Kids Rock Fest

Saturday was a super fun day for Max, mom and dad ... we went to the Seattle Children's Music Festival, a collection of aging hipsters playing indie rock and acousticky sing-alongs aimed at the younguns'. It was crowded but entertaining, and best of all, right outside the back door of the Seattle Center's Vera Project where it was held ... a big wading pool! Max liked it more than the music. Plus we walked over to the International Fountain, where they were blasting Michael Jackson music in tribute. The weather was perfect and it was a memorable day! Check out the feature film below (and a funny picture of Max playing drums at the Rockband display at Best Buy ... a young John Bonham, perhaps?) :

Jam sessions galore

We had a BBQ yesterday with about 30 people. The weather was perfect, 75 and sunny. The 10-12 kids had a blast playing in the wading pool, sandbox and Max's rocketship, and everyone overall seemed to have a grand time, the food people brought was delish. Taryn took this little video of the jam session at the end:

Old Macdonald

And here's a video of Max enjoying the music at the Ballard Farmer's Market a couple weeks ago:

Latest Max-isms

Some funny things Max has been saying lately:

• "Daddy, you're going to have to take your shoes off if you're going to come in the house."
• "I don't want to take a nap. I'm a big boy now."
• "I'm not a silly goose. I'm Max Beene!"
• When he needs help with something, like putting his shoes on, he says "Ayude me, mommy" ... Spanish for "help me"
  
• He likes to preface lots of things he says lately with the word "actually" ... as in "Actually, I'd like some strawberries instead of a banana.

Springtime

Today is Mothers Day and I am so happy to be Max's mom. It's hard to believe that I could love this little man as much as I do. Daddy gave me three hours of house cleaning which I'm definitely looking forward to. Lately Max has surprised us in so many delightful ways. He's been baptized and did so good with getting in the water and having it poured on his head (something he usually hates). He goes to the bathroom by himself most of the time. We are completely (disposable) diaper free. He's only wearing wool diapers for nighttime. No more diapers at daycare either! Aside from a few accidents the last month has been an incredible turning point for Max.

Max gets so many comments on how well he speaks and his vocabulary which we are so proud of but the real reward is in getting to know him. He's able to communicate so much with us now about what he's thinking and feeling. It's a real gift to get this insight into the mind of a 2 year old. I can only imagine what's the future holds our beautiful little boy.

A little man in touch with his emotions ...

Max is really showing signs of understanding and putting words and meaning to his emotions and feelings. A great example:

• We're in the process of potty training and I was putting his Sponge Bob underoos on and I said "Now, make sure you pee-pee in the potty and not on the floor or couch." And he replied, "If I pee-pee in the potty, that makes me and daddy very happy!" I said, "That's right, Max!" and he said "When I pee-pee on the floor, it makes daddy sad. I want daddy to be kind of happy!" I was really taken aback by that ...
  

One other thing he said that was clever. I came home from work today, and he and Joi were sitting on the couch. I walked in and went to give him a kiss and he said instantly: "You need to go change your clothes and then you can come see us." He knows that's my normal routine when I come home from work and he was just reminding me, I guess ... such a helpful little rascal.

Here's some recent pictures:

Max sings "The Wheels on the Bus"

Another one from the "Funny Things Max Says" file:

• I asked Max what my name is, and he said "Chaws Beene." I asked what Mommy's name is and he said "Choi Beene." I asked him what GJ's name is and he said "Jooody." And when I asked what Paw-Paw's name is, he smiled real big and said "Paw-Paw is daddy's daddy!"

And here's the latest installment from the Max Beene Concert Series:

Max sings "Teapot"

Max put on a little concert for us the other night, he was really belting them out ... this is his opening number: "I'm a Little Teapot" ... more to come ...