Trip to the Oregon coast

Here's a video of our recent trip to Nehalem Bay ... a fabulous time had by all, gorgeous beaches and mountains, good weather, Max loved it, we'll be going back for sure next summer. Maybe in a yurt this time!

Max the Busker

All we need now is a harmonica and a dancing monkey, and we can put him out on the corner downtown playing for tips ...

Jetty Island Trip

We went to Jetty Island on Friday in Everett with Max's freind Anjali and her parents Ravi and Deb ... the wacky system for getting back on the ferry meant we could only stay a short time, but we still had a lot of fun. We'll be making a return trip soon!

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.