Ethan and I had a wonderful boy's day today. Jenny took Quin up to meet his aunts in the Dells while celebrating their mom's birthday. Since it was a rare beautiful day, Ethan and I decided to go skiing at our local "mountain." Really it's a recovered garbage dump, I think... It's definitely not a mountain, but it's close. The last time Ethan skied was last year in the U.P. and he did really well. Today was no different. He hasn't forgotten much from his time in ski school. The early going was a little rough. He had some control problems and was a little timid of the rope tow. But after two times down the hill, he was going up the rope himself and starting to be a bit of a daredevil. He was doing a little more "french fries" and less "pizza" than I'm comfortable with. We were there for two hours, each time Ethan would say, "one more time down," or "five more times down."
We finally left the hill and went to Burger King, a place Ethan has wanted to go to eat for two weeks. There is a special toy in the happy meals that he really wanted. Unfortunately, they were out of them. We ate there anyway, and while we were there I saw two white families with adoptive black children. It's amazing how you start seeing these things once you become acutely aware of them.
After eating, we went to Target and picked up a new action figure, did a few more errands, then caught a movie, The Spiderwick Chronicles. This rated PG movie was a lot of fun, though perhaps a little on the scary side for six-year-olds. Even though he closed his eyes for parts, Ethan enjoyed the movie.
It was quite a day for the two of us. Apparently Jenny and Quin had a good time visiting with her family as well. It's rare that you have a nice day like today in February. Hopefully more are coming our way as spring slowly approaches.
2008-02-24
2008-02-19
Bringing Quin home
Yesterday we got the call that Quin was going to be discharged from the hospital. It was going to be later in the day, so we took Ethan out of school around 12:30 and headed over to the hospital. When we walked into the nursery, we were surprised to find two doctors circumcising Quin. We thought that had happened already in the morning! Well, it was somewhat interesting to watch, but Ethan was not so impressed. He asked me what was going on. After telling him, he was officially appalled and decided he didn't want to watch or be near that, so we went and found a TV for him to watch Zathura.About an hour later, they were ready to discharge Quin to our care. Since then, it's been your basic baby caring stuff. He likes to eat, he does so about every three hours or so. He also likes to sleep. He does that in between eating.
Today we took him to see our doctor for the first time and all seems to be going well. I did not remember how much time these little people can take. It's not so much the amount of time you take tending to them, but running after things that you need to get for them. Like today, it took us about 15 minutes just to get ready to go, then we drove all over the place to get to the doctor, went to Target to pickup a prescription and some baby things, then we had to go vote... By the time we got back, we had been gone for like 5 hours. So much for that novel I was going to write...
Anyway, here are some more pictures for your enjoyment.
2008-02-17
Quinton Edward
On February 16, 2008 at 10:47 AM, Quinton Edward Grady was born. OK, that will be his name assuming the whole adoption goes through, but since the birth mother has not named him, we will refer to him from here on out as "Quin." Quin was born via a Caesarian section delivery in a Madison area hospital. He weighed 6 pounds 11 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long. He has a pretty good head of straight black hair and brown eyes (so far as we can tell).
We were able to meet Quin at 3:00 yesterday, when he was about 4 hours old. He is being well cared for in the nursery. While we were there we had the opportunity to feed and change him. He is a decent eater already from what we're told. It's hard to remember hum much babies eat, but they said an ounce was a very good start.
After spending a couple of hours with Quin, we were able to meet the birth mother for the first time, who was recovering in a different part of the hospital. She was doing well, happy to have her pain button. She wasn't real fond of the whole C-section delivery, but was in good spirits. It was nice to finally put a face to the voice and to get at least some idea of what features Quin might have as he grows and develops.
Ethan is a very proud big brother. He made sure that he got equal time holding Quin and took lost of pictures. He even drew a picture of Ethan, Quin, and Dad in the hospital:
If all goes well, we should be able to bring him home on Monday. More pictures will be posted to Facebook or Flickr, I haven't decided which yet.
2008-02-15
New Brother Coming
I'm putting a stake in the ground to start doing these again. Perhaps once a week is a good goal, but I need to get it done...
So much has happened since the last time I 'blogged, it would be foolish to try to recap. Instead, I'll talk about the most significant event of recent memory, our adoption. Jenny and I have been trying to have another child for several years now, but with no success. Finally last year we visited a fertility doctor who informed us it was unlikely to happen for various reasons. Rather than try to get a donor egg and try invetro fertilization, we decided to pursue adoption. Three weeks ago, we were finally selected by a birth mother.
Should everything go through as expected, our birth mother should be giving birth any day now. She was due on February 5. Here we are on the 15th and she has just started to labor, so good news should follow soon.
To simplify, I will probably continue to 'blog under this site but perhaps under a new title. More to come...
