Ethan's Blog

Baby-Lover

2010-04-21T17:12:00.000-04:00

Ethan has always loved babies! He delighted in each of his brothers when they were born and until they were old enough to bug him! He is still the most accommodating big brother I have ever seen. Every baby or small child he sees, he is immediately and completely drawn to them. Last year Walter's nephew, Winston and his wife Cathy, had a baby boy. When they visited, Ethan adored and completely hogged Jacob! We are blessed again this year to have a new baby on our family. In February, Tim and Dana (another of Walter's nephews, and his wife) had a baby boy, Noah. We have loved spending time with them and getting to watch Noah grow. The neat thing about Ethan loving babies so much is that they love him, too!

Ethan is 11!

2010-02-01T17:35:00.002-05:00

Ethan is behind on his blogging. He will catch up soon, but I thought I would post a picture in the meantime!!

He loves his friends, his brothers, and playing the wii!!!

Ethan is a 5th Grader

2009-08-12T16:17:00.001-04:00

Super Slide

2009-08-03T12:37:00.002-04:00

Having Fun

2009-07-26T19:36:00.001-04:00

Things Kids Say

2009-06-24T12:42:00.000-04:00

Today, Ethan was sitting in the den playing LA Rush on the XBox and he said, "I know this race like the back of my head. Hand. I can't see the back of my head."

Then we all laughed at/with him!

Dragon and UK

2009-06-15T17:25:00.000-04:00

I'm Breaking the Rules. That's How I Roll.

2009-04-01T14:05:00.000-04:00

Just want to break in here on my awesome kid's blog and say that I am still his mother and I still have things to say about him - according to me!

He is t h e b e s t k i d (who is ten) in the whole wide world.

And I love him.

So there.

The Great Bionicle

2009-03-08T14:34:00.000-04:00

Today, with my allowance, I got the Lego Bionicle # 8990 - Fero & Skirmix.
Here are the steps I used to build it.

Take it out of the box. Unwrap all the pieces.

Build part 1 of the set.

Build part 2.

Finally complete!

Lego Fun

2009-02-22T19:34:00.000-05:00

Lego’s

Lego’s are bumpy, Have sharp vertices, they can be red, blue, green, gray, black, orange, and pink,

Some big some small, they are 3d, and I like Lego’s.

My favorite theme is Power miners.

Go to www.lego.com.

I play with Lego’s every day and I build different things out of Lego’s.

The Beginning - A Poem By Ethan

2009-02-09T20:05:00.000-05:00

Smoothness

of a leaf sharpness of a shark tooth

Small like a sore thumb some up some down

thousands of bumps fired up with all colors rock hard ragged

like a rock brick of a house so big so small plans of a car plans of a tree what

we see is the gathering of the race car of the century

Ethan Underwood

February 2009

TEN

2009-01-26T14:24:00.000-05:00

On my birthday this year, I turned 10 years old! My mom has been writing this blog about my life, but since I am old enough now, I am going to write it from now on. My mom and dad are going to help me with editing, writing topics, and posting pictures and videos, but most of the content will come from me. We had a party on the Friday after my birthday to celebrate with our friends and family. We had pizza from Hometown Pizza in La Grange. We had cupcakes too, my mom made them. They were really good. My Nanny P (Jeannie) came all the way from Virginia to celebrate and spend some time with us. My Aunt Tracy and Uncle Joe came. So did my friends Joel, Isaac, Nathanael, Rebekah, and their parents. My family gave me a new bike helmet and walkie-talkies. Another of the gifts I got was the Lego Granite Grinder. When it moves, the grinder moves back and forth. It was from Joel, Isaac, Nathanael, and Rebekah. I also got a coloring kit from my Aunt and Uncle. The markers in it were multi-colored – it was fun to draw with. I got twenty-five dollars from Jeannie and twenty-five more from my Grandmother and Grandfather. I got a ten dollar check from my Grandma and Grandpa. I got a card from my great-grandmother, too.

