Monday, May 25, 2009

The Conversation

Yesterday we decided to spend the day on South Beach. The cue was long, so we decided to drive there. It was a long-ish drive, but Ethan napped, so that was good.

The drive back was..... not so quiet. We decided to take the ferry back, and it wasn't the waiting that was horrible. Ok, horrible isn't the right word. Let me do this. Let's just play back the conversation Ethan had with us.... or himself, we haven't figured that out yet.

Where are we going? And after we get home? And after dinner? And next? And next? And next? Where are we? Is that the ferry? I want to go the ferry! I can't see. Daddy I can't see! No Mommy, I talking to Daddy. Where? What? I see a boat! Who driving the boat? I can't see. I drive boat. We fly. What's captain's name? Daddy what's captain name? Mommy, who's captain? I can't see. Oh, I be pirate and fly a boat. I want to go on ferry. I see ferry. Let me go on ferry. Is this the ferry? Look mommy the tree is moving. No Daddy, I talking to mommy. The tree is moving! No not the boat, the tree! I want to go on boat. This is boat? This ferry? Where? I can't see the ferry? Where we going? And after we get home? And then? And next? .....

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Star of the Week

At Ethan's school, they have the Star of the Week. Each week, a different child is awarded the SotW. There's a wall dedicated to the person. Their picture is placed on the wall. They are encouraged to bring more pictures of friends, family, pets, etc. They can also bring some of their favourite toys and books. Everything is displayed on the wall for the entire week. During the week, the SofW gets to sit on Jenny's lap and choose all the songs that they will sing during circle time, they get to choose the book that gets read at the end of the day (usually one of the books they've brought in) and they choose who gets to go home in what order. On Friday, they bring in their favourite DVD to share with the class, and some of their favourite foods. They end their week by receiving a crown, and a special book all about them (thanks Natalie - Ethan loves his!)

So this is a great idea, and the kids love it. My son......... it went to his head. Ethan believed that SotW meant he was awarded king of the week! He wouldn't always respond to his name, but preferred to be addressed as "Ethan, Star of the Week". And every morning he would ask, "Who's the Star of the Week? It's me!!!!" Jenny created a monster!!!!!

We spent the early part of the week discussing what food he wanted to bring on Friday. After much conversation, he decided on chapatis (train shaped), cookies and ice cream. After the baking was done, he decided he wanted cake instead of cookies. I think not. Then when Friday finally arrived, what did he eat? The ice cream. That's it!!!!! Ahhhhhh!!!!

Tomorrow's Monday and Ethan is no longer the Star of the Week. He goes back to being a commoner. Wonder how that will go?


Thursday, May 14, 2009

Guardian Angel

So I've always heard people talk about guardian angels, and while I do believe in them, I have to admit, I wasn't 100% convinced. Well now I am. Not only is there an angel watching over Ethan, but there's one watching over my sanity!



My biggest fear has always been Ethan being injured, and well last week, that fear became a reality. Every Saturday, a bunch of us get together. The mums (and few dads) have coffee and a bite to eat, and the kids play. There's a bouncy castle, and a climbing structure. Suddenly it started to rain. No pour. So we ran for cover. I saw Ethan still in the climbing structure, and decided since when it pours here, it tends to be short lived, so maybe he was better off there, where he was dry. Within 3 minutes of deciding this, I saw the Ayah (child-minder) carrying Ethan who was screaming like crazy.



Ethan's mouth was bleeding. It took a bit to clean it out, and when I finally did, I could see there was something wrong with his tooth. I couldn't quite tell if it had been chipped, or broken, or pushed back into his gums. We knew Ethan needed to see a dentist, but the problem with Dar, is there are no child-friendly dentists, and who knows who'd be available on a Saturday. We finally decided we needed to get an X-ray, and I called a dental clinic I've used. I was still a little nervous, as I wasn't sure how well they'd do with someone so young. I call the clinic as we walk towards the car. Not even seconds after I hang up, a man walks towards us. He introduces himself to us as an orthodontic surgeon from the US and offers to take a look at Ethan. He tells us that there's no permanent damage, and describes it like jamming your finger. His tooth was jammed into his gums, but he would be OK, and the tooth should make it's way down again.

That's when I first believed Ethan has an angel looking after him, and my sanity.

Well, you'd think that would be it. But no. Saturday night, actually 3am to be exact, Ethan woke up screaming. His gums were bleeding, his mouth was swollen (which it hadn't been the day before), and now we could hardly see his tooth. Had it moved further into his gums we wondered?

Sunday morning came along. And we debated for hours what to do. We could take him to the hospital, where we would wait for hours, and after my experience with the casualty ward a few years ago, we couldn't be guaranteed they'd call a dentist to look at him. There's a new Trauma Centre that's opened. We knew we'd get serviced right away, but again, we didn't know what kind of dentist they'd have. We finally remembered there's a local doctor that's seen Ethan before and his clinic is open on Sundays.

So off to the doctor's we went. He said what we already knew. Ethan needed to see a dentist, but assured us, that Ethan was fine, and we (and I mean me) needn't panic. We asked if he knew any dentists that specialised with children. Of course not! (Any kiddie dentists - want to start a practice and make tons of money, come to Dar!) But he knew a dentist that has children as patients. So we grabbed his number, and decided to call 1st thing Monday morning.

Well Dr Shivji is our 2nd angel. Knowing that I'd probably have a heart attach if had to wait till the following morning, he called the dentist. And our 3rd angel made his appearance. It just happened that he was at his clinic on a Sunday, because there was some painting being done, and he agreed to see Ethan right away.

So off to the Dentist's we now went. He took a look at Ethan and announced that Ethan's tooth was dead, however he didn't recommend pulling it. There was nothing seriously wrong. His main concern was infection, and told us to watch for further swelling, or signs of infection.

Over a week later and Ethan's doing great. He's adjusted to having half a front tooth, and doesn't notice it. I still feel guilty but am so glad Ethan has great angels looking after him and his mother's sanity!









Saturday, May 2, 2009

Becoming Greek

Hanging out with Georgios an his family has made Ethan appreciate the Greeks. Maybe a little too much. It seems, Ethan would like to be Greek!

It started with Grrek Easter. Or Orthodox Easter. While Janita mentioned it was a whole weekend affair, Ethan and I joined them for the Sunday "party" (Scott was away for work). It was a rainy day, so the kids didn't have a lot to do, but Georgie's cousins were there to entertain the two boys. And they were entertained.

Ethan was also extremly fascinated with the Arch Bishop. He couldn't stop staring at hm. He loved his clothing (especially the hat) loved how great he was with the kids, couldn't quite understand why he was blessing all the kids and they were kissing his medallion, but it was so exciting for him.

Ethan and Georgie checking out the roast pig.












Cutting the goat









Ethan stuffing himself with the "kuku"












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Last week was Georgie's name day. To celebrate, the family had a dinner in his honour. Being Georgie's best friend, Ethan was invited. While we normally don't take Ethan out at nights, this was an exception. Once again all the older cousins were there, and Ethan had a blast. Well that and he got to stay up way past hs bedtime. Now he wants to know when his name day is and when he can become Greek!