Dance Party!

We love our Peterson Dance Parties!  Spending time together and burning off some energy indoors when it's too hot to be outside.  We just put on Pandora and Dance Dance Dance!  The video is kind of long and he was starting to be over it by the time I even thought of getting the camera, but there's some video of Claire at the end.  Sorry about the no pants dance, we were getting ready to do bathtime when we decided to have our dance party :)

Indy Zoo

Well, we finally took a break from the Children's Museum and made it over to the Indy Zoo with Pappy & Gma Kathy.

Ethan and his Pappy checking out the seals

Claire trying to stay cool

Ethan and daddy in the underwater aquarium, checking our the dolphins

Pappy and Ethan outside the underwater aquarium

Made it to the "Plains" to see the giraffes, rhinos, and new baby elephant

chilling with Pappy

Counting Zebras

He LOVED the penguins

Hanging our while Daddy and Ethan went to pet the sharks

Pioneer Day!

I've been a member of this church for 5 years now, and each year Pioneer Day has come and gone.  I never knew when it was coming or really even understood why we were celebrating it.  So this year, mostly thanks to my calling in Primary, we made sure we took the time as a family to celebrate and honor the hard-work and sacrifices of our Pioneer ancestors....especially since Justin's ancestors made the trek from Nauvoo.  We kicked it off with a Pioneer themed Family Home Evening that included sitting around a "campfire" (just an app. on my phone that brings up an animated pic of a campfire with real sounds of camping) and singing "Pioneer Children Sang as They Walked" with Ethan marching in circles around us.  We then looked at different pictures of the pioneers and let Ethan pick out what he could from the pictures before talking about their long walk West.  We ended the night with "s'mores" by "firelight"...well, we didn't have chocolate bars (yeah, like I'm going to keep those around my house while I try to lose baby weight) to make s'mores so we just had chocolate pudding with graham crackers and marshmallows, and sang our pioneer songs again per Ethan's request.  On July 24th, Pioneer Day, we decided to make Pioneer Pudding and have a Pioneer Picnic in our living room with the campfire on again.  We sang more Pioneer songs and read about the Pioneers from "My Church History Storybook"...perfect for kids, definitely recommend it.  This book talks about the Pioneers but on a level that Ethan can understand like saying "people were being mean to the Saints so they decided to leave Nauvoo" and stuff like that.  All in all, it's been a fun-filled few days of modern-day pioneering here at the Peterson's.  And we are so grateful for the faith, hard-work, and sacrifices made by our pioneer ancestors so we can enjoy our religious freedoms today, as well as our modern day technology so we can travel in comfort :) 

helping mommy make pioneer pudding (campfire again, Ethan was obsessed with the campfire on my phone)

Claire helping make the pudding

finished product

Pioneer Picnic with pioneer pudding by "campfire"

pioneer picnic

We read about the pioneers from this children's book.  Definitely a must-have if you have children.  Thanks for Justin's parents for the book by the way, it was a Christmas gift.

Conversations with a Toddler

A Friend in Jesus

Justin was getting Ethan ready in the morning to go to the YMCA's childcare so we could go workout.
Justin, "Ethan let's get ready.  We're going to the Y."
Ethan excited, "I go to the Y, play with my friends!"
Justin, "Ethan, who are your friends at the Y?  What are their names?"
Ethan, thinking, "Josh.....Jesus....and Lucas"

Well, I'm glad Ethan considers Jesus a friend and hey, the Y is a christian organization so why not.

 

Gender confusion

In the parking lot of a local grocery store.

Ethan, "Mom, I'm a boy.  I'm a boy like Daddy."
Me, "Yes Ethan, that's right.  You are a boy like Daddy."
Ethan, "Mommy, You a girl"
Me, "That's right Ethan.  Mommy is a girl"
Ethan, "Claire's a boy.  Claire's a boy like Daddy."

Oh no!  How devastating!  I hope Ethan didn't think this entire time that he had a little brother.

Me, "No Ethan, Claire's a girl like mommy."
Ethan, "No mommy.  Claire's a boy.  Claire's a boy like daddy."

Great, my 2 year old already thinks he knows more than me.

Me, "No Ethan, Claire is a girl like mommy."
Ethan, trying to understand, "Claire's a girl?"
Me, "Yep, definitely a girl like mommy"

Ethan, shouting to everyone in the parking lot, apparently assuming everyone was as confused as he was about the situation and he needed to do them a public service, "CLAIRE'S A GIRL! CLAIRE'S A GIRL LIKE MOMMY".

