Ethan (year in review) - 25 Random Facts/Accomplishments

I decided to start posting the kids accomplishments and random facts about them each year around their birthday. Here's Ethan's for last year.

1. Started preschool this year. He likes his teacher Mrs. Lowry and loves school, but would still rather stay home if allowed. He is a homebody.

2. Loves cars, trains, and everything Geo Trax's, and Hotwheels

3. Rode a horse for the first time and wasn't scared
4. Has a love/hate relationship with his brother. Loves to give him hugs and kisses and teach him new things. Hates when brother tries to take away his toys.

5. Was on his 1st soccer team this year. He was aggressive and a ball-hog and therefore scored 80% of the goals.
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6. Learned how to do somersaults and cartwheels

7. Favorite words are "Actually, but..., and "I want a snack"

8. Is afraid of Raggedy Ann and claims that she comes into his dreams and tries to get him.

9. He's quirky about boo-boo's or anybody having a scratch or boo-boo. He will not look at any scratch and has to have them covered up. He will not wear a band aid.

10. Went go-carting for the first time

11. Learned to pump on the swing all by himself, and can now swing by himself.

12. Went fishing for the 1st time and caught his 1st fish.
13. Wishes that Alex lived in his house and was his brother.

14. Doesn't like extreme weather (too hot or too cold and he won't go outside)

15. Competitive and very hard on himself. Get's frustrated easily if he can't do something right the first time.

16. Goes through phases of the movies/toys he likes: Some this year included Monster Trucks, Toy Story, Speed Racer, Star Wars, and Peter Pan

17. Cautious at first and then eases into things.

18. Likes to do Canon Balls in Grammy and Pop-Pop's pool

19. Prefers to play with toys than do arts-and-crafts projects

20. Is a momma's boy and loves to cuddle in bed with mom

21. Likes computer games and video games. Has to be limited with game passes or he could play all day

22. Becoming more self reliant: brushes teeth by himself, bathroom by himself, starting to get dressed by himself, etc.

23. Has a temper and likes to throw things when he is mad but once calmed down is the sweetest boy and says things like "you are so sweet mom"

24. Currently keeps asking for a kitten

25. Is the sweetest boy I know!

Happy 4th Birthday Ethan

I can't believe my little boy turned 4! We started off his birthday celebration with cupcakes and a present on his birthday the 16th. He wanted the fly-through bridge extension for his Geo Trax so he was really excited to open up this present.

On the 17th we went to the Monster Jam show at Ford Field. Ethan had fun but I think he was more interested in popcorn and his racing flag then he was watching the Monster Trucks.

We planned his birthday party on the 24th and it was a Peter Pan themed birthday. Ethan really liked Peter Pan after seeing the Disney on Ice show in Florida. He asked for a crocodile cake so I looked online for ideas and came up with a really cute cake. Grammy helped bake the cakes and Kevin shaped the head while him and I decorated and frosted. Ethan's reaction to this cake was priceless!
His party included a Treasure Hunt, Pirate Tattoos, Hook the Loot games, Paint the Tail on the Crocodile, and a Pirate Ship Pinata. All of the kids had a great time.

Happy New Year 2009

We were fortunate this New Years to have grammy babysit for us so that we could spend New Years with our friends. We met the Reome's in Northville for dinner at Tiramisu. We then went out for drinks and later went to the Kulongowski's for a get together at their house. Happy New Year everyone!

Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Starting in early December, Ethan decided to start looking through catalogs so he could tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. He finally decided on a Geo Trax Airport and we wrote a letter to Santa to let him know. Nolan was still too young to understand Santa, but Ethan told Santa that Nolan wanted a Light and Sound Town.

December was busy with holiday parties, starting with Ethan's Christmas party at preschool. All the kids made a present for the parents; a handprint with a cute poem on the back of it. They sang a few Christmas songs for us that they had practiced the whole month. Our favorite was Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The kids placed a big red nose on themselves and sang, it was really cute.

Kevin's family came into town the weekend before Christmas. Ethan and Nolan were so excited to see Lizzy and Alex.

We celebrated Christmas with Chrystal's family the weekend before Christmas. We all went over to Angie's house and had some great food and a good time. This was Ethan's first official present opening and he had a blast. He also decided he was going to help Nolan open all of his presents.

On Christmas eve, the kids wrote their letter to Santa and placed out cookies and milk. They were all really excited but all went to bed really easy. They woke up the next morning around 7:30. When Ethan, Lizzy, and Alex saw the presents that Santa left, they were really excited and started screaming and jumping up and down. We opened presents and Ethan and Nolan both received their presents from Santa.
It was a great Christmas and fun to see the kids reaction this year.

Florida Vacation

We traveled to Florida over the Thanksgiving holiday to spend time with Grammy and Pop-pop. We stayed for 13 days and were busy almost every day we were there. At the beginning of the stay, we went to see Disney on Ice. Peter Pan was the hit of the show, and Ethan couldn't stop talking about seeing Captain Hook fall into the Crocodile's mouth. Peter Pan became his new obsession and he wanted to watch the movie endlessly.

We also went to the beach several times. Nolan absolutely loved the beach. Ethan and Nolan could play on the beach all day and never want to go home. We also found time to play putt-putt 3 times, ride the choo-choo 2 times, go to the Naples zoo, see Santa Claus, play in the snow at Naples during their tree lighting ceremony, have a lovely Thanksgiving dinner, and take an overnight trip to Disney World.

Disney World was the highlight of the trip for the kids. We went for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Ethan requested to ride the Peter Pan ride several times and actually got to meet Peter and Wendy (although became very shy around them). His favorite rides were Peter Pan and the Barnstormer rollercoaster in Mickey's funland. The boys both lasted until midnight when the park closed.

Nolan's 1st haircut

BEFORE


AFTER


We decided to get Nolan's hair cut because his curls were out of control. We wanted to keep some curls so we only trimmed it, but he already is starting to look more like a toddler than a baby. He just turned 18 months and goes to the Doctor next week for his check-up. I'll update more with his stats.

Here is Ethan's picture from his first haircut. I thought it would be cute to see the pictures together. Ethan and Nolan are starting to look similar in many ways.


Ethan's 1st haircut












Nolan's 1st haircut

Halloween 2008

Here are some pictures from the kids trick-or-treating this year. The weather was perfect and the kids had so much fun. Ethan and Nolan went trick-or-treating with all of their neighborhood friends. Grandma Linda stayed at the house to pass out candy while Kevin and I went out with the boys. When we got back, Ethan had so much fun helping Grandma, that he said it was more fun then actually trick-or-treating. Many people commented on Nolan's doggie costume and said he was so cute! Ethan was Darth Vadar, but wouldn't wear his mask. Overall, a great night for both parents and kids!