Back To Blogging!!!!

Hello friends!!! Ok, so because of all the social pressure :), and a lot of admiration I have for all my blogger friends out there, I am once again attempting to keep a blog, and to keep it a bit up to date. Again, if you are the type to look at blogs twice a day to see what new posts there are, you will be sorely disappointed with mine, but hopefully I will get a few posts in on occasion.

We are just living in our little Howell Heaven. Ethan has been hugely into soccer and tells me daily that he and his soccer friends are having a "real soccer game" today and everyone is going to be there- All the moms and all the neighbors. I hate to let his little ego be smashed because I know that outside our little haven, NO ONE is going to show- not even the team. So we may attempt to put something together for some of you with four year old kids. He has been delightful lately. It is fun to watch him grow, to write his name and just seeing all that he is learning and how sweet he is to me.

Ava is... well, let's put it this way... everyone told me that girls were so much easier than boys in regards to their activity level. Ethan was always eating rocks, pulling the dirt out of plant pots, getting into grandma's laundry detergent... but Ava makes Ethan look tame. Ok, I am in the one year old stage, and I know everyone has been through it and just laughs, but I tell you, I don't remember it this way!!! Within the last week Ava has turned on the tub and filled it with 7 inches of water (where was her mom you may ask??? Washing the tupperware she put all over the floor) and through Ethans remote to his new tarantula in it. She has put his sippy cup of vanilla milk in the toilet, played in the toilet (I have way too much potty talk on this blog- I will try to clean that up) at the worst times, turned on the tub at least 75 times, emptied the dishwashing soap (thank goodness for individual packets) at least 17 times, eaten crayon of multiple colors, broken 3 ornaments, knocked down the Christmas tree, she plays in the garbage any time she can get to it ... but I have to say she is also as sweet as any little girl can be. She makes all of us feel like we are her favorite, and is so funny when she is being mischevious, that you can't even get mad at the little rascal.

Sorry this post is so long, it has been a while since I have written. I am also going to include a few pictures from what we have been up to to last - wow, 5 months. Ethan and Ava have each had birthdays, Halloween has come and gone as has Thanksgiving. Welcome to our crazy lives!!! Dave is still is still as active and busy busy busy- whether it is building snowmen with Ethan, being flattered by Ava's admiration of him, meetings, work, fixing things around the house playing soccer, he never seems to get tired. The other day I ran by him on the treadmill and was shocked by his average c 8.5-9.0 mile per hour pace- yikes!!! It made me tired just watching him. Well, here we are!!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!!!

Yesterday was David's birthday -the big 3-0 - and we pretty much spent the entire weekend celebrating. Saturday we went water-skiing and that night we went to a FABULOUS restaurant called Chef's Table. It was incredibly nice and the food was excellent. I would highly recommend the mushrooms for the appetizer and the butternut squash soup- they were both truly outstanding. Ava would definitely recommend the blackberry lemonade (she pretty much insisted on having her own and got it after her many screams). The only thing we definitely should have changed about the evening was to leave our kids home.

As wonderful as they both are, they were both cranky and tired from a long day, and there was not another person in the restaurant under the age of 18. It was a good experience for both of them though (just not for us)- the Chef and owner of the restaurant came over and sat by Ethan (while I was out with Ava) and asked him how his ice-cream was and what his favorite kind of ic-cream was wo which he replied ...Cookie Dough. The Chef said he would have to get some of that on his menu which I thought was very kind.

Lavell Edwards (BYU's legendary coach of 25 years when he retired) was also dining with his wife. If any of you know how I feel about BYU you will understand why I just stared at him in awe- he waved at Ava and talked to her from afar returning her firtations ever so cordially for probably 30 seconds. The staff was very kind and patient with us even though we were louder than the rest of the restaurant combined, and not in an enjoyable way.

Yesterday we had carmel apple french toast for breakfast, and Ethan and I decorated D's office at the church to surprise him (powerbars, gatorade and balloons. We went to his parent's for dinner. We had been getting ready and it was finally time for D to come in- we were all waiting with candles lit, crazy spray in our hands and lining the hallway and Ethan went to get David. Running back into the room and with pure concern in his voice (he was in charge of getting the birthday boy, he said, "Daddy is taking a dump"- there was no hiding it. Ahhh, I sure don't take the credit for teaching him that.

