Hey...

Do I have something on my head???

Fabric Softner

 It was quiet for far too long. I should have known. Dave went to investigate and walked into our room to a surprise. Asher turned around and looked like he had taken a bath with his clothes on. He was literally soaked. And he indeed had taken a bath with his clothes, only it was with fabric softener. Dave mixes water with a little fabric softener so hopefully it wasn't as potent as the store bought stuff. Still probably wasn't awesome on the eyes... Jaxson told us that Asher sprayed himself entirely. Which I totally believe because I have caught him spraying stuff all the time before. Including himself.

 We caught them just as it was Jaxson's turn to get a spray down. They were only a few sprays in before we stopped their impromptu spray down session. (Jaxson yesterday decided pants just weren't his thing.) I do have to admit that it was the best they smelled in awhile. Do they make non-toxic spray for in between bath days?!?

Playdate Thursday

I have recently met and had several outings with a new group of friends. Asher and I love filling our time with more kiddos and mommies! And by kids, I mean girls. The boy to girl ratio is a little skewed. One mom has 4 girls, triplets that are 2 1/2, and a 10month old little girl. Another also has 4 girls, three of them young enough at the playdate.  Two of them are twins and a soon to be one year old. Channing has Paisley who just turned one, and another girl that is due to arrive sometime in March. There is a boy, Henry, who just turned one in January and his baby brother who is 4 weeks, but they are the only ones that have been holding down the boy front most weeks. One Thursday there was 17 kids and only 6 moms! It was pretty incredible trying to feed them all lunch!!

When I went to take this picture Asher was surrounded by girls in a big circle as he was delivering snack cups. Just as I snapped the photo one little girl moved on. But really playing with all these girls is good for his sensitive and gentle side before he comes home with Jaxson to play WWE or basketball or some other rough and tough game they choose.

Swim Lessons

 We started Jaxson swim lessons at the Y. Our membership is proving very handy and getting half off the lessons was great! He was reluctant to go to his first class as he is with most things but really was excited when he was done. They don't let us stay in the pool room so they don't try to either not participate or show off for their parent. We watched through the glass waiting area. He did great participating and following directions. In his second class they told him to put his ears in the water and he wasn't really into it. He tilted his head, but didn't put it in the water. then he was supposed to blow bubbles and he just watched wide eyed. Maybe next week on that one. The last five minutes we all get to go in and they get some free play time. He was throwing the ball to the other kids and playing with them so I was happy to see that. There are only three of them so I think that helps.

Also, on our way to his second class I challenged him to say at least one thing to the teacher or the other kids. And he got it out of the way right away. When he came in she asked him his name, and he said quickly and fairly loudly, Jaxson. I think he then had a weight lifted that he already got talking out of the way. Next week I will challenge him to say at least one thing to one of the kids. That will be alot harder for him, but he needs to keep trying!

Asher preferred the bench and ipod to the child watch area.

Look-A-Likes

 Dave and I were organizing some photos in the basement and came across some old photos of Dave when he was Jaxson's age and maybe a little older. I already have seen photos of him when he was younger, but even still, every time I see them I am always amazed at how much Jaxson looks like him. I feel like I am looking at Jaxson.

Here are some side by sides to compare all the boys.

Dave and Jaxson. Unbelievable to me. Even the same body language!

Jaxson, Dave, Asher

Dave and Asher. Asher kind of looks quite a bit like Dan in the photo actually. 

You might wonder what Jaxson will look like in high school. Probably something like this.......

Wasn't he handsome??

Clifford!

I have always taken the boys to story time at the library. Now it is Asher and I that get to go since Jax in school and lucky for us, one of Asher's new friends, Paisley and her mom have joined us that last few times. We heard Clifford was going to be there for a story time so we went. And went early because we heard it would be packed. They were right and lucky for us we were right up front. I wasn't sure how Asher was going to react to Clifford but he was all smiles and wasn't scared at all.

 Asher stood directly in front of Clifford's nose and didn't look comfortable at all. But everyone is in the picture so that worked for us. We luckily got to be the front of the line. Otherwise we wouldn't have even waited since the line wrapped out the door.

 Then off to lunch at Panera!I really need to register my Panera card. I have gone countless time and had to tell them it wasn't registered. Why did they think registering online was a good idea? Does anyone actually do it???

Valentine Cupcake

Asher just eats everything like this now. He must feel he has mastered the art of using utensils so he is just so passed that now or something. I caught him trying to eat his lunch like this. But they were raviolis. One thing is for sure, this kid is going to be really great at bobbing for apples if they still play that game when he is a little older..

Friendship Party!

 Since I have seen these floating around I decided to give it a go this year. It was super easy and pretty easy on a budget too! It did take a little time poking all those little holes but the end product it was worth it I thought! I got to the friendship party at his school on Friday to pass out his valentines and all the kids seemed pretty impressed.