This past weekend, My Aunt Meredith and Terry took me and Daniel to the movies to see Bedtime Stories. It was funny, but I fell asleep for part of it! After the movies, they took us out to Dairy Queen for ice cream.

I had a good birthday and a fun party and movie treat. I am thankful for my friends, my gifts, and my money from everyone.

Back to the Grind

2009-01-05T19:24:00.000-05:00

Ethan went back to school today. He had a substitute and had some serious trouble completing his homework. Walter helped him...

Shepherd King

2008-12-23T11:33:00.000-05:00

Ethan was in the church play on the 14th. He had two parts, a shepherd and a king. He spoke his lines beautifully! He is a very talented and wonderful boy!

9Y 11M

2008-12-11T20:43:00.000-05:00

Nine Years and 10 Months Old

2008-12-05T11:03:00.000-05:00

Ethan is growing up. He is tall and very slim. Ethan was selected as one of only 2 fourth graders to be on the Academic Team for his school. He will begin the scrimmages in January. I will post more about that later so that you can cheer him on! In January, when he turns 10, Ethan is going to begin to write on his own blog (this blog). He is very interested in doing it and Walter and I think it's time that he tell about what's going on with him (and not just me!).

Ethan really enjoyed being at Grandma and Grandpa's house for Thanksgiving. He still has a great yearning to live in VA again. He was very, very happy and fulfilled there and hasn't found the same kind of fulfillment here yet. I can only hope that he can find a new happiness here!

Nine Years and Eight Months Old

2008-10-12T20:36:00.000-04:00

Ethan is the Lego master! He has built his own version of the Lego City! He likes his teacher this year - he had her last year too! (Miss West became Mrs. Brown over the summer!!) Ethan is really excited to be nearly 10!

Double Decker Carousel

2008-09-03T10:37:00.001-04:00

We rode this carousel in Florence, KY on Labor Day 2008. We were tired of being in the house and wanted a nice distraction. Florence is about 45 minutes north of our home on I71. The mall has a nice soft play area for the kids too. It was just the distraction that we needed and Ethan was able to get a much wanted game for his DS!

Smile

2008-08-22T19:14:00.001-04:00

Nine Years and Seven Months Old

2008-08-18T19:33:00.000-04:00

Ethan started school on August 13, 2008. He has grown a pretty awful attitude this summer. He's a know-it-all, he's grouchy, moody, and quick to anger. Sounds like we have a budding pre-teen on our hands, doesn't it?! Well, even with all of that, he's still sweet and kind to his brothers (most of the time). He keeps his room clean, unloads the dishwasher, and gathers all the dirty laundry. I suppose that means he's normal, right? :-)

Want a good giggle?

2008-08-11T13:37:00.000-04:00

My dad was making a handle for a wood splitter; I asked Ethan what he was doing and from offscreen my sister said, "Trying to get a splinter."

Turn up the volume...I hope it makes you laugh like it did us!

Nine Years and Six Months Old

2008-08-06T12:59:00.000-04:00

We vacationed at Grandma and Grandpa's home in Virginia.

Ethan and Aunt Tammy

Shooting the Bow (He's got mad skills!)

Nine Years and Five Months Old

2008-06-26T10:11:00.001-04:00

Nine Years and Four Months Old

2008-06-26T10:10:00.000-04:00

In May Ethan played a lot of soccer. His season had been delayed because of heavy spring rains and many games were postponed. His team remianed undefeated until the final tournament game and they lost (by one goal) to the only team that beat them last year - this season when they played each other, they tied. Ethan really gained some good soccer training from his coaches and from practicing and playing, and toward the end of the season he got a bit more aggressive and played very well! Way to go, Ethan!!

We celebrated a family wedding in May and Ethan spent some special cousining time with Walter's sister's son and daughter. It was special and very fun.

(imagine an accent here) "Let's be Scottish dancers!"

This pictures cracks me up SO much. They were dancing to bagpipe music.

Nine Years and Three Months Old

2008-04-29T10:21:00.000-04:00

Ethan is AWESOME!

