Ok, I’m finally getting a little breather in my days to crank out this post. It’s only a few months late! :)

Just like every year and with every kid, it’s always so bittersweet to have your kid grow another year older. With Max, it’s especially so because this will be the last year I have a 4 year old (one of my favorite ages!). 3 and 4 seem to be the ages when they say the funniest things and just crack you up with their thoughts and observations. This guy is such a character. He always knows what you want to hear and loves making you smile or laugh. He’s very precocious and is constantly surprising us with what he already knows. He’s still very temperamental and honestly throws tantrums like a pro (he’s had many years of practice!). I don’t think he has gone a day without tears since pretty much anything will set him off! But give him a few minutes and he will be smiling like his usual self. He’s still way into Star Wars but has added Mighty Morphin Power Rangers to the mix.

He loves sports (especially soccer), math, camping, and cuddling. Unlike his older sister, we have been neglecting him in extra curricular activities. I did start a mommy and me swim class with him though so hopefully we can start to get him more comfortable in the water.

Ready for swim class!

He was not happy on the 1st day of school

This past year was his first year in preschool and we had him at Lee CDC, the same one Emma went to with the same teachers and everything. He loved it but also began each day he went with tears for the longest time! He just doesn’t like to say bye but by the end of the year he was all smiles.

For his bday party this year, we threw a joint one with Emma and it was The Greatest Showman themed! (Mostly because of me but the kids also saw the movie and loved it too so they agreed lol….mostly because I promised them cotton candy). We had it at Stanton Central Park which is a really nice park if anyone is looking for a bday party venue. It’s very clean and well kept and they have a splash pad that gets turned on in the summer months. The park also has a playground, a skate park, bball courts, and tennis courts.

For his actual bday, we took him and Emma to work since it was Take Your Kids To Work day! They are always so curious about what we do all day at work so they were super excited about it. Unfortunately we got there a little late in the day and some of the activities and freebies were gone. They still had fun though! For dinner that night, we got tickets to see the Pirate Dinner Show which the kids loved. I highly recommend those dinner shows for young kids (as long as they don’t get scared with lights and loud noises!). Finally we ended the night with a Star Wars movie (of course) and the whole family camping in the living room.

Max’s year in pictures:

Woofie is still much a part of Max’s life, his best friend!

This guy loves his scooter so much we can’t seem to get him to ride a bike!

Always and forever collecting flowers for his mama :)

Getting ready for the trikeathon at school!

Feeding me ice cream in Austin

These costumes cracked me up

You can’t tell but Max hated this stormtrooper costume I made for him. He is very picky about wearing uncomfortable things so this was torture for him even though he begged me to make a stormtrooper costume for him!!!

Max built a bunch of tie fighters with his magnatiles

Taking his first passport photo!

Emma fell asleep crying on the couch so he made this xmas tree to cheer her up when she wakes up. That’s just how he is!

I love this picture….when he could lay down sideways in an airplane seat!!! Not pictured: all of the times he threw up while on the airplane.

Just holding up the leaning tower of pisa with 1 hand. NBD.

This trip gave me a heart attack. I can’t believe he rode this horse all by himself in Italy!!!!

At the Brooklyn Children’s Museum (highly recommend this place!!)

Annual Santa pic

Adventures with Emma

He still loves Star Wars and especially AT AT Walkers (before him I never knew what these were called lol)

Disneyland is his favorite place…too bad we don’t have the annual pass anymore! :(

On one of our camping trips to San Diego KOA

To Minh’s dismay he loves guns hehe

At a performance at his preschool

Still prefers me but loves his Daddy soooo much!

Here are the answers to his birthday questions this year with my comments in parentheses.

1. What is your favorite color? black purple (this is a real color according to Max…just imagine a purplish black :))
2. What is your favorite toy? my stormtrooper costume
3. What is your favorite fruit? watermelon
4. What is your favorite tv show? STAR WARS (same as last year)
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? orange chicken
6. What is your favorite outfit? all of my Star Wars clothes at the same time
7. What is your favorite game? Star Wars
8. What is your favorite snack? oranges
9. What is your favorite animal? cat and bunny
10. What is your favorite song? Darth Maul theme song
11. What is your favorite book? His Star Wars book about all of the starships
12. Who is your best friend? Emma and mommy (and then he added daddy when Minh asked what about me??)
13. What is your favorite cereal? Panda peanut butter puffs
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? ride my scooter and bike
15. What is your favorite drink? Chrysanthemum tea, orange juice
16. What is your favorite holiday? all of them
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Woofie!
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? bo kho with bread
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? What’s dinner? Egg sandwich
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A police motorcycle

Dear Max,
Despite all of the tears and tantrums you throw, you have our whole family’s heart. You are my best buddy, Emma’s best friend, and Daddy’s mini me. You go from 0 to 90 in your feelings but that’s what your feelings are. BIG. You constantly make this family laugh with the things you say and also think hard when you ask us these deep questions that are beyond your years. You are so so smart and have such a curious mind. You amaze us with how quickly you pick things up. You are still the most competitive little person I’ve ever met and asks us to race at everything. You also hate to lose and pretty much make everyone in this family let you win (which is really annoying btw :P). Your obsession with Star Wars is so cute, you know all of the characters and starships and insist on wearing something Star Wars pretty much every day. You are brave, daring, and fast (like Flash!). You are so cute and make the best facial expressions. You went on your first international trip this past year and declared NYC your favorite place we’ve ever visited. I can’t wait to see all the adventures year 4 will bring you!