Mr. First Communion and Easter

It has been an eventful spring to say the least so far! Easter came out of nowhere! It was a fun day and the kids enjoyed numerous egg hunts around town leading up to the big day! Right after Easter, Walker Stephen Roddy Goebel made his first communion! He was very excited about this and took it very seriously! It was a nice mass. Grandma Goebel came with us and stayed for dinner. Walker picked dinner. The menu was (ahem): Corndogs, corn, and apple juice. Really. That is what we ate. I made a chocolate cake based on Aunt Wendy's butterscotch cake recipe and it was delish!! They totally grow up so quickly! I can't believe he has already made this milestone! Other than that, we are getting ready to wrap up the school year. Doug is going to hit his Master's classes hard this summer so that he can graduate in May of 2013 instead of December. Walker and Brady are all ready to go for baseball this summer. Lauren has a dance recital Saturday night. Busy, but good. Then there is little man Max. He is just doing whatever he can to keep up with the other kids. He is Mr. Independent, unless there is a bunny nearby, than he wants to be held. He is talking away, mostly repeating everything he hears. That about sums up our recent events!

Max and Me

Partners in crime. That describes Max and I as we go through our day to day routines. Max and I walk Brady to school every day and pick him up from school every day. This is after the big yellow bus picks up Walker and Lauren and we race home to get them off the bus in the afternoon. Every day is a mystery as to what Max will want to bring on our walks. He likes to pack a back pack like his older siblings and tote it around (in this picture he is wearing Lauren's Bratz backpack). Sometimes he free hands toys (these usually end up in my pockets). Lately, he has been packing his "bed" i.e. a pillow and blanket in a tote bag. I'm sure those that pass us think I am taking him to his next placement or that he has over stayed his welcome and is being shipped off. Max is a pro at pointing out ambulances and fire trucks. He can even identify their sirens (that's what living in the Benson neighborhood will do, we have plenty of sirens and even police helicopters frequenting our streets and air space). Motorcycles are tops on his list too. In other words, he truly does make every outing some kind of adventure. We have met our fair share of big barking dogs that scare the bejesus out of him. We have even seen a snake! When we get home I usually do my chores while he plays and watches his PBS shows. In between we cuddle and read and snack. I really do enjoy our days together. But he is growing so quickly, I know these days are numbered!
Some Maxisms:
"in a wittle bit" (when asked to take a nap or go potty)
"where that fire truck go?"
"We get Brady Bear now?"
"Aww, Tanks." (His version of thanks)
"Good job mom." This is when I cross the street safely or go potty. Hey, who doesn't need a little positive encouragement, even if I mastered these skills 32 years ago?
To say I love that kid would be an understatement!

Spring Goebels =)

We have been busy Goebels!
First, Brady Bear, as Maxwell calls him (so cute!)has taken and passed with flying colors his swimming lessons! We have been a little lax with him and getting him in and keeping him consistently in swim lessons. It seems to have clicked with him! All the kids love the water, but I feel it is very important that they go through all the swim lessons so they know exactly what to do in the water.
Then there is Lobster Boy. We went to Red Lobster for lunch as a VERY special treat over the kid's spring break and Walker was dying to try Lobster. That's my boy with expensive tastes! He loved it! Doug has been really adamant about the kids trying new foods and tastes while they are young. Check this one off the list! Walker has been doing really well. He makes his first Communion at church this weekend! He is very excited for this milestone!
Letter Girl is next. She is the queen of writing copious notes and leaving them around the house for her Dad and I. This time, the tooth fairy was the recipient. The funny part is that this one is her rough draft! How effective her teacher must be in teaching writing that she had a rough draft before making her final copy! Unfortunately, she has had too many opportunities to write me apology notes lately. She is INCREDIBLY whiney at home and is having issues at school letting friends interfere in her learning. She apparently is not listening that she needs to tone down the socializing. That and the trading of little things with her friends. I now have to search her back pack when she leaves for school to make sure she is not smuggling any contraband. This too shall pass, I hope. Sigh.
Little monster Maxwell. Growing like a weed. Really can't call him my baby anymore. Boo. He is beyond potty trained. I don't even lug the diaper bag "just in case" any more (which has probably now jinxed me). He is the apple of all of his siblings' eyes until he grabs their toys! Still, they can't stand to hear him cry or see him upset. That makes it difficult to discipline him, but if anyone is one for the challenge, it is me!!
Looking forward for summer, Walker's first Communion, and whatever fun may come our way!