The other day, we had an earthquake (in Illinois, but we felt it) and it happened on a day when Walter was not going to work so he did not get up and wake Ethan for school. Ethan felt the earthquake, got up, got dressed for school, ate breakfast, then came and told Walter that he was leaving for school!! I had gotten in the shower, but hadn't thought to check on Ethan - he is such an amazing morning person! Way to go my big boy!

Nine Years and Two Months Old

2008-03-14T14:39:00.000-04:00

Now that the Spring season of soccer is here, we have received our Fall soccer pictures! Here is my growing boy and his soccer team:

Nine Years and One Month Old

2008-02-26T12:59:00.000-05:00

Ethan learned to polish shoes this month. Walter got a really cool shoe shine kit for his bithday and Ethan is the main user of it! All of our shoes look very nice!! Ethan also got a new haircut for crazy hair day at school. He had a reverse mohawk! It was very funny and he got the "best hair" award. (We shaved it all down to the short length that same night...) Ethan is a tremendous helper around our home. We have created some responsibilities for each person so that he is not doing more than is expected of him. He is such an amazingly wonderful boy!

Happy Birthday!

2008-01-15T10:48:00.001-05:00

Nine Years Old!

2008-01-14T10:18:00.000-05:00

Today my little baby boy, Ethan, is nine. He is such a big boy! I could not have ever imagined that he would be as wonderful as he is when I was pregnant with him or even when he was born. I knew he was great and I strive to do my very best with him, but it's so hard to know what the outcome will be... Anyway, Ethan is awesome and I love him very much.

Strep Throat

2008-01-13T17:47:00.001-05:00

Ethan woke up Thursday morning with a very sore throat and tummy ache with a 103 degree fever. I took him to the dr. and they knew it was strep before the testing was even complete! The treatment they advised was a shot of penicillin in his thigh. Ethan doesn't have any fat on his little body and the meds travelled around in his muscle and under his skin. It was pretty gross and extremely painful for him. He's better now and here are a few shots of his lovely leg:

Here you can see the small red spot where the shot was given and above it, the gorgeous bruise the medicine pocket caused.

Lovely colors... :-)

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T19:36:00.001-05:00

Looking at the SNOW!

Brother Love

Ethan took our picture!

Creator Unparalleled: Ethan

2007-12-25T20:52:00.000-05:00

Ethan built this cool ramp for his neew lego car today at Uncle Joe and Aunt Tracy's house:

Eight Years and Eleven Months Old!

2007-12-25T10:26:00.000-05:00

Ethan continues to amaze me. He is smart and caring, and a wonderful brother! He has become one of the neighborhood kids. He's constantly away, riding his bicycle around the block, playing pick-up football games, over at the Brenny's house, or just chillin' in the basement. I can hardly believe that my baby will be nine in a few short weeks.

Eight Years and Ten Months Old

2007-11-24T21:48:00.000-05:00

Ethan is an amazing brother. He is a kind and caring boy. Ethan is growing into such a wonderful little man. I am very proud of him and can hardly believe that he is so close to being a nine year old!

Ethan's Room

2007-11-05T22:37:00.000-05:00

Halloween

2007-11-05T22:11:00.001-05:00

Ethan was a pirate for halloween. He really got into the "arrgh" and "matey" vocabulary. It was fun!

Eight Years and Eight Months Old & Eight Years and Nine Months Old

2007-10-21T21:02:00.000-04:00

Ethan began and finished his soccer season since I last blogged. His team, The Challengers, had a 6 win, 1 loss, 1 tie record at the end and may play in a tournament during the first weekend in November. Ethan really liked playing soccer. He especially liked being goal keeper. He played well and learned a lot. We are planning to play soccer again in the spring with the same coach. Ethan has made friends in our neighborhood including a boy in his class at school who lives with his family directly behind us. They run around the neighborhood playing football mostly, and having a fun time. It's really nice to have kids come to the door and ask if Ethan can play!

