New Games

Ethan is acquiring other interests in his play (after almost 3 years of pretty much just trains). Here he is calling the Super Friends on his orange. He is getting very into super heroes. When we went to the library, he only got super hero books, and he was very excited to get new super hero underwear. I have to say, I'm excited for the diversity!
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Indoctrinated from Birth

Benton loves cars and race tracks, but of course learned young to drive trains!
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Let the Summer Begin!

Today was forecast to be our first triple digit day.  I'm not sure if it hit the mark or not, but it was a great day to throw our first BBQ/swim party.  We have had people over for Easter and conference, but this was our chance to break in the backyard with friends.

The water is still a little chilly, but on a hot day, it is worth it.  The kids seemed pretty immune to it and had a great time.  Ethan, apparently, was motivated by the older kids swimming and finally started swimming again!  He's been too nervous so far this year and I didn't push it with the cold water.  We've practiced floating as his basic safety skill, but today he was putting his face in and swimming (only in the shallow end).  Hopefully he'll get comfortable enough that there won't be any crying days in swim lessons.

I had told Ethan while he was freaking out about me making him float earlier this week that when he decided to do "swim lessons" with me and swim HAPPILY, we could go to Scooptacular.  So, as soon as he conquered his apprehension and swam today, he got my attention, showed me, and asked if we could go get ice cream.  Our day ended with a trip to Scooptacular.

Hopefully there will be many more friends in our pool before the summer is through!

Brothers

It's fun as Benton is getting older that they are playing more together and I take care of them in pretty much the same way (no separate meals, bags, activities, naps, etc.).
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Grocery Shopping

Sure, shopping would be calmer and faster without them, but who would I play peekaboo with?
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Warming Up

It gets chilly swimming in the shade, so Benton took a break to warm up.
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Reminders

We finally got Benton's haircut this week. I keep forgetting to take pictures, but with his new short hair, his scars are showcased quite a bit. They are good reminders to (1) put vitamin e on, and, (2) be grateful we have our adorable little guy!

If you look closely you can see a white spot near the front scar and on his cheek.  Those are chickenpox scars.
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Dinner

Eating and enjoying dinner that they "helped" make. We are having spinach and artichoke pasta and both are enjoying it-phew! I needed a peaceful dinner after a not so peaceful start to the day. They both also played independently and happily for an extended period of time this afternoon. Tender mercies!
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Clogged

When Mike took Ethan down to put him to bed tonight, we discovered that the basement toilet is barely draining.  I knew Ethan had "run out of toilet paper" earlier, so we quickly got to the root of the problem: toilet paper.  It has turned into an entertaining event (although we're trying our best not to make it fun for Ethan).

Mike suggested that Ethan put his arm in there to unclog it.  As we kept straight faces and made Ethan think that was a possibility, he started getting very upset, almost crying, because he didn't want to get his arm yucky.

I started researching what methods to try to unclog it.  One of them was to pour a bucket of water in. I thought it seemed odd, but Mike immediately went and got a bucket.  I started relaying the form and instructions and Mike said, "I know; this is how we flushed toilets in Mexico."  Amazing the experiences he had down there.

Unfortunately, the water didn't work. So, Ethan got to watch what happens when baking soda and vinegar are mixed, because putting both in the toilet was another suggestion.  At the moment, that mixture is sitting in the toilet and Ethan is going to bed, and not coming out on threat of having to put his arm down the toilet.

Family Collage

At the last house I started a family picture collage. The idea being, if I use black frames, it will be easy to add to. Yesterday, I finally got it up in the new house, so here's the new arrangement. It is in the hallway with Benton's room, our guest bathroom, and guest bedroom/office.  I think it looks better in person, and straight on instead of from the end of the hall like in this picutre.

A few frames are empty and the only sibling family picture I have is an outdated one of Lisa's family...at some point I'll get more pictures printed. And Lisa and Joe or Lauren, if you have a file handy to send me of your family picture, you can make the wall (again)!
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Helping Dad

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Running Buddies

Heavy, but cute, stroller to push as I train for the Whiskey Row Half Marathon on May 4.
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