I really think Ethan is a great kid! Does he throw tantrums? Yes! Does he struggle to share? Sometimes, especially if something is being pulled from his hands. Is he opinionated and independent? Yes! Do NOT reorder his trains or pick him up when he wants to walk on his own, etc.
Despite all of this though, I think he is great and he is almost always a happy kid. The reason I bring this up is that I feel like his worst moments have been public lately. Those moments make me feel like a bad mom and like one of those moms who has a crazy kid but says her kid is perfect.
Last Sunday was a crazy busy day with meetings and Mike was out of town. I had great friends helping out, but Ethan got away from me at church and made it outside before I found him and then was really loud during an evening program I was in charge of. Then today at a baptism he was again loud/crying several times (both events involved several boys sharing Ethan's trains) and I again lost him. As I was talking with someone I was listening to Ethan's voice and knew he was nearby, but then couldn't find him. Lots of people joined the search inside and out before he was found locked in a classroom (he couldn't open the round doorknob) right by where I had been standing.
So, for the record, I'm not a liar, Ethan really is a much better kid than he's appeared to be at the last few church events.
P.S. As I taught Mike tonight, men, when your wife describes events like these and says they make her feel like a bad mom, don't agree by saying, "no, you just can't take care of him and do something else". Instead, as most women would, reassure her and say it happens to everyone, it doesn't make you a bad mom, etc. :)
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Saturday, January 22, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
I Love Trains!
The newest song being added to my repertoire! Hooray for having a train song Ethan loves besides the Thomas one (which I'm sick of singing).
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Colors
Ethan know most of the basic colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, white, black, pink...and he loves naming the color of things like our clothes. Today I am wearing a brown shirt, and I was pretty sure he didn't know the color brown, but he often surprises me, so I asked him anyway.
"What color is mommy's shirt?"
"Dirty"
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"What color is mommy's shirt?"
"Dirty"
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with SprintSpeed
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Now THAT is Snow!
At the end of our Utah trip we got to stay with Mike's sister Jenn's family in Heber. We had a great time eating and playing and seeing an amazing amount of snow. Thanks for making us feel so at home Jenn and family!
On our way from Sandy to Heber we were near Park City, so we made a (pretty long with the ski traffic) detour to get caramel apples at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Granted, these stores are everywhere, but this was the first one we ever went to and it was on our honeymoon, so it was a nostalgic thing.
Ethan enjoyed his first caramel apple! Most people like the apples sliced, but I think part of the appeal of a caramel apple is the mess and challenge of eating it, so we got one sliced and one whole.
There was a decent amount of snow when we arrived in Heber, and then, the next morning, we woke up to this (after the driveway had been shoveled once):
And it continued to snow the WHOLE day! Even those not visiting from Phoenix were impressed with the amount of snow.
Random picture of Ethan and Zach playing with trains, yet again.
Jenn's family got all of us decked out in snow gear--isn't he adorable?!?
And we took off to the park. Note that this is in the morning before many many more hours of snow.
Sledding!
Ethan loved laying on the snow banks and eating the snow.
And helping us eat it.
Mike A helped white wash Mike C, and the battle begun.
Mike C and Jacob C are on Mike A's back--this one is worth blowing up for a closer look.
Here's evidence that I was there too (excuse the way my hat is constantly coming off and forming a cone head-grr).
Trying to teach Ethan to make a snow angel:
Tackle mom!
Licking the snow and then showing off our tongues:
Snow wrestling! Ethan couldn't get enough of the snow, even when he would accidentally face plant.
Later in the day, and one of the many times shoveling the driveway. The snow got all the way up to the mail boxes--it was crazy! That day both canyons out of Heber were closed (one because of a tree). The next day snow chains and four wheel drive were needed/recommended. We ended up staying an extra day before the roads were passable on our smooth little desert tires.
On our extra day we got to see our nephews Jacob and Caleb play two basketball games. It was a lot of fun and they won both games (one with an exciting come back)!
Provo Canyon-beautiful!
When we finally made it back to the valley we stopped to pick up my ring (it fits in with all the pretty sparkly pictures of snow, right?) and played at Mike's sister Miriam's house for a few hours.
From there we drove into St. George. This was New Year's Eve, so we watched the ball drop and went to bed. Oh yeah, and I mean we watched the ball drop live, at 10pm in our time zone. We are that exciting!
The next morning we drove back to Phoenix and back to real life!
On our way from Sandy to Heber we were near Park City, so we made a (pretty long with the ski traffic) detour to get caramel apples at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Granted, these stores are everywhere, but this was the first one we ever went to and it was on our honeymoon, so it was a nostalgic thing.
Ethan enjoyed his first caramel apple! Most people like the apples sliced, but I think part of the appeal of a caramel apple is the mess and challenge of eating it, so we got one sliced and one whole.