Eight Years and Seven Months Old

2007-09-04T21:05:00.000-04:00

Ethan is a third grader at LaGrange Elementary School in LaGrange, Kentucky. He is really liking school and has a seemingly good teacher. Ethan has signed up for soccer this fall and is looking forward to his first game soon. Ethan is eager to move into our home here and is being very good and very helpful in big life transition.

Eight Years and Six Months

2007-07-21T10:41:00.000-04:00

This month has been stressful for Ethan. We have packed up most of his stuff and put it in storage. He did help Jeannie pack most of his room! Ethan and Daniel went to Grandma and Grandpa's for a few nights last weekend and had a really good time with them. We all enjoyed playing frisbee right before we came home. On the way home on the 15th, we saw all kinds of cool things in the dark. Here's a list that Ethan kept:
18 Deer
13 Cattle
4 Horses
3 Lightening Strikes
1 Tree across the road
1 Raccoon
1 Bonfire
1 Luna Moth
An Undeterminable Amount of Fireflies
and A Lot of Fireworks (from extravaganza)
This is us strategizing how to throw the frisbees down to the ground for Grandma and Grandpa to catch.

Dinner Out or A Car Wreck – Sometimes You Don’t Get To Choose!

2007-07-09T08:24:00.001-04:00

On Sunday evening, July 8, 2007, at 5:00 PM, Ethan rode to dinner with Grandpa and Grandma. Grandpa made Ethan sit on the backseat of the passenger side of the car rather than the driver's side where he wanted to sit. We followed them in the van. We got separated at the Northgate/Rosser stop sign. As we came up the rise to the Rosser/Tiffany intersection I noticed an 18 wheeler at the east facing light, stopped at a red light, we had a green light southbound. As we approached the intersection, I saw a lot of vehicle debris in the road, as if an accident had occurred, I said, "I hope that's not -- there's their car!" Grandpa and Grandma's car was at the side of the road and both drivers side doors were smashed in. We pulled over and I ran to see if they were OK. Grandpa was limping and in obvious pain, Ethan's neck was hurting, and Grandma was OK.

It turned out that a young woman had been traveling northbound on Rosser and decided to make a u-turn at the Rosser/Tiffany intersection, into the southbound lanes. She thought that the 18 wheeler was going to turn right on red and wanted to get around before he turned. She didn’t look to see if there was any oncoming traffic! Grandpa swerved to the right to avoid a head on collision with her and she t-boned the car as she was accelerating through her u-turn.

The young woman was a total emotional wreck, crying and trying to call her mother. Grandpa and Ethan were transported to the hospital in ambulances and x-rayed, but aside from muscular pain and bruises, everyone is OK. Both cars had to be towed.

We got home about 10:00 PM and had sandwiches and grapes for dinner then Walter and Ethan took Grandma and Grandpa home to Highland and got back home very late!

Click on each picture for a larger view, then click the back arrow to return to the blog.

Eight Years and Five Months

2007-07-04T15:45:00.001-04:00

Ethan is so smart. He will be going into the third grade in Louisville, Kentucky in August. He is anxiously awaiting his summer mohawk!

Eight Years and Four Months

2007-05-15T10:26:00.000-04:00

Ethan is so grown up. I feel guilty because he seems to get the short end of the stick when it comes to special time and treatment these days. He is a wonderful boy who is very willing to help around the house, cooking, cleaning, and with his brothers too. He's a voracious reader, a really smart child, and a treasure to me!

Eight Years and Three Months

2007-04-18T08:44:00.000-04:00

Ethan on the day he was born.

When a child is born, in most cases, you cannot know what their future will hold. You can imagine what they will be like and how they will grow, and you can hope and dream for their future, but you can't know. Recently some of our friends lost their first grandbaby when she was just one day short of a month old. Their children ( the parents of the baby) were so strong through the family night and the funeral, and the family dinner afterward. The maternal grandmother said that her daughter told her she cried herself to sleep so many nights during her pregnancy and after the baby was born too, and that God was keeping her strong.