So much has happened since the last time I 'blogged, it would be foolish to try to recap. Instead, I'll talk about the most significant event of recent memory, our adoption. Jenny and I have been trying to have another child for several years now, but with no success. Finally last year we visited a fertility doctor who informed us it was unlikely to happen for various reasons. Rather than try to get a donor egg and try invetro fertilization, we decided to pursue adoption. Three weeks ago, we were finally selected by a birth mother.
Should everything go through as expected, our birth mother should be giving birth any day now. She was due on February 5. Here we are on the 15th and she has just started to labor, so good news should follow soon.
To simplify, I will probably continue to 'blog under this site but perhaps under a new title. More to come...
2006-10-27
First Tooth...
It's been fun the last few weeks. Ethan still is getting green slips at school, but he still tells us about it each time. He also is learning his letters very well and is very good with numbers. Jenny and I are both very proud of his schoolwork.
Tonight was the annual Harvest Dance at school. The gym had a bouncy castle and a bunch of games. We spent nearly 2 hours there. Ethan decided he wanted to go as a Power Ranger just in case one of his friends was there who was also a Power Ranger. The best thing that happened, though, was Ethan lost his first tooth right there in the gym. This tooth has been loose for weeks already. A few weeks ago, Jenny and I discovered a new tooth growing in behind his baby teeth. We, being inexperienced first time parents, took him to the dentist who told us to just let nature take its course. I've been continually hounding him to keep wiggling it, hoping that the sure bet of braces could be avoided at least with this first lost tooth. He has been afraid of having anybody touch it except for him, and he hasn't been that good at wiggling it either. Last night I even tried playing a modified college drinking game with him saying that each time the word "bear" was used in the movie "Brother Bear," he should wiggle his tooth. Tonight, his worries and ours were finally put to rest. After putting a jaw breaker in his mouth, Ethan found that the tooth had finally worked its way out of its position. There was blood all over in his mouth. He opened up, and I did the final severing of the last pieces of tissue. Jenny had a tissue that she gave to him. Surprisingly, he didn't mind having all that blood in his mouth at all. In fact, I think he kind of enjoyed it. It didn't hurt or anything, he told me. On the way out to the bathroom to clean up, he had to stop by the registration table to inform the ladies working there that he had just lost a tooth. The rest of the evening he went up to each kid he knew and smiled at them, pointing at his newly vacant spot in his mouth.
Chalk another one up in Ethan's history book. Today, Octoboer 27, 2006, Ethan lost his first tooth.
Tonight was the annual Harvest Dance at school. The gym had a bouncy castle and a bunch of games. We spent nearly 2 hours there. Ethan decided he wanted to go as a Power Ranger just in case one of his friends was there who was also a Power Ranger. The best thing that happened, though, was Ethan lost his first tooth right there in the gym. This tooth has been loose for weeks already. A few weeks ago, Jenny and I discovered a new tooth growing in behind his baby teeth. We, being inexperienced first time parents, took him to the dentist who told us to just let nature take its course. I've been continually hounding him to keep wiggling it, hoping that the sure bet of braces could be avoided at least with this first lost tooth. He has been afraid of having anybody touch it except for him, and he hasn't been that good at wiggling it either. Last night I even tried playing a modified college drinking game with him saying that each time the word "bear" was used in the movie "Brother Bear," he should wiggle his tooth. Tonight, his worries and ours were finally put to rest. After putting a jaw breaker in his mouth, Ethan found that the tooth had finally worked its way out of its position. There was blood all over in his mouth. He opened up, and I did the final severing of the last pieces of tissue. Jenny had a tissue that she gave to him. Surprisingly, he didn't mind having all that blood in his mouth at all. In fact, I think he kind of enjoyed it. It didn't hurt or anything, he told me. On the way out to the bathroom to clean up, he had to stop by the registration table to inform the ladies working there that he had just lost a tooth. The rest of the evening he went up to each kid he knew and smiled at them, pointing at his newly vacant spot in his mouth.
Chalk another one up in Ethan's history book. Today, Octoboer 27, 2006, Ethan lost his first tooth.
2006-09-18
Long time...
OK, it's been quite awhile again, but I thought the time was right to update some of Ethan's stats on this site. Really what forced me to do it was some of the things Ethan said to me tonight.
First thing's first, Ethan has an adult tooth coming in behind his existing baby teeth on the bottom of his mouth. Jenny and I don't really know anything about this, so we took him to the dentist. He has a very loose tooth that is about to be replaced by this much larger one, but it is not out yet, and the new tooth appears to be hindered by another not loose tooth on the other side. Luckily the dentist said everything looks OK. He seemed to be a bit concerned that he was getting these teeth already since his mouth is not big enough to accommodate these new teeth, but at least we're OK for now. In the mean time, Ethan is very excited to have the tooth fairy just around the corner.
