Our little Picasso...

Ethan drew this picture of himself holding hands with his mom and dad. He is getting really good at sounding out words and loves making little signs to post around the house. His latest sign was as follows:

"NO WAkEnG

NO SMoknG

ETHAN RooM"

Just in case anyone was planning on smoking in his room, forget about it. And don't even think about waking him up.

More Pictures of the Babe

Base Ball Caps and Random Acts

I found Hayley's old pink baseball cap and tried it on Mariah.

I think she likes it.

So, Ethan sometimes does these really random acts. The other day he was finished eating and he hopped down from the table, grabbed his teddy bear from his bed and placed it in his spot. All while I was putting stuff away in the fridge. So when I turned around I saw this and it made me laugh- but also made me wonder goes on in that little mind of his.

This is another one of Ethan's random acts. Hayley gave him a "police man" set from the dollar store for Christmas and, well, he's found very creative ways to use the handcuffs. Again, I wonder where he gets these ideas.

Random Pictures

Mariah is sitting up like a big girl in her Bumbo!

So, there's actually a warning label on Hayley's stroller saying NOT to do this, but sometimes Dads do
crazy things. Maybe he'd had a little too much holiday egg nog and his judgement was impaired. He,he.

This picture is scary because at first glance I think it's Mariah. They were bathing her baby doll - I'm glad
it was her doll and not her real baby sister.

Neutralize him!

Ethan got a laser assault set for Christmas, and has been neutralizing everything in his path ever since. Hayley is a good sport for engaging him in combat even though she invariably suffers neutralization.

Christmas Day!

Bethlehem Village

In Afton, VA about 30 miles from Charlottesville a local Baptist church stages an elaborate recreation of Bethlehem, complete with camels, surly Roman guards, sheep, and a live nativity. We made the trip again this year, and enjoyed taking time out of shopping and the hustle and bustle to remember why this season is so special. The kids loved going from shop to shop learning about papyrus, pistachios, clay pots, camel hair blankets and olive oil.

If there was any question of how much of the experience had sunk in for Ethan and Hayley, it was erased the next day when Ethan greeted me at the door and said, "Shalom, Dad!" "That means hello in Jesus' world!"