day eight | a trip to the movies

we have been to the movies to see every single kids movie these holidays except The Adventures of Tin Tin…and that was mainly because Max wasn’t keen to see it. We talked him into it today (have to get kids away from wii/playstation/xbox somehow!), so off to the movies we went. And unlike my mother who doesn’t think you need food at the movies….we can’t help but pig out on popcorn, lollies, chocolate or whatever else we can sneak in!!!!

day eight | a trip to the movies

day nine | happy 5th birthday maximo

dear max

today you turned 5. FIVE!!! I simply cannot believe it’s been 5 whole years since they first placed you in my arms and I realised that you were not a Rafferty as we had planned on calling you, but you were a Max instead.

You are about to start school…and you are so very ready for it. You have already started to sound out words, so i imagine you will flourish with someone who can actually teach you stuff!

You are funny and entertaining and frustrating and stubborn. You have decided that maybe you want to be an actor. Or a dancer, showing me your moves to prove you can do it. But buddy, you don’t have to prove anything to me – I know very well that once you set your mind on doing something, then you will just do it, and heaven help anyone standing in your way. I have absolute confidence that you will be perfectly successful in whatever you set your mind to in the future.

Things you have asked me over this past year:

- after being told you were born in water, you were wondering how you managed to stay afloat in the ocean – or were we on a boat? I had to laugh at the very thought of giving birth in the middle of the ocean!
- after a discussion about why sometimes farmers kill dingoes (because they kill animals like sheep), you decided it was wrong, and that you don’t even care about sheep, because you are a boy and boys. don’t. knit.
- we spent Sam’s 7th birthday at Australia Zoo, and at the end of the day you declared that it was the worst birthday ever because there were no cake, no balloons and no party games. Oh the joy of thinking that a birthday = a party!
- mum, when I think about Christmas, I feel like there are dinosaurs stomping around in my tummy. Kind of like it’s Christmas in my tummy.
- mum, do you know what? I am a real life superhero cos I remember things all the time like when I remember what you need from the shops. And if bad guys come around around I can say to them “hey, bad guys, did you remember to do your homework?” and they will have to go back inside to do their homework!!!!!!”

Maximo Sven Patrick (with a silent Sven)….I adore you even though you frustrate the hell out of me! You make me laugh, and you make me cry. You are going to have an amazing year, and I can’t wait to celebrate your 6th birthday with you!

Love Mumma xx

day nine | happy birthday maximo

day ten | saying goodbye to ‘mine cousins’

it may be another year before we see the boys again, and we will miss them every single day.

Nanna with her 5 grandsons!

day ten | nanna + the boys

day five | the longboard

sam will never admit it (he is way too diplomatic) but this was his favourite christmas present and it’s quite rare that he will even let max on it. so when he does, max takes full advantage. he has no fear. and luckily, as a mum of boys, i’ve learnt to ignore the kind of dangers that might only result in bumps and bruises.

day five | the longboard

day six | outside and in

an afternoon swim with friends got us out of the house and away from the wii/xbox/playstation (yes, we currently have all 3 in the house!!!) and made sure the kids got to play….both outside and in!

day six | outside and in

day seven | new fridge day

a gorgeous, big, shiny, new fridge gets delivered and the kids (with their friends) are just as excited as I am!!!!

day seven | new fridge day