• None Shall Pass… Without Cake!

    When I asked Ethan what he wanted his 6th birthday party theme to be and he said “knights,” I had to double check that I understood.  After all, it wasn’t that long ago that I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up and he responded, “Nocturnal.” “Knights? Like, Knights of the Round Table?” I asked, knowing there was a better way to phrase this to a kindergartner. “No,” Ethan said.  “Like knights that fight.” “Okay,” I said.  “I got it.” I was a little concerned that I wouldn’t be able to find good decorations easily.  At least, not as easily as if he said, “Starwars,” for instance.  But it…

  • Weekend in Zion

    At The Desert Pearl Hotel in Springdale, Utah Ethan (age 5): The sink in our room is so short! I had to bend over to use it!!! Me: What sink? What are you talking about? Ethan: The one in the bathroom. Me: Right next to the toilet? Ethan: Yeah! Me: That is not a sink. It’s a bidet. Ethan: What’s that? (Pause) Matt: It’s European. Me: Only it’s for when you’re-a-poopin’. Ethan: WHAT? Matt: It’s a sink for your bum. Ethan: 😐 End scene. (Photo: Zion National Park –  Mt. Carmel Highway Scenic Drive)

  • Take Me Out to the Crowd

    Last weekend, we took Ethan (age four) to a Bees game, which is the minor league team here in Salt Lake City.  He and I were bonding over our love of hot dogs.  He asked if he could get one for dinner at the game. “You have to get a hot dog at a baseball game,” I said.  “Anything else would be un-American.” My boyfriend, Matt (Ethan’s dad), didn’t agree.  “You two enjoy that,” he said, wrinkling his nose at the thought of overpriced and nitrate-loaded junk food.  “I’m getting something else.” “Is it because you want the terrorists to win?” I asked sarcastically. Before I could add “Why do…