4 years old!

Asher turned 4 years old! Our birthday morning tradition is presents and a special muffin for breakfast. This year Asher decided instead of just 1 candle, he should have four. We had a great morning.





Over lunch, Asher was thrilled with the surprise of grandpa stopping over. He took grandpa up to his room right away to see his new "big and wood castle" and the people who live in it because brother got him "a princess with a crown and flowers and a prince with a hat with a feather in it who ride in a carriage!" Grandma called in the morning to tell Asher "Happy Birthday" and she came over her lunch to read him a story and tuck Asher in for nap time. He had a great day!

Growing too fast... Katelyn, Asher, Chase, & Ezra

Thanks to Holly for our annual end of summer picture session. Think this year's 10 minute shoot was a record (in time and successful photos)!

We got all the kids to actually sit still and look for one picture. Just wish Ezra wouldn't always look so concerned when we get out the camera ;)

Here Ezra 1, Chase 2, Asher 3, and Katelyn 4... but not for long. We soon will be celebrating September birthdays!

Here Ezra looks a little less concerned, but has taken after brother in biting his lip...


Love this one of Chase sneaking in on Katelyn's moment...

Chase smiles...

Katelyn poses...


I tried a new technique with Asher this year... surprise him with a new hat! I think it worked because I can't remember the last time we got so many great, real smiles on camera :)

Asher's 1st Day of School

My 1st born is 3, almost 4 years old, and already starting year two of preschool. Last year, Asher went to preschool at Faith Lutheran PS in Shell Rock 3 mornings a week. This year, Asher is at Shell Rock Elementary School's PS 3 days a week for the whole school day.

Here are a few pictures from his 1st day of school (8/25/10)...




He transitioned well into the classroom his first day. Mommy got a big hug and kiss, but Asher said "no" to taking pictures of him at school. So, alas, I have no picture of him in front of his locker. (Maybe we can get one on his last day of school.)

Asher knows a handful of boys in the class already from his PS last year. Also, cousin Katelyn is in his class. He was excited to be helper with weather during circle time the 1st day and shared with us about a silly "Mr. Alligator" song they sang. He also got the sharing bag right away, which was fun. Asher brought a Transformer toy, his toy violin, and a picture of himself with his guitar...


He loves computer class, but hates gym. We thought his joking around with the teacher and trying some of the activities (1st time to participate so far) last week was a good sign, but he still is asking not to go in the morning when it's a gym day. He actually told me he knows the stuff they are learning at school and doesn't really need to go, but we talked about the importance of time with kids his own age, making new friends, and enjoying the other activities like centers, art, library, etc. We are trying to keep focused on all the fun things and hoping it will get better... birthday treats to bring and back-to-school night to show mommy, daddy, brother, grandma, and grandpa around.

Summer Fun

Can't believe that August, the start of preschool, and the end of summer are all just around the corner. We have been enjoying summer though.

We had a few days off after July 4th (Al took time off since I didn't have daycare kids) and we enjoyed some family time at home...


and visited some museums.





The boys were excited for some "hands on" fun at Phelps Youth Pavilion. They had a special area about Mexico and Asher was a chef for a while. I thought he'd want to dance around to the music, but he decided to use the costumes to become a pirate. What an imagination they have!

More parades and outside fun. We like to play outside in the morning before it's too humid and hot or enjoy water fun in the afternoon. Lately, Asher has been really excited to "practice" riding his bike.

He is quite good at riding his bike now. Asher also was excited recently to get all the items on his school supplies list. I think he's starting to get excited about going back to school. Here he is putting the magnetic letters in alphabetical order before replicating our Chicka Chicka Boom Boom activity.

He loves to identify letters around him, list words that start with a certain letter/sound, rhyme, and has started wanting to spell. Of course, he still loves pretend play. Superheroes are a favorite lately. Here he is with friends at a birthday party...


One of my favorite pictures lately was his big (real... not posing for the camera) smile when wearing the Robin costume Aunt Holly found for him.

Ezra is still growing too fast. Here is one of my favorite recent pictures of him all stylish in his new hat...

Ezra wants to do whatever the big boys do: sand tray, drawing with chalk, kicking a ball, climbing, slides, etc. He loves going to the park and has grown to enjoy playing in the kiddie pool. After following big brother (conductor) Asher's lead in the marching band,

Ezra decided he'd rock out all on his own.

It has been fun to watch him try new things like coloring (without eating the supplies) and get more involved in pretend play like dressing up with hats and playing with tools. Here is one of his new favorite activities: getting out the house, furniture, people, and cars.


Oh, and did I mention pancakes?! Seems most mornings Asher is requesting pancakes. (I guess it's a nice break from oatmeal.) Here he is ecstatic about a chocolate chip pancake.

And Ezra is not one to be left out!

He loves pancakes just as much as brother :)

Parades!

We went to Clarksville Pioneer Days' parade, and Asher was excited for his 1st parade of the summer. This was Ezra's 1st parade ever. I think he was most excited for the tractors and also liked the horses. But, no, that's not him clapping for the parade participants... Ezra 1st enjoyed a snack and was signing "more" while watching the parade ;)


Asher had another 1st after the parade when he enjoyed a cherry sno cone.


Next was the SR 4th of July parade. After covering his ears for the sirens, Asher was excited to collect some candy. He's so cute because he rushes out and then after collecting just 1 candy will turn around with an excited and triumphant smile and show us his treasure. Piece by piece he filled his bag. Ezra cuddled daddy, grandma, Holly, et cetera and then decided he wanted to run in the street too. His treasure was finding a pencil.

Go Fly A Kite

Asher was thrilled to finally go fly a kite. Here are a few pictures from the exciting event.



I must say that Asher was a master from the start. Ezra was excited to walk around looking cool in his shades and to run, run, run. He did watch brother and eventually gave it a try.

Big Boys

Ezra is such a big boy now. He's been excited to practice using a spoon:


Now, he typically wants to do it all by himself :)



Here are a couple of pictures of Asher trying new things...


...building with "big boy" Legos and Lincoln Logs.

Ezra also stopped eating crayons and finished his first drawing...

He also has been using the chalkboard...