4th Birthday

So I did awesome at being in the moment at Max's 4th bday party. Unfortunately that meant I got barely any pictures. So bummed about that! No family could come this year but so many friends and friends that are like family came so Max was very very loved and celebrated. The weather was perfect!!! Hot and sunny. A perfect Ackland day. The house was full of his friends (kindy & uni friends) and he was loved on all day. After it was over he kept saying, " Mama I loved my dinosaur party."  It is so fun doing parties for this kid!!! 

He put up dinosaur signs everywhere around the house, dinosaur footprints outside to show his friends where to go, streamers when the door opened so it felt like the forest, balloons everywhere and every food was dino themed. His favourite being the "dino poop" (Maltese/whoppers). He had an incredible day! 

A tiny glimpse of the table behind his awesome cupcakes. 

So sad I didn't get the other 6! These were unbelievable cupcakes!!!

Opening presents 

Happy Birthdsy Max

Our friend Dani's sister made the cupcakes. Dani knew we called Claudua "baby claudia" so she made a special one for her. A baby dinosaur popping out of its egg. 

And that's it! Can you believe it!!! Next year I'll find the happy medium & be in the moment abd delegate others to take pictures. 

FOUR

This picture sums up Max perfectly!

Enjoying his new Teepee

At kindy they do a celebration all about Max. On the ground is pictures of the four seasons in the corners, a candle that is the sun. They then sing a song "the earth goes round the sun...max is born" while Max holds the globe. They then talk about how special Max is. He continues to walk around the mat for each year he's born. They also have a time line that has Max at newborn, 1, 2, 3, & 4. It is so special. I cannot not say enough great things about his school!!!

That's a traditional ceremonial attire they get to wear on their birthdays. 

Max's timeline of his life 

Lunch with friends

Delivering his bday treats (Oreo cookie at bottom of cupcake liner-a dino cupcake liner nana Debbie got him!-then ice cream then magic shell on top made by melting chocolate chips & coconut oil together then sprinkles to top it off!! They were a hit!! 

The big party is Saturday and his house and heart will be filled with kindy friends, friends that are like family & uni kids from his church. He will have an incredible day! 

I'm SO happy that God let me be his mom. He brings me so much laughter, joy, learning & friendship. I love this kid! 

It's Been Awhile

Watching the ducks

Trip to the Cadbury factory 

Starbucks fun

Our friend from the Mount gave Max $20 to buy groceries for the food bank. He had so much fun!

Raising 100 grocery bags for our local food bank 

Another ribbon at swimming

Snuggled in with daddy 

Max & Lilly. His favourite girl friend at Kindy 

Lately

The weather is still chilly but we are making the most of our sunny days 

Building at kindy 

Checking out the cool Lego exhibit at the art gallery 

Building at the art gallery 

Every week Max & I make treats for the nurses & doctors on my floor. This week the awesome nurses & doctors made Max a thank you card. He was SO excited!

Pretending to pose like his friend Lakey who just started football.  He went & got his rugby jersey & did the same poses. 

California's Always a Good Idea Part 3

Cheering for USA. If only you could hear him screaming Go 'Merica!

Morning hugs

Afternoon cuddles. Max and I pretty much lived in our swimsuits 

Max snuck in Grammy & Papa's bed one morning after Grammy had made the bed & set himself up with the TV on & pillows!! 

American kid! 

One of my favourite families! Loved spending time with the Aiello's. They fill me with joy!

Love my adoptive family! I could have sat here all night talking 

This happened! I'll need these on days back in NZ. 

Looking up bugs with Papa

Relaxin'

Aunty!

Making cookies! 

Aunt Denise stealing a kiss!

4th of July. Fireworks 

Making a cement hand mold for a stone in Grammy & Papa's Garden

Bass Pro

Look at that tree!

Heading back :(

Smiles 

Max made them do sad faces because they were leaving. 

Headed back to NZ! This picture sums us up!

Bye Papa...

We are back in NZ now. It was a rude sad awakening to come back to cold & dark. We had such a great holiday and love the time spent, memories and sun!!