Returning from Ohio

Jeff and I have just returned from a wonderful weekend spent with Ethan in Ohio! We Explored the Boonshoft Discovery Museum where we let Ethan lead us in lots of hands on imaginary play, saw lots of exotic reptiles, amphibians and, mammals and then spent lots of time playing outside on the grounds of the museum, climbing rocks, exploring the surrounding woods, pretending to build campfires and roast marshmallows and hotdogs, and even more climbing of just about everything "climbable"! Ethan is definitely an imaginative, kinetic, flexible, adaptable and, loving little boy!
We also spent lots of time at the hotel using art supplies that I brought from Portland; modeling clay, gel paints, markers were all put to great use! Ethan really loves to paint and loved the manipulative aspects of using the clay!
We also played a bit with legos brought from Ethan's mother's house and with an airplane that Jeff and I bought for Ethan at "Cracker Barrel", definitely a culinary experience though, not one I need to repeat! Ohio certainly has a lack of vegetable matter and a wealth of fast and processed food options! I'm glad to be back in lush, sustainable, culinary adventure land, Portland!
Ethan also really enjoyed the "Flippin' Froggies" and "I Spy Go Fish" game I brought from Portland! Thank goodness for Finnegans when you need to make and emergency, non-"plastic America" toy run!
There was lots of story reading! It was a pleasure to get to read many of the books that Jeff and I just got for Ethan for Hannukah! Ethan and I both especially loved reading(and re-reading) "In the Night Kitchen", "Where the Wild Things Are" and "I Stink"!
Ethan really wanted to spend the night at the hotel with us and, though it was hard to refuse him, when he was so clearly ready to stay with Jeff and I, I am proud of all of us for abiding by the agreements that Jeff and his ex wife made.
There was lots and lots of imaginative play and being silly, lots of wrestling and tickle fights and kisses and hugs!
And that was just Saturday!
On Sunday, We all trekked (in the middle of a power outage, which Ethan weathered beautifully!) to lunch at "Five Guys" and then to "Entertrainment Junction, a museum full of detailed scale replicas of trains through the ages, as well as lots of train related play activities for kids! Ethan, Jeff and I loved it, even though the first hour or so, none of the trains were running due to the afore mentioned power outage!
This was after another morning of art, being silly, imaginative play and lots of fun at the hotel!
Every time we went anywhere in the car, Ethan insisted that I sit next to him, this gave us more bonding time and also reminded me of how bonded and comfortable with me, Ethan already is.  An important developmental step for Ethan and for Jeff and I as we all continue to build our family.
We all talked a lot about how lucky Ethan is to have two families, one in Ohio with his Mommy and Grandpa Bear and many grandmothers and, one in Portland (and Las Vegas) with Jeff and I and my family and with Andi and Les in Las Vegas! We talked about how wonderful it is that he has two houses, one in Ohio with Mommy and one in Portland with Daddy and I! Ethan is very excited to be part of designing his room in the new house, when Jeff and I get to that stage! He is also very eager to come stay with us in Portland. Don't worry Ethan, we can't wait either!
While riding in the car, Ethan and I read more stories, told jokes and all of us rocked out to the sounds of  "The Philadelphia Chickens"!
Most of the time that I was sitting next to Ethan he held my hand and at one point, totally unprovoked looked at me and said, "Hey, you are MY Aviva!", with a huge smile on his face! I think I've just been claimed!
 I was so glad to be a witness to Ethan figuring out how he fits into his family with Jeff and I. what a joy! How lucky we all are!
At the end of the day yesterday, as Jeff and I prepared to get to the airport in Dayton, we dropped Ethan off at his Mom's house and for the first time I got to meet Ethan's Mother and much of his extended family. It was a big step for all of us. I pleased with how I conducted myself and it was great to see Ethan's room, etc. It probably isn't an experience I need to repeat, my focus is and always will be on Ethan and Jeff's wellbeing and the wellbeing of our family. I don't need to relate to or befriend Jeff's ex wife, the potential for misunderstanding and mixed messages is just too great. But, I am proud of all of the adults in Ethan's life for conducting themselves with appropriate decorum for what will probably be a one time event and, really thrilled with how much fun Ethan, Jeff and I had this weekend! Pictures will follow soon!
Much love to you all!