I'm sure I've said it before, but putting Ethan to bed is the source of many very interesting conversations. Tonight was no exception. We started out with our prayers, like we normally do, and Ethan surprised me when he recited the Hail Mary almost perfectly. He and I had been working on it for quite some time... Well, I had him repeat after me when I said it, so I was surprised to find out that he knew it. At first I thought he had just learned it from me and was fooling with me in not letting on that he knew it. Then he let it out that they were actually learning it at school. After I found that out, I think he thought I was upset that he didn't learn it from me, so he changed his tune and told me that he learned it from me. I told him it was OK hat he learns things from his teachers...
Later in our conversation we talked about what his uncles do for a job. He asked first about uncle Rosco (Bryce). I explained that he worked for the Electric company. He asked if he drove a truck or if he fixed things, but I had to explain that he opened envelopes and processed payments. It is a difficult thing to explain to a kid how people, like Bryce, my dad, and myself, can have jobs were we really don't do anything that they think of as work. Explaining uncle Blaine's job was much easier, he's a teacher, and Ethan understands teachers. Most difficult, however, was explaining how uncle Brett didn't work, he went to school. To Ethan, only kids go to school, and uncle Brett was an adult. After trying unsuccessfully to explain that uncle Brett was not an adult, I changed my tact to explain how you go to college when you are an adult, and that uncle Brett was now going to college.
The last conversation turned to Santa Clause and the presents that Ethan wanted. He explained some toy that I have never heard of, and told me that he's never seen it before either. The toy is some spaceship with blinking lights or something. He said that he's never seen one, but I told him that he should still ask Santa and maybe Santa would be able to make one. Ethan told me that Santa couldn't buy it, so what would he do, make one with magic? I said maybe. He then said, "well what if some other kid gets that one?" I said that Santa would maybe make two, to which he responded, "what if some other kid gets that one?" I thought this was a pretty good step in the understanding of the concept of finity (is that a word?). Ultimately I told him that Santa would never give him that present unless he laid down and went to sleep. Yep, the same tricks that worked with me are working on my son now.
First thing's first, Ethan has an adult tooth coming in behind his existing baby teeth on the bottom of his mouth. Jenny and I don't really know anything about this, so we took him to the dentist. He has a very loose tooth that is about to be replaced by this much larger one, but it is not out yet, and the new tooth appears to be hindered by another not loose tooth on the other side. Luckily the dentist said everything looks OK. He seemed to be a bit concerned that he was getting these teeth already since his mouth is not big enough to accommodate these new teeth, but at least we're OK for now. In the mean time, Ethan is very excited to have the tooth fairy just around the corner.
I'm sure I've said it before, but putting Ethan to bed is the source of many very interesting conversations. Tonight was no exception. We started out with our prayers, like we normally do, and Ethan surprised me when he recited the Hail Mary almost perfectly. He and I had been working on it for quite some time... Well, I had him repeat after me when I said it, so I was surprised to find out that he knew it. At first I thought he had just learned it from me and was fooling with me in not letting on that he knew it. Then he let it out that they were actually learning it at school. After I found that out, I think he thought I was upset that he didn't learn it from me, so he changed his tune and told me that he learned it from me. I told him it was OK hat he learns things from his teachers...
Later in our conversation we talked about what his uncles do for a job. He asked first about uncle Rosco (Bryce). I explained that he worked for the Electric company. He asked if he drove a truck or if he fixed things, but I had to explain that he opened envelopes and processed payments. It is a difficult thing to explain to a kid how people, like Bryce, my dad, and myself, can have jobs were we really don't do anything that they think of as work. Explaining uncle Blaine's job was much easier, he's a teacher, and Ethan understands teachers. Most difficult, however, was explaining how uncle Brett didn't work, he went to school. To Ethan, only kids go to school, and uncle Brett was an adult. After trying unsuccessfully to explain that uncle Brett was not an adult, I changed my tact to explain how you go to college when you are an adult, and that uncle Brett was now going to college.
The last conversation turned to Santa Clause and the presents that Ethan wanted. He explained some toy that I have never heard of, and told me that he's never seen it before either. The toy is some spaceship with blinking lights or something. He said that he's never seen one, but I told him that he should still ask Santa and maybe Santa would be able to make one. Ethan told me that Santa couldn't buy it, so what would he do, make one with magic? I said maybe. He then said, "well what if some other kid gets that one?" I said that Santa would maybe make two, to which he responded, "what if some other kid gets that one?" I thought this was a pretty good step in the understanding of the concept of finity (is that a word?). Ultimately I told him that Santa would never give him that present unless he laid down and went to sleep. Yep, the same tricks that worked with me are working on my son now.
