Back on the Blog / Ethan's Birthday

No more pencils, no more books...

I'm really ready for a little bit of a break from school. I took 9 hours in the fall and 9 hours in the spring so I'm feeling a little bit of a burn out. The good news is that I only need 1 class this summer, 2 in the fall, and 2 next spring and then I'll be done with this M.A. in Theology. Once I finish this degree, it will be a long time before I even consider going back to school. More than likely, my formal education will be concluded.

So I have about 6 weeks or so with no school responsibilities. There is much rejoicing!

With a little bit of extra time, I should be able to return to the blog a bit more regularly.

...

Saturday was Ethan's Birthday. He turned 5! Ethan is our kid with the easiest smile. He probably has the easiest tears too, but in happy times he is so fun to be around. He gets so excited about little things that he can hardly contain himself. Sometimes a popsicle from the ice cream truck is the greatest thing in the world!

So, needless to say, when big things like birthdays or Christmas come along, Ethan is just beside himself. The dimples make frequent appearances.

Dixie planned a Mario & Luigi party for Ethan and his friends. It came off great. Here's a picture of the cake that Dixie made:


Here are the party goers, complete with Mario & Luigi hats and mustaches:
And here is just a taste of Ethan's excitement over one of his presents. Imagine you also hear this sound: "Ohhhhhhhhh. That's awesome!"

A great time was had by all!

First Day for Ethan!

Today is Ethan's first day of preschool! He'll be in school three days a week (3 hours a day). We're not really looking for any academic help, but it will be good for him to better learn how to share and exist socially with his little peers, and to be able to take instructions from the teacher.

He was excited! I was in the shower this morning and I saw a pair of Spiderman undies sprint into the bathroom and ask me if it was time to go yet.
Me: "You can't go in your undies!"
Ethan: ***smile***

He ran out and got dressed. During breakfast it was more of the same.
Ethan: "Can we go yet?"
Me: "In a few minutes."
Ethan: ***smile***

Finally it was time to go so Dixie snapped a couple of pictures to document our big boy on his first day of preschool. I'm sure Dixie will get those pictures posted on her blog today.

We got in the car (preschool is at the church building where I work) and it was about 90 seconds before I heard:
Ethan: "Are we almost there?"
Me: "Not yet."
Ethan: ***smile***
We had that same conversation about 3 more times during that long 8 minute ride to the church building.

We pulled into the parking lot at the same time as our friend, Bella Rose.
Ethan: "Hurry Dad, get out. I want to see Bella."
Me: "Ok, Ethan."
Ethan: "Hurry!"
Bella and Ethan walked hand in hand to their classrooms. Bella went to her class next door, but Ethan and I were the only ones in his room.

Me: "Let's wait a minute for your teacher, Ethan."
Ethan: (already in the classroom) "C'mon Dad, you can play with me." ***smile***

Then we had a near disaster.
Ethan: "Achooooo!" ***snotcicles***
I grabbed a paper towel and triaged the situation, but then we headed to the bathroom to get completely cleaned up.

We headed back to class where, by this time, Ms. Sara was waiting for us.
Me: "Ok Ethan, be good for Ms. Sara and be sure to share with all of your friends."
Ethan: "Ok" ***smile***

And then as he headed into class,
Me: "Ok Ethan I'll see you after while."
Ethan: ...
Me: "Ethan?"
Ethan: ... (already playing with kids)

It's amazing how kids can be so different. Isaac was so nervous and apprehensive about the first day of school. Ethan was totally excited and ready to go. Except for the snotcicles, the first day of school was a totally different experience for these two boys. Kids are funny.