Saturday Synopsis, Max Edition

Max's birthday was a few weeks ago. He turned fourteen.  This Saturday Synopsis is in honor of him.

Max is teaching his little brother Henry (7) the ways of the boy world.  In addition to showing him how to toast with fake beer steins, he wrestles him, plays DS with him, and shows him how to be a man.  I can only hope that Henry follows Max's stellar example and participates in school and church as well as Max does. It's too late for Henry's ball handling skills.  He shows as little promise as Max once did.

Max tolerates me and sometimes even hugs me.  I adore him even more now that he is always at school, sports, or seminary.  I am happy to see him on weekends and I even manage to overlook the socks he always stuffs in the couch cushions.  Max and I both like to read and one of our favorite activities is reading time in my bed.  No talking allowed.

Max and Claire (11) pretend to barely tolerate each other but I have hope for their relationship.  Sometimes when they are alone and they think no one is watching, they interact and even almost enjoy each other.  They both read a lot of trivia and Calvin and Hobbes books, so maybe they can find common ground there.  Claire has used Max as a resource upon entering middle school, and he gives her pertinent advice like "avoid the chicken patty" or "don't take home ec."

I turned Max's primary development over to Carl when Max turned 12 and it is working out nicely.  They bond over violent movies and the Hitler History channel.  When Max and Carl go home teaching or fast offering collecting together I want to cry with pride.  I couldn't ask for a better dad for my son. Except the vision thing.  I didn't know nearsightedness was a dominant gene.  Bummer.

Max + Alice = True Love.  Max has always had a soft spot for babies, and Alice is by far his favorite one.  She begs for him all afternoon and screams with glee when he comes home.  She calls him "Bobby."  We don't know why. 

Max's birthday dinner was had at Denny's.  He wanted breakfast.  He can pound the carbs.

Look at that pained expression on Max's face.  He tolerates family stuff pretty well but occasionally he loses it.  I made him go on a few little kid outings this summer and he almost blew.

At age seven at Haunauma Bay, Kauai.  He didn't really surf.  He was borrowing the board.

Age eight, Nepali coast, Kauai.  He especially enjoyed identifying the fish he saw while snorkeling.  He likes animals.

Max age nine, the beginning of his five year stint in band.  He's currently taking a break to try drama.

Age ten, London.  We are trying to take our kids on fifth grade trips.  I already owe Claire.  I'm working on it.

Age eleven with baby Beatrice.

Age twelve at Grandpa Jim's 60th birthday party.  I haven't seen him dance in a while.  Time to sneak into a church dance.

Age thirteen with his favorite snack, Mac and Cheese.  Please note the serving spoon he's using.

Max asked me to put this picture in.  I think he's about twelve with his airsoft gun.  He wishes he could use it more but I keep forgetting to buy pellets.  Oops.

I can't believe my little boy will be a grown up in four years.