The Primary Program and my 5 year old

Today was the primary program for our ward. Ethan participated happily and without any conflict or distress. It was wonderful! I always look forward to the occassions that I get to see my little ones shine but unfortunately Ethan is usually a bit too shy or embarrassed. Today, he walked right up on stage and plopped down in the seat right between the bishop and the visiting high council member. For a day, Ethan looked as though he belonged in the bishopric! The bishop asked him why he had more hair than his dad to which Ethan replied, "Because Jesus made me and my dad like that." The kids did a wonderful job. Ethan sang a little, gave his talk perfectly: "When I serve others, I show my love for Jesus Christ," and chewed his tongue almost continually. I guess we all have our nervous ticks....his is tongue chewing. Maybe we should have given him a piece of gum!

Hoot Hoot!

The other night while coming home a bit late, I saw a great big owl perched on the street sign right across from my house. This was such a cool thing to me and I couldn't help but look around hoping to see Harry or Ron....or maybe McGonagall as a black cat. Silly, I know. But living where I do, you don't get to see too much wildlife and I think reading (and loving) all the Harry Potter books has rather romanticized the owl for me!

From the mouth of Ava...

"Mommy, I'm hungry."

"You just had dinner."

"Well, I ate the food and it went into my tummy but it did not go all the way up to my head and so I'm still hungry!"

(She later elaborated that the food did not fill her feet, arms and legs either)

Andrew is 3 months old!

Oh how he's grown! Funny how you really don't remember how fast the first year goes by! Andrew now rolls over onto his back, stands very strong on his feet (with support of course), he laughs out loud when tickled or when you make a funny face, he has the biggest smile, scoots around whether on his back or his stomach, sits and plays in the exersaucer even though his feet barely hit the bottom, he LOVES attention (this can be difficult since he is the 3rd child....) and is really such a joy to have around. Though I still don't get the sleep I need, I just can't help but smile when I see him smiling so HUGELY back at me. Happy 3 months Andrew!

Happy 5th Birthday Ethan!

Ethan's top 5: (not in any particular order)

1. Transformers & Bionicles

2. Tortillas & Cheese (yes, this is really called a quesadilla)

3. Playing with friends & his sister

4. Candy

5. Drawing & Coloring

Ethan you are my first born and as such, you are full of surprises. I marvel at how much you have grown and accomplished in the short time you have been on this earth. Yet, I marvel even more at how much I learn from you each day. You have a wonderful desire to please others and to make them happy. You love rules (maybe not always for yourself however) and are very good at following directions. You love friends and playing with them more than anything else. Even with this strong desire to play with others, you always find a way to include your little sister and have become a great big brother (sometimes bossy - but what oldest sibling isn't?). You are amazingly creative and spend much of your day drawing, coloring, cutting or gluing something. Your ability to put things together (a product of following instructions no doubt) is quite evident as you play with your favorite toys....bionicles, kin'ex, legos. It's really amazing how good you are with them. You are a perfectionist and worry that someone will be disappointed if you do not get it all right. This makes you so good at everything you do but I do worry that you will expect too much of yourself and miss out on just having fun. Performing in front of others scares you especially if you feel as though you are not fully prepared. But at home, in your element, you are anything but shy. You are an excellent swimmer, (a talent you got from your dad) and an excellent climber. Thankfully you have always had the good sense to know when you are unable to do something silly like flying or jumping off the tallest swingset as a toddler but as you have grown you have surprised me with your balance and ability to climb on top of our swingset and jump chainlink fences, etc. You love to read about the prophets and their stories and you absorb pretty much whatever we throw at you. I'm so grateful to have been given the responsibility to be your mother and to have such a sweet and caring son. Happy Birthday Ethan, my great big 5 year old!

Learning to sew.

Ok - those who know me, know that I am not a crafty, sewing, knitting kind of person. I don't really know how to do much and have never embraced any of it. But I will admit, every now and again, something looks really interesting and fun to do and I'm never opposed to trying. So, one day while scanning through many many blogs, I happened upon a pattern to make cloth baby shoes (just like Robeez) and it looked simple enough so I decided to give it a shot. Now 4 pairs later, I'm really enjoying myself and I think I just might want a sewing machine for Christmas. I'm hoping these could be cute baby shower gifts as Andrew is really not much of a shoe horse!

Ethan's 1st Award for Achievement

Friday was Ethan's first school assembly. We were all invited to attend as Ethan received the achievement award for penmanship. He was pretty excited to get his pencil and sticker though I'm not quite sure he understood why. He loves school and is doing really well. It amazes me how fast he learns and how hard he trys. I was so concerned about this year but am so grateful for a teacher that really cares and understands what motivates him. I think he is ready for school...I'm glad we didn't wait to send him(wonder if I'll change my mind in a future year??).