2006-07-16
Northern Exposure
It's a lovely evening in the North Woods. This week is our family vacation, and this year we have chosen to spend it in St. Germain, WI at a cabin on the lake. It's absolutely lovely up here!!! We're not more than 30 feet from the lake.
We weren't here for 10 minutes before Ethan had his swimming suit on and was in the water!!! It's really amazing to me how he's taken to the water in the last few months. Anyway, he no longer has any problem with water over his head (as long as he's wearing a life jacket). The beach is literally 30 feet from our house, so he's been in the water more than he's been out of it for the last 30 hours.
Today he made a new friend. Andrew, the 7 year old from next door, introduced himself and they have become fast friends. It's hard for Jenny and I since Andrew is used to all kinds of independence. Today they went over to the location of the "camp fire" without telling us. I followed them (from a long ways back) and got yelled at when I finally caught up to them. "Why are you here," they asked me. "Just not ready to let my baby go," I should have honestly responded.
Grandpa and Grandma Grady are here today and tomorrow. Tibbett's are coming on Wednesday. Ethan really seems to be enjoying himself!!!
We weren't here for 10 minutes before Ethan had his swimming suit on and was in the water!!! It's really amazing to me how he's taken to the water in the last few months. Anyway, he no longer has any problem with water over his head (as long as he's wearing a life jacket). The beach is literally 30 feet from our house, so he's been in the water more than he's been out of it for the last 30 hours.
Today he made a new friend. Andrew, the 7 year old from next door, introduced himself and they have become fast friends. It's hard for Jenny and I since Andrew is used to all kinds of independence. Today they went over to the location of the "camp fire" without telling us. I followed them (from a long ways back) and got yelled at when I finally caught up to them. "Why are you here," they asked me. "Just not ready to let my baby go," I should have honestly responded.
Grandpa and Grandma Grady are here today and tomorrow. Tibbett's are coming on Wednesday. Ethan really seems to be enjoying himself!!!
2006-06-28
Jack Black
I just found out that my son is cool. He knows who Jack Black is and wants to see Nacho Libre, and in my book, that makes you cool.
Yesterday we were outside talking about the new DVD he took out from the library. He said that one part doesn't play very well, and told me that the reason was "probably because mommy put a fingerprint on the shiny side."
Yesterday we were outside talking about the new DVD he took out from the library. He said that one part doesn't play very well, and told me that the reason was "probably because mommy put a fingerprint on the shiny side."
2006-06-25
The things kids will say...
First joke...
Ethan told me his first real joke the other day. Here it is... "Why is the corn stalk mad? -Because people are always pulling on their ears!" Of course he followed this up with "Why is the bear mad? -Because people are always pulling their hair!" So maybe he doesn't have that great of a sense of humor...
Clowns...
It was Jenny's birthday a last week. Ethan and I were outside waiting for her to go roller blading. While we were waiting, I started talking to Ethan about Jenny's birthdy present. Here's how the conversation went down.
Daddy - "Hey Ethan, you know it's mommy's birthday this week, don't you?"
Ethan - "Yeah."
Daddy - "What do you think we should get her?"
Ethan - "Maybe a pretty necklace or something."
Daddy - "That's a good idea" mommy enters "Shh, don't tell mommy what we were talking about!"
Ethan - nods
Mommy - "What were you guys talking about?"
Daddy - "Um, clouds..."
Ethan - "Yeah, clowns."
Mommy - confused "Clowns?"
Ethan - "Yeah, like they're funny and stuff. And they have funny noses."
Mommy and Daddy - laughing
Ethan - "We weren't talking about your birthday present."
When I'm 16...
Last weekend, Grandpa and Grandma Grady were down to visit for a couple of days while Grandpa had a convention. They brought down their old truck which they are going to be keeping here on a permanent basis. Ethan loves this truck. I'm not sure how it transpired, but Grandpa has apparently promised it to him when he's 16. He was later talking to Grandma about when he could have the truck, and said, "not until I'm 16, right?" Grandma nodded. Then Ethan said, "Do you think Grandpa thinks I'm 16 already?"
Everybody is naked...
Today, Ethan told Jenny and I that he was going to start a band and it was going to be called "Everybody is naked," and everybody in the band had to be naked. We actually thought that would be a pretty good name for a band. He got the idea when we were listening to the "Barenaked Ladies" during lunch...
Ethan told me his first real joke the other day. Here it is... "Why is the corn stalk mad? -Because people are always pulling on their ears!" Of course he followed this up with "Why is the bear mad? -Because people are always pulling their hair!" So maybe he doesn't have that great of a sense of humor...
Clowns...
It was Jenny's birthday a last week. Ethan and I were outside waiting for her to go roller blading. While we were waiting, I started talking to Ethan about Jenny's birthdy present. Here's how the conversation went down.
Daddy - "Hey Ethan, you know it's mommy's birthday this week, don't you?"
Ethan - "Yeah."
