First Day of Kindergarten *Update*

Today, at 8:20 am, Max officially started Kindergarten. He has been so excited about this day for weeks. Last night he picked out his clothes & really thought about his choices. (Everything matched!) Even though he was tired-couldn't sleep from excitement-he jumped out of bed this morning to get ready. He insisted on putting on his backpack immediately & wanted to hold his lunchbox during breakfast.

Time for breakfast

Here we go!

The school was a madhouse with all the kids & parents waiting outside. Finally, everyone lined up by grade, the kindergarteners (and their parents) marched into the building.
Getting ready to line up. Max refused to smile, just gave me his "tough guy" look instead.

Once we got into the classroom & found Max's chair, he dismissed us. Literally. "Mom & Dad, you can go now. But first will you open my play-dough?" Getting a goodbye kiss was like pulling teeth & after that, forget any sort of communication. He was in the "Kindergarten Zone".

So now, Lily & I get to figure out what to do with ourselves until 3:00pm. I'm sure we can find something...

* Max's first day went wonderfully! He came home chattering about his day & some of the new things he did. In response to a few of my questions, I received the proberbial "nothing" or "I don't know". I thought that didn't start until they were just a little bit older?

Between then and now...

So yes...it has been a really long time since I posted anything. But I know you will forgive me. We have been crazy busy since the last post!

*Note on the pictures at the end

I started a new job at the end of May & am much happier! I get to work at home about 95% of the time & the kids get to go to the office with me when I go in to pick up my work. Max loves it since the guys in the office always stop what they're doing & play with him for a bit. I am so thankful to have this opportunity!

We went to Arkansas in June to see family & friends & be generally wild & crazy. We had a great time seeing everyone & Max had such a good time playing with his second cousins. And the cousins got to have a little grownup time thanks to some fantastic grandparents & great-aunts & -uncles! We missed those that couldn't make it but next year I hope we can ALL get together!

Lily had her first taste of cereal which she ate enthusiastically &wore herself out.

She has since had carrots (delish!) & yellow squash (NOT a fan). We're going to try butternut squash tomorrow! She is also rolling over & sitting up & babbling non stop! Not to mention learning how much fun hamming for the camera can be. She loves to blow raspberries & is starting to play peekaboo with her blankets.


Max turned 5 at the end of July & had a Spongebob Squarepants party. We had a lot of friends & family over to celebrate & everyone had a great time.

I made the cake. Really, I have proof! See...



Somewhere a pinata-maker is laughing hysterically!


Aunt Becky & cousin Lizzie came to STL so that gave us yet another excuse to get together for good food!


While Mum-mum & Pop-pop were here we visited the Science Center, went fishing & just ran around being generally crazy!



And, surprise...we had another BBQ!


Max starts Kindergarten on August 18th & we have been getting up early everyday this week & walking to his school in preparation. He is so excited & so am I! Stay tuned!

*It drives me crazy when Blogger won't let you arrange the pictures the way you want them! I really didn't want everyone to wear out their index fingers scrolling but...

Good Family Reunion

The Four Good Brothers

Al & John in front with Steve & Andy in back

Memorial Day weekend brought the Goods to St. Louis in droves! The festivities began with a BBQ at John's as people began arriving Friday. The grown ups played lots of games of "Pass the Baby" while the food cooked to perfection.

Sara, Angela, Al, John, Linda, & Lily

Kim, Andy, Scott, Debbie, Lynn, Uncle Steve & Cousin Steve

Max was in heaven. Why, you ask? This was the first time he met his second cousin Eli & to say they hit it off would be an understatement. They had a great time...

sword fighting...
shooting bubble guns...

climbing giant bug sculptures...

Petting sting rays...

You heard me, petting sting rays. The zoo has a great new exhibit that runs through the end of September. You can read more about it here.

Both boys thought it was totally cool, if a bit slimey.

Alas, that is where my pictures end (until I can find the darn cd the others are on) but the stories continue. After a crazy Saturday with some at the zoo, some at the art museum, others playing golf & one poor sap who had to work (wonder who that was?), the whole family gathered at local restaurant for more together time. Its funny how even after you grow up, you still get put at the kid's table.
Sunday, the majority of the family went to church then to a brunch. (Is it really brunch if its after 12pm?) Max was having a hard time listening & Ian sat him down to have a conversation. To make sure Max was concentrating on what he was saying, Ian asked if he was wearing his "listening ears". Max promptly replied, "No Dad, they're recharging! At which point everyone dissolved in a fit of laughter & Max learned a very valuable lesson.
Sunday evening, the festivities continued at Rob & Kim's house with an indoor picnic, more baby passing, some movie watching & lots of catching up.

What do you mean its over?!?

What a great way to spend a weekend! And we can't wait til next Memorial Day weekend!

Whew! I know its been a while but we've been busy! I found a part time job but its not a good fit (a nice way of saying I HATE IT!) so I am looking at a few other options that seem to have fallen into my lap. We shall see what happens! I registered for the fall semester. Ian has been traveling. Max & Lily are growing so fast!

Our good friend Leslie watches the kids alot when Ian travels & I go sell office supplies. The other day her mom, Pat & stepdad, lovingly known as Fireman Ron, came to play for a little while too. Fireman Ron brought one of his toys & made Max's day! We are so lucky to have them in our lives! We love you Les, Pat & Ron!

Max loves to build things & lately he's been watching Warriors on the History Channel with Ian. Its hosted by Terry Schappert (former Special Forces) & Max likes to pretend to be Terry & go on all the adventures. He's learning a lot of history in the process. For instance, he has informed me all about the Seige of Malta, King Kamehameha (sp?), the traitor Armineus & other various battles throughout history. (The kid's memory is amazing!) A few days ago Max built these two men out of his brick blocks. They were cool so we took a picture & I went back upstairs to cook dinner.

The next thing I know, he's built his own little army!

Max & Lily reading

Lily is growing so fast I don't know where to start! She hasn't rolled over again; I think it was just a fluke, but she's still trying. She really wants to sit up & see the world, but isn't quite there yet. She is reaching for her toys & can grab them & sometimes even get them in her mouth. Her little personality is really starting to develop. Where Max is a "do-er", Lily is an observer. She loves to watch everything. She is also a momma's girl, which has made going back to work interesting, even if it is just part time.

Put 'em up!

The happiest baby ever!

may 3rd post

Anyone having trouble viewing the video on the 5/3 post?

I told you so!

Lily rolled over Monday morning! Where was the camera? In the basement!

Meet The Machines, Kindergaten & Smiles

Last year Max & Ian went to an event called Meet the Machines put on by CAT & Budrovich. This year Lily & I got to go too. Each kid got a real hard hat at the entrance & got to decorate it with stickers. This year they had even more machines for the kids to climb on & they could even go up in a crane. (The line for that was literally 1/2 a mile long!) Max had a great time on all the different machines & by the end of the day we were all pooped!

Yes, he really is operating heavy equipment!
He could have stayed right there all day!

Video

We also went to Kindergarten Orientation at Max's school. He is so excited to be a Hudson Elementary Hawk! He met his teachers, made a hat & colored, all while having fun with his new classmates. According to the school counselor, when Max was finished, he stood up and announced, "I just did my first assignment!"

Max's Hawk pose

Lily has also started smiling & reserves most of them for her big brother. I can make funny faces all day long but Max just has to walk in the room. She is also trying to roll over but hasn't quite made it. I'm sure it will happen as soon as the camera is no where within reach.

I think this is one of the best pics ever! I did get a little bit of the photography gene!