Goings on around here

I knew that while at home this summer, it would be hard to find time to spend "blogging." I've been so busy that by the time I sit down, I can't think of anything to write. But lots of things have been going on at our house during my "blogging" absence. Here a just a few.

Dixie

We have been dog sitting my sister's dog, Dixie, this summer. I thought Ethan would love having a dog around the house and since Dixie is very well trained, we welcomed her into our home over a month ago. Life has not been the same since. Not really Dixie's fault. Ethan is beside himself with excitement trying to figure out what to do with a dog. Sometimes, I think Ethan thinks Dixie is a person because I find him trying to read books to Dixie. He can't understand why she doesn't like to look at the pictures (or that Dixie's bed was meant for Dixie and not Ethan!).

I'm getting to experience first hand what kind of older brother Ethan will be as I watch how he interacts with Dixie. Ethan loves to tell Dixie to go upstairs, to eat her food and sternly scold her to get off my bed and his. He also loves to be everywhere that Dixie is...even when she is under the bed. Who knows how he managed to make it under the bed while chasing after Dixie, but he got stuck on the way out. I know Ethan will be sad to see Dixie go when summer is over. And, if I was a compliant mom, I would get my little boy a dog. But I'd rather keep my sanity! (Sorry for you pet lovers out there. My idea of a good pet would be fish in a tank.)

Trying New Things

Obviously, this is the stage for trying out anything new. It brings lots of laughs, tears, and builds sweet, sweet memories! While cooking dinner one night, Ethan came into the kitchen, singing his "mommy" chorus and looking like this...

(notice his foot) His new favorite thing is trying on mommy's shoes. He could care less about daddy's! He also tries so hard to put his clothes on, but he only gets as far as putting his arm through his short or shirt sleeve hole and ends up walking around the house with his clothes on incorrectly. He also loves trying to jump down the stairs...safe, I know. He has received many a head bump from not quite making it. (We do limit him to jumping just off the last stair. Well, at least mommy does...) He was initiated into boyhood by receiving his first black eye after falling into a toy truck and has had a swollen lower lip all week so far b/c he keeps bumping his chin and biting his lip. I guess I should say this is initiation into boyhood for me because it is hard to see my boy get hurt all the time. My idea of playing is safe and quiet and, well, girly. That's what comes from not growing up with brothers. I'm learning that boys do everything whole heartedly. If you're going to get wet, let's be completely soaked...dirty all the way down to the finger nails and toes. It's been fun :-)

Completely soaked boy and two clean cars.