Running with Asher

A few weeks ago I signed Asher and I up for the Turkey Trot 5K. I thought it was the day after Thanksgiving, so we got up early and were excited to run. It turns out I should pay more attention to dates, and it was on Saturday. Since we were out, we got donuts and did a little shopping. On Saturday we showed up again. Asher met up with a little friend and the two of them ended up running most of the way together. In all honesty I couldn't keep up with them. Asher ran the 5K in 30 minutes, and I finished up a few minutes behind him. I look forward to many more races with this kid (well not running with him, but at least trying to catch up).

Quick Update

I'm sorry for the lack of post lately. I've been busy trying to keep Emmy Lu from taking all the ornaments off the tree (I actually gave up this morning) and trying to make sure Dexter keeps his pants on. I also joined the Elf on the Shelf cult this year. It basically means instead of my kids waking up at 5:45, they are up at 5:30 due to elf excitement. 

We are counting down the days until we visit our families and friends in Pennsylvania. 

Best Buds

I used to hope that Juno would settle down with a nice husband and have puppies of her own. That was never her life plan. For one, she doesn't really like other dogs (she actually adores cats). And two, she is pretty exhausted from raising our little tribe here. She is the most tolerant dog I have ever known. Most evenings Emmy will snuggle up next to her and go to sleep. 

As much as she loves them, I think Juno is glad there won't be any more babies for her to take care of.

Halloween

When I was a kid my mom always made our Halloween costumes. She was fantastic at it. I would come up with a random idea (always involving a box) and she would make it. I think the best ones were a camera, and a refrigerator. I really enjoy making things. I love sewing and knitting, so you would think I would be all over making cute costumes for the kids. I'm not. I just don't have it in me to make their costumes. Dexter and Ember get whatever hand-me-downs they currently fit from the big kids. Piper usually raids her princess stash, and Asher is the only one I usually buy for. I also don't go on any of their field trips. I happily volunteer in their classes once or twice a week, but I don't do the pumpkin patches or the zoo. Now you have my confession for the week.

Emmy Lu got to be the ladybug this year. 

 I love seeing her walk. She is in the drunken sailor stage, and it's just so cute.

 I convinced Dex to be the chicken again. Come on. It's just so cute.

 Asher is definitely past the cute costume stage. At least he dresses up, in a few years he'll be like all the teenagers and just go around in scruffy jeans holding a pillow case. 

 Piper, I'm so glad you are still in the princess stage. I'm not ready for what is next. 

 These kids did really well. We started the night at a party and then went trick-or-treating. The kids were really polite and all had a good time. 

Now I have to figure out a way to not eat all the candy. 

Fall Beach Days

I love having four kids, but I need to be honest. It's exhausting. You know the feeling you get when you cross the finish line after a race? That's how I feel every night when I close the kids' doors after we tuck them in. I feel like I'm crawling over a finish line. Actually, it feels more like I've been dragged over it. 

Every once in a while we have moments where things feel easy. I almost don't want to talk about them in fear that they won't happen again. We went to the beach last Sunday after church. The weather was perfect, and there were only a handful of other people there. Nate and I sat down and actually relaxed. The kids (except for Emmy) all went in the water and spent the afternoon running around on the sand. 

 She loved the sand. She started walking for real this week and had fun practicing her new skills.

 Nate does not like getting his picture taken, but it needs to be done every once in a while.

Days like this balance out all the tough ones.

Weekend Fun

Overall, Piper really enjoys Kindergarten. Her one complaint is that she really misses her preschool friends. There is one in particular that she begs to see almost every week. This weekend a local church was having a fall festival, and it was the perfect event to invite her friend to come to. Piper loved having Lucy with her. As you can see they enjoyed a very healthy meal. They also won the cake walk about 5 times (this is why I need to keep my Y membership). 

 Asher came with us as well, and adored the rock wall.

 Piper surprised me and did really well climbing.

 This is what the little ones did while we were gone.

Dexter Days

I didn't realize how exhausting last year was for me. It was busy, and I felt like all I did was run kids around. This year for various reasons it is not as hectic. I am loving it. Loving it. Dexter only goes to preschool Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings. I also switched around the carpool schedule with the big kids, and this year it is much better. Thursday and Friday mornings I really try to focus on Dexter and doing fun things with him. There are SO many great classes and activities for toddlers in our town. A few weeks ago we went to Art Play at the local art studio. They have some free play time, and then do an organized craft. 

 Dex was the oldest kid there, and it was odd to think of him as a big kid.

 He does swimming lessons on Thursday mornings. He has a great teacher, and always looks forward to getting in the pool.

 There is a science center that Nate and I both adore. This past week we went to their toddler time. They did a STEM program and it was pretty fantastic.

I am glad there are so many things for us to do together. Emmy also enjoys tagging along.

The magical age of three

The Time: 3 PM

The Setting: The time out corner of the dining room

The Culprit: Dexter

The Conversation:

Dexter- "Mom, Can I get out of timeout?"

Me- "No, wait until the timer goes off".

Dexter- "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

Repeat the previous dialogue for the next three minutes

Dexter- "Can I get out nooooooow?"