Daddy - "What do you think we should get her?"
Ethan - "Maybe a pretty necklace or something."
Daddy - "That's a good idea" mommy enters "Shh, don't tell mommy what we were talking about!"
Ethan - nods
Mommy - "What were you guys talking about?"
Daddy - "Um, clouds..."
Ethan - "Yeah, clowns."
Mommy - confused "Clowns?"
Ethan - "Yeah, like they're funny and stuff. And they have funny noses."
Mommy and Daddy - laughing
Ethan - "We weren't talking about your birthday present."
When I'm 16...
Last weekend, Grandpa and Grandma Grady were down to visit for a couple of days while Grandpa had a convention. They brought down their old truck which they are going to be keeping here on a permanent basis. Ethan loves this truck. I'm not sure how it transpired, but Grandpa has apparently promised it to him when he's 16. He was later talking to Grandma about when he could have the truck, and said, "not until I'm 16, right?" Grandma nodded. Then Ethan said, "Do you think Grandpa thinks I'm 16 already?"
Everybody is naked...
Today, Ethan told Jenny and I that he was going to start a band and it was going to be called "Everybody is naked," and everybody in the band had to be naked. We actually thought that would be a pretty good name for a band. He got the idea when we were listening to the "Barenaked Ladies" during lunch...
2006-05-23
5 Years Old
My baby is 5 years old! This year's birthday was particularly fun. Not only was he really looking forward to his birthday, but he was looking forward to his parties as well. So far Ethan's had 2 parties. The first was on his birthday, last Wednesday. We had the Abholds, the Witte's, and the Kelchen's over for supper and cake. Ethan loved all of his presents he got there. Then, last weekend, we went up to Minneapolis to have a joint birthday party for Ethan and Bryce with the Grady's. Also very fun. Jenny and I bought him a Rescue Hero Hyperjet, which is this huge carrier ship looking toy that Ethan loves. He loves it so much that we had to put it in the van and cart it all over the midwest this weekend!
Grandpa and Grandma Grady secured a new motorcycle for Ethan. They got it from a friend of theirs whose son had outgrown it. Of course, we are just "borrowing" it as Teddy wants it back when we are done. Ethan was very excited about the motorcycle initially, but his enthusiasm quickly faded when he realized he couldn't quite ride it yet. I'm trying to get him outside on his bicycle more often to teach him how to balance better, so hopefully he'll be more excited about it soon.
One more party to go. We're having 4 boys over to the house this weekend for a birthday bash. So far we know we are going to open presents and have cake. Beyond that, I'm not sure what we're going to do. Some sort of game, probably... I'll post pictures.
Grandpa and Grandma Grady secured a new motorcycle for Ethan. They got it from a friend of theirs whose son had outgrown it. Of course, we are just "borrowing" it as Teddy wants it back when we are done. Ethan was very excited about the motorcycle initially, but his enthusiasm quickly faded when he realized he couldn't quite ride it yet. I'm trying to get him outside on his bicycle more often to teach him how to balance better, so hopefully he'll be more excited about it soon.
One more party to go. We're having 4 boys over to the house this weekend for a birthday bash. So far we know we are going to open presents and have cake. Beyond that, I'm not sure what we're going to do. Some sort of game, probably... I'll post pictures.
2006-05-02
Wisconsin Dells
We took our annual trip to Wisconsin Dells last weekend. We met the Hupperts, friends of ours from Seattle who now live in Baldwin, WI, at the Wilderness Resort for the evening. Ted and Sue have two little boys, Teddy, who is 3.5, and Charlie, who is 1.5. Ethan had a very good time with Teddy this time. He gets along with kids younger than him very well. Ethan is getting braver and braver as he gets older, but he is still a bit scared of certain things. He had no problems going down all of the kids' slides, even the big ones. I was even able to get him to go on a family tube ride one time. It was pretty dark inside the ride, though. After the ride he told me, "that wasn't so scary." So I asked if he wanted to go again, to which he promptly replied "No!" It was a fun weekend.
Ethan continues to be very curious and seems to be learning quite a bit at school. We pass a lake on the way to daycare on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and in lake there is an island. He tells me that it is the "Galapagos Island." He also told me today that hermit crabs are nocturnal, meaning they "sleep during the day and are awake at night." He then parlaid that into asking if he could maybe get a "hermit lobster" someday.
Tonight was a big event for Ethan. It was the first time he rode a two-wheeler bike by himself. He got it in his head that he wanted to ride a two wheeler, so he made me take off the training wheels, and off he rode. He didn't even want me to hold the bike up while he got started, but after a few failed attempts he conceded that he might need a little help. He can go about 20 feet or so before he falls down. Now he wants to practice each night.