Well, I have come home to my children after attending some of these services with a new appreciation.

I am thankful to have happy, healthy, wonderful children. I know I have said it before, but I am so blessed.

Thank you, God.

Ethan Feeds Ben Cereal

2007-04-10T10:20:00.000-04:00

Ethan fed Ben some of his very first cereal on Saturday!

What a Rip Off

2007-03-23T08:41:00.000-04:00

This morning Walter and I were discussing Elizabeth Edwards who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer to her bones and possibly to her lungs. I was quoting a news show about the survival rates and said, "There's a 25% chance that people with this kind of cancer will live for 5 years."

Ethan happened to be passing by and said, "What a rip-off! They must be really sad."

I couldn't have said it any better.

Eight Years and Two Months Old

2007-03-20T09:14:00.000-04:00

Ethan is so unselfish. He loves his brothers with such unconditional love! Daniel tends to be very aggressive and mean with Ethan; Ethan just sits there and takes what Dan dishes out and then hugs him or pats him...amazing! Ethan holds Ben in the morning and when he gets home from school. Then he makes sure to love on him before bed too. What a wonderful boy.

Last week we received a new ceiling fan from a friend and put it up in the boys room. Ethan and Dan really like it. Walter fears we will find them attempting to swing from it...

Eight Years and One Month

2007-02-14T10:39:00.000-05:00

Ethan is such a big boy! He helps with both Dan and Ben. He makes cupcakes for his class. He reads voraciously. We had celebrate Ethan day on Sunday and he wanted to play Monopoly. I beat him, but he really had fun.

Eight Years Old!!!

2007-01-14T20:38:00.000-05:00

Ethan is sick on his eighth birthday. His tonsils are enormous and his ear hurts. He's got the most pitiful cough! He has been laying around all day - he did build some really cool Legos that he got for his birthday from the Lego Store at Tyson's Corner mall in McLean. He really liked his cake (we cancelled his party) but he didn't eat any of it. We sang to him and he smiled... He doesn't have school tomorrow so perhaps we can get him in for a doctor checkup.

Happy Birthday my dear, sweet, firstborn son.

Seven Years and Eleven Months Old

2006-12-18T15:11:00.000-05:00

Ethan is such a wonderful big brother! He has grown up so much in the past year. He is a wonderful, loving helper with Benjamin, and even though Daniel is much more aggressive than Ethan - he continues to love him and play with him! I can't believe he's about to turn eight!

The BIGGEST Brother

2006-12-06T12:02:00.000-05:00

Seven Years and Ten Months Old

2006-11-14T19:15:00.000-05:00

Ethan is growing up so quickly. He is such a huge helper with Benjamin (when I let him be!). He holds him very carefully and even puts him up on his shoulder to burp him. He's just got a great instinct for caring and loving!

Seven Years and Nine Months Old

2006-10-25T19:21:00.001-04:00

Ethan and Mom

2006-10-25T19:21:00.000-04:00

Carving his own pumpkin.

2006-08-03T09:45:00.000-04:00

Ethan Is An Excellent Big Brother!

Seven Years and Six Months Old

2006-07-14T17:09:00.000-04:00

Old Enough for a Mohawk

~:-)

Seven Years and Five Months Old

2006-06-30T08:45:00.000-04:00

Computer Zombie

7 Years & 4 Months Old

2006-05-17T10:49:00.000-04:00

Ethan loves to run through the sprinkler! After he planted his pumpkin, watermelon, and mint garden, he and Daniel got completely soaked in the sprinkler as it watered the garden. Ethan had a lot of fun but as the sun began to go behind the clouds, he was freezing!!

7 Years & 3 Months Old

2006-05-17T10:48:00.000-04:00

Ethan is a bright, loving seven year old. He is sensitive and kind, but at the same time stubborn and aggressive! He's very creative and loves to read. Ethan is enjoying spring and wants to be outside kicking a ball or walking around the block or in the woods by the river with Dad.

