Play time, Boo-Boos and a Hair Cut

Max has a new friend, Hunter Helm. We think the Helm Family is just great and Hunter is just the cutest!! They recently moved here from New Orleans. Max and I met Hunter and his mom, Emily, at Stroller Strides. Emily is SO sweet. We soon learned that Kelly went to college with Hunter's mom and dad. In fact, Kelly and Ryan were fraternity brothers. What a small world!!

I just love our new friends. We had a lunch date a few weeks back and I felt SO sorry for Hunter. Usually Max is such a go-with-the-flow kind of guy, but not on our lunch date. He definitely had a take charge attitude. He would take Hunter by the hand and lead or pull him (depending on Hunter's level of cooperation) to wherever he wanted Hunter to go. They mainly played in Hunter's room and insisted on closing the door. It was so nerve-wracking that they kept closing the door b/c Max only ever really does that when he is up to no good. Max was terrible about taking Hunter's toys and wasn't his usual charming self. It's such a difficult position to be in as a parent b/c I certainly don't want Max to be a bully but I also recognize how normal it is for toddlers to resist sharing. Poor Hunter! (As a side note, in Max's defense he had not had a nap ALL day and was more than 2 hours over due - so while it is no excuse for not playing nicely it definitely provided an explanation.)

Well, lucky for us Hunter wasn't too turned off by Max's "forcefulness" and we met up at the park. They had a GREAT time!!

Look at that HAIR!!!

In addition to roughin' up his friends, Max has developed some other bad habits. I mentioned it briefly above, but Max is so mischievous at times. He is definitely aware of things in the house that are off limits but sometimes he just can't help himself. Whenever he has something he isn't suppose to have or is doing something that isn't allowed, he ALWAYS goes off and hides to do his misdeeds. The other day it was quite comical. He wanted to play on my grandparents' desk, which is older than I am. So, playing on the desk is a no-no. Well, he shut the door to the hallway (to prevent me from watching), pulled his stool to the desk and climbed up to start playing. When he saw me peeking my head around the corner through the open doorway, he walked over to me and pushed me backwards saying, "Bye, Bye." When that didn't work he grabbed me by the hand, walked me to the chair (that was WAY out of eye sight of the desk) and pushed me to sit. Once I sat down, he went back to the hallway, shut the door, and got back to his bad business. Even though he was misbehaving, it was SO funny!! I just couldn't believe how sneaky he was being at such a young age. I have to admit I was kind of impressed. (It also made me realized how much I underestimate him.) Max does these sorts of things any time he isn't following the rules.

He is also learning to manipulate Kelly and I. For example, he wanted to watch tv the other night. I told him no tv but offered to read a book. Well, he climbed out of bed, shut my bed room door (which he NEVER does) and went into the living room and asked Kelly to watch tv. I COULD not believe my ears!! He knew EXACTLY what he was doing. Again - it was really amusing but so SHOCKING (and made me fear for his teenage years)!!

I know I've recently mentioned how rough Max is and how much he LOVES playing with Kelly. Well, the other day, they were playing chase through our tiny house. All of the sudden I heard a LOUD thud. Here is what I found:

I WAS SO FREAKED OUT! I even called the Dr's office, my mom and my aunt. These pictures do not accurately represent the knot that was on his head. It was HUGE!!! I've never seen a bump like it and it popped up IMMEDIATELY. Max, however did not skip a beat. He wanted to keep playing chase and was only upset by the inconvenience of having to sit still to have the knot iced.

I definitely am not prone to overreacting but I think I am a little sensitive to bruises and such due to my job. I think I was so bothered by the knot because he already had a black eye from hitting his eye on a glass table. Needless to say, he did not go to my office with his black eye and bruised forehead!! =)

After seeing the pictures of Max's WILD hair at the park, I'm sure many of you thought - it's time for a hair cut. Well, this Wednesday, Max had his first hair cut EVER. I have REALLY been dreading his first hair cut because nothing makes a little boy look like a big boy than a hair cut. I love his sweet little curls and am not ready to say good bye. However, the front of his hair was so long and ALWAYS in his face. (Hmm, maybe that is why he is always running into things and bruising his head?) Any who - Kelly had a hair appointment for Wednesday so Max took advantage.

He has his snack and he's ready for business

Here we go!! (notice Dad had to help)

The finished 'do

Two Handsome Boys (mom was still in her workout clothes-not so cute)
Max and his first Hairdresser

Have a MAXnificent week!!!! Love and Hugs!!