Ethan continues to be very curious and seems to be learning quite a bit at school. We pass a lake on the way to daycare on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and in lake there is an island. He tells me that it is the "Galapagos Island." He also told me today that hermit crabs are nocturnal, meaning they "sleep during the day and are awake at night." He then parlaid that into asking if he could maybe get a "hermit lobster" someday.
Tonight was a big event for Ethan. It was the first time he rode a two-wheeler bike by himself. He got it in his head that he wanted to ride a two wheeler, so he made me take off the training wheels, and off he rode. He didn't even want me to hold the bike up while he got started, but after a few failed attempts he conceded that he might need a little help. He can go about 20 feet or so before he falls down. Now he wants to practice each night.
2006-04-09
Ice Age - The Meltdown
Here's another in my series of reviews of Children's movies. This time, Ethan and I went to see Ice Age, The Meltdown. Ice Age 2 is the second movie by Blue Sky Productions (I think) under the Fox production company. Like the first Ice Age, it is a computer animated movie about three prehistoric animals who became a "herd" of their own.
This time around, the world is warming up and all of the animals live in a large bowl formed by an 80 foot high ice dam. They have to make it to the other end of the valley before the end of the week before the dam breaks and they all drown. Along the way, Manny, the mammoth, starts to believe that his species is extinct. That is, until he meets up with a mammoth (I forget her name) that thinks she is a possum. Her and her two "brothers" add hijinx to the film by injecting pop phrases and making fun of the other three. Anyway, the gist of the movie is about loss and getting past it. It's kind of a deep subject for kids, but I think it is enjoyable enough for them to stay interested even they don't really "get it." You see, Manny lost his entire family (wife and child) to a group of hunters and he's never really gotten past it. Now, faced with extinction, he has to try to get past his feelings of loss and try to start over with this new mammoth (played by Queen Latifah), but first he has to convince her that she is not a possum.
All in all I enjoyed this movie very much. I would say it is quite a bit better than Madagascar, but still not quite as good as Shrek or The Incredibles. Personally I liked Ice Age better than this outing, but Ethan tells me that "This one is way better than the first one." I definitely recommend this movie to both kids and adults.
This time around, the world is warming up and all of the animals live in a large bowl formed by an 80 foot high ice dam. They have to make it to the other end of the valley before the end of the week before the dam breaks and they all drown. Along the way, Manny, the mammoth, starts to believe that his species is extinct. That is, until he meets up with a mammoth (I forget her name) that thinks she is a possum. Her and her two "brothers" add hijinx to the film by injecting pop phrases and making fun of the other three. Anyway, the gist of the movie is about loss and getting past it. It's kind of a deep subject for kids, but I think it is enjoyable enough for them to stay interested even they don't really "get it." You see, Manny lost his entire family (wife and child) to a group of hunters and he's never really gotten past it. Now, faced with extinction, he has to try to get past his feelings of loss and try to start over with this new mammoth (played by Queen Latifah), but first he has to convince her that she is not a possum.
All in all I enjoyed this movie very much. I would say it is quite a bit better than Madagascar, but still not quite as good as Shrek or The Incredibles. Personally I liked Ice Age better than this outing, but Ethan tells me that "This one is way better than the first one." I definitely recommend this movie to both kids and adults.
Four Year-Old Wisdom
Nothing very long today. I just have some nuggets from the past couple of days that are worth sharing.
Yesterday we were driving back from KFC and Ethan could smell some of the food. He mentioned something about how good the food smelled and then said, "Mmm, the sweet smell of french fries!"
Then, today we were outside changing the oil in the lawn mower, and Ethan turned to me and said, "Dad, if you eat fire, then you will fart fire, and your tongue will be on fire, too." I guess I never thought of it...
Yesterday we were driving back from KFC and Ethan could smell some of the food. He mentioned something about how good the food smelled and then said, "Mmm, the sweet smell of french fries!"
Then, today we were outside changing the oil in the lawn mower, and Ethan turned to me and said, "Dad, if you eat fire, then you will fart fire, and your tongue will be on fire, too." I guess I never thought of it...
2006-03-30
Parent-Teacher Conferences
We had our second parent-teacher conference with Ethan's teacher, Mrs. Matyas yesterday. This conference went much better than the first conference. Apparently Ethan is progressing very well and doing a wonderful job in school. He still needs work on his fine motor skills, but he at least knows enough to raise his hand before he talks. I guess he still loves to tell stories. In fact, he tells everybody that he is going to have a baby sister. Unfortunately, Jenny is not pregnant, so that is just not true... I guess he is the only kid in class that is an only child, and that makes him feel left out sometimes.
Ethan's favorite expression lately is "Awesome." "Hey dad, look at this, isn't it awesome!?" He has such emotion when he says it that makes it very exciting. I think he truly thinks all these thing are "awesome."
