Summer fun come - and almost gone!

It has been such a busy summer!  Where has the time gone!? I feel like there are so many more things we wanted to do! That said, we've had a blast spending time with family, traveling, grilling out, spending time with friends and neighbors and making the most of every minute. Asher loves being outside (unless it involves turning off Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) and loves playing with anyone he can get his hands on.

Hanging with mommy in the garage

Who's excited to go to Adventureland!?

He gets the "map gene" from my dad and the bossy gene from me. So proud.

Fun on the carousel at Adventureland 

Asher started at the new Lil Scholars preschool downtown on Aug. 20.  It should be a better learning environment for him as he gets older and needs more of a school.

He came home from the first day and did this.  :)  that's a good sign I think!

We also continue to work wtih him on potty training.  We are trying hard not to push him, but encourage and reward.  Hopefully he'll get it mastered as he gets closer to 3 - but he does enjoy some of the perks now and then!



In contrast - I love these quiet moments with him. I love to teach him new things, and now that he's got an active imagination - listen to the stories he loves to tell.  Hopefully I can capture some of those on video soon. This one was a quiet Saturday morning  after breakfast (noted on his face) when a storm was rolling in.

He is so unpredictable these days. Which can be a bad thing, but the moments I notice include random kisses, stories about his brothers, little "I love you mommy" moments, random giggle fits, and his perception of the world around him.  Like yesterday when I told him I'd get him some chicken nuggets and fries for dinner and he replied, "YEAH! We have to go get some at Old McDonald's."  *insert mommy giggle*

Thank you for all the joy you bring to our lives Asher - I love you.

Finally up and running

(special thanks to my fellow blogger Shelby for making this post possible!)  :)

It has been so long since I posted, that I know I can't even attempt to catch up.  Asher is now officially 2.5 and keeping us on our toes!  I tell everyone he's practicing for his terrible 3's (I've heard 3 is worse than 2), although it doesn't help that he's breaking all 4 molars at the same time. Thankfully these are his last teeth to come in -  whew!   Ok - so here are some photos to share!

Having fun watering the flowers with Oma!

Asher did great on his first boating experience with Heather, Russ, and Sydney.  He loved jumping off the back of the boat into the water (with a life jacket and floation ring).  He must have done that 15 times or more. We were out there all day and other than getting tired, he never complained. What a great experience!

 He's definitely my boy if he loves strawberry sundaes!

These two are best buds....

How sweet is this picture, other than that silly binky in his mouth.  *sigh*. Thankfully it's only at bedtime, but once these last teeth come in - that thing's gotta go.  We talk about how it's only for babies, and his response earlier this week was, "But daddy, momma calls me her baby."  Thatta boy--- he's smart!

Now that I've got this program figured out again - look for more updates in the near future!



Tooting and giggling

I learn parenting lessons every day with Asher. Like not to use the phrase “one more time” if you are going to let him keep doing it over and over. Also to not believe him when he asks to do something “one more time.” Apparently the bigger lesson I need to learn is that I’m a huge pushover when it comes to things that make him happy.

A recent example: coming out of the library yesterday, there was a long handicap ramp that ran in two directions, up and around a corner. On the way out – Asher decided it’d be fun to start running it. So he ran up and around, and back down. And again. I began calling to him “Come on buddy, we gotta go!” (to which he ignored). So again, “Ok buddy, just one more time, then we gotta go”. (Those three little famous words.) Then it hit me like a brick – we didn’t really HAVE to go. We had no place to be, and his running wasn’t hurting – so why not let him run? So I did. I even got in on the fun by chasing him back and forth, making him squeal with glee. We did it about four more times, then I gently reminded him we should go get something to eat – and he quit running and came along willingly. I avoided a meltdown temper tantrum by giving him a little leeway to work on his own timeline. WHAT A CONCEPT! It kinda goes along with that “pick your battle” phrase, which I also try to practice regularly to save my own sanity. Who cares! It’s a good to let him do what makes him happy, as long as it’s not interfering with anything. After all – wouldn’t we ALL like to do more of what makes us happy?

On a different topic – I told myself I was going to write down more of the funny things he’s beginning to say, so I could look back and enjoy them down the road. Here is one from the other day. Hopefully I’ll remember to share these more often. Thank goodness this one took place in the car on the way home.

Asher: “Mommy – we go to the park?”

Me: “Maybe honey, we have to go home first so mommy can go potty.”

Asher: “mommy…..you have to toot?”

Me: (laughing uncontrollably) “What? Do I have to toot?!”

Asher: “Mommy have to go poo-poo?”

well, maybe it's not that funny to the rest of the world - but to me it was adorably hilarious.

He continues to be the best part of my day, every day. Not a day goes by that I don’t thank God for allowing me to be a mommy to one of His children.

 

Since I'm behind - a few videos for your amusement!

 

 

Lessons from my 2-year-old

I can't get over how much this crazy, wild 2-year-old makes me smile every day. It is amazing to not only watch his personality develop, but to watch him do things already, at such a young age, that make this momma so proud.

Best example today, his Kindermusik class has a ritual song at the end of every class, where all the kids learn to walk around and shake hands with one another as they say goodbye. I was amazed to stand back and watch Asher march around on his own and extend his hand to each and every 2-3 year old in the room confidently, and when getting to the 10-year-old mentally/physically disabled boy in our class, he never hesitated.

The tears well up in my eyes and it humbles me to realize the lessons HE continues to teach ME without even realizing it:

1) to love unconditionally
2) to have an open and kind heart
3) to not be afraid to show the world your passion
3) to be blind to physical differences we tend to judge by
4) to wake each day smiling and excited for what it may have in store

HE. IS. AMAZING. I am blessed beyond words to have this amazing little man in my life. I hope I can continue to be open to everything he has to teach me about life. After all, he sees it best through such pure eyes.

And I couldn't go without sharing one of the things Asher is most passionate about- music. It gives me such joy to hear him sing and watch him dance. And Jacks Big Music Show is one of the best for that!