1st Grade- work and play

So far, Ethan seems to really like first grade.  He came home on Monday with a paper for a coloring contest at PetSmart.  When I told Ethan that the first place wins $20, he was excited to try to win! But a few minutes into coloring, he asked why we couldn't hire an artist to color his picture for him so he could be sure and win.  Later, he suggested we hire some business people to talk to the judges and pay them to pick Ethan.  I was chuckling the whole time he was coloring with his 'bright ideas.'  

 I thought it turned out pretty good for a non-artist.  I think he gets that from me...  And Tom.

 And I've kept very little of Ethan's school work so far... but took pictures of a few of my favorites.  I like how this in this one, he likes everyone, but 'luves' Alan, Endevor, Misus J (the Principal) and Mis Newtun.  Pretty cute.

 Not sure about this one... but it seemed to have a theme of most of his favorite teachers as well.

But then there's play time... I guess there has been some issues at recess which I hear about from other moms.  Apparently Ethan's friend, Alan, is in his class and wants to play with him the whole recess and no one else.  But then Molly was sobbing one day cause she wanted to play also, but Alan took Ethan away from her.  And another buddy, Davis, wants to play but ends up playing alone a lot because he says he has to be the first to find Ethan to play with him.  Seriously??  (I'm not sure how Ethan became the 'prize' at recess.)  His solution is to try to run away from all of them, and I think that's what he does most days.  They have even enlisted help from their 'armies' to get Ethan on their sides.  If we could get them all to play together, I think they would just have a great time.  But when and how do you intervene?  Not sure about that one.  I know Ethan is my peacemaker and always wants to keep everyone happy, so I feel a little sorry for him being caught in the middle.  Actually, my solution would be that they all go play without Ethan and he would be just fine to play by himself.  The drama.