Ethan's favorite expression lately is "Awesome." "Hey dad, look at this, isn't it awesome!?" He has such emotion when he says it that makes it very exciting. I think he truly thinks all these thing are "awesome."
2006-03-20
Ethan Update
Nothing special today. I just wanted to jot some random thoughts down about Ethan so that they wouldn't be lost.- The other day Ethan asked me, "Dad, is Jesus stronger than Superman?"
- Ethan has quite an affinity for his "booty." The other day, he pulled his pants down in the back, exposing his plumber crack, and asked me, straight-faced, "has anybody seen my underwear?"
- He is very interested in babies and how they are made. He is especially interested in how they get out of their mommy's stomachs. I told him I didn't know but that he should ask Micky, our friend who is pregnant. He told me that maybe the come out of their ears.
- Last night, Ethan told me that poop comes from your brain. Not sure how he came up with that one. Everybody knows that's where boogers come from, not poop.
2006-02-20
2006-02-19
Funny Sayings
I can't remember the exact context, but the other day Ethan was saying some pretty funny stuff. He was talking about liking something or not liking something (what, I can't remember), and a couple of minutes into it he said, "I changed my mind, I like it. I must be out of my mind."
Today we took Ethan to the Curious George movie. Jenny and I both liked it, although it doesn't have as much to enjoy for adults as do some other recent "children's" movies. Will Ferrel is just a funny, funny guy. I would laugh just watching him drink coffee. He stars as the voice of Ted, George's human friend. Very cute movie. I recommend it for any child over the age of 3 (and I think they were all there today).
Today we took Ethan to the Curious George movie. Jenny and I both liked it, although it doesn't have as much to enjoy for adults as do some other recent "children's" movies. Will Ferrel is just a funny, funny guy. I would laugh just watching him drink coffee. He stars as the voice of Ted, George's human friend. Very cute movie. I recommend it for any child over the age of 3 (and I think they were all there today).
2006-01-30
Pajama Day
Ethan is so excited. Today he gets to wear his pajamas to school. When I told him, the first thing he asked me was, "is everybody going to wear them?" After I told him yes, it was full steam ahead. He picked out the pajamas he wanted, made us wash them, and picked out some slippers. This morning he told me that he didn't want any milk on his cereal so he didn't get his jammies wet...
We're also having interesting conversations regarding a new baby sister. Ethan wants one, and bad. We think the pressure is coming from school where they are discussing families in Spanish. Ethan may be the only single child in his class, and I think that sort of upsets him. Anyway, he has decided he's going to have a baby sister, and he's going to call her Paige Grady. He will feed her, put her to bed, and change her diapers when they are wet, but mom and I have to change them when they are poopy. Also, she is not allowed to use his bathtub because she might poop in there and that would make it smell... These discussions have also brought up the inevitable, "where do babies come from" discussions. He knows they grow in the mommy's belly, but he really wants to know how they get in there... I keep telling him that I will tell him when he's 10.
We're also having interesting conversations regarding a new baby sister. Ethan wants one, and bad. We think the pressure is coming from school where they are discussing families in Spanish. Ethan may be the only single child in his class, and I think that sort of upsets him. Anyway, he has decided he's going to have a baby sister, and he's going to call her Paige Grady. He will feed her, put her to bed, and change her diapers when they are wet, but mom and I have to change them when they are poopy. Also, she is not allowed to use his bathtub because she might poop in there and that would make it smell... These discussions have also brought up the inevitable, "where do babies come from" discussions. He knows they grow in the mommy's belly, but he really wants to know how they get in there... I keep telling him that I will tell him when he's 10.
2006-01-19
March of the Penguins and other movie reviews
One of Ethan's favorite things to do is to watch movies. He is probably one of the youngest movie "quoters" that I know. In the last few days, Ethan and I have seen a couple of new movies that are notworthy in that they have left an impression on Ethan.
The first movie we saw was during the Bears-Panthers game on Sunday, Hoodwinked. Hoodwinked is the story of Little Red Riding Hood told from perspective of those involved, Red, Grandma, the Big Bad Wolf, and the axe wielding Schnitzel truck driver. All in all it was a very funny movie and an interesting take on the fairy tale. One of Ethan's favorite parts was when one of the characters said something strange then bowed off the screen slowly, all the while smiling, while another character said "awkward..." What's funny to me is that I'm sure he has no idea what that scene, not to mention that word meant, but he thought it was so funny that he decided to quote it later to Jenny and I. Anyway, I give Hoodwinked 3 stars and caution parents with children that have no sense of humor to stay away from it.
