Dad & E

Ethan has always loved playing with his Daddy, but he was such a mama's boy he often preferred playing with me.  But now, E has shifted to being daddy's little buddy and Mom is not nearly as cool anymore.  He will actually push me away and run to his dad now.  Whenever Aaron is home all Ethan wants to do is play and be with his daddy.  I tell myself it's just because I've slowed down and don't roll on the ground and run around with him as much right now.  But what can I say, his Daddy is pretty fun!

E loves to help him work outside and in the garage building things (and wearing the safety glasses).  

And then they come inside and cook together.

Best of all is playtime - Ethan loves it when his Daddy gets on the ground to build, play cars or throw balls.  He even has made his tent boy only - Malley and I are not allowed inside.  If only I could spin a football as well as Daddy can, maybe I could get in the tent too...

Temps have been terribly cold through November here in Alaska, but we still got out to sled and go for walks.  E loves going down the hill...

...and relaxing as Daddy pulls him up.  I love how he just lays there and stares at the sky.

He loves to eat the snow with his daddy and thinks it's pretty silly when Dad gets it all over his face.

Since I'm not skiing right now and that is our favorite outdoor activity, we've been finding fun family things inside to do to escape the cool temps.  Swimming is one of our favorites.  Ethan loves playing with Dad in the water and getting thrown around.  

It's fun watching him get so excited in the pool.  I love how comfortable he is in the water, makes his swimming mama proud.

Another winter favorite is going to the planetarium at the museum to watch the stars and planets of the galaxy.  Ethan has a little toy turtle at home that projects the moon and stars on the wall as a nightlight.  We started using the little turtle to make our own 'planetarium' by turning off all the lights in his room and laying on the floor watching the stars together and he loves it.  

It is so fun to take him to the real planetarium and watch his amazement as the ceiling turns into the galaxy.  And of course he likes to watch with Dad.  (his eyes really are open while we're there, the flash was just bright...)  

After the show, we play in the Imaginarium for a while.  E and I go often during the week, but it is fun for him to get to explore the exhibits with Dad.

Daddy has as much fun as the toddlers in the game area.

And of course, what Daddy plays with, Ethan plays with.

Ethan loves his Daddy time!