my son, the bully? no...

I don't know where it is coming from, but Ethan has turned into quite a bully. He has been kicked out of nursery, put on "time-out" in nursery for making another boy bleed, gone up to a random kid and in his words, "kicked that crying baby", and a number of other unmentionable things. We have been scrambling trying to figure out what's going on with him.

The other day we were driving to Josh and Layne's house for dinner. In light of our recent battles with this aggression, we were talking to him about good behavior. After a long spill about being nice, Jon said, "Ethan, we know you can do it."

I piped in with, "I know you can do this Ethe. I know you can. I know, because you are Superman."

Very annoyed, Ethan countered, "I am NOT Superman. I AM a kid."

Smart kid, actually. He's already figured out: if you keep expectations low, there's less disappointment in the end.

Ok. Point well taken.

belated birthday wishes...

Will turned ONE on October 9th. It was an event-filled day with expensive gifts, gourmet cuisine, and lots of pampering.

Uh, yeah right. More like-- business as usual. Grandma Sue called to wish him a happy birthday (not that he had any clue) and asked me what we were doing to celebrate. Well, he was sitting on his throne (aka high chair), same place he had been for the last couple hours, eating his usual: dry bread and Fruit Loops. I was, however, nice enough to slide him into the living room to watch Little Einsteins with Ethan. I know, I'm a Saint.

I hate to admit, as the day went on, I think the neglect only increased. Around dinner time, when we should have been having a party, we took off to my soccer game. We did, however, stop on the way home from the game and grab a cake mix and a few "dollar toys" at the grocery store.


Around nine, the cake was done and we were ready to party.

Here is the style of cake I was shooting for...


Actual...

(Only partially frosted.)

Ok, so not quite as good as the first cake, but pretty close.

(Ignore the smashed bananas all over him, it was a futile attmept at getting some "real" food in him before the sugar overload.)

Unfortunately, by the time the cake was done, Will was so tired that he didn't really get into the whole "attack the cake" thing.


He did, however, devour his ice cream cone.


Regardless of the lame birthday, we absolutely adore Will.

And, hey, there's always next year.