Bringin' Home the Bacon

After three posts in a row about Lyla, I figured the blog needed a Max story to balance things out. My brain works in mysterious ways like that. I will take my blog readers back to December of 2016 for this recollection about when Max started his first job. It was tough times and we were in need of money from any sources of income we could salvage, even if that meant sending our three year old into the workforce. Hahaha okay, here is the real story...

It was a few months ago when Jeremy & Charli gifted a few 1488 Collision shirts to Maxwell. The shirts are almost identical to Kirk's daily uniform, including the same logo and even the name "Max" embroidered on the front. Max insisted on wearing this shirt to school every single day for several weeks in a row, which actually worked out fine because they purchased five for him. So yes, he wore a 1488 polo shirt every single day --- which is either really great advertising or just makes him the weird kid at school. Maybe both. Ha! 

Well. The excitement of wearing the work shirt started to fade and eventually it just wasn't cutting it anymore. Max kept wondering when he could start working at 1488 Collision and this quickly became a daily conversation. We tried explaining to him that school is his only job right now and he has many more years of school before he needs to start thinking about a job. I admired his enthusiasm to work...but HELLO...being three is awesome!!! Enjoy it, child. The constant asking turned into pleading and eventually he was begging to go to work. Persistence at its finest until one day Max's dream came true. Kirk finally asked me to drop him off after school one day. As you could imagine, Max was delighted.

Lyla and I decided a quick run to Starbucks would be adequate time for a three year old's first shift of work. We dropped him off and oh geez, he was so happy. I'll never forget him walking into that building with such confidence in his step. Kirk set him up with a phone on his belt clip and a notepad, then walked him throughout the shop to check out the status on all the jobs, just as a manager should do. Kirk's version of this story is much better than mine will be, but basically Kirk introduced Max to everyone as they walked through the shop and it sounds like all the employees were pretty entertained by Kirk's mini-me. They all went along with Max being their temporary boss pretty well. Kirk said one of the guys asked Max his age and Max proudly proclaimed "twenty-phree." Hahaha! Max concluded his shift by helping wash a car and I need Kirk to share that part of the story because, again, his version is way more hilarious. Max felt proud of his new supervisor duties and was upset when we returned to pick him up about thirty minutes later. That was about as much "help" Kirk could make time for, even though we were a little heartbroken as Max kept saying, "it's not over yet!" 

He returned to work for one additional shift since that time. It turns out Max prefers the "late shift" because then he gets to ride home with Kirk in the blue car. He is obsessed with the blue car. I keep telling Kirk he needs to write Max a real paycheck so we can put it in his keepsake box...but who am I kidding...he would probably cash it as soon as he figures out how. Ha! 

It's such a fun experience going to work as a kid, whether it be with parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents. I have such fond memories from my own childhood and feeling so grown up when I had the opportunity to go to work with an adult in my life. I'm grateful Max has that experience already and maybe one day working with dad will be his real first job. I mean...he already has some experience. However, I think he might require a larger polo at that point...

No pics of him at work, sadly, But here are the cutie pies in their matching shirts!

Birthday Interview Fail

I completely forgot about doing a birthday interview for Max this year!!!! I remembered this week and decided to do it anyway because I think birthday interviews are great fun. I'm always amused by their responses, as they are never as I expect. For example, his favorite song --- that was so random. Ha! I loved it. It's around 3:18 if you don't want to watch the entire video. Also, big sister syndrome is running fierce in this video, but even that part had me giggling. She just can't help herself. Enjoy!

Direct link -----> click here!

Max Hacks

There are often times I am puzzled by what goes on in the mind of a three year old. I've learned being three isn't always easy, sometimes people just don't understand you --- specifically, Max. This boy is a true bundle of joy in our lives, but that's not to say he can't be a complete pain the booty sometimes too. I'm grateful Lyla is past this phase of her adolescent development. Although the dramatics remain rampant, she is generally pretty rational and comprehends the logic in information presented to her. Then there are times with Max when I just have to laugh and remind myself that "this too shall pass." Let me enlighten you on some of his curious behavior.

As we were playing in the backyard this week, Lyla was making a wild creation using buckets of sand, water, and who knows what else. She was transporting a plastic cup full of water from the pool to the edge of the yard where the concrete meets the grass. She was minding her own business and seemingly enjoying herself. Suddenly, Max enters the scenario and insists this cup is in the way of his intended walking path. My initial response was the most obvious answer, just walk around the cup. He did not appreciate this response and I could tell a meltdown was brewing. It's moments like this when I just stare at him in disbelief for a few seconds. The insanity of throwing a fit over a cup being in your way is baffling. I gently explained the cup was there first and offered the second most reasonable option --- move the cup! I guess this made sense in his mind because he picked up the cup, moved it about a foot to the right, and continued walking. 

