Ethan's Big Week

This cute kid turned 8 this week.

He chose to go out to breakfast instead of dinner.  He told me he really wanted to try an omelet for the first time.  Originally he chose IHOP but Landon told him that IHOP has really bad food and maybe we should consider Silver Fork Lodge or Ruth's Diner.  

It ended up being Ruth's Diner just for proximity; Landon had to get to work sooner rather than later.

A new bike waiting in the kitchen!  He can barely touch his toes to the ground, but this bike has gears which Ethan thinks is awesome.

Our friends have a 9-year-old with the exact same birthday as Ethan.  We ended up going to see The Lorax with their family and eating brownies and ice cream at their house and basically horning in on another kid's birthday celebration. 

And lastly, but not least, Ethan was baptized on Saturday.  

I know he doesn't fully appreciate the extra specialness of being baptized on Easter weekend, but I hope someday he does.

His cousin Eli (who was born 2 days before him) was baptized on Saturday, also.  My sister and I couldn't figure out how to combine the baptisms without inconveniencing a lot of people in our wards and stakes, so we chose to do them at the prescribed time, which meant that my family had to split up and choose which baptism to go to.  My mom and my sister Annette and my sister Jodi went to Eli's baptism, and my dad and my brothers came to Ethan's.  It was a bit sad to not have my whole family there, but we met together for a special family home evening on Easter Sunday.

I was touched as neighbors and friends showed up to the baptism (I didn't even think to invite anyone outside of family!).  I was moved by those who dropped off special gifts and cards to him.

I teared up when Landon lowered Ethan into the (somewhat shallow!) water.

I totally choked up during the confirmation as Landon acknowledged what a choice boy this is and that he has such a developed sense of what's right and wrong.

I flat out cried as the Primary president said what a leader and example he is to the rest of the Primary.

It was a lovely, lovely day.