Fairytale Land

Last weekend, during the heat wave, we also ventured out to Fairytale Land.  We heard great things about it so I was excited to check it out.  Sadly, it wasn't really geared to non-walkers so Max wasn't really feeling it.  He enjoyed sitting in the shade chewing on my glasses and his sippy cup much more.

pot bellied pig

Max as the Tin Man

King Max

mama's glasses are super fun

so thirsty

Please watch your children...

As I mentioned in the earlier post, this water feature was not suppose to be played in. :) But how could they ask that.  It was so inviting.  I bet no one pays any attention to that stupid sign :)

He's getting so fast isn't he?

I also like how brave he is, even though it takes him a little bit :)

chill out....

This weekend in Stockton it was 90 degrees.  Although the warm temperatures have been greatly appreciated, this was a little to much, to fast.  We tried to brave it. Lathered on the sunscreen and headed out out.  Sadly, once out, we ran to any shady spot in seek of refuge.  And poor Max.  He didn't understand what was going on.  I kept pouring water on his head to keep him cool.  He liked that.

Later, as the sun set and the temps lowered we went out to dinner.  Five Guys Burgers.  So yummy.  There was a water fountain (not meant to be played in) in the courtyard, so what did we do.  We of course played in it!!!

Max loved it, which was a perfect ending to our little scorcher of a day.

Animal House

This past weekend we took Max to the Sacramento Zoo. It was pretty cool.  Not to big and over whelming.  It was just right!

Here are some (a lot) pictures of our day.
P.S. I am loving my zoom lense.  Thanks again Daddy!

monkey see, monkey do

almost as big

buddies

sloth

quack quack

  

vroom vroom

king of the jungle, taking a nap of course

stalking Max

So like my previous post stated, I like to sneak up on Max to see what he is up to, getting into, eating, or choking on.  Today, I grabbed my phone in hopes to catch something worthy.  I think this is pretty good to document as a milestone..... He has been standing on his own for awhile now, but this is the first time I really got a good video of it.

Chow time!

Right now I am loving watching Max eat.  I know it sounds silly, but it is so damn cute.  He picks up his food with such concentration, and if he can get it with his pincher's he just grabs a handful.  He loves pasta, and these yogurt melt aways I get from the store.  I think I am pretty lucky that he eats anything I put in front of him.  But I am told that will probably change.  Here's loving chow time, for now....

Where's Max

These days Max is pretty content playing by himself, exploring around the house and getting into trouble.  Today, as I was doing dishes, I crept up on him to see what he was up to.  At first, I couldn't see him, but I could hear him laughing and babbling about.  Can you see him in the first picture?

What a trouble maker....

gotcha!

Twenty Years.....

I know this blog is mainly about Max, but I felt that today I needed to pay tribute to another family member.  Twenty years ago this day, my Mother, Max's Grandmother was taken from us far to early.

Twenty years ago I was Fifteen. I am now creeping up on Thirty Five.  Where does the time go? How am I at an age now where I can say....Twenty years ago......, and it now feel so far away?

In the Twenty years that have pasted since my mother died, I want to say that her absence has gotten easier.  That isn't entirely the truth.  Yes, the sting of that day has numbed a bit, but the emptiness that only a mother can fill is still, well, empty.   And as I write this, I wonder why I feel compelled to share these thoughts.  I guess it is in a way a tribute to her.  So that she knows, Max knows and I know that there is a special love that only a mother can share with her child, and today, I miss that love so very much.

However, a day does not go by that I am not extremely thankful for the family that surrounds me.  I've married a wonderful man, who gave me Max, and so much more than I ever knew I wanted. I am also surrounded by surrogate family that enrich my life daily and with out them, I would be hollow.

So I guess I can end this post with saying, although Twenty years ago I wondered what my future held, today, Twenty years later I can say, everything.

Good ol' Stockton

Finding kid/baby friendly things in Stockton has been a bit of a challenge.  So this mama has to be creative.   Here are some of the things we have been up to....

This video was taken at a mall.  I was a little desperate so I googled play areas and it took me here.  I didn't think it was too fun, but Max seem to have a good time.

We also headed over to Barnes and Noble.  I had no idea that had such a big toy section. Max loves train tables.  I foresee this as a birthday present :) 

He loved pushing all the buttons that light up and make noise

Mama didn't even have to buy anything. He was happy enough to play with them in their packaging. 

And this was taking at "gym stars" a gym that they open up once a week for little kids.

No bake energy bars

Here you go, just like I threatened. I made these last week and they we delish. It's an alternative to buying energy bars that might be packed with extra sugar and preservatives. I actually thought they were a little too sweet. Next time I might cut the chips in half and add dried cranberries.
However, Rob doesn't want to see the chips go :)

No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup (dry) oatmeal (I used old-fashioned oats)
1 cup toasted coconut flakes
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla
Method:

Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed.  Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.  Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like.  (Mine were about 1″ in diameter.)  Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Makes about 20-25 balls.