Can it be?

Do we have a 10 year old in our midst?

I feel like I was the grown up, twisted around version of Jane and Michael Banks when I was pregnant with Ethan: 'He must be kind, he must be witty/Very sweet and very [totally handsome]'... well, you get the idea. And for some unknown reason, the Lord granted my every wish. He is so helpful, sweet, humble, smart, and one of the most fun conversationalists I am blessed to know. This kid is my right hand man -- I don't know what I would do without him. Thank you, Ethan for being you!!

Favorite all-time quotes of Ethan's:

"nap ba" Meatball -- couldn't speak much, but could join in on "On Top of Spaghetti" at a year old

"Y'know, this is a show." 18 months old, showing me a Teletubbies toy. Me: "How do you know that?" "Christian told me." A similarly 18 month old. First time I realized the toddlers conspire and speak fluently to each other when we aren't looking.

After being told he'll hurt himself climbing the crib (2 years old). "Mom, good news. I tried it out and guess what? I CAN'T hurt myself."

"You are NOT invited to my birthday party." 2 years, 10 months old -- to the good doctor and nurse at Boston Children as they stitched him up from his terrible head wound (18 stitches)

the Barney quote, 3 years old

"Are you sad you had to live 23 years without me?" age 3

I was very pregnant with Elliot, and Ethan (then 3 1/2) took this opportunity to talk about some things. Ethan: "So why is your belly getting so big?"
Me: "Because I have a baby growing in it."
Ethan (thinks for a moment): "Then what's growing in your bottom?"

Right after Elliot was born, I had some, um, bladder control issues, especially when my mom and I would start laughing. One day we went to a restaurant for lunch, and my mom said something funny. Ethan quickly looked up from drawing and said, "Mom, hurry -- go to the bathroom!"

"DR MOM,

YU R MI BEST FREND.

I LOVE YOU,

Ethan", first handwritten note, age 4

"Mom, after I go to school today, maybe you should go get yourself some ice cream." age 5, preparing for 1st day of kindergarten

Me: "How was school?" (after first day)
Ethan: "Great! I loved it! It was so fun! We got to play outside, I ate my lunch, and I made friends!"
Me: "See? So you'll be excited to go tomorrow!"
Ethan (immediately starts crying): What? I have to go back?!"

"I'm excited for this baby to be born. It'll be weird to have a girl living in this place." age 6

After I heard a ka-chunk slam when Ethan was supposed to be vacuuming, I said, "Ethan, you break it, you buy it!" Ethan: "How much does a broken vacuum cost?" -- age 7

In the car, Ethan is 7 years old
Me: "Do you still get butterflies before you go to school?"

Ethan: "Almost everyday. I think, Boy I wish I didn't have to go to school today."

Me: "But aren't you proud of yourself at the end of the day?"

Ethan: (thinks a second) "No, mostly I'm just hoping I don't have to go to school tomorrow."

Before we moved from Cambridge, Ethan and I were talking about moving, and Ethan was very calm about the idea of saying goodbye to his friends, and having to go to a new school.

Me: "What if you don't get into Maddie's school?" (there's a wait list)

Ethan: "That's ok. I'll go to another good school. I'm friendly. I'll make new friends."

Me: "Yes, you are, and you will." (unwilling to let it go -- I just didn't think he was really thinking the whole thing through) "And what if you do get into Maddie's school, but then don't get to be in her classroom?"

Ethan: (shrugs his shoulders) "Well, that's life, Mom."

This interaction is unfortunately pretty typical. Ethan doesn't say silly things that are easy to post into the Kids Say column (and he is constantly reminding me of stories that need to go into the Kids Say -- things his brother and sister say). Don't get me wrong, he is hilarious, but it's always fitting and intellectual. He is my touchstone -- he is so reflective, so wise. I am so glad I have him to help me through the days. If I have to share Mother's Day with someone's birthday, I'm happy it's my Ethan. What a guy.