Thanks for clearing that up for the random strangers Ethan.

Postcard Greetings

We went to the zoo over the weekend with Ethan's Pappy & Gma and they bought him some zoo postcards.  At home we decided to let Ethan "write" postcards to his other grandparents about his zoo trip.  I asked him about the zoo and what he wanted to tell his grandparents, then wrote it all down on a couple postcards and mailed them out.  Here it is....

A little Help From a Friend We Call Jesus

I was soooo grateful that my darling angel Ethan has been such a saint through his Terrible Two's, only to find out it's not the Terrible 2's I need to worry about, it's the Terrible 3's...and we are right there :( Sigh.    Yesterday Ethan REFUSED to take a nap, ugh.  For two hours and several rounds of Ethan sneaking out of bed and being put straight back to bed, I finally let him up...thinking, ok at least he rested in his bed for two hours...yeah, NO.  That evening after working out at the Y and Ethan throwing a fit because he didn't want to leave their childcare, I decided to treat him to chicken nuggets.  On the drive there he fell asleep because he was so tired from not actually sleeping during his nap-time.  I just let him continue to sleep at home, but it was starting to get late and I thought if I let him sleep any longer then he wouldn't sleep at night.  So yes, knowing he'd be grouching, I woke him up to eat his dinner and hang out before our bedtime routine.  WOW!  This unleashed a beast.  I have never seen him so uncontrollably upset, which in turn upset Claire.  So now I have to 2 out of control upset kids.  I TRIED EVERYTHING to get him to calm down...comforting him, having him "take a break", trying to get him to eat, telling him to "use his words", and even bribing him...NOTHING was working.  After at least an hour of his out of control screaming and crying and nothing working, I felt exhausted, clueless, and like a terrible mom.  I finally decided enough was enough, especially with Claire screaming in the background.  I turned into stern mom and sent him to his bed, teeth clenched, jaw muscles tightened, and told him he had to stay in his bed until he calmed down.  This of course turned the screaming and crying up another notch and as I left his room I felt awful and helpless.  Then something amazing happened, I instantly felt the need to sing a children's hymn with him.  So, holding screaming Claire, I turned my frustrated butt right around to do so.  As I entered his room, through tears and gasps, Ethan says "Sorry Mommy", and I knew I was returning to do the right thing.  He was just tired and couldn't control his emotions.  So I said, sitting next to him on his bed with crying Claire in my arms, "Ethan would you like to sing a song about Jesus with Mommy".  A broken, snot-filled, "Yes" exhaled from his tiny mouth and we began to sing all three verses of "Tell me the Stories of Jesus".  Claire stopped crying the moment we began singing, and Ethan miraculously began to calm down.  Still lightly crying after the song was over, I said to Ethan, "I bet Jesus can help us.  Would you like to talk to Jesus with Mommy, Ethan, and ask him to help us.  I bet Jesus would help us".  After his reply of yes, we then sat on Ethan's bed together and prayed....prayed for comfort, prayed for patience, prayed for help.  The air of frustration instantly lifted, Claire and Ethan now silent, there was finally a sense of peace and love.  We were finally able to do our bedtime routine and enjoy the rest of our evening together.  I know it sounds irreverent, but it's sincere...THANK YOU JESUS!      

One Last Chance to Serve

Well, another church family is leaving us....sigh...The Coles.  I told Debbie (momma) Cole recently that I didn't like thinking of their family moving because it gave me "anxiety".  Which is funny because we've recently had several dear families from our church move away, and while I truly miss them, and our little community doesn't feel the same without them; I didn't get this anxious feeling with their departure as I do with the Cole family leaving.  So I sat down and racked my brain about it one day trying to figure out what was going on.  While I consider Debbie a dear friend, it wasn't like we chatted it up everyday on the phone, or even shared details of our private lives.  And then it hit me...BAM...I have never met anyone in my life so willing to serve as Momma Cole, a trait that she is passing on to her children through her amazing example.  She genuinely cares for the well-being of those around her regardless of their status or life phase, and she is always willing to be there for them.  Looking back, it seems like whenever we were in need of something, for some odd reason, Debbie or one of her children were always there to help...babysitting, a friendly phone call, or even just showing up to celebrate a birthday.  The fascinating part to me is that it was done without hesitation.  There was never a "wait I have to check my schedule", or "the kids have band", or "today isn't a good day",...she just said YES.  I still can't believe it when I think about it...she just said yes, EVERYTIME!  Whatever was needed, it was yes. And not just a Yes, but a happy yes.  You would never know if Debbie was experiencing trials in her own life while serving others, because she always served with a positive attitude.  What an example of serving others she has been to our family.  I only hope in the future our family can be as willing to serve others as her family was to so many around them.    


