Max Isn't In Preschool?

Please don't tell this guy he's not in preschool, because he most certainly thinks he is.

Max has somehow become the little rock star of Ainsley's preschool class.

When we drop her off, a gaggle of 4-year-old girls surround Max, grab his hands & try to shuttle him around the classroom.

Ainsley ignores him & Max tries to get away from the girls & play on his own.

Eventually, I lure him out of the classroom with the promise of the water fountain, but one day this month was different - he got to actually STAY for Ainsley's music performance.

We arrived early for Ainsley's performance & Max was ready to perform.

Once he saw his sister (with the orange t-shirt & jeans - yep, the only girl NOT wearing a dress) he quickly took his place on the stage.

When the music teacher encouraged audience participation, I'm not sure this is what she had in mind. Thankfully, the teachers were so nice & didn't mind.

I guess Max could only stand the limelight so long - he decided to loiter at stage right & run up & down the stairs. Awesome. I was really proud.

I was told that other naughty toddlers were doing the same thing mine was...but I don't see any others...do you?

There he is, so proud of his performance. Max stayed up there with Ainsley for about half of the songs - maybe he is destined for the stage.

I had to throw this one in - this is of Ainsley & the Infamous Peter.

Here she is trying to encourage Peter to sing while still trying to sing at the same time - it was pretty funny to watch.

Peter is one of her best buddies & for the first 6 months of preschool Ainsley used to pretend to be Peter at home & would only respond if we called her "Peter."

Peter's mom & I think we'll display this picture at their wedding.

Baby No. 3

"Mom, your stomach looks big, are you having twins?" Ainsley asks.

"Ummm, no Ainsley, I'm not having a baby," I reply.

"Well, I think I'm ready for one," she assures me.

Two out of 4 Yeretskys are ready for baby number 3.

Unfortunately for Ainsley & Max, it's the wrong two. (Do you really think I'm that crazy?)

They looooooove babies. Ainsley even got to hold the newest member of the KU Law family (above), Sam Emert, at 9 weeks old.

Then she offered her babysitting services to his mom.

"Mom, I think I am ready for you to have a baby girl & we will put its crib in my room & I will keep a bottle of formula in there & you won't even have to feed it ever, Mom. I really will," is what I heard on our way to preschool the other day.

Apparently Ainsley has this whole thing figured out, but she's going to have to stick to babysitting for now.

Holy Purple Sweatpants, Batman!

Oh, purple sweatpants. You are my nemesis.

You were intended to go to school as an "extra set of clothes" for bathroom accidents, but somehow Ainsley finds you every single time you come out of the wash.

"Mom, I loooove my purple sweatpants. They are soooo comfy & cozy." Fabulous.

Ainsley is clearly not a slave to fashion, but has come up with a few more fashion rules for the preschool set.

Ainsley's Fashion Tips:

1. Socks should never, ever match.

2. "I will not ever wear a dress, unless it is Christmas or someone is taking a picture, but not you, mom."

3. T-shirts are always appropriate, even if it is 19 degrees out.

4. T-shirts over long sleeve shirts make outfits much better.

5. Shirts with words are the best, especially if they come from vacation destinations.

6. Holding a Toy Story Woody doll makes every outfit that much better.

1st Born vs. 2nd Born

Sometimes I feel bad for Max, born into a house of 1st born, type-A people.

Often this is when Ainsley recites all of the rules pertaining to the new couch ("Max, you can't drink milk on the couch. Max, you can't jump on the couch," etc.)

Nothing illustrates the difference between these two better than pictures of their first sledding experience of the season. (And yes, they were thrilled to sled on 1/2 inch of snow and we've had about 12 more since then!)

Mullet Removal

Thanks for everyone's comments on MulletGate.

It was a tough battle, but Mommy won & we are a Mullet-Free family once again.

Hooray!

Max was a true haircut champion as long as he was plied with mini candy bars.

He impressed everyone at the salon, including his stylist, Erin.

Ainsley was there for moral support in case Max cried.

"Did I cry when I got my first haircut, Mom?" she asked.

Ummm, you mean did you shriek like you were being waterboarded when Erin attempted to shampoo your hair?

No, you didn't cry at

all.