Max enjoys a ham and cheese sandwich a few times a week, usually cut into a shape with our dinosaur cookie cutter. However, there is a technique to follow if you wish to avoid any emotional distress. I make sure each layer of sandwich has adequate amounts of mayonnaise to ensure the layers do not fray apart as he takes bites. This is insane. My pre-parenting self would have thought someone to be completely out of their mind to be so accommodating to a three year old. But this is real life. There are some battles not worth fighting and these are the simple steps I take in order to avoid a meltdown over something as simple as a sandwich. He is similarly particular about a granola bar. If he is eating a granola bar and it breaks in half, either accidentally or intentionally, he melts into the ground over it. I've tried convincing him the bar tastes the same regardless, but he rejects that logic. At that point, I've been known to moisten the sugary fibers to "glue" the bar back together. Again, this is insane....but it's for my own protection!!!!

The last Max-ism that comes to mind is regarding his shoes, specifically shoes with laces. It took me many moons to realize Max requires the excess laces to be the same length and fall evenly over the center of the shoe. I have witnessed the walls closing in around him if his shoes are not just right. The day I finally realized what the problem was, my mind was blown. Insanity. You better believe his shoes get tied the correct [see: Max] way every single time. It's habit now. 

Maybe a three year old runs the show. Maybe we choose our battles. Maybe this is just life Max. He's lucky we love him so much!

Annual Check-Ups: Lyla 4 & Maxwell 3

We visited the doctor this week to get a couple of annual check-ups marked off our list. It was the first time each of them were given an eye exam and for some reason I found that part entertaining. They aren't required to name letters yet, just shapes. I enjoyed how they called the same shape different names --- Lyla said it a circle, and to Max it was a wheel. Regardless, their answers earned them a pass, which is a good sign considering I was three when my eyesight took a nose dive.  

Lyla received four booster vaccinations during this visit. She was super brave and bragged the rest of the day about how she didn't cry at all. I will be sure to remind her of these tough girl inconsistencies next time she is on the verge of winning an academy award as I'm brushing her hair. It's similar to her reaction in the bathtub when she gets water in her eyes, as opposed to how easily she brushes it off in the swimming pool. She is quite silly, but I imagine her dramatics will come in useful throughout her lifetime. 

Max won't be due for another round of shots until we schedule a check-up again next year. We had to see the doctor on such a frequent basis when they were babies, it feels strange to finally be on an annual schedule. It's rare for us to visit the doctor for anything else and I feel pretty fortunate to have healthy kiddos. 

I suppose at some point I should probably stop posting their measurements to the blog, but for now I think it's still fine. I promise the exposure will stop as soon as I hear one of them pleading to keep their weight off the internet. I can already see myself hovered over my keyboard, calling each of them after they have moved out of the house, "Yes, hello sweetie, can you go weigh yourself for the blog?" Hahaha! Kidding. They would hang up on me for sure. 

Maxwell Monte: 

Height: 37.5 inches, 65th percentile

Weight: 33.6. lbs, 52nd percentile

Lyla Estelle:

Height: 43 inches, 88th percentile

Weight: 37.6 lbs, 54th percentile

Maxwell: Third Birthday

I finally have real internet access again. It was getting a little tricky living off cell phone data only, but clearly it's a manageable lifestyle. Although I still take full advantage of all the luxurious amenities offered to me, first world problems typically get a huge eye roll from this lady. Hopefully I can get in the habit of blogging on a regular basis again. There has been so many fun things happening in our lives, I would probably overwhelm myself trying to blog about all of it. So, with the exception of the birthday bash of sir Max, the past will be left behind and I will start blogging about life moving forward. 

We celebrated Max's birthday shortly after returning from Idaho. I was feeling like the energizer bunny, trying to adjust back to normal life after our trip while simultaneously plan a birthday party. Max requested a dinosaur party and we managed to pull it off, considering the short amount of planning time that went into it. As Kirk pointed out, Max will never remember the small details that I seem to dedicate to party planning. But let's be honest, I love parties! It's a happy kind of stress, for me at least. First world problems. 

We enjoyed an afternoon of swimming, eating cake, and digging up dinosaurs in the backyard. Yes, technically one would dig up fossils, but luckily none of the diggers made that connection. We all watched as Max ripped through his presents in record time. I would normally supervise a more thoughtful present opening process, but he was so incredibly fast and aggressive --- it was too funny to watch. He did stop for one second to read a birthday card. I found his intent focus to be humorous, considering he can't read yet. 

