Aquarium

There were things to touch at the aquarium. It's a chocolate chip starfish!

Max was into...not much. But these fish. He liked these.

We narrowly escaped being taken by an octopus, but our wiles got us out.

Feeding stingrays

We went to the aquarium and fed stingrays.

Their mouths are on the bottom white part. They are shrimp.

Only 3 kids tried, but they loved it!

Nativity

On the second day of Christmas, we got another picture 

Tessa’s Christmas

Ever since Lucy and Nora got a unicorn they could paint for their birthdays Tessa has wanted desperately to do one too. She couldn't wait even past Christmas Day.

She got slippers and a nightgown and yes she does need to sleep in a headband.

Car rides

Ready for a drive!

It's not at all terrifying she can get a license in just 12 years 

Christmas car wash

For Christmas, I got the boys to help clean my car.

It's completely gorgeous outside. Spring!

They got a little help.

Christmas Mass

We're all dressed up!

Look how handsome they are in their dress clothes! 😍

Basket

A tisket a tasket a Maxi in a basket

PJs

Max in his fire trucks, with his camera smile

Tessa will not be forgotten

Ice cream

We had an ice cream break even though it's in the 30s.

All I want for Christmas....

Nora lost her front tooth eating this very roll

It's a big gap! She's very proud.

Our Lady of Loreto gingerbread house

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Loreto. Mary's house, where the Annunciation occurred, was moved by angels, finally resting in Loreto, Italy. So we made a house!

Well, decorated. I bought new construction.

 Max's picture face! 😂😂😂

St Nicholas

We met St Nicholas at a party! He told us about his life.

Max’s game

While at the Cub Scout Christmas party, Max found a fun game. He pulled all these chair around until they were in a straight line, and then sat in each one. He spent 20 minutes just changing chairs. He made his cheeseball photo smile for me.

Then some other kids came in and played with him. 

They made it a train and scooted the chairs around. Since he was too short, they dragged him with them. It was all amazing.

Boy Scout

Charlie got his arrow of light!

And then he crossed over and is a Boy Scout now. Max went in for a hug.

He's part of troop 259. We're very proud! He goes camping with the Boy Scouts later this month.

Tessa and Max

Max isn't the only one who can pose with a car.

He is 4 lb lighter than her and does the pulling just fine

Actually, he's pushing. But this is still the closest she's getting to the litter she'd like to be carried around on.

Also, yeah. We've had some amazing weather.

Max ❤️

He loves Mary

And he loves being outside 

Just using the bathroom

Max, he's just like the rest of us 

Max’s corner

Max has created himself his own space, virtually inaccessible to others. Here he reads books and plays with cars.

Max’s birthday

Max is 2! But he hasn't mastered 2 fingers 

He got some new cars. Then his godparents came for lunch and there was a cake...with cars.

Then he played. He really wanted Nora to play too.

Happy birthday to our sweet car lover!

This week

While we've been museuming

And movie watching

The other kids and Justin have been