"Oh, you were just a little nervous, sweetie," I lied.

Max is Sold Out to Santa

We finally received an emailed copy of our picture with Santa this week.

After a month of brainwashing, we convinced Ainsley to visit Santa on December 23rd.

As you can see, she wasn't entirely sold on the idea of physical contact with this bearded elf, so instead, she volunteered,

"I will not sit on Santa's lap, I will only stand by him, but Max will sit on his lap, Mom. That's a great idea!"

Yeah, he was thrilled.

MulletGate 2011

Like many great Midwesterns before him, my son has a mullet.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

We weren't trying to achieve this amazing hairstyle, it just sort of happened.

Really, you can't even tell there is a party in the back going on when you look at him head-on.

Exhibit C:

This has caused great debate within our family. Brad & Ainsley don't want Max to get a haircut, but I do.

Guess who is going to win?

Brad wants Max to grow his ponytail (see below) longer & donate it to Locks for Love. Seriously?

Feel free to leave your comments for MulletGate/MulletWatch 2011 - we'll let you know our decision.

Anne Geddes I'm Not (or, Happy New Year!)

We hosted a black tie affair on New Year's Eve, & I attempted to photograph 4 kids under age 2 & a 3 year-old pirate.

My mom knitted Max, Ronan, & twins Anna Kate & Connor matching tuxedo sweaters for the holiday season.

That was reason enough to get this destructive foursome together for a playdate.

I quickly learned why most of Anne Geddes' photos are of babies sleeping soundly in pea pods.

This crew did not care to take direction - except, of course, for the pirate, who decided that this would be the one day she would smile perfectly for the camera.

Anna Kate quickly realized that the photographer was an amateur & she had better places to be than squeezed on my couch between her brother, Connor (on the right) & second cousin, Ronan (on the left).

The photographer quickly realized that Anne Geddes probably sedates those pea pod babies with barbiturates.

The pirate was just happy she could be in costume & could wear a "t-shirt with words," as that is her preferred formalwear.

See ya, boys. Anna Kate's going over the couch.

Connor's crying at his mom's lame attempt to entertain him with a football.

Max looks confused & Ronan is just making sure his mom doesn't leave him with all of these crazy people.

All in all, I would consider our photo shoot a major success.

Happy New Year!

"Christmas is NOT over yet, guys."

"Mommy, does Santa bring presents to big girls that

accidentally hit their little brothers?"

The dynamic duo preparing for Christmas Eve brunch at Pops & KK's house. They LOVE to brush their teeth.

Max quickly became a pro at opening presents.

Christmas Eve night - Ainsley & Max had so much fun with cousin Annie. Of course they had outfits made by Granny Thea.

I had to brainwash her for a month & wear a dress myself, but she wore a dress

after 6 months of saying "no."

Cousins! Annie, Ainsley, Kaedi & Max at Aunt Kathy & Uncle Cliff's house.

Curly haired dancin' machines!

Christmas Morning! Ooops! Looks like Santa forgot to set up some toys before he left!

Ainsley was most excited about her new mechanical toothbrush. Seriously.

Christmas was no excuse for Max to stop being naughty!

Christmas morning at Grandma Connie's - look what Uncle Josh got Max!

Just what this troublemaker doesn't need - an ATV!

Max knows he can use this ATV for good or evil.

Just hanging out with Annie & George the Monkey.

Christmas night at our house - Auntie Julie thought Ainsley definitely

needed a microphone.

"Oh, I just love you Max."

Auntie Julie hit the jackpot with Ainsley's pirate outfit - we didn't realize

she was such a fan!

Ainsley & her favorite pirate, Auntie Julie.

Dance-Off

I haven't been able to post lately because I've been too busy judging Ainsley's dance moves, playing freeze tag, taking pictures of "me, mom" or gluing something back together that Max has broken.

Ainsley has really perfected her dance moves & definitely rivals Max in this department:

The above is some kind of break dancing move - Brad could probably describe it better because I'm pretty sure that is who taught her how to do it.

Not sure what move this is, neither does Max, but it definitely involves being graceful while holding lip gloss.

What sweet kids! You would never know they get up before 5 am some days!

Merry Christmas!