Soccer Star

One of the hundreds of reasons that I haven't posted in a while, is that we have been busy with SOCCER!  It was fun while it lasted...but for my sanity/scheduling sake, I am so thrilled that it is over!  :)

Here is E and some shots of his season...

He loved it.  

He improved a ton.  

He had FUN!  

GO STEELERS!!!

A Little Less Green

Here's what you get, when you take this...

Spend a little time doing crazy roller-chair olympics when the doctor walks out of the office!

Take a little time-out for a little bone photography.

Add in this contraption (plus a LOT of noise!!!)

Final Product:

Amazingly healed and straight arm, slightly paler than the other...with no more cast!  :)

What did we do to celebrate???  Head to the pool, of course!  This poor kid has been EXTREMELY swim-deprived for the past 4 weeks!

Green

Green was the cast color choice of a certain 4 year old...when given the rainbow to choose from.  Well, orange was his first choice, but they didn't have all the supplies for orange, so green was the next best thing.  He was so funny, he just kept asking "Do you think Gar will like the green?" or "What is Garrett's favorite color again???" or "Dad, what's your favorite color?" Apparently, he has inherited the the gene in our family that makes us completely unable to make a decision!  :)  Just kidding, it truly shows Ethan as he really is.  He is as thoughtful as they come and is always concerned about others.  As feisty as this little boy is, he is my sweetheart through and through, always looking for ways to help!  I love this little boy, and am so grateful for a healthy little body that is healing itself nicely!  What a miracle that is!

Broken

What is the distance between the seat of a folding church chair to the floor???

Far enough to break a 4 year-old's arm.

Ethan officially introduced our family to the world of broken bones.  After a quick trip to the ER and lots of brave tears, he's set up with lots of pain-killers and a rockin' splint.

(This is him trying to force a smile on the way home.  Poor kiddo!)

Now we just get to decide what color of cast he'll be sporting for the rest of the summer!

Testing the Waters...literally!

Yesterday I took my two younger kids with me to meet a couple of friends for lunch.  While we were there, Ethan announced that he had to use the restroom.  Me, being the really great mom that I am, assessed the situation - I had just gotten my food (10 minutes after everyone else) and was way behind...Olivia was restless and not wanting to sit in her high-chair and was threatening to jump out at any given chance...and we were sitting very close to the bathrooms.  So I send him in alone, telling him to make sure he washes his hands and to come right back out as soon as he was done.  Maybe not the best decision for a 4 year old, but a few minutes later, he comes out wiping his hands on his shorts...so all is well.

Fast forward enough time to devour a really yummy lunch and visit with amazing friends while trying to keep the kiddos entertained and somewhat quiet.  I had noticed two older couples sitting near-by, watching our kids.  In fact at one point, one of the cute older ladies with super white hair came up to me and told me that I should "treasure these times".  I assured her I was trying...but she just smiled knowingly and patted my arm as she walked by, like she totally understands how hard it is sometimes to treasure these moments!  :)  Bless her.  This cute group seemed entertained by all the crazy kids and not annoyed like some people could be, so it was a very nice lunch.  

As we were outside, ready to leave, this group followed us out and stopped to chat while one of the men went to pull up their car.  The other man walked up to me, and asked which kids were mine.  I pointed them out and then the guy moved in really close, patted my arm, and said that he had been in the restroom at the same time as Ethan.   He then proceeded to tell me his observations.  Ethan apparently had been standing at the urinal...doing his business.  Then the wheels in E's little head started spinning and the guy could tell that he was trying to make a decision.  After a few hesitations, Ethan decided to go for it and stuck his hand into the urinal to experience the running water first hand.  In the man's words, "He tested the water...not tasted mind you...but tested it." So I guess I should be grateful, it could have been worse!  He then proceeded to tell me that watching E had made his day and that he hadn't stopped laughing about it since.  :)  I joked with him and said that I needed to excuse myself and go over and sanitize my child's hands and that his daddy would be taking him on a tour of the men's room soon enough...and pointing out all the things that we don't touch in there!  :)  He just kept saying that it was the funniest thing and that he had truly enjoyed watching all the kids.  The cute white-haired woman then started in again on treasuring these moments.  I wonder if her little ones had ever tested the urinal water?!?!  

But, really I'm trying.  I'm trying to cherish these moments that are flying by much too quickly!  Some days are better than others...but I love it!  How blessed I am to be the mother of these three crazy and delightful (and apparently very germy) children!  :)

Almost There!!!

Ethan is almost riding his big bike all on his own!  Big, in the fact that there's no training wheels, not  because of the size!  It's TINY...perfect for my pint-sized child!!!

