Snow Day

Today I am spending a lazy day at home. We were hit with our most aggressive storm this season so far, we don't have a lot of snow but the roads are slick and it's very windy. And because I'm a weanie, I'm taking the day off.

These pictures aren't from today, we also had a mini snow storm on Sunday night. I took Ethan over to the park and he ran around yelling "No, no! Rain, rain!" He can't, or won't, say snow so it comes out "no." His hat is part of his Halloween costume, the part I doubt he'll wear, it takes a lot of effort to get the kid to wear a hat.
The next morning we went back over to the park but it looked a lot different. After a huge tantrum about his snow suit he was content to run around in it. It was a perfect morning, just cold enough to be comfortable in a jacket but the sun was shining and there was no wind. We stayed at the park for an hour just having an adventure.

Slipping on the ice

He just wanted to dangle

Little Sponges

Before Ethan was born we started the process of looking for a daycare that we could trust to bring our son to. I remember at most of the places we looked, they would make the comment of "they're like sponges," we'd nod our heads in agreement even though we had no idea what they were talking about, I would think "yeah, kids copy what they see, I get it."

I didn't get it. Kids at Ethan's age are literally like sponges! They absorb EVERYTHING going on around them and retain it for future reference. Ethan's communication and memory skills are working triple time! He can tell us what he wants, where he wants it, how he wants it and what noises it should make.

He asks to sing ABC's and the Itsy Bitsy Spider, then helps sing along (moment of pride, he can say most of his letters). He named two of his tub toys and remembers their names the next day and the day after. He remembers that his Uncle Jamie was here and gave him nickels, and that his Grandma usually comes in through the front door and gave him a set of Cars keys. He knows what he's not supposed to touch and tells you "no, nah" while he's commiting the crime. He knows most of the words to his lullaby and can sing it with me. He recognizes Os and knows what letters are hanging in his room to spell his name. He remembers where Daddy works and tells me when we're on our way there. He remembers that his Papa taught him to say maybe and says "Papa maybe" whenever he hears the word. He knows where the tractors usually are on our way to Grandma's (but still asks for more). At Grandma's he knows where the remotes are for just the TV and then for his video. His vocabulary has also shot way up and he seems more comfortable trying new words.

In short, he is smart!! Smarter than you would realize, that little head of his has so much information and he's just dying to tell us about it!!

Family Vacation

We loved having family in town this past week, it's really hard only seeing them once a year, so we appreciate them taking the time and money to come out to Colorado. It wasn't as hard saying goodbye this time, we are already planning to go out in February to meet Ethan's first cousin!

Our mornings were very laid back but then once Ethan was up from his nap and everyone was fed we were off on tourist adventures. It's always great to have company, it gives us an excuse to go to all the beautiful places in Colorado Springs.

Our first day started at Old Colorado City for some shopping

When Ethan sees this picture he says "baby" and points to himself:

"Everything you can do, I can do better"

The next afternoon we headed over to Focus on the Family for some quality play time. This is Daddy and Grandma putting on a very entertaining puppet show
Spending some time before nap at the park. Ethan with his favorite uncle, Jamie. I will not tell you how he bought, excuse me, earned his love. But now Ethan runs around the house looking for pictures of "Jamie".

Daddy doing some climbing, little monkeys have to learn some how

Finishing out play time with a walk

Thursday afternoon we went out to Glen Erye Castle, west of the actual castle is a hiking trail that leads to a gorgeous waterfall. It took awhile but all seven of us made it to the top!

Only my husband

Gotta love the belly (well, you don't but I do)

On Friday, our last day with family we had a small baby shower for Aunt Christine that turned out very well, and then met the boys up at Fox Run Park. This is Aunt Christine and Ethan comparing belly buttons:


We miss you guys already!! And can't wait for our next visit, what an adventure that will be!

Crafty Creation

Michael's family came out for a week and during that time, we threw a very small baby shower for Christine, his sister. This gave me an excuse to express some creativity. Using this site http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2007/09/diaper-cake-tutorial.html, Michael and I created this for the shower:

Thawing Out

Once upon a time there was a land that was transformed into a frozen tundraIn this land, there lived a handsome prince that liked to explore, especially the unkownOne day, on his explorations, a ferocious polar bear snuck up from behind him, trying to dethrone him for his buddy the king
A sword fight ensued

and the handsome prince emerged victorious!
and he hauled the king away to jail