Hi Max!

What a great Labor Day Weekend we had!

I got home from Birmingham on Saturday mid-day and we went to play in the bouncy-houses restaurant (as you like to call it) at The Great Mall.

Sunday, we had the VFW Picnic at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park at 87th and Lackman. Ate some lunch and then played on the new playground set and LOVED the astroturf and padded FieldTurf at the playground. We walked on the trails to the creek and bridge.

On Monday, we topped our great weekend off with a trip to the Zoo! We went two years ago, but all you did was sleep then. This time, you (WE) had a ball. You loved the polar bear as he did his somersaults and was very active. You said the monkeys were your favorite and you really liked the train ride - wow you love trains. :) We rode the train, the tram, the boat, and my favorite was the African Sky Lift that was a ski lift of sorts that took us over the wild animals of Africa - cheetahs, elands, african birds, ostriches (Australia section), Zebra, antelope, and we even peeked a lion while going across the zoo on the lift. It was a terrific ride! We zoomed right through your nap time thought and by 4 you were just about out on your feet. You fell asleep in the car on the way home and I couldn't help but reflect on how great the weekend was for us as a family.

Weather was terrific, relaxation was at a 9 or 10 level with no or little client expectations, and we really got some true quality time together. Sometimes I wonder if you realize how great you have it right now (you've been on 15 airplane rides (most of them first class or business class), two loving parents who have the time to spend with you and a plan to keep it that way, no other siblings, a great house, lots of toys, a great school, and lots of love around you) and I realize that it is me that has it great right now for having you in my life. Thank you for letting me live again through your eyes as you discover life. It's a blessing. You're a blessing.

Blessings,

Max's Dad (Michael)

P.S. Pictures to be uploaded later. Have to figure out which ones to post - took MANY!

Had to share... Family + Festival = FUN!

Hi Max!

Had to share this from this weekend! :) We had some fun at the Festival of Trails in Gardner, KS. Too funny! Goofy times! It was a Happy Birthday for me - lots of laughter.

Click on the picture to see a larger image.

Blessings,

Max's Dad (Michael)

05-28&29-11 Sunday is Son-Day... THE TRAIN!

Hi Max!

This weekend was Memorial Day Weekend and as always, we had the Maher Family Reunion in Independence. Any doubts as to how good your memory is were erased when you instantly asked if we were going to ride the train again. Sheri and I had a big laugh. Then, for the next 3 hours, you said, "Ride the train? Ride the train?" It was cute the first time, not so cute the next 900 times. :)

As we turned into the Independence (KS) Park, the first thing you saw was the REAL train that is parked at the Park for people to climb on and see a train up close. Nevermind the water slides, full-size fighter jet, dinosaur slides, pool, putt-putt golf center, and other distractions (er, I mean attractions). :) You were all about the trains. But alas... a hitch in our plans... the train that goes around the park was DOWN! Battery dead and no driver according to the rumors! I thought, "Oh boy."

You took the news a lot better than I thought. We sat down to eat and you were pretty focused on making a mess - and eating some. After lunch, you played trucks and cars with the other kids. Your big dump truck was a hit and besides fitting dirt and branches was the right height for you to run and push it - or is that push it and run? :) You were momentarily distracted. We ate, talked to relatives (relatives who really love YOU: Great-Aunt Linda, Great-Uncle Dan, Great-Uncle Jim, Great-Grandma Maher (still sharp as a tack), Taina, Nancy, Teresa, Paula, Uncle Rob, Aunt Lisa, Aunt Susan, Uncle Steve, Uncle Brian, Grandma Maher, and cousins Allie, Brady, Luke, Marissa, and Daniel). It was a great reunion - the most I've seen at a reunion.

You and I happened to be right next to each other when we heard, "WOO WOOOOOOO!" The train's whistle had blown and it was up and running again! Knowing that it could be one of only a few circles the train would make, I grabbed you and we made our way to the train. Fifty cents later (yes 50 cents) you and I had our tickets and were in line. They opened to gate, we went towards the front (same seat as last year?), and before we knew it, we were yelling, "All Aboard!" and we were riding THE TRAIN!

You loved it! We talked about the pool, the slides, the water, the jet, the child statues in the middle of the park, the dinosaur, the carousel, the giant slides, and the putt-putt golf center. It was like you were seeing them for the first time (again). It was almost like your entire focus was the train and now that you had achieved your goal of riding the train, the entire park came into view.

We waved at mommy and she took the photos. The conductor was kind enough to go around twice and we saw things we missed the first time around (can't look to both sides at the same time! :) It was great to ride the train with you. Makes me look forward to next year's Maher Family Reunion at Independence Park.

Blessings,

Max's Dad (Michael)

P.S. We also stopped by a carnival and had some more fun! Photos -->

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)

If this doesn't make you smile, nothing will.

Hi Max!

You love your new Johnny Jumper! This helps your legs get stronger so you can learn to walk faster. You're growing up so fast, buster. :)

Love that laugh.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

P.S. Here's the video!