Ethan's 8th birthday

We were in Galveston on Ethan's actual birthday.  But were also able to celebrate having Space Parties with friends and family. 

This was such a fun party to do--I used pinterest for lots of great ideas!  The kids came to our "Astronaut Training"

Stomp Rockets!

 

Painting planets

Birthday Cake time (and yes if it looks familiar, I made him the same cake for a family party last year as a "trial run"!

We also created constellations using pretzel sticks and mini-marshmallows, took a space quiz, hunted for Moon rocks in the backyard, tossed meteors at plantets (like a bean bag toss) and practiced fixing space ship parts (wearing rubber gloves had to screw a nut and bolt together in a sink full of water--like how astronauts do training underwater). 

 

with their certificates after completing the astronaut training!

 

 

We had a pizza party and cupcakes with family!

Ethan opened a book from great-grandma and had to go look at it with her before he could open any more gifts!

Hugging Aunt Jojo

Some things about Ethan at age 8--
favorite color: gold (I know that's both boys' favorite--I think Grant copied Ethan)
favorite book: Magic Tree house books ("Jack and Annie" books)--he's read them in order through book 39 so far (started them in Kindergarten when I would read to him and now he reads to me)
favorite movie: Bugs Life (or a new favorite because we just let him watch it: Star Wars-A New Hope...he loves to play Lego Star Wars, so we thought we'd start with a couple of the older movies)
favorite tv show: Wild Kratts
favorite school subject: math
favorite foods: pizza and candy (super healthy--he is my pickiest eater, especially when it comes to fruits and veggies)
favorite thing to do: play games (board games, card games, or xbox), read, ride his bike.
when he grows up he wants to be: scientist
friends: Grant, Ethan B, and "a lot more people"

Ethan is a good big brother, most of the time he and Grant are the best of friends, he is mostly obedient, he is kind hearted, he loves to tell jokes, he is such a smart kid (above grade-level in most subjects), loves soccer and football (which Jon thinks is great to have a buddy for football watching or xbox Madden football playing) and he loves to read and learn.