I told him that what I wanted for Mother's Day was for him to learn to ride his bike - all by himself - so we'll see if he masters it by Sunday!  :)  He's almost got it!!!

What to wear???

I love how cute this skinny little kid looks hanging out of the dryer.  :)

And please don't judge me on the state of my laundry room sometimes!  I would give up almost anything for a larger laundry space!!!  Why they plan homes with this small of a laundry room is beyond me!!!!  

Logical Conversation for Mid-April

Ethan - (completely out-of-the-blue) Hey Mom!  Can we get one of those Santa Claus, chocolate chip thingys?

Me - (totally confused) What?  

Ethan - You know!  One of those Santa bookmark thingys with chocolate chips.

Me - (still totally confused) WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Ethan - (totally exasperated) YOU KNOW!  Those things, with the flaps with chocolate chips underneath it?

Me - Oh!!!  An advent calendar!

Ethan - Yes!  Can we get one for all the months????

How perfect would this world be if we had advent calendars to open each and every day, with a little sweet treat to enjoy and with something as amazing as Christmas just right around the corner!?!?!  Sometimes I wish we could all live life through the eyes of a 3-year old!

The Plan According to Ethan

Today as I'm walking with Ethan and Olivia into preschool, I remind Ethan of the rules in the school entry-way.  I guess kids were getting rowdy, so they emailed asking parents to keep their kids with them and keep them quiet.  So, I'm telling Ethan that he needs to stay by me and that he can't run around and be loud...knowing that his buddies weren't going to be there this morning and he wouldn't leave my side anyway....but it was a nice reminder of the rules, regardless!  Ethan listens, then thinks about it for a second then responds with, "Why?  That's why Heavenly Father sent us here!"  WHAT???  I asked him to clarify, since I couldn't quite follow his logic with this one and he said "Yeah...Heavenly Father sent us here to run around and have fun!"  

So true, my smart little cookie...we are here to have fun.  But we need to follow the rules too!  I'm getting more and more worried about raising this child!

Reason #7256

Sometimes I get overwhelmed with how many reasons I have to love my children.  :)  Like sitting down to lunch with Ethan today, we split a grapefruit.  I LOVE that he loves grapefruit...just the way I love them!  And I love that we 'shared' it.  Both of us could easily (and happily) eat the whole thing...but we know just how much the the person loves it too...so we split it in half and happily ate it together.  Squirting each other with juice every other bite, was just a perk!  :)

Certainly Hilarious!

Ethan says the funniest things right now in his normal everyday (or should I say, ALL day) conversations!  'Hilarious' is one of those words that he throws into everything.  He keeps coming up to me and telling me the most "HI-larious" things.  And 'certainly'.  What 3 year old says that he will certainly do something?!??!  

"E...will you bring your cup and plate over to the dishwasher, please?"  "I certainly will bring it over, Mom!"  OR,  "E, do you want to go ride bikes?"  "Yeah!!!  Let's go outside!  I certainly want to ride my bike!"

These are just a few looks into his new grasp of his ever-growing vocabulary.  I won't even mention the fact that he came downstairs the other day and asked if I knew the polite way to say 'bum'?  Yeah...it's 'buttocks' in case you were wondering!

Motherhood is Humbling

Oh well.  That is pretty much all I can say after this conversation with a certain 3 year old!

We were just getting home from a morning full of a fun breakfast with friends, errands and a quick church meeting...a pretty busy schedule for our lovely low-key spring break.  This is the conversation that ensued... 

Ethan (coming in to my room as I'm dropping off my purse) - Hey Mom?

Me - What?

Ethan - Why you still wearing your pajamas?

Me - WHAT?!?!?!  My pajamas?  What do you mean?

Ethan - Yeah...You're pajamas.  You look like you're still wearing your pajamas.  (Said completely matter-of-factly, I might add!)

Me - Uh....these are NOT my pajamas.  But why don't you go out of my room.  I apparently need to change my clothes.  

So there you have it...my 3 year old apparently thinks I wore my pajamas all over town today.  Goes to show that I shouldn't deviate from my 4 pairs of jeans and normal shirts that I rotate through every week.  And, so much for trying to show that St. Paddy's spirit and wear green!  I just wish we would have had this conversation BEFORE leaving the house this morning!  Needless to say, those capri's are now in the donate bag in my closet!  :)

New Friends

Cinderella moved in on Valentine's Day and struck up a new friendship with Buzz Lightyear (and Ethan!).  Ethan spent Olivia's ENTIRE nap-time with some quality time with our first princess.  :)  Too cute!

When I grow up...

Ethan's been asking lots of questions lately...just trying to figure out this world we live in.

