Why I Love Sunday Nights

I really wanted to include the video of Shawn giving Shauri the helicopter, but I decided to use some discretion since not everyone was modest the whole time.  Just imagine it instead.  It's still funny.

Quotable Max

I realize there is a problem when Abram has posted twice in a row and I'm no where to be seen.  So here are a few of Mommy's Notes to make sure I stay relevant.  

1. Our neighbor's daughter and grandson came into town this weekend and they invited Max to go to the Fire Engine Museum with them.  Later the mom pulled me aside to tell me how impressed she was with Max.  She said he was so happy and well behaved, they had a great time.  I of course told Max what she said and how proud I was of him.   He acted ever so pleased with himself while I told him everything and then at the end he shrugged his shoulders and said, "That's what big boys do, mommy."  
2. A few weekends ago our friend Jamie came to visit with her cute kids, Walker and Olivia.  Walker kept calling Max, "Dallin" (his friend from home).   At the end of the weekend we were climbing into the car and Walker asked, "Where's Dallin?"  From the back of the car Max yelled, "I'm right here!"
3. Uncle Garrett came to visit recently too.  Apparently he and Max had a lot of alone time where Garrett could feed him all sorts of ideas.  Case in point, Max said something the other day I was really impressed with and I said, "How did you know that?!"  He responded, "I'm just smart like my Uncle Garrett."  Indeed.  

A picture of Aviva, just for good measure.  Thanks to Jamie for the great photos!

 

Daddy's Notes

A few notes from April:

1.  Two interactions with Max and Aviva, respectively, that perfectly capture my relationship with them:

Max:  When I get home every day I come up to Max and say, "I need something."  He thinks for just a second, then rolls his eyes, wrinkles his dimples with a smile and says, "A hug and kiss?"  Right answer.  I love that he always knows that what I need is a hug and a kiss.  And he gives a great hug.  His kisses need a little work, but I'm OK with that.

Aviva:  This story will make no sense to those who don't know Aviva's looks (they really do pierce to the heart, the bones, the sinews, everything), but the other night I went to put Aviva to bed and had the bottle ready and she just looked over her shoulder at me, nestled closer to Kristin (who was holding her), and disdainfully looked down her nose in my general direction.  I knew right then that I would get no closer to her that night, and maybe not the next day.  Her force of will mirrors that of only one other woman I've ever met: Kristin. 

2.  In case you haven't noticed, Max has a single pose for every planned picture.  It includes the following ingredients: (1) A tilt of the head; (2) One arm crooked at the elbow with the hand on the waist; (3) One hand hanging loosely to the side; (4) a mischievous smile and (5) a hip sticking out just so.   

3.  Uncle Garrett was in town last week and, as I've said before, nothing draws me more toward my family than when I see them play with my kids and see how my kids respond.  I love Garrett more now than I did before (which is saying something) because my kids, even Aviva, love their Uncle Garrett.

4.  There's something special and idillic about the first week of real spring, where the kids play at the park cheerfully, you can talk to your wife for a little bit without any worries, and everyone is just so happy.  It's a bummer that eventually allergies, hotter weather, and cranky kids get in the way.  

5.  Max has recently developed a little bit of 'Tude lately.  Big time, in fact.  We're pondering how best to respond and teach him to respond nicely to his parents, his friends, and strangers.  'Cause everything recently has come out as a scream and a protest.  Any thoughts?  

6.  We thought we had Max potty-trained.  Check that.  Max is potty trained.  He knows how to use the toilet and when to use the toilet, it's just that he'd rather play in his own pee than stop and go to the bathroom (luckily, the poo still bothers him).  We've tried a number of different tactics -- rewards for going potty, delaying gratification until he goes potty, etc.   Nothing seems to work.  I'm afraid we may be close to undertaking what one of my colleagues did with his four year old son: each trip to the toilet the 4-year old son got $1.  Yeah, that could add up and he could have more discretionary spending than me.  Thoughts, suggestions?