There was a decent amount of snow when we arrived in Heber, and then, the next morning, we woke up to this (after the driveway had been shoveled once):
And it continued to snow the WHOLE day! Even those not visiting from Phoenix were impressed with the amount of snow.
Random picture of Ethan and Zach playing with trains, yet again.
Jenn's family got all of us decked out in snow gear--isn't he adorable?!?
And we took off to the park. Note that this is in the morning before many many more hours of snow.
Sledding!
Ethan loved laying on the snow banks and eating the snow.
And helping us eat it.
Mike A helped white wash Mike C, and the battle begun.
Mike C and Jacob C are on Mike A's back--this one is worth blowing up for a closer look.
Here's evidence that I was there too (excuse the way my hat is constantly coming off and forming a cone head-grr).
Trying to teach Ethan to make a snow angel:
Tackle mom!
Licking the snow and then showing off our tongues:
Snow wrestling! Ethan couldn't get enough of the snow, even when he would accidentally face plant.
Later in the day, and one of the many times shoveling the driveway. The snow got all the way up to the mail boxes--it was crazy! That day both canyons out of Heber were closed (one because of a tree). The next day snow chains and four wheel drive were needed/recommended. We ended up staying an extra day before the roads were passable on our smooth little desert tires.
On our extra day we got to see our nephews Jacob and Caleb play two basketball games. It was a lot of fun and they won both games (one with an exciting come back)!
Provo Canyon-beautiful!
When we finally made it back to the valley we stopped to pick up my ring (it fits in with all the pretty sparkly pictures of snow, right?) and played at Mike's sister Miriam's house for a few hours.
From there we drove into St. George. This was New Year's Eve, so we watched the ball drop and went to bed. Oh yeah, and I mean we watched the ball drop live, at 10pm in our time zone. We are that exciting!
The next morning we drove back to Phoenix and back to real life!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Great Grandma
On the Monday after Christmas, the Wooden's again watched Ethan for us. Ricky and Riley taught him to say "boing" as they played with him and a big exercise ball. Mike and I attended the Salt Lake Temple and then came back in time for Ethan's nap.
We had a great time at the Wooden's playing games (a Monopoly card game) and just spending time together.
Monday evening Ethan, Mike, and I drove up to Ogden to see my Great Grandma (94 years old!) who lives in a home up there.
I love my Great Grandma! She and my Great Grandpa organized family reunions for all of us every two years as I was growing up, so I know her and her wonderful sense of humor pretty well. She doesn't remember much in the way of short term memories anymore, but she's still the same old Grandma!
Giving Grandma 5.
And of course Ethan had to play outside in the snow, because he LOVES snow!
We had a great time at the Wooden's playing games (a Monopoly card game) and just spending time together.
Monday evening Ethan, Mike, and I drove up to Ogden to see my Great Grandma (94 years old!) who lives in a home up there.
I love my Great Grandma! She and my Great Grandpa organized family reunions for all of us every two years as I was growing up, so I know her and her wonderful sense of humor pretty well. She doesn't remember much in the way of short term memories anymore, but she's still the same old Grandma!
Giving Grandma 5.
And of course Ethan had to play outside in the snow, because he LOVES snow!
Christmas
On the 23rd we drove up to St. George and stayed two nights at Mike's mom's. On Christmas Eve we read Luke 2, sang Christmas songs while Grandma played on the piano, and opened gifts.
Grandma also sang a fun train song with Ethan.
On Christmas morning Mike and I gave Ethan a stocking full of...trains!
Mike's oldest sister Kris hosted the whole family (6 of 8 siblings) for Christmas dinner. Here is Grandma handing out gifts to the kids.
Ethan and Zach are only 3 months apart and both love trains!
We stayed the night at Kris' and got up early the next morning to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast. Jil and the Woodens were nice enough to watch Ethan-they even took him to church!
With our free time, Mike and I enjoyed touring Temple Square with the Bowen's (another of Mike's sisters). We saw this cool model that shows the inside of the Salt Lake Temple.
We also saw the "new" Joseph Smith movie, which we thought we had seen, but hadn't. Thanks for the suggestion Bowens!
When we came out it was snowing! I was so excited! Can you see the flurries?
Back at the Wooden's the snow had started to accumulate and Ethan got to play in snow for the first time! He thought snow balls were awesome, especially for rolling down the slide.
Hmmm...these are a little out of order, but check out Ethan in the adorable hat and apron Lisa made him for Christmas! He likes wearing it while we cook.
Christmas Eve gifts from Grandma:
New engines from Mom and Dad.
Grandma also sang a fun train song with Ethan.
On Christmas morning Mike and I gave Ethan a stocking full of...trains!
