Adventures with Maximus

VBS Week 2011

2011-06-17T20:01:00.000-07:00

This years theme was Gold Rush.

Messy Birthday Party

2011-06-07T19:56:00.000-07:00

Max attended a "messy" birthday party. He participated in most events but drew the line at digging out gummy worms from pudding with his face.

Max and Gigi in a Hurricane

2011-06-04T19:54:00.000-07:00

Max convinced Grandma Gigi to go into the hurricane machine with him.

Celebration of Learning

2011-06-03T19:51:00.000-07:00

End of Year Party

2011-06-02T19:46:00.000-07:00

In-N-Out

2011-05-30T19:43:00.000-07:00

Max tries his first In-N-Out Burger.

Memorial Day 2011

2011-05-30T19:37:00.000-07:00

Our block closed down for our Memorial Day block party. We pulled out the bounce house and Max set up a snow cone stand for his friends.

Friends

2011-05-28T19:35:00.000-07:00

Max and his friend showed up to watch their friend in her skating competition. Here they are posing with her and her medal.

Piano Recital 2011

2011-05-21T14:24:00.000-07:00

Solo Performance

Ensembles

American Idol Final 2

2011-05-19T08:01:00.000-07:00

The stress of the results has Max sitting in floor he just couldn't take sitting on the couch.

Here is his reaction to Ryan delaying the announcement

and here is his final two reaction...

This time he knew I was recording him so he wasn't as animated but you can still see how anxious he gets waiting.

Butterfly Release

2011-05-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

We missed it coming out of its chrysalis for the second year in a row. We have been checking it all the time and then today all of a sudden I hear tap tap tap and look up and the butterfly is banging against the container trying to get out.

Sci-Tech

2011-05-14T19:29:00.000-07:00

We went over to the Sci-Tech Discovery Center because they were having a cookie fundraiser. You bought a box and got to fill it full with the home made cookie assortment of your choosing. Yummy. While there we checked out a few new exhibits. Our trip was cut short by the unexpected loss of a tooth.

American Idol

2011-05-12T19:23:00.000-07:00

Max takes American Idol very seriously

Happy Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-08T19:21:00.000-07:00

Here is the Mother's Day card that Max made me at school.

Butterflies 2011

2011-05-08T18:54:00.000-07:00

Field Day 2011

2011-05-06T18:43:00.000-07:00

Video in the Wheat

2011-05-05T18:37:00.000-07:00

A friend needed some extras for a video he was making so we headed out to a random wheat field to do our part. We also took a moment to play at the park.

Gattitown

2011-04-30T18:33:00.000-07:00

The Daddy's were away so Max and I had a combined sleepover with our friends. He kept asking me why I was crashing his sleepover. We went to Gattitown for some fun.

Field Trip - MPAC

2011-04-28T18:29:00.000-07:00

Max's second field trip of the year was to the McKinney Performing Arts Center. The center was performing Once Upon a Texas. The first play was filled with historical facts on the settling of Texas, the second was the Tall Tale version of Pecos Bill.

Awana Awards 2011

2011-04-25T18:23:00.000-07:00

Max completed both the Sparks Skystormer Handbook and the Skystormer Extra Credit books this year. He completed his third year of Sparks and won the Sparky Award. Next year he will be in Truth and Training (T&T).

Happy Easter 2011

2011-04-24T18:14:00.000-07:00

We went to sunrise service with Max in his pj's and he got to do one more egg hunt.
After church we met some friends at Blue Mesa for brunch.

When we got home we found a package on our door with Easter Donald inside.

More Easter Egg Hunts

2011-04-23T18:04:00.000-07:00

Legoland with a Friend

2011-04-22T17:58:00.000-07:00

Awana Pie in the Face

2011-04-18T17:52:00.000-07:00

Max earned three pies for completing his Awana books. He used two pies on Daddy and one on Mrs. Cassie.

OSU Spring Game

2011-04-16T16:58:00.000-07:00

Nice hotel, yummy breakfast, campus tour, club seats, all you can eat/drink football food, Eskimo Joes cheese fries, board games, fun friends, need I say more.

OSU Road Trip

2011-04-15T16:55:00.000-07:00

We headed with our fellow OSU friends to Stillwater for the Spring Game.

Class Performance

2011-04-15T16:38:00.000-07:00

Max's class did the punctuation rap for their assembly performance.

