Grandparents Weekend/Sandwich Fair

I guess it's been a while since I've updated the blog, things have just been busy I guess. So, here's what we've been up to..

Grandparents Weekend Ethan was able to see almost all his grandparents...Grandma Linda had to work when we stopped by their house, but other than that, we had the pleasure of seeing all grandparents at some point. Last year for Grandparents day I invited everyone over to make homemade pizza. This year, I decided to get some homemade cookies made up for each of the Grandparents (one of a little blonde boy and one with a saying of "happy grandparents day") and then he made a hand-printed poem at Lauren's to go with the cookies. Saturday morning we headed up to the Hughes side (my mom's). We hung out with Grandma and Grandpa Dennis (Uncle Breck was a sleepy head) playing in the house, outside on the playground and then we had lunch. After lunch we headed back home so Ethan could nap. After his nap, we headed out to the Sandwich Fair (with a stop at the Rochford side on the way to drop off their gifts). At the fair Ethan rode his first ride alone, a little fire truck car that went in a circle. I was a bit nervous at first, because when the ride started, it jolted him and he hit his head. But, it didn't phase him and he rode around like a good boy. Dave and I took him on the Ferris Wheel to see the high-level view of the fair, which was fun. After a few rides, we ate some dinner and then headed to the tractor pulls!! I wasn't quite sure how he'd take them since they're so loud, but he LOVES tractors. He was a GREAT boy!! He stayed up until 9 at the fair and talked about the loud tractors and mommy covering his ears. I think it left a lasting impression, and I know Dave will be psyched to make this an annual visit with Ethan!!

Ethan trying out the tractor at the fair

Grandpa Hickman watching the little man!

Ethan's 1st ride by himself!

With Mommy on the ferris wheel

Dave checking out the mechanics of the wheel and Ethan watching the tractors prepare for the pulls in the distance..

Ethan's newest little trick, chillin' on the couch with his feet up!

Ahh...this is so comfy!

Ethan updates:

This kid just seriously talks up a storm. The other day we were sitting on the back deck and he decided he needed something from the house, so he went in himself, shut the screen door and then told us, "Be right back, going get doggy" which was his stuffed animal. He just cracks me up!

Yesterday we were playing with his toys and he has a duplo dumptruck with a little area for a driver. He went and pushed his finger on the button where the horn on the steering wheel would be and said, "I pretend beep, beep". I still need to ask Lauren/grandparents if they've discussed "pretending" with him...because we sure haven't. But, to me it seems like he understands what pretend means?!

Sometimes when we talk about things, I'll say "uh uh" (sound for no) or "uh huh" (sound for yes). So, there are times when he'll say a sentence to us and then he knows what we say after and he'll say that right after. So, he'll say, "No keep door open, uh uh"...This one you might have to hear in person to really appreciate.

Yesterday for dinner I cut up a peach for him to eat. I don't usually buy fresh peaches because I never really ate them, but when we went to OR and picked them, we both loved them. So, as I cut up his peach, he remembered Rachel's son Jason (JJ) and he said, "I eat peaches, JJ" and then proceeded to talk about the bucket we used for picking. I think we might take him apple/berry picking next weekend!

Have I already mentioned that Ethan has a few chores around the house? He loves to take in the garbage can when we get home on garbage days. He takes the garbage can and I take the recycle bin, such a good helper!! He also likes to help feed Sasha, although there are times when Sasha is so antsy with a slow eating Ethan, that I've done myself. But, he seems happy to help with things and I praise him for being a good helper.

Most exciting, is that Ethan went on his potty this past weekend!! We always have him sit on the toilet after we brush his teeth and before he gets into the tub, and this time he actually went!! So, he was rewarded with M&M's...maybe we're on to something??

Well, a long post but had things to catch up on. Can you believe this little boy will be 2 in 3 weeks?! How far he's come in such a short period of time!!