Max turned four on December 17th--he is such a big guy. Daddy helped make his birthday really exciting--they went to McDonalds for lunch, came to open presents with me at the hospital, and had cake and ice cream that night with the Cashes, Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd, and Tina and Chris. Pretty much fun. Here are some pictures that Tina sent me of the party. Taylor called me in the middle of it and asked me where the candles were. Me and Max bought some just for his birthday, but I couldn't remember where I had put them, so Taylor improvised with some candles he found, and they did the job--lit up and blew out. Max got Legos for his birthday from me and Taylor and a new Leapster from Anna and Charlie. He was a happy boy. I was sad to miss the fun, but I have had lots and lots of good time with my four year old since then. We are so glad that he is part of our family!
The things I want to remember about Max as a three-year old
- Max has always seemed a little older than he is to me. He tries to talk like a grownup and he wants people to take him very seriously. One of my favorite words he uses is "certainly". He always talks with his hands and he will tell me things like "Mom, I certainly made a good picture"
- Max loves space ships and aliens and ninjas and robots. His friend Owen was here one day and the two of them gathered up all of Max's little ninja guys and the ones that Owen brought and they played ninjas for an hour without any talking other than ninja sound effects.
- Max is a good brother and really loves Anna and Charlie. He waits for Anna to come home on the bus every day and he runs out to meet her. They hold hands and walk home (Yes, I realize that's not going to last) He shares all his cool big boy toys with Charlie. I am really amazed sometimes at how willing Max is to share his cool stuff. He has gotten so good at that this past year.
- Max has very shiny, clean teeth that he is so proud of.
- Max's hair has a really hard time laying down, but he insists on having it flat and not spiky. We do our best at that.
- Max gives kind of violent hugs. He has a lot of love and energy inside of him.
- Max has a great smile because his whole face changes when he really smiles. I love it when I wake up to a big Max smile right by my face.
- Max is the first one awake at our house every day.
- Max has a whisper voice and an outside voice. There's not a lot in between.
We love you so much Max!!!
