Maxwell's 2nd Birthday

Can you believe it! Maxwell is 2!

We had a whirlwind weekend celebration of birthday festivities. (See previous post.)

Everyday that I wake up and look at him, I still think, "Oh My God It's Early!" But I have learned to appreciate that he does sleep in quite often and there are other children that do not. Praise be to those parents!

I am continually amazed at how much he grows and learns every day. For example, he now says agua for water, instead of water. Is that good or bad? I don't care! I am just thrilled he is speaking and doing more of it every day. He repeats what you say, especially new words. You can literally watch him learn. Soaking up information like a sponge. It is awesome. I can see him making choices, some good, some not so good. It doesn't matter, he is learning.

I have said it before, that I don't believe in the terrible 2's. I will say it again. I don't believe in them. I am watching him test limits, push boundaries and discover the person he wants to be. It's not terrible. Difficult at times, yes. But not terrible. I love my son and with a little guidance and a lot of patience he will grow up to be something bigger and better then me. I am not saying that there have not been difficult days. Bridge can atest to those. I cry on her shoulder a lot and we commisserate together. Terry also constantly reminds me to not worry so much and just have fun. But I am having fun! It is the most fun you can have standing up!!!

Where to begin...Maybe I should let Max tell you?!

When I woke up on Sunday morning Mommy and Daddy made me breakfast and sang me Happy Birthday. I am not really sure what that was all about but it was fun and they were having fun so who am I to stop them. Then they brought out a bunch of stuff all wrapped up in paper. Daddy had to show me how to get started, but once I figured it out, it was on!!

Mommy started off with the boring stuff first.

 

I showed a little interest. Just so she wouldn't be disapointed.

I do kind of like puzzles. But what's with all the letters??

Now we're talking!! Dinosaur Train, with a battery powered train.

"Toot Toot!"

Leave it to Daddy to get the good stuff and save the best for last!

My first remote control car!! My dad rocks!

And it's a school bus! "Beep Beep!" Does he know me or what?

Then we got in the car and drove to Elbe. Mommy and Daddy have been telling me for weeks that we were going to Elbe, but they wouldn't say for what. I have been saying Elbe for days and now I know why! We are riding a real STEAM TRAIN!!!

I got another big surprise when we got there. My cousin Claire and best friend Jake were coming on the train with us! Does it get any better?

Mommy and Bridge tried to wrangle us for a group photo. Not so much!

"Yeah, we're gonna ride a train. Cool, huh?!"

They let us climb and play on this old train to get out some energy before boarding.

"We are off!!"

 This is my best friend Jake and his mommy Bridgette getting settled in before the train started to go.

 This is me and my mommy. Isn't she the greatest? By the way, check out my cool Thomas the Tank Engine tattoo. Mommy got some for Jake and Claire too.

This is me and daddy next to my cousin Claire. That is my Uncle Mikes head in the corner.

The ride was kind of long but we saw some really cool stuff along the way. There were tractors and trucks, bridges and rivers. Jake is really good at spotting large machinery and I always look when he yells "tractor" and I am never disappointed.

 This is the river under one of the trestle bridges. Not sure what it is called though.

The conductor says that Mt. Rainier is out there somewhere, obscured by the clouds. What ever that means!

This isn't the clearest picture, but that is a beaver dam! We didn't see the beavers!

 The train stopped out at Mineral Lake. They let us get off and Jake led a hike down the trail to check out the lake and the scenery.

Daddy took this great picture of Jake and his momma.

We got back on the train and headed back to Elbe. It was a much shorter ride, but still lots of fun. Jake, Claire,  mommy, Bridgette and I walked all around and even sat at the very back of the train and watched the tracks go by. Mommy and Bridgette said it made them a little sick. Not sure why though.

When we got back to the train depot we went and ate dinner in a real train car. It was super fun. Even Jake and Bridgette had dinner with us. Mommy made cupcake for dessert and they sang me that silly Happy Birthday song again. Not to break with tradition I didn't eat my cupcakes this year either!

*Full disclosure: The following photos are from today and not from the restaurant. The blogging Mommy forgot to take pictures of her son blowing out his birthday candles the first time around.*

Yup, I'm 2 and I love Thomas the Tank Engine!

I actually blew out my candles this time.

It doesn't count as eating my cupcake this time cause it isn't really my birthday today! Mommy said the sugar rush was instantaneous!

I had an awesome time on the train and I am so glad that my cousin Claire, aunt Maryann and uncle Mike, Jake and Bridgette could be a part of my special day. I can't wait to see what this next year has in store for me. Thanks to everyone who made my birthday so special.

Love to everybody,

Maxer

Schwingfest

The second weekend of every August is Schwingfest, at the Swiss Park in Bonney Lake. My wonderful friend Lucy and her family are Swiss and we have been invited to enjoy the fest every year for the last 6 or so. It is a blast!

Let me explain:

Schwingen is wrestling. A really unique method of wrestling with 2 men pitted against one another, no weight class, just strength. They wear a special pair of shorts with a leather belt. They each need to have a hand grabbing the belt at all times. Then they try to throw or grapple the opponent to the ground. Saturday is the adults or older boys and Sunday is the Buebe Schwingen or youth wrestling.