Then we topped off the evening with one chapter of Harry Potter. We bought it Saturday and D vowed not to start it until the middle of next week as he is so busy right now. We are now on chapter 4... oh well, it will probably be finished before his busy 7-10 days ends. As I like to say, it's all about priorities. Happy Birthday David!!! We sure love you!!!!

Quotes of the day

Ethan: I need to dump
Mom: What?!? (dismayed)
Ethan: I need to dump, we don't say number 2 anymore, we say dump
Mom: Where did you learn that (need I ask)?
Ethan: Daddy

While I was "sleeping" this morning, Ethan and Daddy were in the bathroom, daddy was getting ready for the day. Their definition of being quiet is about a thousand decibels louder than what my definition would be, but I was trying to keep Ava asleep so I pretended to be asleep and I heard this snippet of their conversation.
Ethan: When I will get bigger I will be the daddy and you will be the grandpa!!! (Said with enthusiasm)
Daddy: You're right
Ethan: And I will name my boys Scale, Laura and Super hero
Ethan: And I will have an Ava, she will be my baby

Mama: So I don't know about going on that trip, I don't know who we could leave the kids with.
Ethan: Take me with you, leave Ava home
Daddy: Lookin' out for numbr one huh
Ethan: ...number one? What is number one?
Mommy: What do you think number one is Ethan
Ethan: Potty

Pretty funny, maybe just because I am the mom, but I thought it was funny.

Yesterday we went boating and Ethan went on the tube with daddy. Before he was not happy because I "guy he didn't know" got to two times waterskiing before Ethan could go on the tube. He was so funny with David and they had a great time together. Ethan stood up on the tube, stretched his arms out as far as they could go and opened his mouth wide. David had the same pose- crazies

From the mouth of babes

Mama: How did I get so lucky to get you as my boy?
Ethan: Jesus sent me

Ethan: I want to go to Yellowstone to get some ice-cream (I think he meant Coldstone, our neighbors are leaving on a trip to Yellowstone - I am sure Ethan thought it would be the best vacation ever)

Kids are so funny, they say the funniest things, I love it!!! I think I may start writing a quote of the day with kids quotes. Ok, probably Ethan's most of the time. We have had a great week. We went to Boondock's on Monday and then to the movie Ratatuille. Tuesday we went boating and did fireworks. Yesterday we went to the gym and then to a BBQ at my parents. Today we took D's car into two places (oil change, registration) and met friends at the gym (YAHOOO, Ethan and I both have friends there now!)- we have been busy and are exhausted, but it is so wonderful to have friends and family around that we just love to be with. I also love the 4th of July. For some reason I always love to look at the words of the third verse of "America for Beautiful"- it is true, "Who more than self their country loved"- I think that says it all. I love America, we truly are blessed.

PS- Oh for you bloggers out there (aka Amanda) I have some blogging questions for you when you get a minute :)

Sunshine Boy

Dave's mom always talks about David as the Christmas morning child. He gets up and is so happy like it is Christmas every morning. It is sweet, and I thought I wonder what that was really like? Well, Ethan has decided that he like to come up with the sun and is also Christmas morning boy!! He gets up about 5:50- 6:20 on most days and is so happy and sweet and wonderful. He will play with his toys on his own and let me sleep and then when he sees me stirring he comes and gives me a big hug and is so wonderful... and then 8:00 am comes around... He is already tired by 8 and wants to eat at 9:00 am- and that is lunch!!! Because breakfast was at 7 and he is hungry again by 9ish. He will fall asleep driving even if our destination is 2 miles away, and twice in just over a week, he has fallen asleep at 6 pm and slept through the night. He actually does surprisingly well most of the day, but oh, those other moments really keep me on my toes.

"Keep him up" you may suggest, but I have tried that- several nights in a row. Cardboard in the wondows, tinfoil in the windows, blanets in the windows, no sleep and no naps. I am obviously missing something. He never sleeps in later, even after 5 days in a row going to bed past 10 pm- he just crashes after several days of running on empty. "Christmas morning child?", he definitely is, but I wonder sometimes, "what about the rest of the day?"