Me- "Yes"

Dexter- "MOM, you need to say yes I can get out"

Me- "Yes Dexter, you can get out"

Dexter- "MOM, you need to say yes I can get out right now"

Me- "You can get out right now"

Dexter- "You didn't say YES"

Me- "Yes"

Dexter- (Flailing on the floor sobbing) "I just want to get out of time out"

Me- (Trying to estimate how many minutes until Nate comes home, and if anyone would notice if I open up the baking chocolate) "Buddy, just come out"

Dexter- "Thank you Mom"

30 Seconds Later

Dexter- (Sobbing AGAIN on the floor) "You didn't say you're welcome"

End Scene 

Hey there, October

Oh October, I've missed you. I adore the summertime, but I'm ready for fall. I always feel sad when I have to out away all my cute summer dresses, but this year I'm just excited that I don't have to shave my legs anymore. The kids are really enjoying the weather and the extended outside time. Emmy Lu wasn't a huge fan of the heat, but she is delighted now. Every once in a while I still mourn the fact that I don't have kids that nap, but it's nice to be outside so much. You did read that correctly, even Emmy doesn't really nap. She's like a super type of baby that doesn't need to sleep. 

She still loves the grass, and crawling all over it.

 Dex loves to swing for hours, especially when Piper is at school and he doesn't need to share.

 She took a step here and was so proud of herself.

 I can't handle this face. I just want to squeeze it. She kills me.

365 Days with Emmy Lu

Emmy you have been here for a year. You are such a gift, such joy to us. I can't put into words even the slightest glimpse of how I feel. You are my little love bug, my cuddler, my happy little baby. This year with you has been magical. I don't know if it's the fact that we wanted you for so long, or that you are the last baby, but I have enjoyed your babyness so much more than I ever did with your siblings. My heart is aching quite a bit as you transform from a baby to a toddler. 

You are so content. I can get a lot done in the kitchen while you play with toys.

 You are just starting to get into things and cause a bit of chaos. I need to put cabinet locks on one more time.

 For your birthday we decided to have the Simpsons over for a dinner celebration. Everyone was thrilled to celebrate you.

 You liked the cake at first, but didn't want to touch it.

 You slowly got the hang of it and started digging in.

Emmy Lu, I love you so much. Happy Birthday little one.

Frozen on Ice and other Girliness

My parents bought Piper a ticket to see Frozen on Ice for her Birthday. The show was up in Virginia yesterday and we decided to have a fun day, just the two of us. She loved the show. It was pure magic to her. She danced and sang all the songs. I spent most of the show just watching her face. I'm so glad I got to experience it with her. 

 After the show we met up with some friends for lunch. The girls had fun showing off their souvenirs and discussing their favorite parts. Abbie and her Mom spent the rest of the day with us and we did some shopping.

 It was such a great day, and I loved having the time with Piper. The girls picked 5 Guys for dinner, and there were no complaints from me.

Dreams and Investments

I tend to look on the realistic and practical side of things. For so long when my kids would come to me with lofty goals and dreams, instead of telling them how to attain them I would just say no. My friend Leah isn't like this. She dreams big and always encourages her kids to do the same. Slowly she is rubbing off on me. Asher has always had big ideas. A few years ago he started telling me he wanted a boat and he wanted to go to Australia. I told him to start saving, and he did. I've never met someone so young as determined as he is. For the last two years he has saved his Birthday, Christmas, and allowance money. Today he went into Edward Jones and sat down with Dave (Leah's husband and Jada and Bennett's dad). Dave explained investments to Asher and they discussed his goals. My little Ashman decided to invest $250. He knows he will have to be patient, and will have to continue to invest more money in order to reach his goal. I couldn't be more proud.

Dexter and Company

Dex started preschool a few weeks ago and is loving it. He is so excited to go, and always has lots of stories when I pick him up. He is going three mornings a week and the schedule is perfect. With Piper and Asher is school all day being home with the little ones in the afternoon is quite relaxing. 

 Dexter also gets a lot more play dates. Watching him with his friends cracks me up. This age is full of amusement.

A Birthday Party to Remember

My lovely friend Sheena recently turned 30, and tonight we celebrated. Being with Sheena always yields unpredictable events, and tonight was no exception. We had a really fun dinner and we were able to share with Sheena what she means to all of us. There was no shortage of stories. 

My friend Alyson and I organized the party and we thought it would be really fun to get trick candles. For some reason it didn't occur to either of us that it would create a lot of smoke. The fire alarm went off, and the local fire department showed up.

 We needed a little entertainment for the evening!

Happy Birthday Sheena. I love you a lot, and I'm so thankful to have you as a friend.

Asher is 7

Asher turned 7 a few weeks ago and due to busy schedules/laziness I'm just getting around to doing a post about it. Here is a little trip down memory lane.

Asher this is the day I met you. I was not prepared. I had no idea how overwhelmed with love I would feel. I knew I'd love you, but I wasn't prepared for this. You took my breath away. 

The first year was hard. You were a difficult baby, and I was a new mom. It's a good thing we both survived. You were SUCH a stinker (and well you still are). I've never seen a baby or child as stubborn as you were.

Right before you turned two you became a big brother for the first time. You also really developed a personality that year. There has always been one thing you are obsessed with at a time. When you were 2 (and well 3 and 4) you were ALL about cars. You spent hours playing with matchbox cars. That is how you leaned the count and figured about colors.

This was in Paris right before you turned 3. You did so well on that trip and loved taking adventures. That has not changed.

Man, this picture summed up your fourth year. You never stopped running, and wanted to be outside at all times. 

 At 5 you started getting into all the stuff your dad likes to do.

 At 6, you started kindergarten. Nothing makes you happier than being with friends.

And now you are 7.

 Asher, you are a joy and a challenge to parent. I love you to the moon and back, today and every day.