The Many Styles of Ethan

Ethan is one seriously funny little dude. He absolutely LOVES dressing up in just about anything.

No one thinks twice about him dressing up as Tigger while trick or treating... but Spiderman at home...

Well, it's a little disturbing...but dang adorable.

And then there's rock star Ethan. He is currently extremely enamored with The Wiggles and because of this, his one and only wished-for Christmas gift is that Santa will bring him his own "tar" (which is cute two-year-old for a guitar). I sure hope Santa comes through because this big Rock Band guitar is just too much for him to handle.

And yes, he is wearing Emily's big snowboots. The boy loves shoes, even when they come up to his thighs!

Quite a sense of style, don't you think?

Happy Halloween

Icky Baby Feet

It's true. This post is going to be gross. If you get grossed out easily by icky feet....and yes, even baby feet can get icky....then read and look no further. I'm actually posting this so my family can see and give their opinion of what weird malady has waylaid our little E-man. But I'll take any and all suggestions as to what might be wrong. Just don't say I didn't warn you!

It all began with me noticing that one of Ethan's toenails looked a little off. But baby toenails are so tiny and Ethan hardly ever stops moving, so I didn't get a great look and didn't really worry about it. Then it got noticeably worse. I'm fairly sure it's fungal. It's thick and yellow and nasty. Then he started developing what looked like really hard thick callouses on the end of his big toe on the same foot as the weird nail. And next came the peeling of large sheets of skin from the soles of his feet....like below.

The weird toenail below...best picture I could get. You can thank me for that later.

The hard-as-rock callouses on the end of his big toe.

The weird nail is the middle toe or alternatively, the little piggie that had roast beef.

Blurry picture of big toe. Still nasty.

I took him to the pediatrician last Monday, when this mess was completely confined to his right foot. By this weekend, it had spread to the other foot. The callouses are developing and the peeling is going strong. No weird toenail though. We have an appointment with a podiatrist on Friday because the pedi was sure exactly what was going on either.

Anyone care to take a guess?

The First Day of First Grade

This is Emily on her first day of first grade!

Below is Em on her first day of Kindergarten. Look at how she's grown again! She looks like such a little lady in today's picture.

She was a little nervous, but I think excited to see her friends and get back into a routine. She only has seven kids in her class this year and they were all friends from last year.

And then, not to be outdone....Here's Ethan on the first day of...the week!

He picked out (and put on) the headbands himself. He'll be so proud of this some day.

Our Big Girl

On the Shores of Lake Michigan

Gymnastics

Emily has just finished her first 6-week session of gymnastics! I haven't written much about it, but Miss Em has some motor planning issues (along with a host of other subtle, mild forms of things) and so, at the suggestion of her developmental pediatrician, we decided to sign Emily up for gymnastics to help her with her coordination and balance skills.

Doesn't she look so tall and mature?

Em, practicing "the pretzel" on the balance beam.

Emily and her teacher. She's very focused. This is tough stuff for her. Tougher than it is for the average kid. She's the oldest one in her class by at least a year, yet her skills are somewhat...lacking....so she needs this work to help strengthen and coordinate her muscles and teach them to balance.

Getting some help with her headstand.

Working on a headstand on her own. Bless her heart, Emily works harder than anyone else in that gym. When all the other little girls have quit trying and are just standing around, Emily is still trying. She often doesn't have as much success as the other girls, but where they only try something new 5 times, she tries at least 15. She's a hard worker and determined. It will be interesting to see how she develops. We just finished the summer course and since she enjoyed herself, we signed her up for a nine-week session that begins just after school starts again. So we have about a month-long break and then we'll be back at it again. Ethan calls it her "flip" class.

Help Me Decorate!

I've repainted my little half-bath in a soft blue-green (with some grey undertones) and for the life of me, I can't decide how to decorate it. I've bought pictures....I've already returned some. These are the finalists (unless I see something else that I like!)

So I need some opinions. I need at least two. I have zero decorating ability. If you've seen my house, you know this. If not, my decor is best described as "toy store", "book store" and "Clutter heaven". Someone please tell me what to pick (or tell me to keep trying!)

Option #1: The squares are shades of brown (not orange, like in the picture) and a nice bluish aqua). The frame is dark brown.

Option #2: Shades of tan, brown, aqua and cream/white. Same frame as above.

Option #3: Brown, deep cream, tan, deeper aqua shades. Same brown frame, but only seen from the sides, if that makes sense.

Option #4: Shades in this picture are pretty true to life. Dark brown frame.

Option #5: There would be two of these. They're maybe 12x12 and a little smaller than the other pictures. The only difference in the second one is a different medallion in the middle.

One picture (or series of two) needs to hang above the toilet. The other will be on the wall (about 2 feet wide) facing the toilet (the door is also on that wall). The trim is light cream and the actual paint color is Sherwin William's "Rain", in case that helps!

So please, give me your opinions. I need help! And remember, I need two. I have no idea if any of these coordinate or not. If not....suggestions are also welcome.

Two Years

A more traditional birthday picture post will happen another day, but I wanted to take the time to share some of my favorite recent pictures of Ethan. Somehow, he turned two today! The time has truly flown and he is growing bigger (well, sort of) and smarter and funnier each day. He is a sweet and loving little guy and we could not possibly love him more. Happy 2nd Birthday, little buddy!