Max had a Lemonade Social today at his new school, Almaden Country School (ACS)
Tomorrow will be his first day of Junior Kindergarten
Max & Luke playing with the classroom pet
Sweet calico “Patches” hides for a reprieve from all the kids wanting to pet her
We had a wonderful Labor Day weekend at Disneyland & California Adventure
The Sheraton Shuttle to Disneyland was pretty exciting for the kids, but …
meeting Bouncy Tigger was even better!
Emily got to meet & talk to Ariel for a few minutes.
She was able to ask her some questions so she asked her about her Daddy. Emily remembers Triton from the book. It was very sweet! Emily asked Ariel, “Where’s Your Daddy?”
She also got to meet the beautiful princess from Princess & The Frog … Princess Tiana.
And … Jasmine! Emily didn’t know Jasmine so she was a bit shy in meeting her.
Enjoying her time at Disneyland
Jumping around and having fun in the park
Wallace carrying Max through the park. Great abs, Max! 
Very content hanging upside down
Max helping Emily cross a rope bridge in California Adventure
Emily got to meet some very friendly bears
Emily also got to meet Woody! She was very “into” meeting the characters.
We wanted to take them back on Monday morning (Labor Day), but they were totally exhausted! We stayed at the park until 11:00pm the night before. Wallace & I wore them out! It was great to see Disney through their eyes. Looking forward to taking them again soon!
Emily’s 1st day back @ Little Oak Preschool as a Green Frog. She is going two 1/2 mornings per week.
Max gives Emily a hug
Welcome Green Frogs! Emily will be following in Max’s footsteps as a Green Frog (one of the 3 year old classrooms).
The cute green frog on the front door
There are 3 Emily’s in The Green Frog classroom so they have to differentiate therefore Emily C.
The class pet … a turtle!
Her name is Princess Shelly
Emily points to Princess Shelly. She is a snapping turtle therefore the tape on the top of the cage. Not the greatest pet choice! LOL!
Emily pulling her pink back pack/suitcase on her way to board the boat
We went sailing on Sunday with some friends on Sunday
Max & Emily seemed to enjoy the sail. This was Emily’s first time on a sailboat!
Steve’s boat … “Bella Luna”
Max enjoying the sail,
wearing his Scooby Doo life jacket
Drew taking a nap
Tom
Ellen & Sherry
We could even see the game going on at AT&T Park while on the boat
Emily cuddles with Daddy
We celebrated Sherry’s BD
First Mate, Laura, brings out the yummy cupcakes
Sherry & Max blow out the candle together
Emily wears her celebratory hat
Max enjoys his cupcake
Emily devours the M&M cookies
I think this is her 2nd one!
A beautiful day on the Bay! Thanks Laura & Steve!
Max celebrated his 5th Birthday at SilverCreek Sportsplex in San Jose today
Peeking out from his balloons as he impatiently waits for his guests to arrive
His buddy, Brennan, was the first guest to arrive!
Sweet Christian has been a friend since Max was 4 months old. They met in “Music Together” class at Los Gatos Rec.
Will, Brennan & Max take a quick rest before bouncing again on the inflatables
Wallace laying in the middle of the bounce house getting pummeled with balls by wild children
I think he is calling for a truce, but nobody is listening!
An attempt to get a group BD shot of all the kids
Lining up ready to enter the party room for pizza & cupcakes
Max blowing out his candles
Family Photo in the party room: Emily, Mommy, Max & Daddy
Will & Max after devouring a yummy cupcake
Happy 5th Birthday, Max!
Wallace wheeling out the presents, Max & Emily to the car
Max opening “Slinky Dog” from Alex & Josh
Slinky Dog was a real hit!
Happy Birthday Max!
Today is Max’s 5th Birthday Party Day! He is very excited!! He is running around the house gathering toys to give to his friends. He says that he wants to make room for all the Toy Story toys he is going to get!
Max’s Toy Story Cake!
Max’s Bunk Bed was delivered on his BD proper. It was his BD present from mommy & daddy.
He played in his room and on his bunk bed for over 2 hours
Max’s new room
Another view of his udpated room
The Cousin Boat Shelf still hangs. Need to update those cousin pics though.
Happy on the top bunk with his new Toy Story 3 comforter
He is very excited for his friend, Jacob, to come visit from Australia and for his friend, Christian to have a sleepover with him on his new “dunk” bed as he refers to it
Max opens BUTTERCUP the unicorn from Toy Story 3 from Cousin Nick, Alex & Charlie
Max opens Bullseye & Jessie from Oma
Max was over the top with excitement over all his new Toy Story toys
Bullseye & Buttercup playing together with their extremely happy new owner
Jessie takes her first ride on Bullseye
Then Buttercup gives it a try
Woody & Bullseye
Emily was lucky enough to hold Buttercup for all of 10 seconds
The line-up of Toy Story 3 presents (minus the Army Men from Kyle & Alexis)
Max poses for a picture with all his BD loot
Some cute family members watching the present opening ceremony
Max asked me to write “ANDY” on all his new Toy Story toys. I finally convinced him that “MAX” would be more appropriate in case he ran into an Andy one day he wouldn’t have any issues regarding ownership.
Thank you to everyone for all the special BD wishes, cards & gifts for Max!
It makes me pause to think that 5 years ago I went into labor (6 weeks early) expecting an October baby, but getting an August baby instead! I had no idea how that sweet little baby boy would change my life! Happy 5th Birthday Max!
I remember my mom every day, but on this day in particular. This was the day, two years ago, that she was freed from the pain of ovarian cancer that inevitably took her life. Although I feel immobolized at times with sadness, it also brings back incredibly strong wonderful memories of a person that lives on through me, my dad, my sister, her sister and many many others.
Mom & Dad
Mom & Suzanne
Mom, Brynn & me
Grandma Jane & Brynn
Grandma Jane, Kedryn & Suzanne
Nana & Max (she asked for my kids to call her “Nana”)
Meeting Emily Luisa for the first time (July 2007)
Mom, her sister (Margie), niece (Kim), & nephew (Jeff)
Uncle Tom’s Cabin in Lake City, Colorado
Emily Jane celebrating Emily Luisa’s 1st Birthday (July 22, 2008) in Los Gatos, California
She traveled from Pennsylvania to California even though she wasn’t feeling well and put up a good front
In memory of a wonderful mom to me & Suzanne, a loyal & loving wife to my dad, a generous & giving Grandma/Nana to Brynn, Kedryn, Max & Emily, a kind & caring sister to Margie, a special Aunt, an honest, true friend to many and a best friend to those lucky few. Today and every day you remain a strong presence in my life and will always remain in my heart.
