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.