2006-03-21T18:10:00.001-05:00

Building Something Cool

2006-03-21T18:10:00.000-05:00

Aunt Tammy and Ethan

2006-03-21T18:09:00.001-05:00

Alien

2006-03-21T18:09:00.000-05:00

7 Years and 2 Months Old

7 Years and One Month Old

2006-02-14T09:56:00.000-05:00

Ethan and Daniel got this really cool magnetic construction set from my brother and SIL for Christmas. Ethan has been building awesome structures with it and then Daniel cames and asks for permission to destroy them, which Ethan actually lets him do!

2006-02-12T13:11:00.000-05:00

Snow Boy

2006-02-12T13:09:00.000-05:00

Making a snowball.

2006-02-12T13:08:00.000-05:00

The Snow Alien in our Front Yard

2006-01-19T10:37:00.000-05:00

They "Wrestle" a Lot - Anyone Looking for Some New Hamster Pets in the Next Few Weeks?

2006-01-19T10:36:00.000-05:00

Birthday Hamsters: Chip and Butter

2006-01-19T10:35:00.000-05:00

Butter

2006-01-19T10:33:00.002-05:00

Seven Years Old!

2006-01-19T10:33:00.001-05:00

Walter and Ethan: Birthday Love

2006-01-19T10:33:00.000-05:00

Reading His Own Birthday Cards!

Six Years and Eleven Months Old

2006-01-06T13:38:00.000-05:00

Happy Face

2006-01-06T13:37:00.000-05:00

jive monkey

2006-01-06T13:27:00.001-05:00

6 Years and 10 Months

2006-01-06T13:27:00.000-05:00

Leaf Stompers

Ethan the Vampire

2005-11-12T15:42:00.000-05:00

2005-10-18T08:54:00.000-04:00

Our Big, Handsome Son

2005-10-17T21:35:00.000-04:00

Eating the Watermelon HE Grew!!

Six Years and Nine Months Old

2005-10-17T21:25:00.001-04:00

King of the Hill

2005-10-17T21:14:00.001-04:00

Too Funny

2005-10-17T21:14:00.000-04:00

hehe we need one of these at home

2005-10-17T21:13:00.000-04:00

First Trip To The Dentist - Floride Treatment

Six Years and Eight Months Old

2005-09-21T13:27:00.000-04:00

Like Father, Like Son

2005-09-05T12:44:00.000-04:00

Ethan and His Fish

2005-09-05T12:40:00.001-04:00

Little Fishermen

2005-09-05T12:40:00.000-04:00

Jake's Fish

2005-09-05T12:39:00.000-04:00

Ethan and Jake Get SpLaShEd!

2005-09-05T12:37:00.000-04:00

Ethan loved the spinning bear ride.

2005-09-02T10:59:00.000-04:00

The permanent teeth are already coming in...

2005-09-02T10:58:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, August 30, 2005 Tooth #2 Is A Goner!

2005-08-17T17:07:00.000-04:00

Sunshine Kid (and Emma)

Six Years and Seven Months Old

2005-08-17T17:06:00.000-04:00

Six Years & Seven Months

2005-08-10T09:36:00.001-04:00

toothless

2005-08-10T09:36:00.000-04:00

twisted

The Fairy Cometh

2005-08-10T09:28:00.000-04:00

"The best day of my life"

On Wednesday, August 3rd, at 1:10 PM, Ethan lost his very first tooth! It had been loose for quite some time and very, very loose for two days. He had begun to believe that he would never lose a tooth! He said, “This is the best day of my life!” after the tooth came out and he got over the momentary shock that it was actually separate from his mouth. He’s excited and proud and his new nickname is “Toothless Wonder” though he has all of his other teeth!

2005-08-10T09:27:00.000-04:00

toothless wonder August 3, 2005

Six Years and Six Months Old

2005-08-01T15:27:00.000-04:00

All Grown Up!

2005-08-01T15:26:00.000-04:00

I can see you!

2005-07-11T19:41:00.000-04:00

Ethan, Dandee Monkey, Elizabeth, and Addie