I love you, Max.

Max riding train at Branson Landing (07-05-2012)

Max in the park (Sunday is Son-Day)

Hi Max!

I love you. I'm proud of you. I love to "get you" and love to play with you - even when it is just wheeling trucks around the floor. 

Here's what I wrote to my Facebook Friends today and I was inspired to share this with you: 

"Sunday is Son-Day. Here's what I hope - I hope that you love your kids as much as I love my son. I love his bad days (today when he "didn't want to play" soccer and I was pulling my hair out - quietly). I love his good days. And every day in between. He's not perfect and he has a father who is really struggling at this Dad thing. And he loves his mother right now more than his Daddy (it's a time thing), but here's what I wish for you... Parents tell your kids - sit them down, as awkward as it may be, and tell them - how much you love them, how proud of them you are, and how much they mean to you. Hug them, kiss them on the cheek, and take that moment. It's worth it. In all the hustle and bustle of the world, it's worth it... to stop a second and just show some love to your kids. No more assuming they "just know" you love them, but let them know how sincerely grateful you are for them and how much you love them. Sunday is Son-Day for me and for a Dad that screws up a lot and isn't there as much as he would like, it's a day that I wouldn't miss. It's a day to take a step out of the rat race and away from the concrete jungle, and hug our little animals and play with our little monkeys. Blessings, my Friends. +m2 P.S. And as a kid with four siblings, do this individually - one at a time with each kid if you have more than one."

Max, I love you. I'm proud of you. You are going to be a GREAT kid, a GREAT PERSON. You are a great kid now but you can improve, and please know your Mommy and Daddy are dedicated to becoming the best parents possible to help you to be the best person possible. It's not going to happen overnight - every minute, every second is a chance to praise, discipline, or teach - and quite frankly, we are overwhelmed and seeking consistency - consistency of discipline, consistency of message, consistency of schedule. We are getting there. Just know we care, we care enough to get better. We may never master parenting, but we will get better. 

Remember, you're the best. You can do it. You are equipped with the talent, smarts, and abilities to do ANYTHING YOU WANT. You are so helpful, a leader, a server, a light in any room you enter. You're the best. You're the greatest. You're the Max. =0) 

Blessings, 

Max's Dad (Michael)

11-26-11: Saturday is Son-Day... and Funday!

Hi Max!

Just had to comment on today! Today is Saturday, November 26, 2011. We moved our "Sunday is Son-Days" to Saturday for NFL Football Season and what a fun day we had today!

8:30 You came rushing out of your room looking for Buddy, our Elf on the Shelf. You finally found him. We had breakfast together - we both ate Blueberry Waffles. =0) I had coffee.
9:30 We played cars in your room. We laughed a lot here.
10:00 We watched the Backyardigans - Robot said, "Cheese." =0) We laughed a lot here.
10:30 We played trains - put together a whole new train track - new shape. Fun stuff. We laughed a lot here.
11:30 You ate a waffle. Then you ate a piece of pizza. I ate two pieces of Veggie Lover's pizza.
12:30 We played "I get you" haha! I chased you and tossed you around. We laughed a lot here.
1:30 We laid down for a nap. You wanted to sleep with your bean bag. After 30 minutes, I got up and cleaned my office. You were out cold! Sleeping like a baby. :)
3:00 You get up from your nap. I am working in my office and you, still a little groggy, hug my leg. I was like, "Aw, hey buddy."
4:00 We played lots and lots of ball with your Lightning McQueen ball and the orange ball. We laughed lots and lots.
5:00 Still playing ball. =0)
5:30 We stop playing ball - reluctantly. Mommy wanted you to settle down for dinner. :) We laughed a lot.
5:45 We played the TeleTubbies Matching Game on the table while Mom made dinner. You did INCREDIBLE. You matched them by the shape of the piece first and then did great remembering later.
6:00 Dinner - Spaghetti-O's and grilled cheese sandwiches for all of us!
6:45 Off to Home Depot for you and Mom. I stayed home to clean my office - and write this blog post! =0)

Just had to share. It was a fantastic day and you are so much fun to play with all day!

Love you!

