Month 18, Day 21: Last Evening on the Farm

Max's visit to his Mama and Papa's flew by, and it was his last night before we knew it. He kicked it off with a milkshake - below is his milk mustache.

Then he played some tunes for us on a very out-of-tune piano.

Of course, no evening would be complete without some outdoor time.

Relaxing in the front yard on one of Papa's handmade barnwood Adirondack chairs.

Playing "Which hand?" with Papa, which generated lots of smiles and giggles.

Max's smile below pretty much sums up his visit to his Mama and Papa's.

Month 18, Days 16 - 19: The Farm Boy Adventures Continue (Subtitle: Hayrides and Watering Cans)

Max's adventures continue. Below Max and Papa cuddle up at a family reunion.

Feeding fish and carrying a fly swatter. What more does a boy want?

Max is testing out his weather forecasting skills. "Looks like rain, Papa."

As Mom's tummy grows, this might be Max's new mode of transportation.

Getting up close and personal with Cousin Carsyn.

Making waves with Carsyn.

Max's first "jump" off a diving board.

We had another storm blow through, which meant more sticks for Max!

Papa, Max, and Mama

Dad, Mom, and Max.

Dad pulling Max in a tug boat (an old toy borrowed from Cousins Carsyn and Sydney)

Max's first hayride! Papa had cut a path through the timber just for Max.

With Dad's tropical shirt, you would have thought we were in a jungle. It was sweltering like one though.

It's official - Max is a country boy after driving his first tractor.

Cooling off after the hayride.

Max spent considerable time re-arranging the watering cans all over the deck. He was never satisfied.

He wouldn't even pause for a picture.. just constantly moving and re-moving the cans! It is good times like these that make it very hard for him to get to sleep. He was having so much fun "ou-hide" that he cried non-stop during bathtime and bedtime.

Cuddling with Mama early the next morning.

Playground equipment is more fun when you have playmates, and Mama and Papa were the perfect fit.

We stopped by the county fair after the park to check out some prize-winning goats and chickens.

...And got some goat-raising tips from a real live 4-H'er.

Max and Papa, enjoying some quiet time.

Month 18, Day 15: Max's First Day on the Farm

It's time for Max's annual summer visit to Mama and Papa's farm in Missouri - where we are trying our best to tap into his "country boy." Below are snapshots from his first day. Lots of flower smelling and spending time outside (or as he says, "ou-hide").

He started off the morning with some "fishing."

Mid-morning, he kept Papa company on the swing.

Here is Max being a tad shy with Cousin Sarah.

But his shyness didn't last long, and he was delighted to get tons of kisses.

Exploring the many flowers in the garden.

Showing Dad (who is a city boy) how to use the water pump.

Max and his "smelling" face.

For some reason, Max loves the fly swatter and has been carrying it around... a lot. We're hoping to upgrade to a fishing pole when he's older.

(a picture with the fly swatter expertly photo-shopped out!)

Playing "pick-up-sticks" with Sarah.

Below Max is taking a break from helping everyone pick up the sticks and debris from the prior night's thunder storm. That's how we country folk spend our evenings. Dad managed to give himself a cut to the head by pulling down a dead tree branch, despite everyone's loud objections.