They wrestle on a bed of sawdust and there is a point system for takedowns. It can be amazing to watch. Some of the throw downs are pretty hard. Sometimes even the smaller man wins. Contestants came from all over Washington, Oregon and even California. Sometimes there are even contestants from Switzerland. The Grand Prize in Switzerland is a cow.

Max was a little worried at first. He seemed very empathetic for the guys. Then he just watched them with interest. This was his first Schwingfest. Last year his grandparents came into town for his birthday so we missed it and the year before we were pregnant and throughly enjoyed it during the heat wave.
The whole time the men/boys are wrestling there is swiss music, played from the Music house in the background with accordians and pianos being played. It is kind of in the style of the polka.

One of Lucy's freinds, Analise, plays the Alpen horn. Max really enjoyed hearing her and clapped after every song.

During the Schwingen there is a lot of eating and drinking. They serve authentic Swiss bratwurst with onions and sauerkraut. YUM!! After the schwingen on Saturday night there is a dinner and dance. This is the Sportsmen's Club. Lucy's family has been involved in the club since before she was born and there are lots of pictures of her family inside, including lots of animals that her uncle hunted, mounted and donated to the club.

I love the motto over the door of the club. In case you can't make it out, it says "all for one and one for all" in Swiss.

After watching the schwingers we all have worked up an appetite and head back to Aunty Lucy and Poppa Richard's for some dinner. She always hosts dinner at her house before heading back to the Swiss Park for the dance. Lots of friends and family come over to eat and conversate.

This year Max got a birthday treat! Analise played Happy Birthday for Max on her horn. He loved it! Aunty Lucy, Poppa Richard their son Anthony and his girlfriend Nikki got Max a basketball hoop that is just his size. Thanks so much! He will be an NBA star yet!

We love going to Schwingfest and now that Max is old enough to enjoy it we won't be missing another one. Thanks so much for letting the non-Swiss be included in the fun!

Max and Jake at Luther Burbank Park

What a great mom Bridgette is! She is always finding new and cool parks for us to meet up at for play dates. This time we went to Mercer Island and Luther Burbank Park. Thanks for taking such great pictures too!

She saw a picture of this fire truck on their website and said, "We need to go there!" The boys obviously agreed! There were lots of great climbing things for them with tunnels and hide-aways. It was quite fun!

We went on a walk, led by Jake of course, and found Lake Washington and some cool docks. No boats to check out though. They must have gone out before we got there.

 So we kept walking and stopped for an impromptu picnic lunch, which is how we roll! Bridge read to the boys from Max's favorite Tractor book. I mean really, does it get any better?

After eating the boys walked up the hillside to check out some trees. They appear to be plotting something here. "If we run now, do you think they could catch us, Jake?" I sure there will be more plotting in our future.

We had a great time Bridge and we are totally up for the next new discovery!

Tio Horacio Salas

About 2 weeks ago my Great Uncle, Tio Horacio, passed away in his sleep. He was my Grandmothers little brother. He still lived in Chile to be close to his children and his passion, politics.

I had grown up hearing amazing stories about the things he had done or helped to get done politically and always wanted to meet him. About 5 years ago Terry and I were able to go to Chile and meet all of the rest of my family that did not come to the states. We spent several days with Tio at his house outside of Vina del Mar. I have never met a more gracious host and wonderful human. He was kind, generous, loving and the most charming gentleman you would ever meet. Definitely a story teller and very proud of his accomplishments. He ran a public relations school for many years in Chile and his clients requested his services all over the world.

After the school closed all he wanted to do was retire and start an avocado, palta, orchard. What a success that would have been. I am honored and grateful to have been able to meet him and so pleased to have been able to spend some time with him. My love and support go out to his children and my Great Aunt, Tia Lucia during this difficult time. I love you all and miss you so much.

This picture was taken when he came to visit his older sister in California about 4 years ago.

Max and Jake at Kelsey Creek Farm Park

I have been meaning to post these pictures since last week. We have been really busy with family stuff here. July is not a month I ever want to live through again.

There were some bright spots though. Bridge and I met at a new park with the boys. Kelsey Creek Farm Park in Bellevue. It was loads of fun and the boys actually had some real interaction this time. Both Jake and Max were each calling the others name.  Most of the photos that follow are courtesy of Bridger.

This is the boys taking a quick break. Jake, as usual leading the hike and Max trundling up behind. It was at the top of the stairs that we decided to turn back. Hence Max looking like he was further up the trail. Nope, just following Jake's lead and having a seat.

They traded some rocks.

There was even some hugging! Max wasn't thrilled at first. Jake is an exuberant hugger, it was super cute! After some coaxing Max got his groove on.

After coping a squat on the trail in the shade we had a little trail side lunch of PB & J's and headed back down to play at the playground.

 "Let me tell ya how it's gonna be kid!"

 "You mean move it over here like this?"

"No, like this."

Well, we are making progress in getting them to be friends. It sure is fun to watch them grow together. Especially now that they can say each others names.

I sure do love these boys!

Super Ham!!

Just had to post this picture of my Super Ham!

I said, "Hey Max, go stand over by that seahorse so mommy can take your picture."

Can you tell he has had a camera in his face from the moment he came into this world?