Floral Arranging 101

When Ethan and I got home from work/school today we decided it was just far too nice to go inside and make dinner. Since it's supposed to be 80 degrees tomorrow, our poor lilacs may wilt before we enjoy them since it rained most of the past week. So we got a bucket of water and some scissors and cut some flowers. While we were working on it, Ethan discovered dandelion seed pods. He had a hard time blowing hard enough so he got one of them a little close to his mouth- a picture of that face would have been priceless but stupid me, I decided to help him get them out instead. If you can see in the bottom middle picture he also enjoyed exploring what the water in the bucket felt like. We went inside and put them in a vase, then we went to Denmos for the first time this year. Lets just say I hope they get back in the swing of things because otherwise it doesn't look promising.

Play Time

Sorry for the lack of posts. Ethan and I have been a little under the weather for the last week. We even slept in today. He didn't tell me he wanted to get up until 7:50! Now why does that NEVER happen on a weekend? We could not be too lazy though, this morning we had our Tumblin' Tikes class at the park and rec. Ethan enjoyed the sit and spin and the ball pit. He was a little clingy this time, not sure why but there were a few more kids than usual today. There is a slide which he likes going down and a set of stairs that go up one side, have a little flat space, then more stairs down the other. There are foam blocks that connect together to make a balance beam.

After that was over, he did not want to go home so I surprised him by taking him to the library where he played with every toy imaginable, even a train set. I always tell about him playing there but did not remember having taken pictures before. There were no other kids today so I got a few. Then we checked out some books and came home. He loves playing with any kind of instrument. I can't wait till his birthday so I can give him the Melissa and Doug set I ordered months ago. It's a three-and-up toy, and I'm paranoid.

We had lunch, some personal pizzas, and Ethan ate his whole pizza and said "Mommy I want more!" I guess he liked it. He had a yogurt instead.

Lazy Boy

Today Ethan didn't want to do much which was fine. I woke up with a sore throat and sniffling so I did not feel like doing anything either. I imagine it's pollen. Our tumble class didn't happen this week because of school break. We did manage to go buy some seeds which we now have to plant. We went outside for a while and tried smelling the almost open lilacs. We did not stay long though because a dark cloud blew over and the wind picked up and I thought for sure it would rain. It seems to have blown over now so maybe not. We've been playing "downtairs" a lot today, and you could tell if you could see it. In fact we're so lazy that I am letting Ethan watch TV. Yep, that's right- I put on Rocky and Bullwinkle for him. He's not really watching though he's playing with his puzzle and riding his cardboard "sled."

Outdoor Adventures Featuring Toad and Caterpillar

We had our own wild kingdom this afternoon when Ethan and I went into the back yard to do some raking. As I was pulling some weeds I heard something moved, looked down and noticed this lovely toad. I also found a caterpillar under some other leaves. We had a great time watching them and seeing them move. We also got in some play time with the new trucks.

Fairy Tales

You haven't seen any artwork in a while. I think you might enjoy Ethan's "Little Boy Blue." He made him at school. They must have had a fables and fairy tales week because he's been telling James and I all about the three little piggies. That reminded me of a really cute toy he didn't know he had- Jeannie and Kurt and Elise got him The Three Little Pigs finger puppets when he was tiny and I put them away because he didn't quite get it then. So I found them and he's been loving them. There's a big bad wolf and everything.

Today he's a little crank. He may have allergies, pollen is flying, or he may still be working on these molars the doctors assure me are coming but really don't seem to be showing up. Either way he is a grump. He wasn't even happy to get his cheese in the store. While there, some man picked up $10 off the floor and handed it to me, I said it wasn't mine but he insisted I take it. So Ethan and I tried to return it to our favorite cashier only to find out that no one had claimed it or noticed it missing. She also insisted we keep it. So we bought some goodies for the food bank.

After that, I wanted to try cheering him up. We still had Ethan's Easter present from Grandma and Pa so we went to the starbucks for a snack- Ethan loves the mini vanilla scones and he also enjoyed some of my unsweetened tea believe it or not and then went to the toy store where he found a "mix mixer" and a delivery truck. I'm sure you'll see those soon. If he lets go of Mr. Tickle that is.

Digging

Weekend

Last night we had company so Ethan was helping me get some things ready. He was painting for a while so that I could cut up some cucumbers and put some hummus in a bowl. He was amply rewarded, he got to lick the hummus off the spatula. Isn't it great that hummus gets as much excitement as cookie dough? He also spent some time sitting on the couch reading while I set the table. He's a good kid. Most of the time.

This morning Crazy Uncle Derek gave Ethan some presents. This orange fellow is Mr. Tickle, one of Ethan's favorites of the Mr. Men/Little Miss books. Sadly it was such a favorite that the pages fell out. Mr. Tickle has been tickling everyone all day. Thanks Capellaro.

This afternoon poor Ethan kept telling me he wanted to go to the beach. With a cloudy day, sprinkles on and off, and maybe 50 degree high this was no beach day. He wanted to play with the shovel and bucket he got James for his birthday. So I remembered one of the moms group mothers telling me she gave her kid a pan of rice and let him go nuts. So I gave Ethan a pan of rice. He must have played with it for half an hour. Probably the longest I've ever seen him do anything. And he basically had to be coaxed away from it (so I could spend ten minutes vacuuming it up!) but it was worth it, he had a great time and was occupied while I made dinner.

