Max is 6!  We celebrated with cake, a few small gifts, and singing.  We are all so  happy you’re ours, little guy.

Max at six is thoughtful, curious, empathetic, and brave.  He still asks so. many. questions. and he is always designing or building a new thing.  He’s really into steam engines lately, and can tell you a lot about how they work.  He is busy building trains and machines (thanks for the gifts, Grandma & Grandpa and Nana & Pops!) or digging in his garden in the backyard most days.  He is (usually) incredibly kind and patient with his little sister and his classmates.  He has done so much that scares him in the last few months, starting a new school and a new church, but he’s met each challenge with courage and grace.  We are so so proud of him and so grateful for him.  We love you, Max!

Max is into steam engines and trains in a big way lately, so we found a steam engine through the redwoods near Santa Cruz this weekend.  It was a little louder and a little bigger than he and Hazel were expecting, and Hazel spent the entire 90-minute ride pressed into me, but the weather and trees were gorgeous.  It was fun to see a passion of his from books come alive.  

August 19th. Max’s first day of kindergarten.  He is going to a Waldorf school, which means his days are focused on rhythm, nature, stories, and connection with his classmates and teacher.  As a homebody and introvert, I thought this transition might be a bit tough for our little guy.  But he’s just not so little anymore.  He is enjoying school, and handles the school day (all four hours of it, ha!) just fine.  I miss having him around during the mornings, but it’s sweet watching him venture out a little at a time.  I volunteer Monday mornings so I get to meet his friends, and we have a tea time every afternoon while Hazel naps so we can spend some one-on-one time together and talk about his day.  I miss our free and easy season before school started, but we are moving into this new season smoothly.  

Beginning of kindergarten faves:

Favorite color: blue

Favorite book: Wizard of Oz

Favorite food: macaroni and cheese

Favorite thing to do: build and think (about how to build stuff)