Kentucky Lake

Over the 4th of July weekend we went with our old neighbors (and good friends) the Kessler's (Brian, Amy, Jake & Luke) to Kentucky Lake. The last trip we took there was when I was 11 months old.

We spent the day on the water and swimming. I was quite the dare-devil jumping off the boat.
Mom and Amy preferred relaxing on the boat more than swimming in the water with the boys.

We even rode the rocket behind the boat. First, I rode with Dad. We fell off before it even got going!
We went really fast and finally hit a huge wave from another boat that sent us flying.

Finally, Some Snow!

Ethan has been patiently waiting for us to get more than a dusting of snow this winter so he could play in it. School got out early yesterday and within a few hours his wish came true.
He helped Nate shovel the drive last night and then this morning played mostly in the layer of ice outside.
And this is why Ethan and Parker do not always get along.

Lesson Learned

Last week Ethan decided to take a poster off the wall at school to see if the Blue Sticky Tack would hold his head to the wall. Of course, that wasn't the story we got when he came home that afternoon. His teacher could hardy tell us the full story without laughing. In her 30 years of teaching she had never had a child try this experiment.

Guess what? It didn't work quite as he had hoped. So we were left to cut his hair. Now he's sporting a buzz cut in the middle of winter - just like his dad!

Ethan Talks

It's no surprise that Ethan is quite the talker. You never know what he is going to say (or if it is true). Lately his mouth seems to have caught up with his brain, as he will say whatever he thinks outloud.

Today on the way home I was asking him about his school day and he randomly said:

"I told my teacher today on the playground that when I die she won't be the boss of me. God will."

He came home with a stamp, which means he wasn't in time-out today, so I'm hoping they laughed!

Lights, Camera...Action!

Among the many, many things Ethan got for Christmas was a Fischer Price digital camera for kids - from Aunt Lynn & Uncle Steve. Being in our house the last few days has felt like having the paparazzi flashing your picture every time you turn around. So there will be many pictures to share in the future that he has taken. Here are a few from the last couple of days:

Yes, that last picture is of me at the doctor's office. Ethan thought it would be fun to document them taking out my stitches.

Deep Thoughts by Ethan

Over the past week, Ethan has made a few comments that have kept us laughing. I thought I'd share them with you.

• After coming out of Sam's Club and walking past the man ringing the Salvation Army bell (with the red bucket), Ethan and I headed to the car.
  

He says, "You know what the most boring job in the world is?"
"No, what?"
"Ringing that bell all day and night. Now that's boring!"

• We had company over and Parker was in her cage in the kitchen whining and barking. Ethan walked in their and said, "Use some self-control Parker!"
  

• We served Ethan peas and carrots mixed together at dinner the other night and although he likes both of those vegetables, he does not like them together.

He told us, "God did not create these vegetables to be together. You are going to make him angry feeding them to me like this."

Christmas Program 2007

Ethan is in the top row, far left with the green present on his head. The video sounds like a lot of yelling! Sorry!

School Christmas Program

Ethan's pre-k class had their Christmas program tonight - Good King Wenceslas. His class sang "God Sent His Only Son," "Good News People" and "It Is More Blessed To Give."

Say A Little Prayer

Hopefully Ethan is praying for some guidance. He's had a rough week of acting out at home and school. We're praying it's just a stage.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Love,
Ethan (aka "Bones")

Meet Hermie

I bet you all wonder what the tooth fairy left me for my front tooth. Well I actually got really lucky. There was a table of older women eating right behind us that night and they thought I was so cute they gave me $6!

Can you believe that? I'm now getting paid to smile :)

The tooth fairy left me $5 for my first tooth and 5 + 6 = 11. So how did I spend my $11?

Meet Hermie the Hermit Crab. My new pet.
Dad is surprised he's still alive after the ride from Florida to Indiana. But Hermie made it! Last week was letter "H" week at school, so I took Hermie for show & tell.

I haven't introduced Hermie to Parker yet...I'm not sure they'll be best buddies.

Tooth Fairy Is On Her Way...

Well it happened tonight. Ethan finally lost his tooth at dinner this evening as he was eating corn on the cob. Laban noticed a little blood on the corn & then we found the tooth sitting on his lap!

Here is a before picture from this morning on the beach:

Here is an after picture from dinner:

We're About To Be Broke!

Take a good look at this picture of Ethan - in particular his mouth.

Then read this pillow:

At 6:00 a.m. this morning (after working 15.5 hours at Life Choices Fall Festival booth yesterday - on my feet) Ethan came in to awake me with the news that his front tooth was loose. Only I did not comprehend what he said until I fully woke up later in the day.

It was when Aunt Lynn stopped by to get her chicken & dumplings (from the Fall Fest) and Ethan showed her how his tooth was wiggly that I fully understood.

HE'S LOSING HIS FRONT TOOTH!

The left top middle tooth is really wiggly! It was an emotional moment for me to realize he really isn't a little boy anymore. So many changes I'm not ready for.

Wild Imagination

Ever seen a Cowboy Pirate?

You have now. Ethan has been quite imaginative lately. His Pre-K teacher mentioned something to me this week about the "creative stories" Ethan has been telling at school.

When he isn't collecting money from all the girls in his class (yes, for some reason they are paying him!) or collecting treasures on the playground (just nails and paper clips, the usual stuff you find on a playground), then he is telling people about the bears living in our garage. (He can't keep a secret!)

Apparently real life isn't exciting enough for him.

Bike Rodeo

Saturday Mom & I rode our bikes to St. Mary's Hospital (a few blocks from our house). No, I wasn't going to the E.R. They had a "bike rodeo" in the parking lot. I completed an obstacle course and learned the proper signals for turning (which I will never use again). And in return earned a new helmet & t-shirt!
Afterwards we toured a firetruck, the dental mobile, met the search & rescue dogs, had a clown paint a spider on my face and climbed around on a lot of inflatable things.

My best bud Jake was there with his family and the two of us can always find some mischief!

The Bug Man & Fisherman

I've got two new hobbies - bug catching & fishing. All thanks to my birthday. Dude got me a fishing pole (and tackle box) and Aunt Lynn & Uncle Steve got me a bug vacuum and kit.

There is nothing as fun as practicing fishing skills in your backyard!

As part of my backyard extermination I've caught a fly, ant and sweat bee so far.

My 5th Birthday