Book Fair Carnival

2011-04-14T16:35:00.000-07:00

Another Party

2011-04-10T16:30:00.000-07:00

Legoland Grapevine, Egg Hunt, Swimming Bday

2011-04-09T16:10:00.000-07:00

Busy, busy Saturday

Field Trip Heard Museum

2011-04-07T15:52:00.000-07:00

Max's second grade field trip was to the Heard Museum in McKinney. Each chaperone was given a group of kiddos and set free to tour the place. Our group ended up walking 5 miles of trails.

Disney on Ice - Toy Story 3

2011-03-31T15:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Mommy

2011-03-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

I woke up to this basic card by my bed

he must have felt bad about the simplicity because later today I received this painting

Disney Day Five - Pirates, Police, and Planes

2011-03-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

On departure day we booked a character breakfast at Cape May in the Beach Club because we had also scheduled Max for a pirate cruise. We happen to run into another friend at breakfast.

The pirate cruise is a kids only activity that takes them on a treasure hunt searching for clues in the lagoon as well as world showcase before it opens to the public. We got Max checked in to his pirate cruise and then we went down to MGM. As we were riding the boat back to the Beach Club we see Max's pirate boat. We wave , they Arrgh and we move on. Well Daddy happens to look back and sees the boat has run aground. Once we get off our boat we see a police boat go racing in that direction. At this point we are getting nervous, then completely freak out when we see a medical helicopter circling over head. Daddy sends me running to the pirate desk and he goes running to the boat. Everything's A-OK at the pirate desk but Daddy hasn't seen any sign of the pirate boat. I come to find out after hearing the desk explain the adventure to someone that it is part of the act. The boat pretends to run aground and then the police boat rescues it. The medical helicopter was a just a coincidence. I text hubby everything is fine and then he sees their boat. We would have never known anything if we hadn't passed their boat on our way back. The pirate cruise ends with a chase of the bad guy and then they split the treasure. Max had an awesome time, can't say the same for us parents.

After the pirate cruise we head back to our resort for lunch and treats and to wait on our magical express bus. We pass the time playing in the community hall.

The whole plane ride home Max played with his little Disney collector pack people.

Disney Day Four - St Patricks Day

2011-03-17T14:55:00.000-07:00

Back to MGM

Resting at our resort, we took the resort tour and played in our community hall.

We spent the evening in Animal Kingdom and even ate with some birds.

Disney Day Three - Epcot FW

2011-03-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

We spent the day at Epcot, first in Future World and then finished up a few countries we had missed.

We had an early dinner at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary.

Disney Day Two - Daddy Down

2011-03-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

Daddy woke up this morning with a horrible stomach bug. So Max and Mommy headed to Magic Kingdom alone. Daddy met up with us for a little later.

We finished up with lunch at Crystal Palace with Pooh and friends.

Max and Mommy rested at our hotel pool while Daddy slept.

After our fun at the pool, Max and Mommy cleaned up and went out for shopping and dinner in Downtown Disney.

Disney Day One - MGM & WS

2011-03-14T19:23:00.000-07:00

We started off our official day at rope drop for Hollywood Studios. We met up with our friends and made the mad dash to Toy Story Mania, followed by a ride on Tower of Terror. We split with the friends so we could catch the new Disney Jr live show and attend Animation Academy. Daddy won the animation contest of drawing Goofy.

We had lunch with Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso and June & Leo.

After lunch we rested in our hotel room overlooking the savannah.

In the evening we headed over to World Showcase for our trip around the world. This year instead of a paper mask to get stamped they had a Duffy Bear to color and take around the world. Epcot looked great during the Flower and Garden Festival. Tons of new topiaries to see.

Disney Arrival Day - AK

2011-03-13T14:14:00.000-07:00

We decided to try Disney over Spring Break this year. We checked into our hotel - Animal Kingdom Kidani Village then headed next door to Animal Kingdom where we were able to catch the last live bird show. Max got to see an owl and ask his trainer questions - perfect since that was just his research project.

We had dinner reservations at Animal Kingdom Jambo House (Boma) and then stayed over to check out the night vision animal watching.

Open House 2011

2011-03-10T19:29:00.000-08:00

Max was assigned an owl research project and a Theodore Roosevelt research project.

Max's Owl in a Coniferous Forest Diorama

Max's Owl Art Project

Max's Theodore Roosevelt Project

Max's Definition of Bays

After Church Fun

2011-03-06T19:24:00.000-08:00

After church we went to lunch with friends

and then on to a fun cookie monster birthday party

Star Student 2011

2011-03-04T19:23:00.000-08:00

Max is the star student of the week

Happy Birthday Max 2011

2011-02-28T19:18:00.000-08:00

For his actual birthday we took him Potbelly Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies to school -

we went to Dave and Busters for dinner

and then they sang to him at Awana -

Max's Seussical Birthday

2011-02-26T19:09:00.000-08:00

We had Max's 8th Birthday Party at the Sci-Tech Discovery Center. The party included admission to the animation exhibit, reading The Lorax, planting gripple grass, making slime, and liquid nitrogen ice cream.

