HAPPY St. PATRICK'S DAY FROM THE MURPHYS

May the "LUCK OF THE IRISH" be with you today and always!

P.S. Check out Bella's two missing top teeth!

Trains and Hockey

Max enjoyed some quality time with Bill and Joan Wilson's trainset on Saturday. Dad, Max, Brighton and Grandpa Bradley all went over to check out his train, which really was amazing. He re-created the Billings' rims in their basement utilizing foam, and ran the track above, below and through the rims. It turned out wonderfully realistic. Max was even able to "man the controls" and had a lot of fun controlling such a life-like train set.

To finish off a very busy Saturday, we went to watch our good friends' son, Preston Jones, shred it up on the ice. Preston is 6 years old and a very talented hockey player (some of his teammates are 9). We had a great time watching him play, and then joined Preston and his dad for some burgers at Red Robin.

Brighton had a great time watching the game, and eating all the popcorn her little heart desired. Despite the popcorn consumption at the game, she ordered "pitha and fench fies" for dinner at Red Robin. This girl really goes for the health food.

High School Musical on Ice

Mom, Bella and I attended High School Musical on Ice on Saturday. It was a spectacular show, and Miss Bella really enjoyed all the music and dancing. We may have moved on from Hannah Montana music to the High School Musical soundtrack. Oh boy.

Bella was so excited that she was the first on to the door at the Metra.

I couldn't resist spoiling her with a High School Musical hat (Bella loves hats, especially "rock star" ones), and a Wildcats mircophone that lit up throughout the show.

We were in the second row right behind the ice (and no one sat in front of Bella), so she was able to lean in and really enjoy the show. For those of you with this show coming to your town, it really was well done. Mom and I enjoyed it almost as much as Bella.

My Maxer

So, I now will take this opportunity to blog about my boy. Those of you who know him understand why he is so special. One minute he is a ball of energy - running around as a monster or playfully trying to get his daddy to wrestle with him. The next minute he is my love bug, all snuggled in on my lap to quietly watch a movie. He is sensitive and does not like disapproval from anyone. The thought of someone being mad at him causes him to get a pained expression on his face that involves a slight twisting of his little mouth and rapid blinking to ward off the tears. In those moments, I find that it is unnecessary to carry out any further discipline because I can see that just the thought of disappointing me is punishment enough for Max.
Max's dad is his favorite person in the world. Every morning he wakes up when he hears the shower. He comes into the bathroom, and, if it is me in the shower, crawls into bed to snuggle his daddy. Then, father and son head to the shower together for some quiet time. He wants to be with Gavin and to do whatever Dad is doing. Last weekend the girls and I went out for a day of shopping. When I got home, I offered to take Max out on the town next weekend. He politely informed me that he was just fine "hanging out" with Dad, thanks.
At school, Max is every bit as sensitive to other's feelings as he is to his own. When he was only 3, his teacher told me that Max cannot stand it when one of his friends does not have a buddy. There was a child in the class with a learning disability that no one wanted to hold hands with. It was my Max who took it upon himself to go to the end of the line and hold hands with this child, rather than having him walk by himself. He continues in this spirit even today. That's not to say that he won't get into it with his friends on occasion, we do get notes home when he bonks his head playing football, or gets a little aggressive with the wrestling.
I used to worry that Max would be a follower rather than a leader. But everyday as I watch this sensitive and thoughtful child grow, I see that he leads by example. Yesterday (sunday) morning, Gavin and I were still sleeping and the older kids were awake and playing downstairs. Their cousin Connor was over and the three older kids were playing when Brighton woke up. She asked if she could go downstairs and "pay", and I told her she could. She went downstairs to join her siblings and her cousin, and it was Max who said, "Good morning, Bwighton, do you want to play with us?" Happily, he went to find "guys" appropriate for his 2 year old sister so she could join their play. She came and showed me what "my Max" had found her a few moments later - a little blond-haired plastic wobbly, perfect for Brighton to join her brother's game (he and Connor were using Ninja Turtles, Bella a Barbie).
Max loves all sports. He likes to throw the ball with his dad, loves to play baseball with his tee, and is a big fan of the Wii. In fact, Max knows how to turn the Wii on and start games all by himself. His favorites are tennis and baseball - bowling if the whole family is playing. He gets a little too aggressive at times with his wrestling, and likes to give at that sport much more than receive (don't we all).
He will not kiss my on the lips - we have developed quite a game. Max will offer to give me a kiss, but he holds my head to one side so he can only kiss my cheek. I try to turn my head just as he is leaning in so I can smack him on the lips, but he always catches me in time. This results in lots of giggles, and cries of "that's disgusting" on the rare occasions when I do plant one on his lips.
He is my Maxer. While I hate to see him (and all the kids) growing up, I can't help but hold my breath as the beautiful human beings they are becoming are slowly revealed. I just feel so honored to be Max, Bella and Brighton's mom.

Cowboys for Prostate Cancer!

We took some pictures this weekend of the Curnow boys (Carter and Connor) and Max for inclusion in a brochure mom is creating for the hospital in Dillon. Apparently, the brochures are to benefit prostate cancer research. Mom saw a brochure featuring little girls that said, "please find a cure for breast cancer before I grow boobs." She apparently thought that would be a great marketing campaign for prostate cancer as well, although I wonder what the hook will be. I'll just leave that one to your imaginations.

The pictures turned out pretty darn cute. My Maxer is a natural cowboy (looks pretty tough here, doesn't he), but would you expect anything less from a Murphy?