Texas has been on the receiving end of some atrocious amounts of rain lately, but I was grateful it took a short break during the party. I think Max had a fabulous time and enjoyed being the star of the show. Max turning three reminds me of how much he has changed since turning two. He remains pretty easy going most the time, but the layers of his personality are beginning to unfold. He is an adventure seeker and never lets fear stand in his way, which can be a bit terrifying at times. He is funny by nature. I always smile when I can hear a good belly laugh coming from him as he is playing...by himself. It usually involves any predicament he gets his action figures into, but I love a guy who can laugh at his own jokes. [insert Kirk emoji here] And above all, I admire how thoughtful he is, especially when it comes to caring for Lyla. Max is a big piece in our family puzzle and we are so lucky!

It's hard to believe we have a three year old again, for the second time. I'm pretty sure Lyla was just three. Life isn't slowing down and somehow that 17 month age gap just keeps shrinking. My heart does this funny thing when I think about what life was like when they were babies. It seems like yesterday and a lifetime ago all wrapped into one. The reason I try to capture so much of it is because I never want to forget. They are going to grow up tomorrow and their little voices, their laughter, and even their cry will never be the same. I know these are all precious moments, even on the days they make me feel insane. This motherhood business is a lovely experience and I'm looking forward to all the birthdays to come. 

Oh, and speaking of insanity. Max is on day seven of no pacifier. This comforting little item is known as the "baba" in our house. And I'm not sure who misses it more --- me or Max. The withdrawal symptoms have been super pleasant at bed time and I've definitely had to resist picking up another one, but I think we are through the worst of it. I can't blame him, the baba got us through some tough times together. We were building up anticipation for months about throwing away his baba when he turned three. He was even pumped about it, because obviously being three means you are way too old for a baba. I used this theory on Lyla and it worked like a charm, so I was hoping the same would unfold for the second child. Funny enough, I took three baba with us to Idaho and came home with only one lone survivor. We were keeping it around until the official throwing-into-the-garbage ceremony, but it vanished on its own. It was slightly disappointing, but it's gone and over with now. Bravo Max, Bravo!

Hello to New Chapters: Part 2

We started touring preschools several weeks ago and I quickly learned I was entering a whole new territory I knew nothing about. The idea of Lyla going to Pre-K this fall has been exciting and somewhat sad, because time has passed by oh so quickly. I should clarify, she is not sad about it one bit, her mom and dad are the ones wondering where the time went. We toured several schools and eventually determined what type of atmosphere would be best for Miss Lyla. We were in the midst of finalizing our decision when Olivia mentioned an opportunity at the school where she works. Abercrombie Academy is hiring for an administrative position in their preschool office and the timing of receiving this information seemed oddly convenient. I wasn’t looking for a job, nor was I looking to put Max in school a year earlier than planned, but I decided to explore the opportunity anyway. I put a lot of trust in the natural timing that occurs in life.

The first thing we did was tour the preschool to determine if it would be a good fit. It turns out it is exactly what we had been looking for and it put all of the other tours to shame. We loved it. Then it came time to decide if enrolling Max in school would be a good decision, especially since it goes completely against my mindset when it comes to schooling. I am a stay at home mom, which is a huge blessing in itself and a big reason why we moved to Texas in the first place. I had zero intentions of putting a three year old in school. And I still stand firmly on the opinion that preschool is not necessary to raise a happy, healthy, smart child.

I never attended preschool and I'm normalish. I don't know if it's a difference of social norms in this area or just a generational thing, but there is a lot of pressure to put children in school at three or even two years old. I've been on the receiving end of the look of death when I start chatting with a mom at the park and she learns neither of my kids are in school. I always respond in my best duh tone, "No, my kids are not in school because they are two and four years old." There is no crime in not sending kids to school until Kindergarten, but a lot of parents feel differently on this subject. I did not allow this pressure to contribute to any decision because I think it’s stupid. I just wanted to make blog readers aware of the pressure that exists in case you have been out of the parenting business for a while.

After much research, counsel from family and friends, and pure instinct I decided this would be a good decision for our family. It was a bit of an emotional struggle for me to come to the realization that Maxwell going to school will have more of a positive impact than any negative one I had imagined. As much as Maxwell will be learning at his new school, he will perceive it as nothing more than having fun. It is completely play based and I think that’s important. It is only four hours per day. And definitely not a rigorous schedule of academics, which I had originally envisioned.

I know Maxwell is going to love it. He will thrive in an environment where he can make new friends, have independent experiences, and probably have more fun than he would with me all day. It was a tough pill to swallow when I asked him directly if he would prefer special “Mommy and Max time” or go to school like Lyla. He, of course, replied that he wants to go to school just like Lyla. And even though he is only two years old, we try to consider his desires as much as possible.

