Funny Guy & Birthday Party

Recent tidbits from life with Ethan:

• Yesterday we were at the library, and Ethan ran up to a box of things for sale. He reached in, pulled an old LP out, and asked me: “Are these frisbees?” Wow, hard for someone from my generation to imagine that he’s never, ever seen an LP before!
• The other night Ethan was eating dinner with his dad and told him that he wanted to pretend they were both 49, and that they were drinking coffee at a restaurant. “So,” he said to Mark in his most mature voice, “how was your work today?”
• Ethan pretended one time with me that he was a grownup whose job was a scientist. He told me that as a scientist he made “potions” all day. I’m so glad to finally understand what scientists do all day!
• Ethan was the star of his after-school play about the three Billy Goats Gruff. He was a troll, and said in a big booming voice, “Who’s trip-trapping over my bridge!” He wore a long black beard, and a hat. All the other parents told us we should sign him up for a theater program sometime. Ethan still insists he doesn’t want anyone to look at him, which is always funny when he says it.
• We had Ethan’s 7th birthday last weekend. Theme was Star Wars, and we made light sabers out of swim noodles. The cake had Star Wars figures on them, and Star Wars music played in the background. Kids were wild.
  
• Last Saturday we went to the house of two little girls who have lots and lots of dress up clothes. Ethan was in heaven. Two little cute girls who both like him, and tons of things to dress up in. They played for over 4 hours without interrupting us for more than about three minutes. What a treat!

Florida and 7th Birthday

Ethan turned seven years old this week – yeah! Grandma and Grandpa came and visited, and we had birthday dinner #1 with them, featuring watermelon with candles instead of cake at Ethan’s request (Ethan loves candy, and will eat the frosting on cakes, but is not overly fond of the cake itself). Birthday dinner #2 on his actual birthday included a trip to McDonalds with dad, and as tiny a cake as mom could find, then covered with candy. Birthday dinner #3 was with big sisters Julie and Jen and brother-in-law Tim, and included hot dogs, hamburgers, and yet another small cake covered with candy. All dinners have featured at least some presents that were Lego kits. The kid party is in a couple of weeks.

Last week was spring break, and Ethan, Mark and I went down to the Everglades in Florida. We not only survived, but weather, health, and airlines all cooperated to make it a very enjoyable and relaxing trip. Here are some highlights:
• We enjoyed 80 degree weather all week
• We saw alligators in the wild close-up
• We ate alligator (like chicken, but not)
• We stayed in a cute fishing cabin on a canal in the Everglades
• Pelicans hung out right outside the cabin
• We rented a boat to go out to some beaches on islands only accessible that way
• We had to wade across a lagoon to get to the ocean on Marco Island
• Ethan played and played in the ocean
• We stayed on South Beach in Miami the last night