Is it a 2 or a 5?

Ethan opened his card from Grandpa Great Larson and out fell a five dollar bill. He held it up and said, "I have a two paper!" When I looked over to see what he was talking about, I noticed it was upside down. I told him to turn it around and when he did, he smiled even bigger and said, "Now it's a five paper!" I wish all money would multiply for us the same way!

Happy Birthday Ethan!

Today Ethan turns three and part of me can't believe he's already three while the other part is having a hard time realizing he isn't already four! The kid is - in his own words - incredible and amazing. Most days I love spending time hanging out with him and enjoying all he says and does. You NEVER, and I mean NEVER, know what is going to come out of his mouth next. He has a fun and energetic personality that is full of questions. Sometimes I swear I can see him actually absorbing the knowledge around him. One of his favorite words right now is, "Why?" and believe me, he uses it a lot! Don't get me wrong, I don't have the perfect child more than anyone else does. He has a wicked screech/scream thing he does whenever he doesn't get his way or whenever Logan is near. He is also the bossiest three-year-old I know but some how his personality makes all that go away in a few minutes. I asked Gary last night as we were going to bed what he thought Ethan would learn in the next year and both of us just started to laugh. One of those laughs that meant we weren't sure we were prepared to teach him all he would be ready for. From learning to spell his name and repeating his phone number to having a definite opinion on his wardrobe, this kid is full of it!

Ethan, we love you and love having you as part of our little family. You bring joy and love to everyone around you and we hope this next year will be full of fun memories for you!

Ouch!

Here we go again. Dylan is once again teething. I saw the signs of two top teeth finally coming through. For the most part he has been pretty good but the last couple of days he refuses to sleep during the day for very long and the poor kid is TIRED! It will be good when he has more than two teeth because he won't eat baby food any more and the options are that vast when there are only two bottom chompers involved. I should have purchased stock in Tylenol and Motrin when we had Tom because boy have I bought it in bulk!

"Lipstick"

So, there we were. Dylan, Ethan and myself driving home from the dry cleaners on this rainy morning. I was feeling pretty good about myself - first sign it will all come crashing down - singing songs with Ethan. When we got to the ABC song he told me he wanted to sing solo so while he was belting it out I figured I would quiz him on the sounds the letters make. We did four or five and he was getting them all right and I was getting more and more smug about my brilliant child in the back seat and wondering if there was a gifted and talented preschool I could send him to. I decided if I wanted to have him reading by the time he enters preschool this fall at age 3, I better help him start identifying beginning and ending sounds like Logan is doing in Kindergarten. So, after explaining that the game was changing and I would tell him a word instead of a letter, I started.

Me - "First word, dog"
Ethan - contemplating for a minute and then, "Woof! Woof!"
Me - laughter

Once again I explain the rules and he seems to understand.

Me - "Tree, T-Ree, Tree"
Ethan - "Hmmmmm. Grow!" Complete with hand gestures out the window to the trees growing in the rain.
Me - more laughter
Ethan - "Why are you laughing Mom?"
Me - "You make me happy."

More explanations about how the game is suppose to work complete with examples of words and the beginning sounds. I just know he has it this time!

Me - "Mom. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMom"
Ethan - without hesitation "Lipstick!"
Me - More laughter and a realization that this is NOT a skill he is ready for yet.

The funny thing is, I don't wear lipstick!

Nutritional Value of PB&J

Lunch at our house is fairly simple as long as there is bread, peanut butter and some sort of jam or jelly. Logan, Ethan, and Dylan LOVE PB&Js and if I cut them out using a cookie cutter or if Gary cuts them into the shape of a letter, the boys are in heaven. Well, as with most easy ways out, we eat them a bit too often for lunch. It beat the arguments over anything else. Lately we have begun to use them occasionally for dinner on the go too. Yesterday I think we hit an all time new low. I made them for lunch and didn't get around to putting something on for dinner by 3:30 so when Gary got home at 5:00 there was nothing started. We had to leave for a soccer game in ten minutes so Gary packed a dinner for us to eat on the way to the game and while cheering Tom on at the game. Well, dinner was VERY similar to lunch. PB&Js and cookies. I guess if they are nutritious for lunch, then they must be for dinner too? When ball is over in June, things should slow down and we can start eating slow and easy dinners at a normal time again!

Dylan

I finally got some film developed and it had some great shots of the little man.

Dylan at Easter. Tom was helping him stand up by holding his hands and boy did he look so big!

Dylan the Harley ridin' dude. This was at the Easter Egg hunt. It was FREEZING that day!

Gary thought Dyl's hair was getting too long. I put off his haircut as long as possible but finally gave in. Boy do I miss that baby fine hair that I played with while he nursed! It was a bit long I guess.

Post hair cut. His expression says it all to me. "What the heck just happened?"

Just chillin' the end of April. Showing off all of his teeth. Will he ever have more than two? I can't believe what he can eat with just two teeth. Last night was bacon wrapped meatloaf, carrots, and pickled beets. Yeah, beets sound nasty but my kids all love them.

Dodge Circuit Finals Rodeo

Each year when the rodeo comes to town, the Forest Service is involved in this field trip day for third graders where they can learn about fire prevention and rodeo stuff. This year my sister brought her class from Preston, Idaho and Logan, Ethan, and Dylan and I joined her. I thought I'd post some of the great pictures from that afternoon. Thanks for letting us come Sunnie and Gary!