New Beginnings

'Twas the night before school....

and we had our annual reading of "The Kissing Hand" in preparation of the new year! The book is a sweet story about the love between Chester Raccoon and his mother and how he takes her love with him to school.

Although Max has been going to "school" for several years at our church, he will be attending 3K at a different program. He will also be going three mornings each week instead of two. So, there was a little trepidation for both Max and his parents when we visited his new classroom for Open House. And who should we see sitting on the shelf when we entered the room? Our friend Chester Raccoon. Mrs. O'Neill and Mrs. Leaphart assured us "The Kissing Hand" was the first book they would read on the first day to help soothe any anxiety. Max was thrilled and brought the heart stickers from his book at home to share with his classmates.

"I'm ready to go to my downtown school!"

During our first day lunch celebration at Moe's, Max assured me that his kissing hand had not washed off. I do hope he tried to wash his hands sometime while he was at school. He also brought home this poem from his teachers, which had his handprints and the heart sticker he had taken to school.

We are looking forward to a great year!

Celebrate Good Times

For the past 10 years, four college co-eds (ok, graduates) have gathered together. Sometimes only once a year, sometimes more frequently. Driving and flying, within the same state and across the country. Trips to the beach and trips to the lake. Sleeping on beds, couches, and air mattresses. Each year we manage to get together to giggle and talk and tell stories. And eat sweets. Staying up late is a given. But the recent reunions, which have included new babies and toddlers, up the ante to a new level of fun and exhaustion.

Aunties Rebecca, Laura, and Sally rendezvoused in Greenville for the opportunity to spend time with our family and meet the new addition. A mere 24 hours after arrival found the four of us sprawled around the house trying desperately to snooze for a few minutes due to extreme fatigue.

Staying up half the night to talk and giggle + Infant + Active Toddler = Exhaustion

Beckers and Lala were exhausted from travel and the exposure to multiple children. Sally was exhausted after going from her own young family straight to our crazy family. This Mama was exhausted from having 2 kids. And Jason was exhausted from listening to the four of us and the kids, and went unto hiding somewhere else in the house.

Max was THRILLED to see his aunties and enjoyed entertaining them with his new backpack fire hose and bathtub antics. He wanted to help Sally with her "machine", ride to get ice cream with Beckers, and do puzzles with Lala. Sarah got lots of good cuddle time and bouncing, and at least she offers the opportunity to sit still. She demonstrated her appreciation by slobbering over our guests and pulling hair. Max stated the best part of his day was when his aunties arrived - fresh blood. The exhaustion must have affected my memory because I did not get a single picture of the aunties. Zero.

I am not trying to earn points in the Pippa competition, but I did have some pictures from Auntie Beckers' first visit. Although this trip was not properly commemorated, thank you for the wonderful visit and the extra hands!

There was another special event to celebrate over the weekend! Darin was baptized into the church.

After the ceremony at church, Max and Sarah joined their cousins for lunch to celebrate Darin's commitment. We were honored to be a part of his special day and to welcome him into the community of believers.

By the end of the weekend Mommy, Daddy, Max and Sarah were ready to rest. Having fun can be so exhausting! Naps for everyone!

Water Bug

This summer has been full of fun in the water! Our little water bug stays in until he is as wrinkled as a prune or shivering from the cold - and he still begs for more!

Relaxing and jumping at Mimi and Baba's pool

Bumper Boats

Swimming laps and splashing at the Y

Three and Three Quarters

Dear Max,

Who needs to pay for entertainment when you have a 3 year old to provide it for free? Fighting fires remains a top priority in our house, but there is still time for creating train tracks, building castles, and transporting sand in the sand box. The belts for Mommy's robe and gift ribbon keep disappearing only to later be identified as part of your knot-tying experiments. You have created some awesome dance moves, which you refer to as "rockin". When we are in the car, you put on your Furman hat, ask for music, and proceed to rock down the road.

Lately, we have noticed you developing a new trait - sneakiness. You will deliberately do things you have been asked not to do....and try to do it without us seeing. For example, Pelt now lives on your closet shelf between sleeping times. On more than one occasion, you have taken your wastepaper basket, turned it upside down, and used it as a stool to reach Pelt. After Pelt was placed on a higher shelf, you decided to stack up your books in order to reach it. Mommy and Daddy were not pleased. The only saving grace is that you have no desire to hide your sneakiness once you are finished. You are very eager to tell on yourself! The confession is usually accompanied by a sinister laugh. "Did you hear that loud crash? That was my books falling down. Don't worry, I wasn't standing on them when they slid down. Hehhh hehh hehh."

We spend a lot of time reading books. Your bookshelf is completely packed (partly because you won't let us keep any books for Sarah in her room), and you are demonstrating a remarkable talent for organization. The short board books are on the top, medium length books on the middle shelf, and long books are on the bottom. Guess which shelf you choose from the most? You also refuse to leave covers on hardback books, insisting they need to look like the other books. There is an impressive pile of book covers in the closet. I could not even begin to list all your favorite stories, but you are partial to series at the moment - Curious George, Clifford, Franklin, and Berenstein Bears. You always look at the back cover and point out the pictures of the books you have in the series and the ones you still need.

