Simon and Max

We have been tardy with updates recently but can promise that the boys are well and growing like weeds. We simply have been too busy otherwise, but here is what happened the last few months.

Hanging out at the farmer’s market downtown in early December

Shopping for a tree a few days before Christmas

Breakfast out with papa before going to the dentist

Good times and good teeth at the dentist

Oh no, that papa is so mean

Sampling candy canes for the first time

And yes, those German gingerbread cookies

Team sledding

Finally in Columbia, SC and helping GiCi out.

Freshly bathed and styled enjoying a milk before bed

Gift exchange at GiCi’s house

From Germany with love

Monkeys at the front door of GiCi

Good times at the Columbia Zoo

Riding lions

And the carousel is always popular

Opa showing the boys how to play pinball

Bathing at Opa’s house

The gift exchange assistants hard at work

Entertainment at the Columbia Mall

A snack on the road to Macon

Fun times with Dodad and Bear

Entertainment for all

And a hug for Nana

A monster slide in Macon

A surprisingly adept climber

Back at home enjoying the new bath colors that came from David

Time to punt the Christmas tree – well, recycle it

Back to school in reasonably mild temperatures

Potty training in earnest

But Max first embraced underpants

It is always great when mama comes home from work

Helping papa to convert the cribs to toddler beds

Hard at work building steps with Legos

A very worn out young man

The bike is loaded for a big trip

Shenanigans with the bike not loaded

Bottle feeding a lamb on Jan and Maria’s farm

The little lambs were super cute

Driving the tractor was an extra bonus

Ready for Valentine’s Day

Good friends send great gifts

Oh yes, this is good

So happy sliding in the park

Electric hair

Tandem sliding

But brrr it turned cold

And then there was snow

Good for sledding

This was fun for sure

This year we drove to Philadelphia for Thanksgiving and good times were had by all. We spent time with Vinnie and Beverly where Simon and Max’s dad was an AuPair from 1987 to 1991.

The weather has certainly gotten colder, thankfully not every day.

Playing ball with Opa in the mountains on Sunday before Thanksgiving

Grilled cheese and ham at the mountain house

On the drive to Philly on Wednesday we had favorable traffic

Oh boy, snow in West Virginia

Walking with the boys in suburban Philly. Narberth to be precise

Finishing that cereal milk

When in Philly, eating a cheesesteak is a must

Drinking milk before going to bed and the wood floor is just fine

The day after Thanksgiving we played a fun game with Beverly’s mum

Bread with strawberry jam hits the spot here

Max also approves of the food

Simon and Max got to meet a little lamb in the Please Touch Museum

The piano was the perfect size for Max, but the interest was there for just a few seconds

Captain Simon piloting s mighty ship

Max was fascinated with this music box

Dr Simon checking out a patient in the hospital of the Please Touch Museum

The diggers were great fun

A very tired 18-year old

There was time for another cheesesteak

All good things must end

The cold temperatures actually are just a sad coincidence, but it was time for the boys to get haircuts. Each time though they look so much more grown up.

On the way to the hair salon with papa

To sit high enough a skateboard helps out

Time to get the hair wet

Checking out the other action

Almost done

Walking home with a fresh haircut

That night one of the Beatles joined Simon in the tub.

The next day Max got to join in the fun. Here he sits with papa to wait for the cut.

The hair of Max seems to grow faster and thicker.

Working hard to change Max from Beatle to little man

Max outside the Hair Bomb Salon

Someone is clearly happy about the new haircut

Simon and Max turned 3 recently and it was a celebration that was spread out over several days with various family members arriving at different times and mama and papa being gone for a few days around that time. But rest assured, the boys missed out on nothing.

We had a big toasted hazelnut cake for the boys and it was very yummy.

For the celebration in school mama had made banana sorbet because of all the food restrictions (no eggs, no nuts, no strawberries etc.) The banana sorbet however was a big hit. And Simon can be seen devouring his portion.

