F-Word

Ethan was playing on the computer. Jennifer and I were in the next room. All of a sudden--

"I hate this f---ing game!"

Um...what??

(Louder) "I hate this f---ing game!!"

Apparently he'd overheard Jennifer telling Samuel it was okay to curse now and then in private. We had to explain that that doesn't include that particular word. Especially when the f---ing windows are open and the neighbors can hear every f---ing word you say.

Ethanism

"It would be hard to walk on water without God training you."
--Ethan Tarpley

Samuel Magic Trick

Okay, I'm only 10 months late posting this, but it's Samuel in his element. From The Studio School talent show, November 2006.

Ethanism

"Why do people have to do yoga instead of just taking a sleeping pill?"
--Ethan Tarpley

Bonus Summer Day

We had no babysitter the week before the boys started school, so I used a vacation day from work to cover one of the days. Even though it was legit, it still felt like I was getting away with something--playing hookey at the water terrace while everyone else in the city was working. Ha!

This is the view as you come upon the water terrace. Anticipation, like cresting the top of the roller coaster. I had to stop and snap this picture, because I wanted to go hug that little girl. Woo-hoo!


Samuel demonstrates his rubber band-shooting technique.

Aaron learns from the master. No children were permanently injured.

Eenie, meenie, miney, moe.

Leah.

Aaron.

Ethan amidst the planets.

Giggling Sam

I saw a toddler on the subway this morning, with big brown eyes and the sweetest little smile. It reminded me of Samuel when he was that age, and how I used to write poems to him, including this one:

There's nothing like a giggling Sam
To pull me from depression
I tickle him, he giggles back
My giggling Sam obsession

Sometimes I go from toe to head
Sometimes from head to toe
Sometimes I tickle back and forth
And sometimes to and fro

He squirms and writhes and writhes and squirms
And laughs and screams and squeals
Who knows the depth of giggleness
That tickled Sam reveals

Sometimes I kiss his belly
Sometimes I kiss his ear
Sometimes I kiss his armpit
Sometimes I kiss his rear

It doesn't matter where I kiss
A giggle he'll emit
And then I find I cannot stop
It's much too fun to quit

No war, no fear, no hatred,
No sadness could withstand
The healing power of one half hour
Of tickling giggling Sam.

Ethanism

"My dream is to stay at Great Wolf Lodge for a few days. My other dream is to have a clothesline outside."
--Ethan Tarpley