I could tape you all day long and would still not be able to capture all the hilarious things that come out of your mouth! Often we have to leave the room or step into the pantry to hide our smiles and laughter at your antics. Especially since you are boycotting clothes lately. Sometimes I leave you in the room fully clothed only to return to find you running around in your underwear. Given that your scrawny body makes you look like a famine victim, it is quite the sight.

Although you are mostly Daddy's boy, you do consent to "Mommy-time", too. You continue to be full of hugs, squeezes, and kisses for your family. And your sweet smile and dimple can make me forgive any offense. Thanks for all the laughs!

Much love,

Mommy

More Maxisms

"A-ha!"

"Surprise!"

"That will be fine."

"I don't mind."

"Great."

"And Frank and Bean, of course."

"Come on, Mommy."

"I tell you what..."

"I tell you what, let's play that little birdie game."

"I tell you what, after I eat my dinner can we go fight fires?"

"I tell you what, Mommy, my baby sister loves me."

"It's a good thing..."

"It's a good thing they got that big truck out of the way so we could leave."

"It's a good thing they had more milk at the store!"

"It's a good thing my clock turned green so I could get up this morning!"

"The problem is..."

"Mommy, the problem is that my thumb is not sucking good tonight. I need you to fix it." Perhaps it is being overused?

Four Months

Dear Sarah,

Your big, bright eyes take in everything around you! You are very attentive to what is going on and want to be upright constantly so you can look around. The center of your attention is Max and you contort yourself like a pretzel to follow him with your gaze. You are definitely Big Brother's Number One Fan. Currently your eyes remain blue, but I am not convinced they will stay that way. I think you may still become our brown eyed girl.

One of life's sweetest sounds is your giggle. I can always make you laugh by poking you with my nose and tickling your face with my hair. Max does his own imitations of those actions in hopes of making you laugh, too. And your laugh sounds a lot like your Mama's - gaspy and excited - and makes everyone else smile in amusement. You also sigh quite frequently and suck on your bottom lip. We understand that it is hard to be a baby. When you are unhappy, your cry is like a little wounded bird.

We like our family snuggle time with books. 'Everywhere Babies' and 'I Love You, Baby' are currently your favorites, but Max insists you like 'How I Became a Pirate' and 'If I Ran the Circus'. Before naps and bedtime we always sing Twinkle, Twinkle and Jesus Loves Me. You are a big fan of dancing, too! Daddy loves to do the conga while holding you, while Mommy is partial to the cha-cha.

On your four month birthday, you were 12 pounds, 11 ounces and 24 inches long, putting you in the 30th percentile for weight, height and head circumference. So much for our little piggy! I am not sure how Daddy and I keep producing these teeny babies, but maybe you will appreciate your skinny genes one day when you are a world class gymnast! You certainly have the flexibility for it, and all your leg lifts and kicking must keep you in shape. It also means you have stayed true to clothing size and are wearing 3-6 month outfits.

As the little sister, you have already begun to establish that you can hold your own within this family. We are letting you sit in the high chair (leaning back) so you can participate in family meals. You throw a mean right hook when Max tries to hone in on your toys and the blue bird and the hanging giraffe know who is boss.

We love our happy girl!

Love, Mommy

Three Strikes

Scorecard:

Good Guys - 3

Bad Guys - 0

The past week has brought a wave of convictions of sexual offenders of which I am proud to have been a part. Justice was found for five children as three perpetrators in separate cases were sentenced to 15 years, 45 years, and life + 30 years respectively. During maternity leave I was called to testify in a pretrial motion for one of the cases. I spoke on behalf of a six year old client as to whether she should be forced to give testimony while looking at the person who abused her. Our legal system requires children to testify in general sessions court, no matter their age, in order to use the forensic interview at the trial. Although laws exist to allow children to testify outside the presence of the defendant, South Carolina has not had much success in utilizing them. Our victory in the motion hearing ensured that this victim would not have to see her offender and helped to establish case law, which should bolster the solicitors' confidence in pursuing this avenue more often. Obtaining these convictions was a true multi-disciplinary effort, involving law enforcement, forensic interviewers, medical staff, therapists, solicitors, and some very brave children.

I have learned that kids do not view justice in the same manner as adults. We, as grownups, want to see the perpetrators locked away and punished for their crimes. Kids just want to be safe. The victory for them lies not in the amount of jail time, but in the knowledge that they told their stories, they were heard, and they were believed. And that is an incredible achievement. I am so very, very proud of these five children and the countless others who have the courage to speak up.

Max at the Run 2 Overcome

Honoring Survivors of Sexual Assault and Child Abuse

and benefiting the Julie Valentine Center