Dr Seuss Cupcakes

2011-02-25T18:15:00.000-08:00

Max's 8th Birthday Cupcakes

Happy Birthday Nanny

2011-02-23T18:07:00.000-08:00

We were excited to have Nanny in town with us to celebrate her birthday.

Dinner with Little Man

2011-02-15T18:03:00.000-08:00

Valentines 2011

2011-02-11T17:59:00.000-08:00

Toothless

2011-02-08T17:57:00.000-08:00

Max finally lost one of his upper teeth. It has been loose forever and Daddy was able to pull it.

Awana Grand Prix 2011

2011-01-29T17:55:00.000-08:00

This year we made Ramone for the Awana Grand Prix. We didn't win any design or speed trophies but I thought he was cute.

Picasso Donald

2011-01-22T17:53:00.000-08:00

Max was at a friends birthday party and everyone made modeling clay snowmen. Max decided to use the clay to make Donald Duck. He ended overworking him and now we have Picasso Donald Duck.

Seussical - 2nd Grade Musical

2011-01-20T17:44:00.000-08:00

Feeling Better

2011-01-14T17:36:00.000-08:00

Almost 24 hours without a fever. Max has been home all week with the flu. Most of the week was spent playing games with the guinea pigs.

Giant Snowman

2011-01-11T17:40:00.000-08:00

The Giant Snowman in our neighborhood. Since Max couldn't get out to see it, I drove by and snapped a pic.

The Flu?

2011-01-10T17:34:00.000-08:00

Okay so yesterday when we went out to play in the snow, Max was out there for about 5 minutes and said I am done. So I finished our snowman and set out the bowl for snow cream. Max just acted sluggish all day and then boom high fever that night. Next morning off to the doctor and yep its the flu.

Let it Snow!

2011-01-09T17:28:00.000-08:00

Woohoo, we love snow in Texas.

Square Wheels

2011-01-08T17:26:00.000-08:00

You have to love the Sci Tech Discovery Center. Where else can you ride a square wheeled tricycle.

I Wasn't Asleep

2011-01-04T17:24:00.000-08:00

On the way to piano this afternoon this was Max -

he insisted that he had not fallen asleep until I showed him picture proof.

Extra Credit

2011-01-03T17:22:00.000-08:00

Max finished his Sparks Skystormer book and is now on to the extra credit.

Happy New Year 2011

2010-12-31T19:37:00.000-08:00

We spent New Year's Eve with our friends on their ranch. Max had a great time being a country kid - four wheelers, forts, tire swings, hammocks, etc...

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-25T19:32:00.000-08:00

Sleepy Max

The only thing on Max's Christmas list was an Ipad. Mommy spent Christmas Eve loading up her Ipad with apps for Max and officially gave it to him Christmas morning.

Max made sure the guinea pigs had a good Christmas too.

Christmas Eve 2010

2010-12-24T19:22:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve was spent with grandparents that had come to visit, going to Church, opening presents, and playing games.

Charlie Brown ICE and Gaylord Texan Fun

2010-12-22T19:04:00.000-08:00

This years ICE theme was A Charlie Brown Christmas. Our family was beyond excited. We went over to the Gaylord Texan to see ICE, Max and Mommy became Elves, we went on a Rudolph Mission, and even went sledding.

Cowboys Stadium Tour

2010-12-21T18:47:00.000-08:00

Max and Santa

2010-12-20T18:34:00.000-08:00

Christmas Parties

2010-12-17T18:22:00.000-08:00

Today was the school Christmas Party

followed by an ornament party at a friends house.

Christmas Piano Recital

2010-12-14T18:14:00.000-08:00

Max's Solo

Group Performances

Return of the Sleepover

2010-12-12T17:00:00.000-08:00

This time Max went to his friends house.

Living Nativity

2010-12-09T17:59:00.000-08:00

We went to our first living nativity called the Christmas Journey. It was a wonderful and moving experience.

Nativities

2010-12-04T17:54:00.000-08:00

We set out Mommy's new nativity

and all of Max's Christmas toys
headed out to Merry Main Street

and finished the evening decorating our tree.

Movie with a Friend

2010-12-03T17:45:00.000-08:00

Max went to see Tangled after school with a friend. He wasn't so sure about seeing a princess movie until he found out there was a character named Maximus.

