A Dino-mite Craft!

I found a craft online this morning that I thought Ethan would enjoy. So after our breakfast and walk around Dos Lagos to see the ducks, we got home and Ethan began to finger paint a paper plate. After the plate was dry, he helped me cut out the plate into pieces and created a Dinosaur! It was a fun craft and Ethan was very pleased with himself!

Two Firsts!

The title says it all! Ethan had two firsts yesterday. The first one occured as we were leaving for Disneyland, and I explained to him that he needed to have sunscreen put on before we could go. He cried, and declared no about 20 times. I then told him, well then we can't go to Disneyland. He then told me that he would wear his "e" hat. I was blown away by this statement. My son in all his 2 1/2 years has never worn a hat. He hates hats! However, he must hate hats just a little less than sunscreen. I told him that he would have to wear his hat when the sun was out at Disneyland, and he said ok! His hat wearing adventure went very well at Disneyland!

Ethan's next first for the day was going to Disneyland with all his cousins! He got to join Trent, Trey, Julia, Lauren, Bruin, Capri, and Hudson at Disneyland for the afternoon (he also was able to see Aunt Janell, Uncle Darin, Auntie Jo, and Uncle Kirk of course.) He loved following around Trey! He was able to go on most of the rides that the others wanted to go on. Matterhorn, which he is tall enough for, he told me was too tall (meaning the mountain), so we went on Nemo instead. He had a great time with all his cousins.

Park and Horton Hears A Who... Monday!

Today Ethan & I went early to the park before it got too warm to enjoy the slide and the outdoors. He played on the slide, swing, and grass for only about 20 minutes before he insisted that we return home. I think this was due to the fact that he was anxiously waiting for the time when we would leave to see the Elephant Movie...or more formally called Horton Hears A Who. Ethan was very excited to go to the movies because he loves movies, loves the theatre, and loves Horton (he was able to see this movie with his daycare a few weeks ago). I was looking forward to the movie because it is a book I enjoy reading to my students during Dr. Seuss' birthday, and I wanted to see if the movie was just as cute. It was. Ethan enjoyed the entire movie. We only had to leave once for a bathroom break. He laughed throughout much of the movie, since he had seen it before. He also enjoyed his icee and popcorn that we bought at the concession stand before the movie because, per Ethan, you can't have a movie without popcorn...too funny. We had a wonderful Monday morning together.

First Chore Chart Completed!

Ethan finished his very first two week chore chart! It really was not difficult for him to finish. He is such a helper around the house. He loves to place his laundry in the washer and place the detergent inside as well. He has no problem with throwing things way or cleaning up his room...as long as he able to sing his clean-up song, which is too cute! His reward for doing his chores was George stickers and coloring book. He wasn't quite that interested in the coloring book, but the stickers were a hit. He is growing up so fast!

It was another Duck Filled Sunday!

I just wanted to share photos of another Sunday at Dos Lagos. Ethan was able to see the ducks again. This time, due to the fact his father brought a few slices of bread. Ethan is so sweet with them and talks to them while he is feeding them. Enjoy!

Oh Hamburger...a Phobia CONQUERED!

We have conquered a phobia! Ethan's fear and hatred toward hamburgers is finally over. I am so thrilled! Now we just have to get past a few more phobias like: pudding, portrait studios, haircuts (which are also getting a lot better), reptiles, and libraries.

Ethan's day with Taylor

Yesterday, Ethan woke up very eager to get the day started. He kept asking when Taylor was going to get to our house. The reason was because Ethan, Taylor, and myself were off to a day of fun at Disneyland. When she got here, all they could do was chant Disneyland a gi-zillion times. I loaded the double stroller (thanks to Stacey & Briz) and the backpack with extra clothes just in case (they are both 2 and fully potty-trained but you never know). Then we were off to the happiest place on earth. For these two veterans it was quite funny listening to them. They were discussing which ride they were going to go on first. They both agreed that it would be Monsters Inc. in California Adventure. It was also so funny to hear them say "almost to disneyland!" when I transitioned from the 91 fwy to the 57. When we got there, I placed them in the stroller and walked to the main gate of Cali. Adventure. Like they said in the car, our first and second stop (they had to go on it twice) was Monsters Inc.