In his class Max also quickly ate his banana sorbet and was ready for more.

One night we had a wardrobe malfunction and Max was very concerned about it.

As the boys are getting bigger they get to wear underwear here and there instead of diapers.

New balance bicycles arrived in time for the birthday of the boys.

The Nutcase helmets found the boys well too, and they would wear them all the time if we were to let them.

Simon also has a distinctive Nutcase helmet and he loves it too.

Simon and Max went to the mall with grandmama Georgia and got to ride the carrousel.

These German brand Bruder construction vehicles were a gift from grandmama and they are super nice.

The Legos from GiCi, Jean and Dorothy and David are also very popular. The fancy footwear came from Anna and Greg.

Simon got to be Elmo for Halloween and boy did he look cute.

Cookie Monster Max is also ready to charm everyone.

After the hayride in school, Elmo goes to the next station with grandmama Georgia.

It was warm inside and Max took off his headgear, but Simon kept it on until he got home.

The Bluegrass music in school was great but both boys started to get over stimulated.

Our Halloween decoration in front of the house.

Max is making sure that the pumpkin has a scary enough face.

On the way to a neighbor’s party and trick or treating on Halloween evening.

Simon loves this bicycle and would be outside all the time if he could.

Showing opa and mimi the bike riding s=kills on a very cold day. Brrrrr

The summer went by in a flash and the boys are growing like weeds, but everyone had a great time. Here are some impressions of Simon and Max during the late summer months.

The boys like the train and we get to watch it every now and then near where we used to live.

Oh no papa, it is all over.

Exploring downtown Winston-Salem and this car caught their interest. The driver however was nowhere.

Papa had brought back some treats from Germany and they found the boys well. But it is very very rare for them to get chocolate or other sweets.

Mama and the boys took papa to the airport when he had to travel to Hawaii to cover the Ironman World Championships.

The boys love stories and they get them when they go down for a nap and at night. Here David reads one of their favorite books.

We took a special trip to Krispy Kreme and it was well received by all parties involved.

Simon said “Is this a donut store?” as we walked in, having only seen one before in the Children’s Museum.

So good, but each boy only got a very small piece to enjoy.

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Simon really does not like to pose for pics so he always tries to interfere with his hands.

Max is having fun with the Halloween glasses of mama.

Trying out the new puffy vests as the temps slowly get a bit cooler.

Crossing the bridge near Brunson Elementary School.

There is so much to see and simply not enough time.

Boy, these are some very big pumpkins.

Hanging out on the playground with the best buddy.

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Simon and Max have had a very busy summer, and here now are images of the boys over the last few weeks.

Even with papa watching, there is always trouble on the horizon.

Watching the fish in front of West End Cafe

Simon strutting his stuff downtown

Monkey business at the closed bank.

Waving to mama who is far away in Ghana

On the way to breakfast at the Lighthouse

Simon passed out in papa and mama’s bed after an early rise

Fun in a puddle on the last day at the beach

Shower for the boys after a swim

With mama on the beach

Little pirates after a seafood meal

Captain Max at the helm

The seashell hunter Max in action

Simon was pleased about his find

With David attempting a tall Lego skyscraper

Checking out alligators at the Zoo at Brookgreen Gardens

Simon had fun with a sculpture of an alligator

Digging and digging

At the pool

Snack time outside the Herin home

Helping papa return a shopping cart

Beach haircuts for the boys

Story time with mama, and notice the long hair on the boys pre haircut

Checking out a cork tree with Opa

Water fun at GiCi’s house

Snack time at home

Bread time outside of the Whole Foods

One of the last pool dates with Sara

Helping papa mow the grass at the property where the house will be built – eventually

Simon and Max have no fear when it comes to water and that is a great thing. Clearly we are always with and near them, but they simply do not appear to panic.

Simon is like a little fish.

And Max clearly has no fear.