In contrast to riding a super cool big boy bike, which is TOTALLY a 3 year old skill. At least once Katy got involved. Max + bike + practice (movie, as are next two)+ Aunt Katy = one 3 year old riding machine! Aunt Katy was definitely the key ingredient here, as Max was initially more keen on pedalling backwards (i.e. braking) than on pedalling forwards, and so the initial spin around the block was more of a jolty push down the road.

This was just one of the many SUPER DUPER FABULOUS highlights of Aunty Katy's way too short trip. Yes, she may have had some questionable babysitting techniques, and yes, Max was icing his forehead within minutes of her arrival, and yes, she may have taught Max some questionable new ways to play (movie) with Jack, but overall, we couldn't have gotten through the week without you Aunt Katy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Really. We may not have that perfect photograph to capture the trip - either Katy's eyes are closed, or Jack's eyes are closed, or Katy is hiding behind Jack, or Katy is looking away from the camera, or wet hair and gigantic shadows strike again - but that's okay, because the memories are SO STINKING GOOD that we don't need no stinking pictures to remember it. Thank you Aunt Katy for the best visit ever! One sweet first: As we were driving away from the airport, Max was quiet, and I asked "What's wrong Max?", and he answered "I'm just sad because I want Aunt Katy to come to our house and play with me." Luckily we'll be seeing you again soon Auntie! ]]>http://www.sirmaxalot.com/?sp=July%2016%202008Max made (movie, as are next two) us a compost bin!! Always unpredictable in his squeamishness, Max was totally unfazed by the zillions of creepy crawlies. He was pretty close to being convinced to chow down! ]]>http://www.sirmaxalot.com/?sp=July%2015%202008%20(III)this (movie) is how she felt about my picture-taking obsession.) ]]>http://www.sirmaxalot.com/?sp=July%2015%202008%20(II)funnel cake was apparently quite good (45 minutes and $5 later...), Jack was definitely very good, and Max was a crazy, running and screaming fool. Until the fireworks started with no warning. He froze on the spot and started to sob. Once his ears (and eyes) were shielded from the "scary noise", all was well. Jack, in a happy bit of timing, got hungry a minute or two before the show began. He nursed the night away, totally oblivious to the sights and sounds around him. ]]>http://www.sirmaxalot.com/?sp=July%2015%202008 We drove to (mostly) sunny Virginia to take advantage of the free admission for military at Watercountry USA. The 5+ hour trip was remarkably smooth. (The "+" is due to the fact that I printed page 1 of 2 of the directions to get us there, stopping at the Virginia border and excluding the address, and name, of our hotel. Things were a little tense after we realized what I had done - although that was nothing compared to the few minutes after I chose "1980" as my "thing" during the first round of 20 questions. "Is it a concept?" "Sort of.") Ryder and Barrett and families met us at the hotel, and it was a weekend of family fun for the boys and the parents too. Max really liked the hotel part of the experience (he is still asking if we can go back to the "hotels" with no mention of any desire to slide again!), and Jack was similarly amused by the small stuff (movie). I was initially worried that the trip was going to be kind of a bust, as Max was too freaked out to even attempt the little kid slides, but as we explored the park more, we found some even smaller, animal-themed slides that were just his style. Other hits were the small tube ride (movie) that Maxo could do with Mama or Papa, and the very relaxing lazy river (movie) which I could have done all day. The wave pool, initially a very chaotic (movie) disaster, just required some time in the shallow area and soon Max and Papa, and Max and Jack and Papa, were loving it (both movies). Speaking of Jack, SUCH A TROOPER! He was so good and so sweet and so fun the entire day, enjoying the water wherever we plopped him down, until he finally passed out in my arms late in the afternoon.

Coming soon... Watercountry New Bern... ]]>http://www.sirmaxalot.com/?sp=July%209%202008birthday (movie) sweet sweet boy. We love you a whole lotta tons. ]]>http://www.sirmaxalot.com/?sp=July%207%202008Farmette McCool. We had already harvested our first tomatoes, beans, and squash with much fanfare (movie), and things were looking very promising for a summer of veggies and herbs galore. We had even made our first recipe from the garden's bounty (and I do mean "we" (movie), I was lucky to have any produce left for the final product). Our plants certainly weren't going to win any beauty contests. but our (super cool homemade Father's Day surprise) plate runneth over. And then came the aphids.. dum dum dum... Actually, first came our mini-vacation, from which we returned to find parched peas and lettuce which had decided to bolt. And THEN came the aphids. Ants had been living it up in our beds for quite some time, but all of my (minutes of) Internet research indicated that the ants wouldn't be a problem. Unless they decided to cultivate aphids in order to feast on their honeydew. By the time I had discovered the little buggers, the squash and zucchini plants were history. Sigh. The great news: The squash were the primary casualty of the infestation (so far... I'm still waiting on my ladybug order to finish the buggies off). Our tomatoes are thriving. Yum! And our herbs too. Herbs herbs herbs everywhere. Let's just hope they aren't trampled by our already out of control pumpkin/cantelope/watermelon patch.

I meant to do this on Father's Day, but I have to say THANK YOU to Grandpa Keith for establishing the foundation for a love of gardening way back when. I very vividly remember walking behind you in our Monon garden, dropping seeds every few inches. It took me many moon to rediscover the joy of the homegrown veggie but wahoo! I finally did. So thank you!!! I think a lot about how hard it must be to be the parent of grown-ups. I cannot imagine that there will be a time when I don't get to hang out with my boys everyday, let alone go weeks without chatting them up. And yet that is exactly what you do. But all of you parents and grandparents out there should know that even though we don't call or write or even say thank you, you are with us all the time! We spent a big portion of the car ride to the waterslides playing 20 questions, a la McCool Family, Sr., and look Grandma Jean, I've become the type of person that photographs my food :-) I have an abundance of cleaning tricks thanks to Nana, and Grandpa Brian, I am told I have you to thank for Max's love of Homer, and "boy humor" :-) Grandma V., we watched the fireworks on blankets you made for us. And Grandma and Grandpa McCool, your generosity has kept us all clothed, and that cucumber/tomato recipe above is from a cookbook you gave me! So anyway, we love you all, thank you for everything you have taught us! And for putting up with us despite our poorly corresponding ways.

P.S. I know you tuned in for some pics of the boys, not plant shots, or lovey-doveyness, so here are a couple of videos, in honor of Lola, who can now watch videos (yay yay yay): Max and Jack remain the best of buds (movie, as is the next one), when Max isn't threatening Jack's life that is (he loves to put things on Jack's head, and also to pound on it with assorted toys, such as the toy ax from his toolbox). Luckily Jack is getting closer to crawling by the day and will soon be able to escape from his big brother's clutches. Max will be 3 on Wednesday, can you believe it??!?!? For those grandparents who located a perfect Not New present for the boy but who have not yet sent it, his party's not until Sunday so you still have time! I know it takes advanced planning to go the used route, we partially failed this year, so just be on the lookout for some little boy outgrowing his jet stash, Max is OBSESSED. ]]>Sir Maxalot