Apparently Santa is Scary

Mommy: "What do you think about going to see Santa tonight? You can sit on his lap and we can take your picture?" (while showing him the picture with Santa from last year)
Asher: "Let's just stay home and snuggle, Mommy. You want to?"

After convincing him to just go and wave at Santa.
Asher: "What will we do after we wave at him, Mommy?"
Mommy: "Well, maybe once you see how nice he is and see other kids talking to him you can sit on his lap like you did last year. You were so brave!"
Asher: "No, I think so we can just go to Potbewwy."

Will Work for Ambulance

Last week, out of the blue, Asher started throwing fits about wanting an ambulance he had seen at a particular store WEEKS before. He was relentless and it was hard not to run out and buy it just to get him to stop. Michael told him if he fed the dog each night for a week, he could earn the money to buy the ambulance himself ($6), and he did. This morning he got to go back to the store and decide between several different ambulances.

The winner!

Forget the Donkey...

Mary and Joseph's truck. They're going to Whole Foods.


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Heaven & the iPhone Store

Papa: "Is Mimi your Mommy's Mommy?"
Asher: "Yes"
Papa: "Well, Natia is my Mommy."
Nana: "And my Mommy is in Heaven"
Long pause....
Asher: "Where?"
Nana: "My Mommy is in Heaven with God."
Asher: "At the iPhone store?"

Soccer

Asher recently started Soccertots with Michael and is having a ball! (pun intended)

Getting Coach Josh with the noodle

Soccer is hard work!

Halloween (a little late)

Our little Buzz Lightyear had a fun Halloween, and actually wore his costume several times! I expected him to wear it once and never want it on again, but he figured out quickly that costume =candy or sweets. Thankfully, Asher likes the idea of sweets more than the treat itself. He typically takes only a bite or two.

Posing with our pumpkins

Saying "I come in peace"

Exiting the neighbors' haunted house with AJ
No fear, this one! (except heights)

Trick-or-treating with Taylor & Zach

National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
John 16:22-24

Little Planner

On the way home from dinner tonight..."I think so I can watch my fire truck show when I get home. Sound like a plan Mommy?"


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A Picture Recreated

I really can't believe I am posting this, but someday I may need to prove to Asher that his Mommy can be silly. The first picture was taken on our honeymoon on the beach one night after dinner.

Eight years later...same beach, after dinner at the same restaurant. My, how things change!

Costume

The Halloween costume has finally been decided upon and ordered. Sadly, yet thankfully, this homemade contender was not the winner. If you know Asher well, you know this would have been the most appropriate choice, which is why I had to post it. I am relieved I don't have to

attempt this beauty though. I am happy to let Disney do the legwork.

Maui 2010

We took Asher to Maui the last week in August and he has been asking to go back ever since! We went to Maui on our honeymoon in 2002 and several years in row on our anniversary, but we haven't been back in a few years. So we were excited to experience it as a family and we had a fabulous time! Our eight hour flight was delayed an hour so Asher got to check out the cockpit. Unfortunately this delay also made us miss his 'nap window' so he did not sleep ONE WINK the entire flight. We planned for a low-key first day to adjust to the time change, but capped it off with a traditional luau. Asher was completely enthralled with the fire dancer, which led to several discussions about NOT touching fire.

Posing at sunset

Learning to Hula dance

The children's breakfast buffet. Asher had powdered donuts and bacon every morning, in Yo Gabba Gabba dishes no less, such a treat!

Slide #843 down the slide between the two kids' pools

Standing in the ocean

Paddle boarding with Mommy

Our view from the adult 'Serenity' pool the day we had a nanny, Julia, who Asher LOVED.

My first swim-up bar, and my new favorite drink, Passionfruit Batida. (they gave me the recipe)

View from our balcony

Co-Captain Asher on our sunset cruise. The captain, Anthony, has two young boys so he was rather fond of Asher and basically gave him free reign.

Sponges set out in our room, along with toys and a snack presentation...they definitely know

the way to a 2 year old's heart

Playing in the waves

Family picture before our dinner at Spago...our favorite restaurant on the island, which happens to be in our hotel. We were also able to enjoy Spago one evening just the two of us while Asher played with Julia.

Ice cream on our last night...inviting himself to Mommy & Daddy's room service dessert on the balcony.

A Milestone

Asher is officially potty-trained! After two 'failed' attempts at one of the weekend methods, I decided this was just not going to work for us. We were certain he was showing signs of readiness, but, considering his personality, I decided it was going to have to happen on his terms. Sure enough, the day after his adenoid removal, he asked to wear underwear and basically never looked back. He had 3 or 4 accidents in the first week or so, but all were circumstantial. He does continue to wear pullups when he sleeps, but always wakes up dry after naptime and often times in the mornings too. I was anticipating a rough transition for me as far as potty breaks and public bathroom visits, but he has been great and has made it easy! We are so proud of him.

Of course, it does occasionally mean pit stops such as this, but its definitely worth it.

(If potty training is in your future, I do recommend the Potette Plus. Very handy for traveling, especially on the boat. It can be a stand alone potty or a portable seat for a toilet)

Lunch prayer

"Thank you, Jesus, for our food...and Daddy...and lemonade...and ketchup...and ChickFilA. Amen!"


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Our Summer in Pictures

I must confess, I was really dreading this summer. I had a few camps planned for Asher (music, Spanish, swimming) but was worried that we wouldn't have enough to do and the days would be long, hot and boring. Boy was I wrong! We had a blast this summer together and it just flew by. I am sad the summer is over, but also glad to be back in a routine. Here are some pictures from the past couple months. (the last picture is before surgery to have adenoids removed...he did great)