The Center of the Universe

Ethan was invited to a birthday party for Saturday and we also thought we may go water-skiing. It took an hour to get to the lake so he asked me what we were doing about the water-skiing/birthday party dilemma. I asked him what he wanted to do and he said, "We can drive to the lake and I can go water skiing and tubing with Grandpa, then Grandpa can take me back to the car, you can drive me to the birthday party and then you can drive back down to the lake. That sounds like a good plan." Needless to say, that wasn't the best plan, but I got a kick out of my sons honesty. At least he knows he is a priority in our lives, right?

Father's Day was also today. I was quite excited initially because I felt like I actually planned for it early and planned something that all would enjoy. We did a treasure hunt for D, and Ethan, Av, and D dressed up like pirates- ahoy matey!! I decided not to tell Ethan where all the clues were since he told D earlier in the week about the swim goggles we got him, but he really wanted the treasure to end up behind the couch, so I could not disappoint him. I stayed upstairs and let them search away. After D read the first clue (directing him ever so clearly to the lawnmowers in the garage) Ethan ran straight down the stairs, behind the couch and yelled "I found it, Peanut Butter Reeses" - to my astonishment, he had skipped all the clues and went straight to the treasure and I knew he had really found it because the Reeses were one of the few surprises Ethan did not know about. Ahhhh, the lessons we learn from these kids- do not trust them with any secrets!!!! Funny in my mind I thought my three year old would try to figure out these clues, but I need to think of things in his mind too- I guess we are all the center of our universe to some degree.

As for Father's Day I want to pay tribute to my D, who is truly an outstanding and wonderful Father (truly words can not describe). He loves our kids so much and uses his spare time to be with them (unlike me who needs alone time) - and really be with them. Ethan knows if he wants to play tag- go to Dad... or duck duck goose- Dad, again... soccer, basketball, pirates..., you guessed it, Dad. Thank you D for your patience, goodness and all you teach me and our little sweeties. We love you!

June 11, 2007

What is a blog? Ok, so I have had several friends tell me how they have blogs over the past year and I have had such a great time browsing them I thought maybe I should create my own. There are so many things I want to remember, but thus far I have two journals for me (for different subjects), one for Ethan, I have searched for one for Ava, I have gratitude journals, thought books, etc. and I keep up on all of them...very (extrememly) poorly. So, I am going to try to replace them all by... yep, BLOGGING!!!

We'll see, this may be the only post I write- like ever- but it also may be somewhat successful. I don't expect much from myself yet, but I kind of have this hidden hope I can see this as the journal I have always wanted to write.

Ethan is a little hard to understand for many people. Most kids can understand him very well, and Dave and I have no problem understanding him, but a lot of adults have a hard time understanding a decent amount of what he says. The other day we were in the grocery store and we were behind a couple and Ethan said, "That lady looks like she has a big bum." I tried to tighten my smile into a straight face as to not encourage a repetitive phrase, and divert his attention to something else (I have learned from past experience), but at that point I was grateful it is still difficult for many people to understand him.

Ava is just an angel. Saturday I went through a bit of a tough spell trying to get ready for water-skiing. I thought I could get several things done before we left and found myself frantically trying to get Ava's diaper bag ready complete with sunscreen, bug repellant, warm clothes for the kids and me (just in case- yes, I know it was 90 degrees), bottles, snacks for Ava, snacks for Ethan, hats for everyone, sunglasses, lip balm, Dave's shin guard and gloves (ok, he really does that, but it sounds better) and still get myself ready while cookies were baking in the oven, and laundry was being done. Well, I kind of blew up...and then I looked at Ava and thought ... everyone needs a baby. Ava never judges me, she always loves me, she holds no grudges, and is never offended even when I don't share my drinks (she doesn't know the difference between apple juice and chocolate milk). I know I don't deserve this kind of treatment, but the fact that she gives it to me when I least deserves it, helps me want to be better. Maybe that is why we are told to become like a little child... Ethan is wonderful and sweet and fun, but I wonder now if becoming like a little child means like the tiniest of the tiny.