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