A Perfect Spring Day

My parents were in town for a visit this past weekend. We had some pretty awful weather on Friday and Saturday, but Sunday was picture perfect. The five of us participated in a March of Dimes walk in the afternoon and got to explore some of Centennial Park after the walk.

Walking by the Nashville Parthenon.

An actual steam engine.

Max was totally obsessed and we couldn't get out of the park without visiting it.

"All aboard!"

Once we got home Nana and Papa orchestrated an Easter Egg hunt.

Max loves hunting for eggs and he got some good practice in for the holiday weekend. He doesn't even care that the eggs are empty.... I'm sure that will change some day.

Searching high and low.

Incognito

Max was playing with my sunglasses this afternoon and I couldn't resist a quick picture! I love how serious his expression is.

The next Jackson Pollock

Max and I went to a local art studio today for an open art time. For a flat fee he got to explore 8 different stations at his own pace. We went with another friend from the neighborhood and the two of them had the whole place to themselves. The paint station was the biggest hit. Unlike his agreeable playmate, Max refused to wear a smock.

Stamp station

Max created four different paintings at the paint station. He loved using all the colors and smearing them together into an indescribable shade of gray. The finished products all look about the same, but he did tell me that one of them was a dragon. At this point his focus is definitely on the process over the product, which I love.

Yes, that is paint on his forehead.

Playdough fun

What We've Been Up To...

Wow, I cannot believe it is February already! January was a crazy busy month for me and I haven't had time to update the blog. I recently trained and became certified to teach pre and post natal fitness classes. I work for a company called Stroller Strides and I am still a novice, but loving every minute of the teaching and interacting with fellow moms! On top of that training, Max and I fit in a quick trip to San Antonio to visit Michael and Rana. Jeff and I also began the gargantuan task of renovating our bonus room. Here are a few pictures from our trip to San Antonio as well as a visit to the local fire station with our playgroup friends.

Ready for take off!

Max was so excited to be in an airplane and loved looking out window at all the trucks and equipment. Thankfully he fell asleep shortly after take off on both legs of the trip!

Max LOVED hanging out at Uncle Michael and Aunt Rana's house. He was a fireball of energy the entire time we were there. I think that the dog and cat were happy when we left!

Max and Michael We attended a wonderful baby shower for Michael and Rana hosted by their friends. It was such a treat to celebrate with them. We can't wait to meet the twins! Rana was such a good sport wearing that tiara!

Dad, Michael and Me

How sweet is this cake?

One last (partial) family photo before we had to leave.

We visited a local firestation with friends a few weeks ago. Once again, Max was so excited he could hardly contain himself.

Inside the fire engine.

All the boys were highly entertained by this flashlight.

Ready for duty.

Happy New Year!

The tree has been taken down and the decorations have been tucked away until next Christmas. It was a really fun Christmas season in our house. Max got into the joy and magic of the holiday. It was wonderful to experience it with him. We even got a bit of snow on Christmas to really add to the magical feel of the day. Max is pretty easy to please in the present department- if it has wheels, it's a winner. His big gift was a train table and Jeff built a track for it. Max was in awe when he first saw it and has played with it for hours upon hours. Here are a few pictures from the big day...

Showing off his special new toy (and Daddy's special toy- our new TV).

Playing with a new match box car.

That is a look of satisfaction!

Christmas Dinner- in jammies!

Max got a set of watercolors in his stocking and he tried them out for the first time on New Year's Day.

(Once again in penguin jammies. Who doesn't love to hang out in jammies all day?)

The finished masterpiece.

Merry Christmas Eve!

The child is nestled all snug in his bed....... Jeff and I just finished playing Santa and can't wait to see Max's reaction in the morning. It is SO much fun being Santa! Here are a few pictures of some of our Christmas Eve traditions....

Our Advent calendar.

Max loved doing this every morning. He especially loved the camels.

Getting ready to decorate sugar cookies.

Max had just woken up from his nap and he was still holding his blankie.

It's so hard not to lick your fingers....

Of course, I had to let him eat the one and only cookie he decorated.

Notice the pinky. He's so refined.

It's a tradition in the Drake family to make one "toxic waste" cookie with all of the sprinkles.

This one's for you, Michael.

Putting cookies and milk by the fireplace for Santa before tucking in for the night.

Reading before bed.

" Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

Baby, it's cold outside!

Brrr! We were hit with a blast of frigid wind and snow yesterday. With wind chills below zero this morning, I was hesitant to let Max play outside, but he was literally crying at the window to get out in the snow. He surprised me by happily putting on mittens and a hat (and leaving them on!). And the added bonus was that he looked at the camera and said, "cheese!" when I took his picture. If only he was always this agreeable......

This was my attempt at building Max a snowman with the very little, very powdery snow that we had. He doesn't look too impressed, does he? Cold cheeks!