I applied for the position and as of August, I will be working part time and both kiddos will start school. It will be such a blessing to be on location while my kids are attending school. I will work the same hours as school is in session, so we will never be burdened with the conflict of coordinating schedules for transportation or holidays. And I get to attend all the fun activities they have going on throughout the year. The world is a scary place and in some ways this is giving me a sense of safety that I feared I would lack in sending my kids to public school. It seems almost too good to be true. We are so grateful for this unexpected opportunity and excited to see what the future brings. If all goes well, Lyla and Max could potentially attend through 5^th grade. Time will tell. 

Babysitting 101: By Lyla

I'm posting this video to give some of our far away family a glimpse into Lyla's talkative nature. I've mentioned before her tendency to ramble, but it seems to be occurring more & more often lately. She came up with this random idea that she is now old enough to start babysitting. She even planned a date night for us. She was convincing me of this for at least ten minutes before I thought to record it. In the video she is talking about Max and our baby friend, Gianna. I'm not sure how the baby got tossed into the equation, I just rolled with it.  

The video runs a bit long, as she wanted to discuss this topic f.o.r.e.v.e.r. So I don't blame anyone for not wanting to watch the entire thing. It's definitely one of those videos where you start to wonder if the parent knows they are obsessed with their child. And yes, I am well aware of my insanity. When did the most basic human functions become so remarkable & entertaining to watch!? [ <-- Spoiler: January 4, 2012] My grandma sent me a text yesterday saying how much she loved a voicemail I left her because she could hear Max breathing in the background. Yes, breathing, people. I would say it's safe to assume I'm not the only obsessed person. Ha!

Postscript: Lyla announced later the same day that she better wait until she is four or five before she starts babysitting. She is a funny funny girl. I think she forgets she is only three, I know I do. 

https://youtu.be/arsWphz-Xj4

Lyla: Three Year Check-Up

Lyla had a check up this week. In the past she always gets a deer in the headlights look on her face and goes completely silent when the doctor enters the room. This visit she was super chatty. The doctor determined her growth is on track, she is basically a genius, and she is the prettiest little three year old ever. I had to decline the flu shot three times before he finally got the point, other than that it was a quick & easy trip to the doctor. She doesn't have to return for another check up for one full year! 

Weight: 32 lbs, 50th percentile

Height: 38 3/4 inches, 90th percentile

To see how much Lyla has grown click here or here!

Lyla: Age Three

Lyla's day started out as it usually does, in our bed. She woke us up first thing in the morning with her sweet little voice saying, "Everyone. Everyone. I am three now." She seemed so very pleased to announce her new number. She opened her presents from us. A new CD player so she can blast Frozen music in every room of the house. A brave gift, yes I know. I told her I would make anything she wanted for breakfast, assuming she would request waffles since they are her favorite. To my surprise, she asked for a peanut butter sandwich. An odd request indeed, but simple enough. No complaints from me since I spent five hours slaving away over a birthday cake the night before!

Lyla spent the entire day in her Elsa dress. We decorated the house and prepared for the small party we planned for later in the afternoon. Originally I objected to the idea of a Frozen party. Frozen consumes pretty much every aspect of our lives and my brain is feeling a little lot mushy. We are drowning in Frozen memorabilia over here. Then Kirk chimed in with his logic and pointed out that it is isn't my birthday. It's Lyla's birthday. She deserves to celebrate in Frozen style if that's her wish. So I surrendered to the Frozen themed party, just for Lyla. I generally think character themed parties are pretty cheesy, but we kept it simple and I think it turned out pretty cute.

Lyla said her favorite part of her party was the cake, the decorations, and the people. She loves people. And she loves to party! She may only be three, but she has a nice group of family and friends who joined us to celebrate her birthday. She definitely enjoyed their company and having the spotlight.

It's difficult for me to really grasp the fact that she is three now. She is still the same vibrant, observant, determined, stubborn little person as the day she was born. Yet, she is growing growing growing and learning so much. She soaks up knowledge like a sponge. She rattled off my phone number the other day, including the area code. This isn't a skill we've ever practiced. This proves that she is always listening and she is a smartie pants! Her sense of sarcasm seems to be developing nicely as well. And for anyone who doesn't know us, that is a must have quality for survival under this roof. She even made her first "your mom" joke recently. It was pretty great and totally unexpected. Parent teacher conferences could get interesting....but we'll cross that bridge when we get there!

Lyla's day ended with a true birthday meltdown. She mumbled something about Elsa and sprinkles, while forcing out some tears. As she unwillingly climbed into bed, she said in the most dramatic voice possible, "I don't want to be three ever ever again!" Her head finally hit the pillow and she fell asleep instantly. It was a good day to turn three!

I'm looking forward to many more adventures, laughs, and dramatic performances from my baby girl as she continues her path to that age four life mark. She is a blessing in our lives and brings us so much joy. 

Yuck...my heart sank while typing out "age four." Let's not discuss that again for a LONG time. 

I love you, Lyla girl.