Two and a Half

I've said for the past 6 months that Max has been a good 2 year old...so far. I knew eventually we would most likely have some struggles (and I know 3 is really supposed to be worse) and so 2 1/2 came. At 2 1/2 my once-compliant son has decided that everything is up for argument, especially when it involves a transition. I spent almost an hour trying to get him ready to go to gymnastics (which is something he likes) one morning. I find myself having some very frustrated moments, especially at nap time. Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood is my new best friend. But Max is also so much fun to talk to now and play with and what can be better than a random hug around the knees followed by "l love you Mommy"? Tonight I was on Pinterest (yes I totally need something else to do on the internet) and I found this.

Source: granvillehouse.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Words to remember!

Lying lion?

Max was being silly the other day and saying yes to everything we asked. I finally asked him if he was lying and he said yes. Then we asked if he knew what lying meant, and he of course said yes. Then Matt asked him "Ok, what does lying mean?" And then Max roared.

That's all - just didn't want to forget that one!

Vacation...all I ever wanted...

Our 4th of July weekend was busy! We flew to Indiana Friday to get together with my sister, aunt and uncle and 2 cousins.  My parents and grandma drove and met us there.  We rented a cabin at a big campground and all stayed there for the weekend. It's been a while since we've all gotten together and we wanted to celebrate my grandma's birthday all together - she'll be 90 in August! It was great to see everyone and Max enjoyed being the entertainment.  Saturday afternoon we rented a pontoon boat and went out on the lake.  We swam a little but Max hated it, I think because he didn't like the life jacket he was wearing.  Then he fell asleep on the boat. We enjoyed being on the lake.  Ellen works at a winery so she gave us a tour and tasting on Sunday.  We spent the rest of the time eating and hanging out.

The playground at the campground  - Max loved this RV and is still talking about it

Matt had to fly home on Monday, and everyone else left too, except my parents.  My dad, Max, and I took Matt to the airport and then went back to Bloomington.  Some of Ellen's friends were going to the local fireworks show that night and told us where they were going to sit, so we met them near an elementary school.  It was classic 4th of July, lots of families, a playground (which Max tee-teed on...but potty-training is for a different post (and as I was writing I realized that was actually the 2nd playground on which he did that during this trip)), sparklers.  In Indiana where they're on Eastern time it doesn't get dark until like 10, but Max had fun playing with cars and rocks and his glowstick (no more playground after the accident) and watching the kids with sparklers.  When the fireworks finally started, he decided he needed to sit in my lap with my arms wrapped around his head.  I was afraid he would hate it since he's not too fond of loud noises but he actually liked it.  A couple times he said it was scary but he wouldn't take his eyes off of them.  I love fireworks so I was glad we got to go and that he liked it.

Tuesday morning we went to the children's museum in Bloomington before leaving for Ohio, where we were meeting my dad's family.  My aunts and uncles on that side had never met Max, and we thought it was a great opportunity.  Two of my cousins who I haven't seen in ages also came.  It was fun to catch up with everyone and introduce Max.

Max and Grampa at the museum

Saying bye-bye to Aunt Ellen

We apparently only took pictures of Max and left the photographic documentation of everyone else up to the others with cameras. It was fun to get away and see the family, and Max was a good traveler.  He also settled back into his routine at home very nicely, which I was thankful for.  I think he was ready for his own bed and toys, but isn't everyone after vacation?

Baseball

We took Max to an Astros game a few weeks ago. We went early to check out the splash pad at Discovery Green. It's a busy place! 

Max loved the water of course!

We really like Discovery Green. There's always something going on down there and I love the feel of it.

The Astros are so bad this year and we got to see that firsthand, but Max seemed to like it. That may be mostly because of the hot dog and Cracker Jacks he enjoyed.

A little comparison...this summer....

 

...and 2 years ago

Father's Day

We didn't do too much for Father's Day but our church had a car show before the service Saturday night so we went to that.  Matt and Max had fun looking at all the cars together.  Sunday, Matt picked a Mexican restaurant we hadn't tried. We gave him a pair of shoes and I got Max to say "Happy Father's Day".  Another present is in the works but I still haven't finished it yet...