Max is 7!

My little Maxi turned 7 this past weekend!!  There has never a been a more handsome 7 year old with better hair.  I can't imagine our family without Max's loving, energetic personality.  His laugh is simply contagious.  There is no way you can be in a bad mood when you hear his giggle.  After all our Team Hank preparations, I was really feeling like Max deserved an extra special birthday weekend.  He is such a good sport and allows everyone to have the spotlight before him.

The day before his birthday, we had the great pleasure of watching him dominate on the soccer field.

He was so focused on scoring a birthday goal and he ended up scoring 2!  Not to mention he had some impressive defensive stops.  I love to watch him play so much.

I love watching Jack follow in my kids footsteps.  He's becoming quite the little soccer player as well.

Max loves to play for his adoring fans.  It's so fun to have so much support.  We had to hurry home and get ready for Max's friend party.

These boys couldn't wait for the movie to start!  Too bad Dophin Tale 2 was our only option for a movie this particular weekend.

Max invited only his best friends.  From the left we have Max, Ryan, Cohen, Anthony, and Jack.  I'm so glad Max has such great friends.

We came back to the house to open presents and enjoy delicious cookies from Swig.  I love how well these boys all get along.

The next morning, Max was so excited to open his presents.  Of course he let Sam help.

He finally got his nerf gun with a scope, as well as a Minecraft sword and gun.  This kid loves his weapons!  The Lego Movie playstation game was also a hit.  He also got a sweet new bike.  I'll admit, I've been a total slacker about getting outside and practicing riding with him.  This bike is quite a bit bigger than the one he learned on.

I love the sweat bands on his knees.  They were really protective when he crashed.

It took a couple melt downs and wrecks to get the hang of things.  

He didn't keep trying unil he got the hang of it.  I'm not 100% confident he can ride around the neighborhood unsupervised, but he's getting there. 

I will say he's the master of falling on his bike and not getting hurt.  The way he dismounts is pretty impressive.  It takes more skills to fall gracefully than to ride!

As you can see from these pictures, the weather wasn't allowing us to do any activities outside so we headed to the only trampoline park open on Sunday.

I think Max did about 500 flips into this foam pit.

All the boys joined Max and jumped their little hearts out.  Look, Max and Hank were getting along!!

After jumping we ate lunch at Rubios.  Only Max would use his churro as a cigar.  

We showered and decorated the house in all things soccer.

We even had time for a little target practice...

and a dance party before the family came. 

My kids know on their birthdays they have to endure countless pictures.  It's best not to fight it, just embrace.  Max did just that.

We've been so busy doing things for Team Hank this past month so Jeri and Scott came to the party with Team Max signs.  He loved it!

Max is quite the little reader so he read all his cards out loud to us.

He got so many awesome gifts and happily showed his appreciation in the form of hugs.

He was trying to act cool and not embarrassed as we sang Happy Birthday to him.

We had so much fun celebrating our darling Max.  He deserves all the attention and love I can give.  Sadly, I feel like I always fall a little short with him.  He glady lets everyone else have a turn before him.  He patiently waits so much that I sometimes forget how long he's been waiting.  Being the middle child in the family isn't always the easiest thing.  He handles it so well.

Prior to his birthday, I took him to the doctor for his annual check-up.  I'm so happy to report he is healthy as a horse, growing and thriving just like he should.  I will never take a good check-up appointment for granted. 

When they gave him his flu shot, he didn't even flinch.  Wish I could say the same. 

The other day, I had taken Hank down the street to baseball practice and left Sam and Max home plaing upstairs.  I was only gone 5 minutes and I knew I could trust Max to handle Sam.  When I drove up to the house I saw the ice cream truck in front of our house and Max and Sam buying treats next to it.  Cute little Max heard the truck, grabbed his wallet and gladly bought him and Sam ice cream with his own money.  He would;ve bought treats for all the kids in the neighborhood if they woud've been standing there.  This illustrates a few personality traits of Max's.  He is so generous.  He loves to do things for others.  He is also very independant, always has been.  I love how he just takes the initiatvie to get things done.

I don't tell Max enough how proud I am of him.  His teacher at school gave him rave reviews at his latest parent teacher conference.  He is reading way past where he should be in 1st grade, he is a friend to everyone, respectful, and always tries his hardest.  The questions this kid asks me on a daily basis blow my mind.  He has always thought outside the box and he is the most literal child on the planet.  You really have to use your words carefully or he'll call you on it,

Look at that angelic face.  I'd be totally lying if I didn't say I want to beat this kid at times.  He can be the most loving, sweet, and sensitive kid but he can also be the most stubborn, defiant, passionate, kid.  He feels everything so deeply.  I have to constantly remember just how sensitive he is.  The disipline tactics I use on Hank just don't work on Max.  I've been his mom for 7 years and I'm just barely starting to figure him out!  

My friend Lisa captured his personality perfectly in our latest family pictures.

This picture captures our family dynamic perfectly.  I can say one thing with complete certainty.  There is no one like my Max.  He is one of a kind and our family could not survive without his presence.  I just love everything about this hilarious little creature.  I can't wait to see what he is going to be when he grows up.  He is a natural leader and loves to serve others.  I couldn't be more proud or in love with my sweet Max.  Happy Birthday sweetie!!