The other movie we saw just last night was March of the Penguins. This is a movie documenting the annual travels of the Antarctic Empire Penguins from the sea, where they can get food, to their nesting grounds, some 70 miles from any open water and source of food. It was a very good show, much better than I expected, and pretty kid-friendly. It is rated G, but I would say it is perhaps less kid-friendly than the likes of Hoodwinked, which is rated PG. I say that because March has to deal with very difficult topics like death and starvation, which are somewhat alien concepts to a suburban American four year old. At one point in the movie, the mothers have to go back to the sea (now up to 80 miles away due to continued freezing in the winter) because they have spent 1/3 of their body weight to deliver their egg. When they finally make it and start gorging on the buffet of fish and crill, they are met by a hungry sea lion who, after some tense chases and close-up shots of his sharp-toothed open mouth, finally lands himself one of the mother penguins. This mortified Ethan. He would not (and has not) stop talking about it. He kept asking me, "what is going to happen to her baby," and, "why did the sea lion eat that penguin?" I tried to explain that sea lions have to eat, too, and if he didn't eat that penguin he might die. Ethan didn't care, he hates sea lions now. It got to the point that he started asking about other animals that might eat penguins. "Do sharks eat penguins?" Not really knowing, I said no, they eat sea lions. Without hesitation, he looked at me and said, "well good. I'm glad that somebody is protecting the penguins." I give this movie 3 1/2 stars and recommend it to parents that are itching for some stimulating conversation with their children.
The first movie we saw was during the Bears-Panthers game on Sunday, Hoodwinked. Hoodwinked is the story of Little Red Riding Hood told from perspective of those involved, Red, Grandma, the Big Bad Wolf, and the axe wielding Schnitzel truck driver. All in all it was a very funny movie and an interesting take on the fairy tale. One of Ethan's favorite parts was when one of the characters said something strange then bowed off the screen slowly, all the while smiling, while another character said "awkward..." What's funny to me is that I'm sure he has no idea what that scene, not to mention that word meant, but he thought it was so funny that he decided to quote it later to Jenny and I. Anyway, I give Hoodwinked 3 stars and caution parents with children that have no sense of humor to stay away from it.
The other movie we saw just last night was March of the Penguins. This is a movie documenting the annual travels of the Antarctic Empire Penguins from the sea, where they can get food, to their nesting grounds, some 70 miles from any open water and source of food. It was a very good show, much better than I expected, and pretty kid-friendly. It is rated G, but I would say it is perhaps less kid-friendly than the likes of Hoodwinked, which is rated PG. I say that because March has to deal with very difficult topics like death and starvation, which are somewhat alien concepts to a suburban American four year old. At one point in the movie, the mothers have to go back to the sea (now up to 80 miles away due to continued freezing in the winter) because they have spent 1/3 of their body weight to deliver their egg. When they finally make it and start gorging on the buffet of fish and crill, they are met by a hungry sea lion who, after some tense chases and close-up shots of his sharp-toothed open mouth, finally lands himself one of the mother penguins. This mortified Ethan. He would not (and has not) stop talking about it. He kept asking me, "what is going to happen to her baby," and, "why did the sea lion eat that penguin?" I tried to explain that sea lions have to eat, too, and if he didn't eat that penguin he might die. Ethan didn't care, he hates sea lions now. It got to the point that he started asking about other animals that might eat penguins. "Do sharks eat penguins?" Not really knowing, I said no, they eat sea lions. Without hesitation, he looked at me and said, "well good. I'm glad that somebody is protecting the penguins." I give this movie 3 1/2 stars and recommend it to parents that are itching for some stimulating conversation with their children.
2006-01-05
Little snot...
Wow, has my son turned into a little snot all of a sudden. If this is what it's like to have teen-agers, I want no part of it. I know, I know, those are much worse! I'm not sure what happened, but since I picked him up from school today he has been quite a little snot. He started by informing me that I'm not the boss, and that he didn't like me anymore. I asked him why, and he told me that he didn't like the things I said to him...
"What things?" I asked.
"Those things with all the words," he responded.
"Like what words?" I implored.
"Things like 'go to bed,' and 'eat your food,' and stuff like that," he replied.
Right now he's up in bed because he didn't want to accept my authority and eat his food. Wait, maybe we do say those things too much. Isn't that what parents are supposed to do, though?
That aside, we had a very nice New Year's this year. Ethan came with us to a party at my friend Bert's house. He made it all the way until midnight and celebrated with us, then rewarded us by sleeping until after 9:00 the next morning, so we all got some sleep...
"What things?" I asked.
"Those things with all the words," he responded.
"Like what words?" I implored.
"Things like 'go to bed,' and 'eat your food,' and stuff like that," he replied.
Right now he's up in bed because he didn't want to accept my authority and eat his food. Wait, maybe we do say those things too much. Isn't that what parents are supposed to do, though?
That aside, we had a very nice New Year's this year. Ethan came with us to a party at my friend Bert's house. He made it all the way until midnight and celebrated with us, then rewarded us by sleeping until after 9:00 the next morning, so we all got some sleep...
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