As one last chance to serve their family, we took lunch over while they were getting ready to load up the moving truck.  A lunch that included a quart of ice cream from Ice Cream Paradise, since we all know that's the real travesty of leaving Lebanon. :)  Thanks again Cole family!    You've set the bar high for our family.

   

Life or Something Like it

Ethan LOVES his swim class.  He's learning how to swim more and more.  We can now have him in his life-vest swimming around without us holding on to him.  He loves to blow bubbles in the water, as you can see in the first pic, and play with toys in the water.

New bike helmet to ride his bike in safety

I found these pics on Justin's phone.  They're actually from vacation.  We went to a local ice cream shop in Hartford with family.  It was a cute little "old-time" shop with yummy ice cream.  I'm determined to try their guacamole ice cream next time...i wasn't' brave enough this first time.

Ethan pushing Claire.  They love to play together.  Claire adores Ethan; constantly watching him and laughing at him.

We're moving Ethan away from sippy cups.

Bought Ethan his first water gun.  He loves to go around shooting mommy, daddy, and even poor Rocky...who HATES it :)

SiX MoNtHs!!!  Our little doll is 6 months already, UNBELIEVABLE!  She is rolling around everywhere, very interactive and chatty.  Her favorite is Bah Bah Bah.  She loves avocado, loves to "jump", loves to do "v-sits", adores big brother, and her hair is STILL growing...it's getting lighter and lighter and more curly.  At her 6 month check-up she was 25 in (15%) and 13lbs 15oz (10%).  She's getting less fussy everyday, which is quite the relief for mommy :)  We love our little daddy's girl.

Happy 4th of July!

We are very grateful for those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.  We feel blessed to live in this country with all the freedoms we share especially the ability to live our beliefs without threat.  Thanks to all who have served and continue to serve!

VaCaTIoN!....Family Fun

ILLINOIS

Uncle Tim and Claire at niece Abigail's Graduation Party 

Cousin Kate and Claire

 WISCONSIN

Ethan "helping install cabinets" at the grandparent's new house

So excited to get to Wisconsin

Cousins!

Playing at Gma's

shopping in Wisconsin for camping food with mom and dad. first time she sat in the cart without her carseat.

Well you can't go to Wisconsin and not visit cows

Finally asleep in the car...Hooray! 

MINNESOTA

Claire and cousin Gavin on the way to Mall of America

Eating avocado at Aunt Rissa's

Ready to eat at Aunt Rissa's

Riding the truck ride at Mall of America

VaCAtiOn!...Devil's Lake State park, Wisconsin

So we took a week vacation that went a little something like this, drive to niece's graduation, drive to in-laws house in Wisconsin for a couple days, go camping up by the Dells a couple days, drive to Minnesota to visit Justin's sister for a couple days, head back to in-laws in Wisconsin for a few days, then head back home.  Sounds like a lot, but it really was AMAZING!  It's always great to be around family, and throw in some camping and we're in heaven.  The driving wasn't too bad, could have done without me locking the keys in the car in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin, but besides that...a wonderful vacation.  Here are some pics from our camping trip at Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin.  It was gorgeous...definitely recommend it to anyone who loves to camp and hike.

setting up camp

Claire helping to set up camp

caught Ethan eating dirt.  can someone please explain to me the boy fascination with eating dirt :)

making foil dinners

yum...way to go justin

hiking

hiking

Good Morning!  Ethan with cousin Ki in the background

Cousin Chase and Claire.  Love this pic!

Ethan and Ki

Crazy Camping Hair Claire and Daddy

This is the "trail" we hiked the next morning with Justin's brother and nephews.

Made it to the top!

Ki at "Balanced Rock" at the top of the trail

The view from the top...definitely worth it!

Devil's Doorway

Coming back down the trail.  Brittney, Claire, Forrest, Chase.

After our hike we headed to the beach for some swimming and guess what showed up in the parking lot.

We drove in the Wisconsin Dells one evening and played a round of Mini-golf...apparently Justin has some mad mini-golf skills...I had no idea :)

Ethan LOVED the golfing

At the putt putt place, after our game...it was a pirate-themed course

After wrapping up our camping trip, we headed to a railway museum on our way to Minnesota...since Ethan LOVES trains.  We even took an hour long train ride in some 100 year old train cars with their original windows, lights, etc.  It was really neat...of course Ethan was just excited to be on the train.