 Here are some of our outtakes. I will be showing this little shot to his girlfriend when he is 16....

Old Bay

Asher new favorite food. Old Bay seasoning. He is an interesting child... or maybe just his father's child..

Energy!

 We keep finding ourselves at Wells Fargo Arena spontaneously and the most recent outing was the the Energy basketball game. Tickets aren't pricey and Jaxson has loved watching basketball on tv lately. He is engrossed int he tv and watches every play. We thought he would like it. And we were right. He sat the entire game watching very closely to each play. He was rooting for the wrong team but I guess he knew something we didn't since they were won. :)

If basketball is going to be his favorite sport, with Asher right behind him always talking and wanting to play "beeball" I better learn some rules and get used to shoes squeaking on the gym floor. ugh... worst sound ever!! 

Cookie Crime Scene

 I brought home everything we needed to make peanut butter cookies the other night since for some reason they sounded so good. I haven't had them in forever but my favorite thing is the slightly melted hershey kiss on top. After they cooled both boys had their own way of going about eating their cookie.

Jaxson just went for it. 

 And Asher had a different, hands free, idea. He went after the chocolate hershey first. When he tried to pick it up it was just a little too melted so he went hands free instead. Once the chocolate top was gone he didn't want much to do with the rest.

 The next day, after having a few minutes unattended in the kitchen, all of the peanut butter cookies looked like this. I think we have a pretty good idea which one year old in our house is responsible.

Ride to Ragbrai

The other night after going to dinner with friends Dave read an article about the Ragbrai route coming through Des Moines. After about a minute of thought he decided he wanted to ride a day into dsm. I didn't think he was serious so I told him I would post it to FB. I was kidding. He told me to go ahead and post it because he was serious. So I did.

The next day several people offered to ride with him. And I don't know if he was bummed that someone saw the status or excited that someone might ride with him. Probably both. Dave is really good at working towards a goal with fitness. When he decided to run a 5k he ran often and ran several in the matter of months. I don't have that kind of persistence. I wish I did.

First thing first, we got set up with a Y membership. It was something we wanted to do for awhile but this just gave us a reason. They offer some cycling group classes and also plenty of other things that I can try like yoga, Pilates, and plenty of others. My intentions are good right now. Ha... We also get half off of all the kid activities and they have so many. Tball, soccer, flag football, basketball, cooking and art classes, taekwondo, and the list continues. Jax starts swim lessons next week.

Next step is to find a bike since I think those are pretty important for the whole ragbrai business. And definitely some padded butt cycling shorts. :)

I will try to keep everyone updated on his ride to ragbrai! :)

Hat Hair

Asher has some serious hat hair on a regular basis. He has some serious nap hair. And wake up hair. I don't know what makes his hair stand up straight after a short trip to HyVee with a hat on but it seriously does. And really, spiky hair kind of suits him. Maybe we should do a spiky new do for him...???

Ipad Brothers

The day has come when Asher can successfully navigate an ipad and if Jaxson is playing, Asher needs to as well. They are so cute. :)

Really it is probably more educational than Jaxson practicing WWE moves on his little brother....  :/

Chucke E Cheese!!

 Aunt Carol came home from her trip and wanted to do something fun with the boys. She let Jaxson decide between going to Chucke E. Cheese, seeing a movie, bowling, and the list went on. He lit up when he heard Chucke E. Cheese so the decision was made. We met there, played games, ate pizza, and played more games until we had over 800 tickets.

We had some help with all the games too. My dad wasn't busy so he tagged along. There is something about arcade like games that dads just like. No matter how old. Jaxson and Asher were able to get a nice rubber kickball for their prize. I try to persuade them into something that might be lasting rather than garbage before it gets home.

Jaxson and Asher had tons of fun and still tell me about their day when they find their blue Chucke E. ball. :)

The both look thrilled about 1. taking a picture and 2. not playing games...

Warm Winter Day

 A week or so ago (probably more, I am so behind on all blog posts) it was really warm for January and we stopped at the park that is just up the street. It is kind of hidden and we hadn't been to it before but a friend who lives close the park said we should meet there sometime soon.

Besides parking, it is a great park. Such a big open area, basketball and tennis courts, covered shelter with bathrooms, and even a splash park in the summer. And only a couple blocks from home is perfect!

Only a few minutes into playing we heard a loud rumbling and looked up to see a plane flying right over the park. It was really close and really loud. Loud enough to scare little Asher to tears. After 7 more planes in the hour and half we were there he successfully overcame his fear. If you have a plane loving kiddo, this is the park for you!!!

Jaxson with a moustache...aka playing in sand and "wiping" his nose