Questions like: 

   When Olivia grows up will she still be a sister?

   When I (Ethan) grow up, will I be a daddy?

   When Olivia grows up, will she be a mommy?

Today he took it a bit further...

   Ethan - (Continuing on from the day before's converastion like we hadn't had a 24-hour lapse) When dads grow up?  What are they then?

   Me - Well...they become Grandpas! 

   Ethan - And moms become Grandmas?

   Me - Yep.  

A good long pause as he's processing everything....(I love this stage when you can literally see those little gears turning in their heads!)

   Ethan - Well???  Then who are the kids?

   Me - (Deciding to outline his whole life in a few short seconds) Well, when you grow up, you're going to meet a girl and you're going to fall in love and get married.  Then you'll have babies...and that is who the kids will be then.

   Ethan - (Smiling sheepishly)  Then I'll be the daddy?!?!?  (Another long pause as he eats his snack and ponders his life!)
 
   Ethan - Well, who am I going to marry?

   Me - (lauging inside) Well, you'll meet someone and really, really like them.  You'll love them and want to spend forever and ever with them.  Then you'll know that's who you want to marry.

   Ethan - Oh, otay (okay).  That's going to be Tara.  

(Tara is the mom of his best little buddy whom his whole world revolves around AND one of my dearest friends!  See this post to see how much we love dear Tara!)

   Me - (really holding in the laughter now!)  Really?  You want to marry Tara?

   Ethan - Yep.  I yuv (love) her.

   Me - Good choice.  I love her too!  

So there you have it.  In one lunch time...my 3 year old has mapped out his entire life...down to his choice of soulmate.  :)  Maybe tomorrow we'll decide his career-path and save his some decision-drama in the college years!  

3 Year Olds Prefer Brunettes

The other night we took the kiddos to a Houston Rockets game.  We had a great time watching the game...cheering for our team...munching on popcorn...playing in the kids zone...being with friends...and loving being a part of all the Toyota Center excitement.  During the time-outs sometimes, the dancy girly cheerleaders would come out and do their thing.  Garrett and Steve would all of a sudden find the floor or ceiling or neighboring fan very interesting, but Ethan on the other hand is another story.

Ethan turns to Steve and asks "Do you know which one of those girls is my favorite?  She's right there ...and she has brown hair."  Yep.  My 3 year old has a favorite Rockets Power Dancer.   Proud moment for us all.  :)  Good thing we were sitting up in the rafters!  

I think I'll excuse myself now and go have a little conversation with my funny, little guy!

Dentist Appointments

Ethan had his first dentist appointment last week!  This is after LOTS of talking about it, and even a few failed attempts.  The last time we were in for Garrett's cleaning, Ethan promised the dentist that he would do it when he was three and a half.  So...since he is 3 1/2 now...I thought we'd see if he'd follow through since Steve and I both had appointments.  After quite a bit of coaxing, free toothbrushes, sitting on Dad's lap and playing with the dentist's equipment...Ethan finally let our sweet dentist clean a few of his teeth!  Wahoo...this child is definitely all about baby-steps!  It is so funny how each of my children are so different.  :)

Thanksgiving

Tonight I was getting the kids ready for bed.  We knelt down to say prayers and Ethan was going to go first.  Before he started, I reminded him to say a thoughtful prayer...and then reminded him that Thanksgiving was tomorrow and that he could say a Thanksgiving prayer.

So E, then proceeds to say his normal prayer...asking for blessings for him and Garrett, asking to not have bad dreams that night...and then right before saying amen...he throws in "And please bless dinner to be really yummy tomorrow."

Hmmm...at 3 years old, my child knows the importance of that yummy dinner.  :)  Now if I can just get him to count his blessings!

3.5

Happy 3 and 1/2, E!!!

This little guy was pretty excited for his half-birthday this year!  We spent the afternoon at the library, ate chocolate chip cookies until we burst, had a pizza party for dinner and enjoyed every minute together.  How we love our Ethan!!!

Tuckered Out!

Being a three is hard work.

This is how we've found Ethan - TWICE last week!  He goes upstairs to do puzzles around 4:30...and soon after, he is completely out!  :)  Got to love that stage where they lose the naps, but are still sooooo tired!

Living on the Edge...

This is where I found Ethan this morning when I woke up...  

(Sorry...it was dark and I know it's not the best picture!!!  I thought I got a lot more of the stairs to actually show that it is on a staircase!)

The scary thing is...this isn't the first time I've found him fast asleep...balancing on the edge of the steep staircase!  Why is it that my children have to be daredevils...even in their sleep!?!?!  :)