Max's birthday celebration

This afternoon we went to Max's school in Thayne to visit his classroom for a celebration of his birthday. It is not actually his birthday, but since his birthday falls in June, when school is not in session, the school allows students in that category to pick a day during the school year when the class can celebrate their "fake" birthday. Today was that day.

Regrettably, my cell phone/camera was at home. Paul took a couple of photos with his phone, and I hope eventually to incorporate them here, so be sure to check back. But let me describe the event. 

When we arrived, the class was dancing in front of a large video screen to the music of Y.M.C.A and were having fun doing so. Sort of a throw-back to the 1970's! Then the teacher, Mrs. Perkins, gathered them in a circle on the floor around Max, who held a place of honor in a chair. There are 17 children in Max's class. Paul, Ellen and I were introduced as family and we sat at a nearby table.

Parents are invited on this day to bring "show and tell" items which tell something about their child. Paul had a knapsack with several such items, which got passed around. The first was a picture of their house and family, and then he showed them a Lego truck -  a tractor-trailer that carries autos - that Max had just made - a gift from Ellen. Paul explained that Legos are Max's favorite toy, and that he puts them together very quickly and with no hesitation. He then showed a few other things Max likes, e.g., a book about Star Wars characters and one of Max's favorite movies, Batman, and explained that Max likes super-heroes in general.

He also showed a couple of "angry birds" that Max had made. I'm a bit out of it here, but I guess these are characters from a popular video game, related to Star Wars. I can't figure out if they are part of the original Star Wars franchise or a spin-off. Max has a reader titled Angry Birds Star Wars; Lard Vader's Villains but I can't figure out how it relates to the original Star Wars story. The kids in the class all seemed to know all about this but I guess someone will have to enlighten me. Anyway, Max had made little models of "angry birds" out of play dough and uses them to act out scenes with them. 

When Paul was through with his "show and tell" presentation, which he did very well, the children got to ask Max questions. They had a lot of questions, mostly along the line of "What is your favorite . . .?"  Animal? Color? Super Hero? Etc. "Had he ever been on a plane?" Etc.    

Then he got a certificate for his "fake" birthday and we handed out little Twix bars to everyone that we had brought as a treat. Everybody shouted out Happy Birthday Max !  No singing, however. 

Max seemed to enjoy his. "Fake birthday"

       Max's "fake birthday" certificate

                "Angry birds" reader

       Max's angry bird that he made

Today i also finished backing up my computer at the Library, so that is done. It took over three hours to do the job.

Now, it is raining pretty hard. Thunder storm. The newly planted spruces in the front yard are getting a good drink! No hike up the hill tonight. 

I heard from John yesterday that he and Cynthia had made a side trip up to Estes Park. So glad they are having a chance to do some fun things. Betsey is going to work each day and reports on Facebook that she is "doin' good." We are blessed.