Mike's oldest sister Kris hosted the whole family (6 of 8 siblings) for Christmas dinner. Here is Grandma handing out gifts to the kids.
Ethan and Zach are only 3 months apart and both love trains!
We stayed the night at Kris' and got up early the next morning to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast. Jil and the Woodens were nice enough to watch Ethan-they even took him to church!
With our free time, Mike and I enjoyed touring Temple Square with the Bowen's (another of Mike's sisters). We saw this cool model that shows the inside of the Salt Lake Temple.
We also saw the "new" Joseph Smith movie, which we thought we had seen, but hadn't. Thanks for the suggestion Bowens!
When we came out it was snowing! I was so excited! Can you see the flurries?
Back at the Wooden's the snow had started to accumulate and Ethan got to play in snow for the first time! He thought snow balls were awesome, especially for rolling down the slide.
Hmmm...these are a little out of order, but check out Ethan in the adorable hat and apron Lisa made him for Christmas! He likes wearing it while we cook.
Christmas Eve gifts from Grandma:
New engines from Mom and Dad.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Before Christmas
My Christmas posts will be long enough on their own, so let's cover the first part of December.
As we were preparing to leave Michigan after Thanksgiving, we heard the sad news that my Grandma Gillespie had passed away. So, a few days after getting home, I hopped on a plane, left Ethan with Mike, and went out to Missouri for the funeral. I'm glad I got to say goodbye.
Of course this cute little nephew of mine was there too. He's the only thing I have pictures of from the trip. After the funeral I went back up to Kansas City to stay with Joe and Lauren for a night (well, at Ashley and Mikael's because Joe and Lauren were starting a remodel project at their house). I even got to hang out with 7 on Sunday while Joe and Lauren worked on their house, lucky me!
Of course in Phoenix we spent December loving the nice weather in the backyard,
at the park,
at the zoo,
at Daddy's office, etc.
The week before Christmas we had a "Christmas morning" at Nana and Papa's house. As you might expect, our Christmas was train themed this year.
Ethan opened this train book from Joe and Lauren first I think, and he would have been content to play with that the rest of the day. After going through the whole book 2-3 times (a wind-up train drives around on the pages), we convinced him to open another present.
Travel truck ramp from Grammy and Art!
Trains and a train case from Nana and Papa!
The day was pretty much spent driving trains. That describes every day for us.
Opening a puzzle from Nana.
Grandpa and Grandma Jeppson got Ethan Cranky the Crane, a basketball hoop, and a golf set. I can't find the sports pictures at the moment, but here's a picture that doesn't quite portray how impatient Ethan was for Mike to get Cranky out of the box. (Sorry about the mess, it was laundry day apparently).
Mike and I got Ethan a bunch of Thomas trains on Craigslist and they came with this shed. So every morning the week before Christmas Ethan would wake up to find new trains in Tidmouth Shed under the Christmas tree.
And now I'll leave you with Ethan's adorable hands with Children's Museum stamps (he thinks they're awesome now, so he gets two).
As we were preparing to leave Michigan after Thanksgiving, we heard the sad news that my Grandma Gillespie had passed away. So, a few days after getting home, I hopped on a plane, left Ethan with Mike, and went out to Missouri for the funeral. I'm glad I got to say goodbye.
Of course this cute little nephew of mine was there too. He's the only thing I have pictures of from the trip. After the funeral I went back up to Kansas City to stay with Joe and Lauren for a night (well, at Ashley and Mikael's because Joe and Lauren were starting a remodel project at their house). I even got to hang out with 7 on Sunday while Joe and Lauren worked on their house, lucky me!
Of course in Phoenix we spent December loving the nice weather in the backyard,
at the park,
at the zoo,
at Daddy's office, etc.
The week before Christmas we had a "Christmas morning" at Nana and Papa's house. As you might expect, our Christmas was train themed this year.
Ethan opened this train book from Joe and Lauren first I think, and he would have been content to play with that the rest of the day. After going through the whole book 2-3 times (a wind-up train drives around on the pages), we convinced him to open another present.
Travel truck ramp from Grammy and Art!
Trains and a train case from Nana and Papa!
The day was pretty much spent driving trains. That describes every day for us.
Opening a puzzle from Nana.
Grandpa and Grandma Jeppson got Ethan Cranky the Crane, a basketball hoop, and a golf set. I can't find the sports pictures at the moment, but here's a picture that doesn't quite portray how impatient Ethan was for Mike to get Cranky out of the box. (Sorry about the mess, it was laundry day apparently).
Mike and I got Ethan a bunch of Thomas trains on Craigslist and they came with this shed. So every morning the week before Christmas Ethan would wake up to find new trains in Tidmouth Shed under the Christmas tree.
And now I'll leave you with Ethan's adorable hands with Children's Museum stamps (he thinks they're awesome now, so he gets two).
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