Blessings, 


Max's Dad (Michael)

Sunday is Son-Day (on Saturday even!)...

Hi Max!

Yesterday was Saturday, but it was such a wonderful day! As a family, we went to Shawnee Mission Park. It was so nice - 68 degrees, sunny, and a light breeze. We drove around the park to see the water and the trees. Lots of people out and about!

We stopped at the same shelter at which we hold our July 4th Client Appreciation Parties. There is the huge jungle gym and slides. There is a giant sandbox. You were most interested in the creek that runs through the park. You are SO WATER-CRAZY! :) We threw twigs and branches in the water. We went down by the creek (in a very safe area) and put our hands in the water.

The weather was beautiful. We weren't in any hurry. We walked and played. It was just a really terrific afternoon. Had to share. You spell love like this... T I M E. Had a great time today!

With Love and To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

Sunday is Son-Day October 3 2010...

Hi Max!

Boy, I have been delinquent in my posts. Something I have noticed is that the more I can talk to, interact with, and goof off with you, the less I post on here. I will set up a standard time to post. It may not be every week, but I need to post more often.

You are a routine-lover like your father: Some highlights are that you have a sandbox now so you can play in what you call "Max's Dirt". Every day, it is "Max's Dirt? Max's Dirt? Max's Dirt?" :) You love to play in the dirt and in the sandbox. Also, you are in the rhythm of "Cars". Every day, you watch Cars, the movie. You know all the characters - Lightning, Chick, Doc, King, Luigi, Guido, Sally, etc.

You are so smart! The teachers at La Petite comment all the time how you pick up on things so quickly. They have had you hanging out in the 2-year-old room for a couple of months. According to the teachers, you have been holding your own. You are now speaking in sentences your mom and I can understand and converse back to you. Still need to get you working better with a fork and start your potty training.

Today, we are hanging out. Guess what? You've watched Cars. You've played a little in "Max's Dirt". You've eaten lunch exactly the same time as you always do. You've taken your nap at exactly the same time. The schedule works. You are so happy when you are on schedule. Why don't adults time block? When everyone is on time, on pace, and expectations are known, things run so much smoother.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

P.S. I love you!

Sunday is Son-Day August 22...

Hi Max!

Let's Play Ball!

Sunday is Son-Day for August 22 was exciting for me (probably more exciting for me than you). For the first time, you were going to see ME play ball. Softball is a love of mine and I've always looked forward to the day when my kid could watch me play ball. And the Sunday league games were normally at 9 and 10 - way after your bed time. But the make up games for Sunday were at 2 and 3. Perfect - and the weather was pretty nice. Warm, but not unbearable. It was great seeing you at the ballpark. At less than 2, you probably didn't get much out of it - BUT I did hear you yell Good Job Daddy! That made me smile after hitting a double against the fence. It was like you understood - and maybe at a deep level you do. :)

Love you son and cannot wait to watch you play ball - and it will happen soon.

To Your Success,

Michael

Sunday is Son-Day August 1, 2010...

Hi Max!

Did we ever have a blast on Sunday (Sunday is Son-Day!)!?! You love the water, my son. It was so fun to take you to Thomas (Tony) Soetaert Park in Shawnee. We played in the sprinklers, slid down slides, ran through bubbling fountains, and took a turn in the adult pool. We even floated around the lazy river a few times. You're a fish! I can't believe how much you loved getting into the pool. We stayed the perfect amount of time as well. We got a little sun, but not sunburned and you were getting tired by the time we took this photo.

All in all, a trip to the Aquatic Center was good for both of us and we both deserved a nap afterwards. :)

Sunday is Son-Day!

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

Sunday is Son-Day May 2, 2010

Hi Max!

We had our Sunday is Son-Day fun day today. After 8 flights in 11 days, daddy was home and we were ready to spend some time together! Today, we decided to run some errands and part of the fun was a trip to Nebraska! Not the state, but Nebraska Furniture Mart the largest furniture store on the planet (I think). This place is HUGE! We didn't even see all of it! But you got to drive this groovy car. You weren't satisfied with just riding. You wanted to drive. =0)

Plus, you took the time to do some computer work for them. Overall, it was a great day. Best of all, it was a day together.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)