Green days

Things have been a lot better at the homestead as of late. Ethan has had a great month at school with good reports each day and an award for good behavior. He is trying to use his words, is nicer to his teachers and friends and is working on his manners. I am not sure how much of this was enabled by our new focus on positive reinforcement and prioritizing the few things we want to make an issue over. Whatever the reason, I am very proud of him.

Ethan is working on writing his letters and numbers these days and loves reading and doing art projects. I wish I was more creative in those departments and had more time to work with him on it but he will have to deal with a Mom that is better at cleaning stalls than planning creative activities. We all have our crosses to bare.

He still makes me smile each day when he tells me how much he loves me and how I am the best mom ever, or make the best dinner ever. Or when he notices new sheets, that I have washed his favorite sweat pants or brought up his favorite car. I love how grateful he is for those little things. It makes me want to do more for him.

I know I have been remiss in posting lately so owe some juicy pics. Here are a few from last weekend's visit with the extended family:

Dinner with Dad, Joyce, Susan, Rosie and Roy:



Playing outdoors on a Sunday morning:





Ethan riding his dolphin:

Birthday party

Our neighbor across the street has a beautiful baby boy that celebrated his one year old birthday today. Trish and Brad threw a great party and if it weren't for needing naps, we may have stayed all day. The adults watched football and munched while the little kids played outside with some of the teenagers.

My boys had a nice time playing at the party with Aaron's toys (see above) and eating yummy chili and cake. Ethan even helped Aaron open some presents. Here are a few shots of the kids in their party hats. Aaron is first, then Jason and then Ethan sitting with Daddy...impatiently asking every five seconds if he can have cake.