Chuck E Cheese & Ethan's Loose Tooth #7

No school today and so I thought I would take the boys to "a place where a kid can be a kid" aka Chuck E Cheese arm with stuff to do so "an adult can be an adult."  But it turned out I was disappointed since the boys don't really know how to play games (since they hardly ever come here) and needed help.  So much for sitting down and relaxing.  Oh well.  It was a treat and the boys had fun!

This was their favorite!

While playing a game, Ethan covered his mouth and grasped.  My first thought was that  he was upset about the game he was playing.  But apparently, he had lost another tooth!  Make that #7.

"Twittering" on Blog

After being with the kids almost 24/7 for three weeks straight, I was going stir crazy.  Took them to an indoor play area this morning and now everyone's happy...including me!

Monkey Joe's VA

We found out that a Monkey Joe's recently came into town and were so excited!  Definitely loved the one in Davenport.  We drove 40 minutes to check it out and was so thankful Brian's parents are visiting and came along.  Not sure if we would have made it otherwise. 

This was definitely Gavin's favorite!

Water & Wheels

What a gorgeous morning to be outside at a play date!

Puddle Fun

After dinner tonight, I mentioned something about having Ethan go play outside in the rain.  You should have seen the way his eyes got big and his face lit up at that suggestion.  Now I know this is really sad to say but in the 3-1/2 years that this kid has been alive, I've never EVER let him play in the rain.  Well, tonight is the night.  The shirt came off, the crocs went on and out the door he went.  He ran...and jump...and sat...and crawl...and splash in the puddles until his heart's content. Had the BEST time of his life with so much giggles, laughter and screaming from all the excitement!

Kirkwood MOPS 2012

When you are at your weakest, "be still and know that He is God." Psalm 46:10. Know that He will sustain you and bring you through. (Wife of Noble Character)

Last week I contacted a local MOPS group to find out how I can join. Today, we went to their coffee play date. I was a little nervous, but everyone was super friendly and welcoming.  90% of the moms are military family so they understood exactly what it's like to move around a lot and start over. It was comforting. I had a great time talking and getting to know all the ladies and Ethan was happy to get some social time. He came home, took a nice nap and played by himself the rest of the afternoon. We had a nice, quiet dinner and a peaceful rest of the evening together. It was SUCH a nice day which we haven't had in a long time =0) Thank you Lord!

Winter is Here

You would think it's Christmas morning again for Ethan. The excitement (of the first snow) and the begging (to go play outside). This morning we bravely ventured out to meet a friend for a play date. However, I soon realized that the roads aren't in the greatest condition and that we probably should've stayed home. Oh well. We got out and Ethan had fun playing somewhere new. Now he's suited up and already outside...by himself. It's pretty stinking cold out so I told him he can go play for a little bit but without me. Kaika didn't even want to go out. We have small group tonight, but we'll see. I don't really want to go out again...

Try Try Again

So now that the frigid weather is officially upon us, I've been finding it harder and harder to get out of the house. Last week we were home quite a bit and I could tell Ethan was getting antsy and having cabin fever. What is there to do in the winter with an outdoor child? Anyway, I took him to McDonald's play land. But instead of playing, he just sat in the booth with me and ate his snack like the whole time. Okay...

Same scenario this week. So today I decided to take him to River's Edge where you can pay $3 for kids to play on the indoor turf. First of all, we were the only one there. Second of all, there wasn't hardly any toys to play with. But hey the whole thing lasted about an hour and a half and Ethan seemed to have fun. He got to run around and get his energy out so I guess that's all that matter. Don't know if we'll go again, but it was sufficient for today. Mission accomplished I supposed.

p.s. Now here's an idea: a place that actually has a full indoor play ground. I would definitely pay for a membership.

Just For Laughs

Went to McDonald's for a play date this morning and saw 7 boys the 2 hours I was there. And no girls.
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A funny conversation between Ethan and Violet (a friend's daughter that I watch on Tuesday night)

Violet: Hi Tiger!
Ethan: No, it's Kaika.
Violet: Ti-ker.
Ethan: It's K-k-k-k Kai-Ka with a "K" (repeats it after hearing me).
Violet: I can't say it. I'm just gonna call him Tiger.
Ethan (frustrated): NOOO!
Me (had to step in before an argument breaks out): It's okay Ethan. That's fine.

New Friends

I met Nozomi and Kyle a while back at Story Time at the library and we connected. Maybe it's an Asian thing. Anyway, we exchanged phone numbers and have gotten together for a few playdates. Kyle is only 19 months, but Ethan looks like a giant next to him. Haha =0)



Playing with tractors at the John Deere Pavillion
p.s. Had to use my camera phone so these pics aren't the greatest.

"Twittering" on Blog

Was really irked this morning that I was approached like 50 times by a mommy friend who acted like Ethan intentionally tried to hurt her son. He's an intense AND active boy, what can you do?! Oh well, it is what it is!

Playdates

Pictures from playdates with Matthew a couple of weeks ago.

Enjoying a hot but fun day at the zoo:





Dinner at the Lemos:

More Fun Times

Ethan's been whining for weeks of wanting to go outside and play. Well today, it's finally dry enough for him to go explore and run around our yard for the very first time. Of course not without me first picking up all of Kaika's "land mines" out there!