After Monsters Inc., we were off to Bug's Land. They love this place because there is never a line for any of the rides and the rides are just their size.

We then attempted to go the Playhouse Disney Show, but we were 10 minutes too late, so I tried to take them into the Muppet's 3D Show, but Taylor hated the idea from the get-go and when Ethan saw that we would have to wear glasses he was a no-go as well. I looked at the time and it was almost noon, so we stopped and had lunch. They did really well, and I was able to eat my full

lunch without rushing (it was amazing).

After lunch, we went into Disneyland and had a blast! We went on Dumbo, Teacups, Casey Jr.'s Train, the Merry-Go-Round, and then we met up with Joanna, Kirk, Bruin, Capri, and Hudson for one last ride, Buzz Lightyear. Taylor and Ethan did very well with their laser guns. Ethan scored 5,500 and Taylor scored 3,600. Pretty good for 2 two year olds, but Kirk got something in the 200,000's. I'd say you get better with age. On our way out I let them each pick a toy. Taylor chose an Ariel doll and Ethan picked a Stitch Light-up gadget. It was a great day at Disneyland.

On the way home they of course fell asleep before we got on the freeway.

Ethan's day with Taylor didn't end there. After we got home, they played outside. I inflated the jumper and they jumped and jumped and jumped. They played inside, ate dinner (potato soup), took a bath, and got ready for bed. Then it was time for Taylor to go home. Ethan and I had a great day with Taylor. It was a day filled with cherished memories!

Duck!

On Sunday we traveled a whole 2 miles to Dos Lagos for breakfast and a morning walk. We had our usual Starbucks fix thanks to yours truly. My usual is a mocha frappucino, Jon's is some sort of coffee (bold), and Ethan's is a bagel with cream cheese not toasted, but sliced down the middle and a chocolate milk. After we had our breakfast, we walked around Dos Lagos. Ethan enjoyed the bridge and the waterfall, but best of all, he loved the two ducks that played with him around the grass. One of them actually flew right over his head and into the water. It was inches away from Jon's head! It was a great morning. I wish each morning could be like this...we can dream can't we.

Earth Day~Go Green!

Since Earth Day is on Monday, my work (or school) had a Clean Campus day. We have it every year around Earth Day. Since Ethan is now 2 1/2, I thought he was old enough to participate in clean-up, planting of trees and plants, and just enjoy an entire morning outside. He had a wonderful time and my school looks beautiful. The highlight for Ethan was when he realized that Mommy has a slide at her work wow! How many people can say that huh? Jon & I enjoyed the time helping out my school and making the community a pretty place. Happy Earth Day!

Child Labor

Today we started a chore chart for Ethan. He is already a big helper around the house, but he is now old enough to understand that he does have specific responsiblities and will get a reward of some sort for doing them. It will be fun to see if it works!

Another Field Trip for E!

His first of many field trips at daycare began with a weekly trip to the library. Then, it was off to his first movie trip to see Horton Hears a Who. On Friday, he was able to go bowling for the first time with his friends and Auntie Twila. I was told that he was a bowling natural. He got the second highest score out of all the children...he bowled a score of 101! You read correct 101!

Today he was off on another adventurous field trip to Mega Zone (or something like that). It apparently is a place that is entirely made up of jumping contraptions. Perfect for my energizer son. He loved the big slide and loved the 3 hours that he had jumping away with all his friends. I am so thankful that even though I work he is able to have fun and experience so much at 2 1/2.

Golfing with our buddy Taylor

This morning, I felt a rush of spontaneity come over me. We left to Starbucks and Panera Bread still in our pajamas and enjoyed breakfast together. As we were traveling home, I told Jon that I wanted to take Ethan miniature golfing in Murrieta, and that we should call the Garcias' to see if they would like to join us. As soon as we got out of the car, I called my dear friend Stacey and ask her to come out to join us golfing. So at 1 pm, we met up with Stacey and Taylor for their very first miniature golfing experience. They did not hestitate. They (with help from Jon and Stacey) managed to play 18 holes in about 1/2 an hour. They loved it! I think we will have to do it more often. Here are some fun photos of the day:

This was an afternoon full of memories!