The big 3-8

Last night we surprised James with a birthday dinner. Ethan helped make the icing for the cake and he picked out the candle for the top. He also picked out the party hats. Then he proceeded to insist we sing "happy birthday" a second time, candle lit and all. We indulged him. Uncle Teddy came and brought Ethan a present too. He loved it of course. Sorry Mandy I didn't get a shot of you in the party hat and the one I got was blurry! We think James had a nice birthday despite the test he had Monday night and the class he has tonight.

Things That Go

Ethan got this book from Crazy Uncle Derek. If you can't understand the beginning, he's making the sounds of the vehicles. And if you're wondering, a "mix mixer" is a cement mixer. Today we tried to go to Rich's farm. It's now open, but it was so packed that we drove right on by. They must be getting the word out, it never used to be this crazy but it's about to the point where we can't go there on the weekend anymore. Of course it isn't as bad in the evening, but we can't exactly go then. We spent a lot of time outside this weekend, not as nice as last- a lot colder. But Ethan raked and played soccer and rode his bike just the same.

Finger Prunes

Sorry I have no picture. I just wanted to tell you all about finger prunes. One day after Ethan's bath I said his fingers looked like prunes. Since then, every time they get wrinkly he says "Mommy I have finger prunes." Sunday night he announced to James, "I have finger prunes on my toes Daddy." I found that entertaining. Other interesting sayings he has picked up are "of course not, Mommy" and "What about a toaster?" I just relay these things, I don't know where he got them from.

Today we baked cookies and he expertly mixed the dry ingredients, packed and leveled the brown sugar like a pro (which was delayed by a kitchen dance to the Stone's "Brown Sugar" meaning I dance while holding him and "spin Mommy spin!") and expertly scooped out the dough on the cookie sheets. If this kid doesn't work in the food industry he's at least going to be able to feed himself very well. And James and I when we're in the old folks home.

Happy Easter!

We started off with a short Easter egg hunt, the Easter bunny hid six eggs for Ethan which held stickers and Curious George stamps w/ an ink pad. Then we had breakfast- "panpakes" shaped like bunnies, strawberries and bananas. Ethan watched "The Easter Bunny's Coming to Town" while we ate. Then we got to check out our baskets and see what the Bunny put in them. Ethan was VERY excited to see all that candy (I should have my head examined) as well as bunny stickers, a Beatrix Potter book, some new watercolors, and a little wooden elephant to color. Then he opened his Curious George book that was from James and I, and of course we had to read it. We played for a while and painted and used the George stamps. Lunch and naptime rolled around pretty fast today. Ethan also got to talk to Grandma and Pa and Granny and Gramps. Hopefully we'll have time to call his cousins before we have to leave for dinner, he'll be too grumpy and tired after. Happy Easter to all! We miss you.

Ride the Bike

What a Day!

So doesn't it figure that the one day this week when I could have slept late Ethan woke up early? So we used it to our advantage and went to Laurel Diner for breakfast. It's a very small establishment, what some might call a dive. It's hard to get in if you aren't there early because there's limited parking and limited seating. We made it in time to get a table and a high chair. Score! Ethan wanted egg and toast, but I got to try cinnamon roll french toast. That's right, just what it sounds like. Yum. It was the sweetest thing I've eaten in ages and I don't need to have it again soon, but it was good. Then we went to run an errand. We pulled into a parking lot, and a turkey hen ran right in front of us. She crossed the street into the woods to meet Mr. Tom, who was waiting for her in all his glory all puffed out. Too bad Uncle Tom wasn't around with his bow. Ethan enjoyed the turkeys, though later he told James "I saw a rooster Daddy." Close. When we got home Ethan and James played outside while I got the egg dye ready. This is how that went:

Playing and "cleaning up" are often one and the same. Hopefully that continues :) Having forgotten that using food coloring means boiling water, it took a while for the dye to cool off. Ethan quickly got in the action when I said it was ready. He talked to the camera a few times, and I added what he said to the collage.

After coloring eggs, it was back outside to enjoy more of the beautiful weather. This next one is for all the Marist uncles. Unfortunately he golfs a little like his daddy. See the one where the ball goes behind him?


Then came the big surprise of the day for Ethan. His new bike helmet arrived. All the ones we found were ages 3 and up, but we were able to order this one. He likes it a lot and wants to wear it even when he's not on his bike. You may remember the bike from last year, this is the one Gramps and Granny saved in the barn since my childhood. I now have the polish but haven't finished making it snazzy yet. It took a lot of adjusting for bike and helmet before Ethan could start riding. He really seems to enjoy it though.

And if you don't think that's enough excitement for one day there is more! We decided to have a picnic. Ethan had cheese, bread, strawberries, chips and hummus. All that hard work must have made him hungry. He even ate some of my cheese and strawberries. After lunch he had a few minutes to play soccer with James before off to his nap. One of us knows letting him play after nap results in wound up toddler who won't go to sleep. The other may learn. It took 40 minutes but he's finally napping.

We have more fun in store for this afternoon. Rich's Farm still isn't open, but Dairy DeLite in Woodbury is. I see a short road trip in our future ;)

Nice Day

We finally have a really nice day. We went outside to enjoy it for a while. The first picture below is of the stuff Ethan made at the Building Museum during the Cherry Blossom Festival and the characature that he had drawn. They all sort of looked alike, but it was entertaining for him anyway. On the bottom of the page you can see the fortune from his cookie. If you can't read it I transcribed below. I thought it was apt. In the bottom picture Ethan is watering the "Grass head" he made at the festival. The grass was already growing even though we hadn't watered it. I've almost got things unpacked and put away. Now if only SOMEONE would get the Easter baskets out of the attic so the Easter Bunny could come we'd be all set.


"People find it difficult to resist your persuasive manner"