Ethan just turned 10. Wow! It’s hard to believe that Ethan is double digits. Since Ethan was our first Arizona baby, his age also dates how long we have lived here, plus 9 months;) So besides having to accept how hold my little boy is getting I also come to a realization that Arizona has been my home longer than any place else. But this post isn’t about being a California Girl trapped in a Phoenician body. It’s about my sweet Ethan who is slowly becoming a young man. There are several birthdays that are special, and turning 10 is one of them. If you live 100 years only 10 percent of your life is in single digits. And somehow that is translated to a kids mind in their own way. They feel a little more grown up, and it shows almost immediately.
Ethan has accomplished a lot in his first 10 years. He has a lot to be proud of. While Ethan has often been viewed as silly or a space case, he has a brilliant mind. Ever since he was little he was a deep thinker and a problem solver. From learning how to escape his crib early, to figuring out how to sneak ice cream using whatever object he could reach to scoop it out. I really started to realize how creative he was the first time I gave him some scissors, paper and glue to keep him busy one day while I was getting some tasks done around the house. He was only three (they were child proof scissors) and it was like he had been cutting and pasting his whole life. That was the moment I realized the creative gift he was blessed with. It has continued his whole life, from making contraptions, creating costumes, creating his own “life hacks”, to becoming a great artist.
Ethan loves to draw. It’s one of his releases, along with reading. Often times, especially in sacrament meeting, Ben and I will look over in amazement at what he has put on paper in such a short time, and without looking at something for reference. He just pulls it from his brain. This year he took first and second place in his school Art show. Many of times, I actually have to redirect him from drawing or reading to get things done that are of more importance at the moment.
Ethan’s love for reading is like no other child of mine. Since Boston and Aubrie don’t like to read, Sophia is his only competition. But he reads more than I ever did at his age. He has to decompress every night with reading. His favorite author is Rick Riorden. He LOVES the classics, so he can’t get enough of his books. He also enjoys comics, so the Big Nate series is a more casual read for him, because it appeals to his silly side, which we are all too familiar with. His family sees most of that silliness, and sometimes it drives us a little batty, but when he gets around adults he becomes very shy. Talking to an adult is like torture for him lately. He is just too cute to ignore though, with his freckles and smiling eyes. When he laughs he still has the smiling eyes he has had since he was a baby. He is still that cute little boy, under his toughness. And when we watch family videos, everyone loves watching him as a toddler. He is just so cute and funny. Right now he is trying to figure out how a cute and funny 10 year old behaves, because he is realizing the cute silliness that worked when he was 5 and 6 just doesn’t cut it anymore. I see him struggle with finding that balance. But I see him growing up in many ways. From actually taking an interest in doing his hair, to taking notice of girls(in the most innocent way possible) , and trying to be responsible, the best he can, and working hard at things that are important to him.
Lately Ben and I have been impressed with his ability to be really good at just about anything that he tries. He really has more focus on the things that are important to him, resulting in success. His soccer game has been amazing this year, standing out as a phenomenal player, and helping his team to an undefeated second season. Not just by being the star goal scorer, but learning how to work with him team, and help them to become better as well. Ethan picked Karate back up and moved up a belt within a few months. He just started a weapons class, and he is super focused and does well at learning the moves quickly. Ethan just started his first season of flag football after many years of asking. We weren’t sure how he would do, but he is fast and very good. His new love the past year has been archery. He asked for a bow last Christmas and though he doesn’t get to do it often, his accuracy is uncanny. He is great with music, adapting his piano songs onto the recorder that he got at school. I believe that he is so successful, because beyond the spacey forgetfulness that is like a cloud that follows Ethan everywhere, he also can be very intense when he really focuses on something that is important to him in the moment. He is very smart, and that helps him. But he has to want to do it. If I tell him to do something, we don’t get the same results from him as when he wants to do it on his own. It was like when he was a baby and took FOREVER to talk. He was two and a half and he hardly spoke. My Dad observed him and he said, “Rachel, I have been watching him, and I can tell he is very smart. He is soaking in all the conversations and I can tell he knows exactly what is going on, and he can talk, but he has no need for it right now. And when he does talk it will be in sentences.” He was right. When Ethan decided he was ready to talk, it was in sentences. While the rest of our children sometimes often misunderstand Ethan and have a hard time relating to him because he is so intense, and also silly, I know that whatever he puts his mind to, he will be successful. I look forward to seeing what kind a man he will be. What kind of missionary, husband, father. I’m thankful for Ethan...he tries my patience with his clothes and belongings all over the place, his continual hiding and sneaking of electronics, his forgetfulness of homework and things I have to remind him a million times to do, but he also lights up my heart with his endearing smile, and sensitive heart, and determined spirit to be the best at what he loves...which obviously isn’t a clean room or doing homework:) Hopefully he desires that eventually!
Scavenger Hunt to find his gift!
