Tuesday, December 30, 2008

5 Years Old

Really? Is he already 5 and going to start kindergarten in the Fall?

I'll start with the hard part. Age 4 was the most difficult and trying for us thus far. Ethan was happy or angry, no inbetween emotions. So began the journey of helping him identify different emotions to our different feelings. Some days this was easy, some days I just wanted to give up and hide in my room. Ethan is a passionate, tender-hearted boy. This wars with the quickly changing emotions of a 4 year old. On top of that, were the whiny over-the-top meltdowns; from a non skin broken scratch to being overly tired. I must say we worked on the latter first, then tried tackling the emotions. Amazing how the closer he got to 5, we could actually see him maturing. He has grown in identifying his emotions and using his words instead of falling apart. Oh, there are days he just can't do it, but those are outweighed by the good days.

The fun part of 4, has been seeing him explore, ever expanding vocabulary, understanding concepts, how he carries on conversations, being adventurous, his unlimited energy, on an on...
Over the past year, he talks alot more of God, wanting to go to Heaven, how he needs to pack his monster trucks for heaven -funny. Ethan's heart is so tender, he truly cares for others and how they are feeling. He loves loves loves being outside running trucks, working with Paul, anything that gets him dirty and stinky. Ethan is a treasure sent from God to live in our home.

For his 5th birthday he got to choose what to do on his special day. Here's the schedule:
Breakfast - chocolate chip pancakes
Visiting the electric trains at a local mall
Lunch - McDonald's
Ice skating at the Galleria
Ice cream after skating
Dinner - pizza, and a cookie cake

I'M FIVE!!!


Even though it's only 5 days after Christmas, all the excitement
is still there.

We had to watch the 2 black steam engines pass
over and over and over...his favorite
Ethan and Graham ready to shred the ice
Chocolate, of course

Somehow I managed not to get a picture of the cake and him blowing out the candles...there's always his birthday party for that!
I am blessed beyond measure to have not one, but two sons!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ETHAN

Sunday, December 28, 2008

A New Sibling

Today at lunch I asked Ethan if he would like to have another brother or sister. He had a mouth full of food, said "Yes" anyway. Graham piped in too, I know he doesn't get it. We talked a little bit with the boys about us having a baby, we didn't know if it was a boy or a girl, and come summer they'd have a baby brother or sister. I also explained to Ethan that is why I have not been feeling well lately. He asks me almost everyday if I am still sick; for a while, every morning I had horribly upset stomach, right when he'd want to sit on me!


That whole conversation lasted all of about 5 minutes. Paul and I just laughed, but now they know!



On a different note:

Also at lunch we were finishing off the last of our iced Christmas cookies...yummy. Graham, our slow poke eater, was giving us a hard time finishing while only talking about the cookies. He looked at his plate and whined "I can't do it." Paul and I bust out laughing, then he crammed a whole nugget in his mouth. He did get his 2 cookies.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Christmas Morning

What a wonderful age the boys are for this time of year. Celebrating Jesus' birth, lights, presents, cookies and more cookies.

Christmas morning Paul and I woke up to get everything turned on and ready. Then we waited and waited and waited. Finally a little after 8 we couldn't wait any longer. We went and woke them up, those days won't last long. They did the race down the hall to see what "santa" had brought them, unopened gifts. For about an hour I think they forgot there were even gifts under the tree. We eventually tore into those with paper and ribbon flying all about. I love watching their excitement over each gift and cherishing it...for about 10 seconds...then moving on. Paul and I almost forgot our gift to them, the fort he built. Outside we went, there was no putting their joy into words. Up and down the ramp they ran, with trucks of course.

I am so thankful and blessed for the boys that God intentionally placed in our care. They fill my heart with so much joy, love, and happiness.

Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Eve Prayer

I love bedtime prayer with Ethan. You never know what he's going to pray for. Sometimes they are so very sweet and heartfelt, practical, or just looking around the room thinking of things to pray and it goes on and on and on!

Preface: aaallll Christmas shows and movies you watch are either taking place where there is snow everywhere or it snows for Christmas morning.

Prayer:
Dear God, please can you let it snow tonight. I would really like there to be snow on Christmas. Please God can you just do that for me? Just let it snow and we can play in it and it will be nice. Just do that for me ok? Thank you for my Mommy and Daddy.

So sweet. God can make anything happen, but highly unlikely to have a white Christmas in North Texas. I love that boy.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

December Fun

I have really not been on the ball with updating much lately. Sorry. Seems I get a little tired, wonder why? ha ha ha

The boys have been so much fun this holiday season. They have been excited since we got all the decorations down. Each year I try to get better about making the most of it with them, and let other less important things slide, i.e. my blogs.

First up:
The boys helping Daddy w/ lights on the roof.

Ethan could not get enough of Frosty (a little skinny) at Santa's Village

Graham playing with my Christmas coasters

E & G playing with the ice castle Daddy made them
Yes, it is 28 degrees out and Ethan has on flip flops and shorts. We told him it was very cold and once they got dressed Paul would take them outside. This is how he dressed himself. There was no arguing, bribing, challenging, sweet talking to get him to change. So we say, Natural Consequences. Funny enough, he never even complained about being cold or that his toes were about to fall off. Oh well!!! Crazy boy.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Fort Building

When I was younger, my Dad built my little brother a fort for Christmas. It was the most fantastic gift. I told Paul a few months ago this is what I wanted to do for our boys for Christmas. They are bored of all our toys in the yard, and would never tire of the fort. I pretty much did not give up until he said yes.

About 3 weeks ago, Paul pulled his drafting kit out and drew his plan. How I loved seeing him do this. He was a little boy again!

Typical Paul fashion, he started it about 2 weeks before Christmas AND it was done with perfection. Love and hate that about him!!! ha ha ha

When he began on the fort the weather was not so cold out, and the boys loved playing on the planks with their monster trucks. They thought it was a "bookshelf" for Mr. Bernie. Gradually (like any weather change in Texas is gradual), it got colder and colder. Here are the pictures of Paul hard at work.



Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Early Christmas

My Mom has been here visiting, mainly to give the boys their presents from her and D-dad. OMG, what we have in store for us on Christmas morning. Those boys went nutso, but so adorable. Here are a few pics...


Graham and his "bikelcycle"
Ethan and Batman...so in love

Ethan and Meema