nap because when he woke up, he and Dad were going to a baseball game (of course, for the next 3-4 days, Max kept asking to take a nap...took us a bit to figure out that he thought he was going to a baseball game when he woke up).

They went very early and Max enjoyed running around the stadium, swinging on the railings, seeing batting practice, and watching the game (somewhat - they only watched two "At bats" until he got bored/tired) and of course, eating food. He had nachos for the first time, but kept forgetting the name and telling me he had "nadas". But the most exciting thing of all was seeing a "BIIIIIIG BLIMP". He is still talking about that blimp and looking up to the sky hoping to see one everyday.

Some cute pics of the boys outing, the first of many! We just got back from our trip to the Keys, I'll try to have those pics up as soon as possible!

Scooting Along

Max has become obsessed with his scooter. If I ask him to get something from his room, he has to "scoot" there. If he is looking for Bobo, he has to "scoot" around the house searching. He wakes up from nap asking for his scooter and wants to bring it in the car, to the park, even to the pool.

When Charlie first got this a couple of months ago, I thought it would be a year before he could use it - he would just stand on it (and it said 3 years and up). Now, a short time later, he goes fast and even knows how to "glide". Its amazing to see how quickly kids can learn.

This video is already a few weeks old, he is much better now and flies around the house (hard to catch on camera). He also realized it doesn't work on the carpet. But I thought his reaction was so cute...

"Ninkle Ninkle"

Max's rendition of twinkle twinkle....and some bonus material. Enough said.

Max is Two!!

Two years ago today our little Maxie-Maxo was born (Mackie-Macko). We feel so extraordinary blessed to have him in our lives. Every day is an amazing adventure and every night Charlie and I say "we couldn't possibly love him more." (Remind me to look back on this when he is 14 and ordering me not to speak to him).

We've had an awesome weekend of birthday fun including a wonderful trip to the park/farm with the Geronemus family (our last year to skip the official b-day party), many calls from friends and family, loads of gifts from across the country, a morning sing-along with balloons and a big package from Grammy, breakfast with the Manheims, a fun dinner ("Taco Time"), Skyping with the west-coast fam and grandma and Jimbo, and of course, birthday cake (he ate the frosting).

Some pics below (lots) and a video of the famous Pony ride (as always my voice is annoyingly loud, but you can hear him say "Pony" at the end). I have many more pics that I'll send soon.

p.s. Uncle Davesy I'm not sure if you read this but if you do, we're thinking of you....xo

Singing Happy Bday - with Grandma and Jimbo on the computer. Modern technology amazing.

Birthday morning extravaganza! (Charlie channeled Julie with full Bday decorations!)

Big Pimpin'

We want to wish Grammy a happy happy bday!! Can't wait to see you soon.

Recently, we had a wonderful afternoon with the Cohen family (minus one).

We played at the park, had a big lunch, and Max had 3 lovely ladies fawn all over him. What a lucky guy - the girls couldn't have been sweeter to little "Mackie" and Max ATE IT UP. By the end of lunch, he was bouncing back and forth like a pinball between the three girls, giving hugs and kisses. Hysterical. Playing, running, eating, hugs, kisses (even Max kissing the girls!), and three ladies fighting over him - a pretty successful afternoon for a 2 year old.

Uncle E Bday!!!

I've been having technical difficulties. Wrote this whole blog after Eli's bday and uploaded the videos but they didn't work, should be Ok now. Eli don't get mad that I posted these, you guys are too cute together... Anyways, some shots of Eli and Max having fun! Max and his Uncle E are the cutest cliche. The "fun uncle" comes to town and they get rough and rowdy (and Max tries to act tough). He knows its "boy time" when Uncle E comes in the door!
The no-shirt, one-shoe, pants falling down look really tops it off.