She's a winner!!

Rachel went and had her hair trimmed yesterday and when she was finished the hairdresser gave her and Ethan entry form to enter a coloring contest. Rachel came home last night and worked feverishly on her masterpiece along with Ethan on his. Rachel's looked like a mosaic and I am certain she did not leave a crayon unused in this colorful piece.

Today when I picked her up from day care she asked to go right to the salon to pick up her prize. I had to explain to her just because she enters a contest doesn't mean she automatically wins. She kind of sighed and I asked her if she still wanted to submit her entry and she said "yeah, but I am not as excited". Rachel and Ethan hopped out of the van and trudged through the snow to the door of the salon. Rachel struggled to get the door open but managed to get it open. A few minutes later they emerged with smiles from ear to ear. When I opened the van door Rachel said "yup, they said it looks like I'm a winner".

She's definitely a winner in our eyes!!

Stephanie

Look out, here comes the Spiderman...

Ethan went to a birthday party today and this is how he was returned to us. He came through the door "psssing" spinning webs and acting the part...he is going to be devastated when I have to wash it off!!

In it for the long haul!!

Rachel lost another tooth this weekend. We were at the YMCA getting ready for swimming lessons when she tossed her lunch bag in the air and it hit her in the face. When she leaned forward she spit out her tooth. It's funny that the presence of blood in any other circumstance would make a kid go ballistic but when it involves loosing a tooth, it's all good.

Ethan, Rachel and I enjoyed a really nice weekend with Andrew. He was home for 4 days!! Andrew and I sent the kids to school on Friday and I took the day off so we could do some shopping and errands. It was a really nice "kid free" afternoon. The sad thing is I can count on one hand how many times we have done that since Rachel was born!!

We went to the space and science centre on Sunday and that inspired Ethan and Rachel to put on their own production. They converted the family room into a theatre and seated Andrew and I. Rachel started the show with "Good day ladies and gentleman welcome to my show" and Dr. Ross (Ethan) explained how he got a bump on his head (fell off the bookshelf). We filmed some of it but we ran out of tape...go figure.

Andrew left yesterday for 4 wks. I already miss him but I have to keep reminding myself it is only temporary!!

Stephanie:)

Busted!!

Today I have a funny story for you. I started a rewards book for Rachel and Ethan. It's quite simple, Rachel and Ethan are rated by their teachers and myself (home and school) from A to F. Every time they get an A they earn a sticker, for every 20 stickers they get a prize. I thought it would aid them in "owning" their behaviors good or bad.

Ethan was so excited about the whole concept he approached his teacher 5 or 6 times through out the day to sign his book. Mr. A had to explain, it is only at the end of the day, every half hour or so. At the end of the day Ethan pulled off an A at school. I was extremely proud.

When I picked up Rachel I asked if she got an A and she didn't respond...I thought that was odd but non the less I rummaged through her bag and found her rewards book and looked for myself. Now, this is where the story gets interesting, I observed an erased B and an A carefully written over it. I am still in shock!! She is six I can't believe at that age she would have the audacity to forge her teachers mark!! I calmly asked her if she erased the B and put the A and she asked if I would be mad...hell yeah!!

Good-Bye Tooth, Hello Tooth Fairy ($$)

Well it is official, yesterday (February 5th), Rachel lost her first tooth. My baby is growing up so fast!! Rachel's other tooth was already coming up so I decided to wiggle it with a Kleenex over it and then I twisted it and "pop" it was done. She barely flinched!! This morning she was tickled to find $3.00 under her pillow (the best I could do on short notice!!). She told me she got two coins because the tooth fairy must have thought there were two teeth in her bag.

WARNING: these photos are graphic and are not suitable for all viewers.

He's Mr. Incredible

Ethan enjoyed his party...instead of playing some of the traditional party games Ethan and his friends were content to play sword fights in the dark (to get a better effect from the light sabers). We had pizza and of course a Ninja Turtle Dairy Queen ice-cream cake. After Ethan opened his presents there was a necessity to open and assemble everything right away. Ethan did that at Christmas too, thank god Andrew was there to take care of that end of things. Fun seemed to be had by all and I only spent an hour cleaning up the debris which really isn't too bad. We intend to celebrate on a much smaller scale for his actual birthday this Wednesday.

Love,

Stephanie

P.S. My cousin Denyse pointed out that Ethan looks like Hue Hefner in his new robe...now that she mentions it...oops!

From the mouth of Babes...

Ethan had his second apt. with the speech pathologist, however, he was less than cooperative. He was tired and certainly disinterested in assessing "he" or "she". Michelle, the speech path, was correcting his grammar by repeating what he was saying using the appropriate language. Ethan obviously noticed her "modeling" the correct grammar but instead of correcting it he asks her "why you copy everything I say?". Yup, he is no fool.

Rachel had another A+ day at school. The last week or so she has been a real pleasure. She's been helpful, up beat, and agreeable. If this is a phase I don't want it to end!! Her tooth is extremely loose now so all she talks about is getting it out so she can cash in with the tooth fairy. By the way, what is the going rate for a tooth?? Also, she has decided she wants to take skating. She said that she no longer wants to "be Hollywood" because she wants to skate and go to the Olympics...what can I say she sets her goals high. Anyway, she informed me the other day that I need to put her in skating right away. I'll get right on that.

So today was the day, after a six month hiatus, I was heading back to the gym. As strange as this may sound, I was really excited about the idea of working out and feeling sore the next morning. I brought my gym bag to work with the best intentions but as I pull into the parking lot I realize I forgot my gym shoes...aghhh!!! Andrew comes home tonight and the weekend is chopped full of birthday parties. We are celebrating Ethan's on Sunday and he is so excited! I am so glad Andrew is going to be there because Ethan worships him lately and everything is Dad, Dad, Dad...as it should be. Watching Andrew with our kids reminds me what a special person he is and I can't imagine him leaving us for 2 months to go on that trial but I guess we will cross that bridge when we come to it.

I will update the festivities from this weekend later.

Love,

Stephanie

My Little Sweetheart

Rachel has been busily making Andrew and I some Valentines. She certainly does have a big heart and loves the idea of doing something special for someone else. Everyday she asks me is it Valentines day yet? Yesterday she asked me to guess what she drew on the Valentine. Realizing she really didn't want me to guess, she just wanted to see me stumped, you know build up the anticipation, so I played along. Anyway, I guessed things like a cat, cow, frog etc. and she was beaming ear to ear...she was convinced I would never guess. That was until Ethan piped up "a heart". She went from elated to pissed off within a second. I was just glad that her vexation was directed at him and not me!! I told her I didn't hear what he said and she got over it quick enough.

Stephanie:)