An encounter with Max's teacher

Bobbie Jo just returned home from the "Ranger Rally", a fundraising walk for Max's school. Apparently Max's teacher pulled her aside while she was at the school.

The students took a reading test yesterday and Max got a 900 something. He told his teacher he was concerned that he only got a 900, she reassured him that he did just fine.

When Bobbie Jo asked what a '900' meant, she was told "he was basically reading at an eighth grade level". His teacher is getting some books from the 4th grade class and putting Max and another boy together to read at this higher level.

I am so proud of this kid!

My First Day (by Max)

Found this in Max's desk when we went to curriculum night tonight.

Lily's Tantrum

She wanted 2 books before bed. Not 1.

Shortly after this she threw all of her stuffed animals all over the room, climbed into bed, and fell asleep.

Happy Father's Day!

These two

Bobbie Jo works this weekend, and the rain today has kept us inside. I've been trying to get some of the electrical work finished up in the basement, and these two have been playing together all morning.

They are closer than any two people I have ever met. Right now Max is helping her draw a 'ninja star'. She has requested a "blue element one". He's so patient with her.

I hope they stay this close forever.

Upgraded grocery-getter

In 2007 my Nissan was totaled in an accident. Hoping that we would someday need a bigger car, I took Bobbie Jo's Saturn and we bought a used Pontiac Vibe. Sometime over the following few months was when we found out Max was coming our way.

I'm on my second new car since that Saturn, and Bobbie Jo is (was) still driving that Vibe. It was in serious need of oil, a wash, tires, brakes, and probably general service. We hadn't had it in the shop in a few years. It didn't smell very good either.

We have entered a new era, and bought this monstrosity. It's an incredible vehicle; dvd, bluetooth, remote start, power-everything. We already have our first road trip planned for this summer, and I hope there are many more to follow.

Hey kids, don't trash it too bad. Because when you want to borrow the car.......

He did it!

Yesterday I got Max riding his bike. Previous attempts have all been failures, he would quickly give up, and had no interest in trying.

This time was different. He tried hard the whole time, and after every fall he got right back up and back on the bike. I'm so proud of him! We've got more to work on, but the hard part is done.

Watching him go for the first time, made me feel like the best dad in the whole world.

Happy Easter

A weekend vacation at Great Wolf Lodge

On Friday we loaded up Max and (a very sick) Lily, and made the trip up to Traverse City for a water park weekend at Great Wolf Lodge.

Lily rode everything she was big enough for. No fear in this kid.

This is a perfect representation of what it's like to try to get a family picture taken.

1000 gallons dumped every 5 minutes

Max getting instruction for his "Magi-Quest"

Max conquered his fears and went on all of the big slides, we ate mountains of ice cream, and slept well every night. The kids were incredibly well behaved, and we couldn't have asked for a better weekend. I think we might have to do this every year.

Sick

Lily woke up Tuesday morning pretty sick. She sounded pretty froggy, and was only interested in laying around.
Today (Thursday), she's lots worse. She's thrown up quite a few times, and is obviously exhausted. I'm post this to remember how adorable she has been throughout this ordeal. She will tell us that she "doesn't feel good", but she has been in great spirits the whole time. We're enjoying the time we get to spend snuggling with her. Last night, long after she should have been in bed, I told her we could lay in her bed for awhile and sing some songs (and afterwards we could watch tv). It was so nice letting the rest of the world go, and spending some time with my baby singing every song we could think of.

It worked. She did fall asleep. Until 7am. When she got up and barfed.

Hopefully she is healthy tomorrow (and Max doesn't get it). We're supposed to go to Great Wolf Lodge for the weekend.

Pinewood Derby

Disney Junior Live on Stage

We bought tickets for the kids 6 months ago as something fun to do on their birthday weekend. Max has grown up quite a bit since then, but he enjoyed a little bit of it (just not the princess stuff!).
Watching Lily light up when she saw Cinderella come on stage brought tears to my eyes.

Star Wars Night at the Griffins

Conference Recap

While the things that Max's teacher said are still fresh in my mind, I must get them written down.

• He is so creative, all of the other kids flock to him at recess because of all the fun games he comes up with.
• There is a girl in his class who hasn't had much luck fitting in with the girls. Max has befriended her 'just because'.
• His reading and math test scores are the highest in his class, and maybe all of the first grade.
• His teacher is frequently told by other teachers "how much they are in love with her Max".
• His writing is incredible. Most of the other kids need ideas about what to write. Max always has something he wants to write about.
• He talks a lot. Sometimes he needs to be reminded to not talk over people, but it is always out of excitement. He loves to learn, and he loves to help others learn.
• In the cafeteria his teacher told the class that they needed to settle down; they were acting like a bunch of little monkeys. Max rallied the group to improve their behavior. This is common-he is a leader in the class.
• His teacher has requested a different subscription to his ipad reading app as he has out read the first grade app.
• He talks about his sister a lot and it is obvious to his teacher how much he is enamored with her.
• Other parents asked his teacher "so, who is this Max kid we keep hearing about?".

Proud doesn't even begin to explain it.

Diaper selection

Lily has decided that the diapers she wears that are not "nighttime diapers" are "good morning diapers". Good logic.

We're grownups

For some reason Max wanted a paper mustache. "Me Too" wanted one too.

I love her serious 'grownup face'.
(Is this what we look like?)

Sledding