Bernard's Blog

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Back to School

Ethan enjoyed summer but asked often about when he got to go back to school. He was a little nervous about going to a different school than he went to for preschool, but I think once we visited for back-to-school open house he felt a little better. It especially helped that 2 of his preschool friends are in his class and two buddies from church.

He was excited to complete his very first homework assignment (before school even started!) and Carter, of course wanted to do homework, too. So I copied it so he could do it too (I wonder how long I'll have that problem. Lol!)

All done! On his apple he had to write some things about himself so it could go on the class bulletin board.

Back-to-School morning!

Tristan made some fun apple-shaped pancakes for the boys.

All ready to head out for his very first day of Kindergarten!

He came home with nothing but smiles and happy reports! As much fun as summer is, it's nice for Ethan to have his own thing to look forward to each day and to have a way to get out. It's also nice for me to have more one-on-one time with Carter, since Ashton often naps during the morning when Ethan is at school. I'm trying to relish this year as much as possible. Starting next year he will be in school all day, every day. I can't imagine spending that much time away from him. But I'm grateful that he's in great hands and that he enjoys it! Here's to a great school year!!

Ruling the Roost

These are some fun pictures I found on our other camera when Ethan and I got back from our trip to Utah this summer. From the looks of it, Carter had a good time being the "top dog" for a few days!

He apparently was taking pictures in the car at some point. Lol.

And he enjoyed going to visit Grandma Bernard and Aunt Desiree with his dad and Ashton.

A few more pictures snapped by Carter, I'm assuming. Haha!

The hardest part of being gone from our family was how sad Carter was when we did FaceTime with him. I just wanted to squeeze him. It made me realize how hard it must be for Tristan each hitch he's away.

We received a warm welcome home and Carter was very excited about the stuffed shark that Ethan picked out for him at the dinosaur museum. Now all Carter talks about is wanting to go to Utah. :)

All About Ethan at 5 Years Old

Oh, how I love this boy. I feel especially connected to him because he was my first. He was the only child I have that I got to spend so much time alone with. He was the baby that made me a mom. He is smart, funny and passionate about the things that matter to him. He can be slightly shy in a new situation or around new people, but once he opens up--hold on! It has been especially fun this year watching him experience being in school for the first time. He loved preschool and is really enjoying and thriving in Kindergarten. I was so glad to hear what a good student, friend and example he is in class.

Ethan loves his brothers. He struggles with being the oldest one that has to share and be the one that backs down sometimes, but in the other moments (which really do happen a lot) he really loves them. It has been especially fun watching him with Ashton. He really almost parents Ashton. It's very sweet.

Ethan really is very goofy. It's fun watching him learn about his sense of humor and telling jokes. The punchline doesn't always make sense, but that makes the joke all the more funny!

Here are a few fun facts about Ethan:

:: Favorite person in the whole world: Anderson Kincy

:: Favorite color: Blue & Red

:: Favorite T.V. show: Rescuebots

:: Favorite outfit: Monster truck shirt and "fast" pants (warm ups) Lol!

:: Favorite sport: Every one

:: Favorite song: I'm a Child of God/Love at Home

:: Favorite cereal: Count Chocula

:: Best Friend: Rocco (from school)

:: What he wants to be when he grows up: A Recycle Man (this was recently changed from Firefighter)

:: Favorite book: Pete the Cat

:: What he thinks he's really good at: Numbers

:: Where he wishes he could go on vacation: DisneyLand

:: His best memory: Learning in school

:: What he would buy with $1,000: A remote control monster truck with a remote control race car

:: Vegetable he hates the most: Green Beans

:: If he could have any wish, it would be: Going to Utah

:: Favorite ice cream flavor: Strawberry

:: Who his biggest hero is: Dad

:: What he likes to do best with his friends: Play around and be silly

:: What he hopes he can do before his next birthday: Go to Chuck E. Cheese

One thing that Ethan is extremely passionate about is vehicles of any kind. If it's a mode of transportation, he's all about it. He especially loves cars and has a large collection of matchbox cars that come out every. single. day. He started making car noises around 9 months old and people used to be able to hear him all the way from the back of the chapel at church. Those noises (along with other vehicle noises) are still commonplace in our home every day. He lines them up, drives them, builds drive ins and ferries to transport them...it goes on and on. He also loves learning about real things. He gravitates toward non-fiction books and loves to watch shows that explain how things work or teach about animals. And his memory. Crazy. He just spits out what he learns. It's a little scary how good his memory is sometimes. Lol!

I'm so grateful for his loving heart, contagious smile and laugh and his love for everyone in our family. He is so special to us and we look forward to what a 5-year-old has in store for us this year!!

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Ethan's 5th Birthday

We flew in on Monday and had a few days to prepare to celebrate Ethan's 5th birthday. We decorated in Hot Wheels and made it a special day for him.

Birthday breakfast

Ballons waiting for him when he got up in the morning

Ethan had swimming lessons that week, so we let him open one of his presents early so he could use them for his lessons.

Goggles and a new rash guard to keep him warm in that chilly pool!

Carter wanted some "goggles", too! Love these boys!

After swimming he went outside to ride his bike that he got earlier in the summer, which was really his main birthday present. We gave it to him early so he would have the whole summer to ride it. Then we just got a few small things to open on his actual day.

Both Ethan and Carter have been begging to go to Chuck E. Cheese forever. So Ethan's birthday was the lucky day! We invited family and a few friends to join us and had a fun afternoon.

The boys loved playing on all the games and rides.