asher's visitor

Last weekend we got a surprise visit from Asher's Uncle Jared!

He was in DC for a medical conference and came over to see us and spend the night on Saturday.  Asher loves visitors - especially when they are willing to play with him!

It was a quick 1-night visit, but we had a great time seeing Jared and getting caught up on all the happenings in Maine.

After Jared left, Asher decided that he needed some quiet time.  As much fun as it is to have your uncle around, a weekend of attention sometimes leaves a boy needing a little time alone.

Asher crawled under the music table with his book and proceeded to read it for almost 10 minutes.  Too funny!  He came back out refreshed and ready to play again. 

Thanks for visiting, Uncle Jared!

proud to be an american

On the first Tuesday of November Asher learned about a very important civic responsibility.  He went with me to vote!

This was the first election that I went to vote in since he was born.  {In Cleveland we had a great absentee-style option so I could mail my ballot in from home - very handy with a tiny baby}  Ash loves to go on adventures these days, so this was a must-do. 

Unfortunately we had a paper ballot {waaay old school!} so there wasn't much for Asher to see, but I showed him each step regardless and explained what was going on.  The senior citizens running the polling place were so excited to talk with and fuss over Asher.  To be honest, I think that was his favorite part.

After we sent our ballot into the giant collection box we got a sticker!  Score!  Voting is so fabulous!

In an interesting twist, by the time we got home Asher's sticker had completely vanished.  It wasn't anywhere on his coat, clothes, or car seat.  I've been checking his poo - but really, how can someone eat a sticker without it getting, well, stuck in his mouth??  I don't think he ate it - mystery!

Asher {and I} voted - did YOU?

fall fun

This post is for Carl.  Our friend and ex-pat who first told us about "his park" where we had so much fun.  Come back from Egypt soon, Uncle Carl!

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At work last week Drew heard about a fall festival that was happening over the weekend, so we packed Asher into the car on Saturday afternoon and headed over.  As it turns out we'd heard about this park before {from Carl, see above} but didn't realize until later that it was the same place!

This park has a cute little train that runs a 10 minute loop.  They had people dressed in costumes all along the route, so it was the 'Ghost Train.'  Since it was the middle of the day {and geared towards kids} it was all funny scary, not scary-scary.  Perfect!  I hate scary stuff and really didn't want to scar Asher!  HA!

While we were there I took Asher on his first-ever carousel ride.  So fun!  He was very intrigued by the fact that we were going both up and down and in a circle.  His serious face means he is contemplating the whole scenario - but is still having fun.  :o)

There were tons of families enjoying the perfect fall day.  It was so fun to go with Asher - next year he'll be able to run around!  Wow!

{Drew was trying to get Asher to smile by blowing his lips.  Of course, this was the best photo of Ash and the worst of Drew.  Sorry, D}

R-E-L-A-X

Sometimes you just need a break from it all.

That's when Asher goes to his happy place - sleeping in the Jumparoo - ahhh....

 

 

party animal

Finally, the long awaited birthday party post!

Last weekend Asher attended his first ever friend birthday party.  It was so much fun!!

{He was pretty obsessed with this ball}

All of the kids were encouraged to wear their costumes, so of course, the lobster had to make an appearance.  Unfortunately, Asher was hot and overwhelmed by all of the excitement, so this lobster looks pretty grumpy.  You'd think we were surrounded by boiling water and claw crackers by the expression on his face.

But really, it wasn't that bad.

We popped him out of the lobster-wear and he was happy as a clam.  Maybe that should be next year's costume.

Miss O {the birthday girl} was the cutest little ladybug. 

Asher had fun playing around the other kiddos - he still doesn't play with anyone - I think this is normal.

The birthday girl got a little help from Mom and Dad on blowing out her candle.

It took a little time for her to warm up to the idea, but eventually she took a face-first nosedive into her cake.  I love it!

We had such a great time!  Thanks for inviting us to celebrate with you!

baby friends - Halloween edition

Asher and I have been going to a Moms/Babies bible study this fall and last week we had our Fall Celebration so all of the babies {and some mommies!} could dress up in costumes.

Ash was having a bad day {exacerbated by a nasty cold} so we skipped the lobster and stuck with his Adora-boo shirt instead.  He was still super cute!

I love that Asher is big enough to have little friends - and sit up by himself on the couch without falling off - way to go A!

Look at sweet little Lucy sleeping in the corner.  I was really proud of Kate for resting her there - so brave, mama!  But, in all fairness, Madison {Nemo} was on watch and taking her job pretty seriously.  :o)

baby fight club

Remember a few weeks ago when I mentioned that if Carl and Karen's baby was a boy the men had big plans to train he and Asher into the world's foremost baby MMA club?

Well, Asher wasn't about to let something as small as them having a girl stop him from learning to be a great fighter.  I try to discourage this, but he's got the bug - what can you do?

With battle comes, of course, battle wounds.

Lest you get the wrong idea and social services start knocking on my door, I'd better come clean and confess that the only thing Asher has been fighting is his crib.

That's right, my tiny dancer was hopping in his crib and fell over, impressively knocking himself on the approximately 0.01% of exposed wood in his bed.  I'm actually not sure how he managed it - but his big ole shiner says he did.

Good thing Grandma W brought him a handy Boo Boo Bunny.  Nothing says tough fightin' man like needing a Boo Boo Bunny, right? 

How cute is this little thing?!  You put the ice cube part in the fridge or freezer then pop it into the soft bunny holder when someone gets a bump and needs some soothing.  

Boo Boo Bunny - I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.