Where the Guinea Pigs Roam

2010-12-01T17:42:00.000-08:00

While Mommy cleans their cage, the guinea pigs roam Max's room.

Lego Advent

2010-12-01T17:39:00.000-08:00

Max started his Lego Advent today.

Thanksgiving Break

2010-11-25T17:29:00.000-08:00

We spent Thanksgiving at Nanny's.

Gingerbread House

2010-11-21T17:19:00.000-08:00

Our friends graciously host a gingerbread party. They bake all the houses and we just show up and decorate - it is awesome!

Whose Ipad is it?

2010-11-19T17:17:00.000-08:00

One of us spends more time on it than the other.

Thanksgiving Crafts

2010-11-18T17:14:00.000-08:00

Today after school Max and I made a pluto pilgrim out of a butternut squash and pilgrim hat cookies out of marshmallows and fudge stripes.

Lowes Build - Periscope

2010-11-13T17:13:00.000-08:00

Sleepover Fun

2010-11-06T10:56:00.001-07:00

Max invited his friend for a sleepover.

Max gets a Kinect

2010-11-04T17:10:00.000-07:00

It is amazing what you can do with video games these days. We just got an Xbox Kinect and you control the game without any sort of controller - just wave your hands and move your body.

Supporting Friends

2010-11-03T10:40:00.000-07:00

Max and his friend supporting their mutual friend in an ice skating competition.

Bible Character Night 2010

2010-11-01T11:35:00.000-07:00

Max dressed up as the fruits of the spirit for Awana, complete with a Starburst wand.

This one he looks a little like Harry Potter

Halloween 2010

2010-10-31T16:25:00.000-07:00

Went to our neighbors house for our annual pre-Halloween dinner and then assembled the troops for trick or treating. Mommy gets to go home and hand out candy and Daddy gets to trek the neighborhood.

Special Needs Carnival

2010-10-30T10:48:00.000-07:00

We were invited to attend a special needs carnival. Max had a great time:

Posing in the firetruck

Getting his face painted

Finding a monster truck named Maximus

Painting a pumpkin

Walking the cake walk

Meeting Mrs. Texas

Trying fried oreos and fried snickers

School Art Night

2010-10-29T16:16:00.000-07:00

Daddy took Max to Family Art Night at school and these are all of their creations.

Guinea Pigs Making Max Laugh

2010-10-28T16:14:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Night

2010-10-28T14:29:00.000-07:00

We celebrated our annual pumpkin night. We have a jack o lantern pizza and we carve our pumpkins.

This year at the pumpkin patch Max found a gourd that looked like Toad from Nintendo.

This year Max chose our house pumpkin to be Chicken Little.

Where's Dad?

2010-10-27T15:59:00.000-07:00

Note I found on Daddy's nightstand. Can you tell he has been traveling?

Fluffy and Zelda - 3 months

2010-10-27T15:54:00.000-07:00

Money Machine

2010-10-22T15:44:00.000-07:00

Max met his goal again this year of making it into the money machine by selling enough cookie dough. He did better this year at grabbing the money. He ended up with $15.

Trunk or Treat

2010-10-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

We got to pull out our halloween costume a little early for our neighborhood trunk or treat. Max settled on being a Magician after Mommy talked him out of being a banana.

Red Ribbon Week

2010-10-22T10:34:00.000-07:00

Western Day

College Day

Pajama Day

Art Night

2010-10-21T11:22:00.000-07:00

All the goodies from Family Art Night

Pasta Spelling

2010-10-20T11:29:00.000-07:00

This week's homework included spelling out the spelling words with pasta

Max Writing

2010-10-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

This was posted on the wall outside Max's classroom:

Mother Son Dance 2010

2010-10-09T12:39:00.000-07:00

Mommy and Max went to their third Mother Son Dance. This years theme was sports. Perfect for Mommy who got to wear a jersey instead of a dress. However, Max seemed to think that since we were not dressed up we were not on a date.

Lowes Build - Funhouse Mirror

2010-10-09T11:05:00.000-07:00

Fun with Mom

2010-10-01T11:13:00.000-07:00

While Daddy's away Max and Mom will play....with legos.

When Daddy Travels

2010-09-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

Random note left on Daddy's nightstand while he is away

Sleeping?

2010-09-18T10:53:00.000-07:00

Max fell asleep while propped up on his elbow playing the Ipad. When I walked in and started talking to him his little arm was moving through pictures on the Ipad. I thought he wasn't listening to me but when I checked closer he was actually asleep.