"Trailblazer of the Week"

Today has been just another day in Max's "big week". Beyond yesterday’s award ceremony this was also Max’s week as “Trailblazer of the Week” for his classroom. What this equates to is a Popsicle and certificate from the school and snacks and a “show” provided by Mom and Dad.

By the way, I should mention that next week will be just as “big” as this last one has been. Next Thursday is Max’s 12th birthday and all I can say is, “where the heck did the last dozen years go?” I guess Max is right it really is all about him! This is his “Birth Month”, you see Max has never celebrated just one day, he believes it should be a month long activity-fest!

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He Did It! He Won!

Today 126 of Gilbert, Arizona's best and brightest were honored during a "Character Counts" award ceremony for the District's elementary school students. As some of you might remember from an earlier post Max's wonderful teacher, Mrs. Funkhouser, nominated him for this award and this morning Max was honored as an "Outstanding Nominee"!

To say tears were flowing would be an understatement. This morning I realized just how many people love and respect Max for who and what he is. They don't see him solely for the challenges he faces medically or the courage he shows as he does so, instead they see him as the kind, loving, gentle soul he is.

 

Max is so proud of his metal, especially because they spelled his name correctly!

Max accepting his award from the Mayor and City Councilwoman.

That trademark smile we love so much

Max, Mrs. Knoph, and Mrs. Funkhouser

These two ladies will never know what their love for Max means to us. Because of them we can send Max to school each and every day and know that he is loved, respected, and extremely well taken care of. Mrs. Funkhouser and Mrs. Knoph we love you both to bits!

Max's Weekend in Pictures

We all know Max and we all know how much he LOVES sports so this season has been particularly exciting for him as he got to try his hand at a new sport, lacrosse! As always we need to thank Coach Tav and his organization Kids Playing for Kids as well as all the wonderful kids playing for the Arrowhead Warriors for everything they do for Max. The kindness shown Max (and by default us) continues to be overwhelming from this incredible group of folks! 

Again, knowing Max it's all about dressing the part so he was thrilled to be outfitted with gear from some very generous folks at Elite Lacrosse in Scottsdale. However, some very cool kids and their coaches from Scottsdale Lacrosse Club's Mustangs team took it one step further after Saturday's game when they presented Max with his very own Mustang's jersey. Max was thrilled to add to his sports' jersey collection! Perhaps one of the highlights in all of this is reflected in what I like to refer to as a "Maxism", i.e. some pearl of wisdom that makes sense only in Max's world. It seems that after the kids presented Max with his new jersey he went up to the coach's son and said, "thank you so much for the new jersey but you know I can't change teams". So there you have it...my son is nothing if not polite, egotistical but polite!

A very BIG thank you to everyone who has gone above and beyond in honoring Max and his desire to be part of a team. I can only hope that the shear joy on his face and the tears in my eyes has clearly demonstrated to them the power of kindness.

 Max with his team the "Warriors" and his new friends the "Mustangs"

 Max being presented with his very own "Mustangs" jersey

Monday Morning, off to school in his lacrosse "finest"