Ashton turned 8 in April was FINALLY got to become a Cub Scout. He's been so excited since Jaden became a scout. This was his first pac meeting and earned his bobcat and a bead. He's serious about earning everything he can so that he can out do his friends. Or at least have as much as they do.
One day I was talking to a friend and she asked me if I've ever messed up on a cake. I said, Yes..of course But nothing that I couldn't "fix". Skip up a few days later and I'm making a cake. Not the normal recipie that I usually use and I was trying to hurry so it didn't freeze enough. And THIS is what happened. The more I tried to fix it, the worse it got. It was just not frozen enough, or at all! This is when you (may or may not) curse a little, sigh really big and put it aside for little scavengers that (may or may not) live under the same roof, and then start cooking another one to freeze OVER NIGHT! End of the story....turned out MUCH MUCH MUCH better! You can see it here
Raspberry peach jam=yummy! And there's LOTS of it. I did make regular raspberry jam, but this is what I did with the left overs. I guess I didn't get a picture of the regular, but's it's pretty too. And yummy. I also made just plain peach jam as well.
May 1 2004 3 weeks old "...I love being your mom and taking care of you! I hold you all the time and that may not be a good thing. I just can't help it. You're so- cuddly and soft and warm. I love you to pieces."
I wanted to get this up before it was too late in the New Year. But I think he did pretty good considering he had to learn it and memorize it in just one month.
And might I add, a handsome little stink as well.
We finally cut the cord on the "big ol' pumpkin" and gave him a face. Somehow he became Eli's pumpkin and he choose a "goofy face". I think he looks rather cute! (The pumpkin too.)
Two stories about Ashton (I didn't want to forget them So I'm here):
Every time there is a home football gameat the high school, Jared takes the boys/or Ashton to it. Being on the little league here in the community, we get emails for all sorts of activites football related. So it was brought to my attention that during the homecoming game, all the "future football players" were going to be recognized. I planned on going but something happened, that I couldn't and Jared and Ash had to rush to make the kick off. What happened was something that I wished I was there to witness personally AND have video footage as well. But have neither.
During halftime, all the players from 1st grade and up were invited onto the field in the endzone. Each grade was called one at a time to be recognized. The announcer was standing a few yards away and asked that all the players run out to him. Of course 1st grade was first and Ash starts running. Stops. Looks around and notices he's the only one. Runs back to the other guys and hides. The announcer sees this and asks, "there are NO 1st grade players here tonight?! It's ok. Come on out." Ash peeks out and timidly steps forward. Then runs to the announcer. Alone! Jared says that you could hear a pin drop then every females in attendance let out a loud , "Ahhh". To see this little boy on the field left Jared's chest puffed up with pride and mine as well when he told me the story. Ashton got "THE LOUDEST" cheer from the stands than any of the other grades that were brought to the field for their recognition. I'm so proud of my boy. For finding a passion, (albeit football) and for being brave enought to do that. I know that, at that age, I could NOT have done it. Alone!
This little one may be stretching his wings sooner than what this momma will like.
Jared has a picture on his phone that I will try and download.
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Second story:
Tonight was Ashton's "End of Season Football Party" honoring and spotlighting all the players. It was a LOT of fun. Held at a bowling alley equiped with high tech lazer tag and arcade games. But during our pizza dinner, all the players had taken claim to one banquet table to enjoy each others obnoxious bodily noises company, when little Eli came a long to join. This didn't sit well with the other players because comments like, "you can't sit here!" and "you're not big enough!" came flying at him. Innocent Eli happily exclaimed, "Yes I am! I'm 5!" was only met with cruel laughter from the "big kids". BUT to my surprise, (I was SHOCKED!), Ashton says, "Hey guys, he's cool. It's ok" And they stopped. Just like that. Little Eli was then welcomed and unbothered after that. I couldn't believe it! But I am SOOOO EXTREMELY PROUD of my boy for sticking up for his little brother like that! Only in my wildest dreams! I guess something is going right, in our home. I won't take full credit for it, cause I really don't know what inspired him to do so.
....Or maybe I do. I kind of wonder if it is acutally a friend of Ashton's that has started coming over every day now. He comes from a tough home situation, so I make acceptions when he comes to play. (like putting off homework to spend time with him) I even had him help us (the family) with walnuts yesterday. He was an excellent helper keeping Ashton on task, and it was during this time that Ash was pointing out faults of Eli's and laughing,when his friend say, "It's ok, he's still little. You need to be nice". I. WAS. FLOORED! I would never expect that to come from this little boy, but it did. So when the boys ran off to play, everyone was included. And everyone was fine with that.
I know I've preached this kind of treatment to my children till I was blue in the face, but sometimes different teachers reach kids that you/I couldn't. Even if this teacher was another child. I just need to remember that. And have more trust.
Perhaps that's what needs to take place in our own lives. Just a simple statement of accepting/(sticking up for) someone for who they are, then people following suit. Regardless of politcal views, relgion, ethnicity, or whatever the circumstances may be.
I was reading a friend's post with pics of her little one at the dentist...and instead of writing a post on her comments page, I figured I'd just come here and share with all of you Ash's nightmare of an experience. He had been complaining about a tooth hurting so we took him in. He had been in a few months back for a checkup and I knew there were a few "problem" areas. (Yes it took me that long to get him in, just list it under the other terrible parenting things I've done in the past and will do in the future...) So we got him an apt with a dentist. I guess when the dentist people come to the school every year they don't explain what could happen when you go to the dentist because once the dentist laid him back and started shoving tools in his mouth, Ashton freaked!! But held it together...for a minute. He wasn't "introduced" to the tools that would be used. He was told to raise a hand if it started to hurt. He held up the wrong hand and the dentist rudely corrected him.
I'm totally jumping ahead....So I'll back up. We are taken back and the assistant tries to confirm with me that I wanted silver. NO! I want the white! NO SILVER! I thought I made that clear, and apparently didn't. You'll see why later. The dentist comes in and says he'd need a root canal. UGH! the bottom of my stomach gave way after that. And the feeling of a nonqualified parent instantly replaced that. I will take FULL credit for not being harder on my sugar addicted child about brushing regularly, but that doesn't justify a dentist to get all jerk like on my SON! I assure you now, he brushes twice a day and even encourages his siblings to do likewise. But then who wouldn't after a visit like this.
As we're sitting, I hear the dentist on a patient next to us. An older man, and he is asking him something. The man doesn't respond and the dentist keeps asking, insisting on an answer. Finally the man answers and the dentist then goes off about wanting to know why the man didn't answer. Totally lecturing this poor man. He seriously wouldn't let it go. I felt embarrassed for the man and the way he was being treated.
It was then our turn and the assistant came back in with a box full of silver crowns. (I didn't know that's what they were for, so i didn't question it.) And she drops them, scattering them EVERYWHERE! Mistakes happen so I start to pick them up, she said not to. Ash then got the dreaded shots and was left to get all numb like. It was funny watching him make fish lips and smacking them together and poking his cheeks. Hard!
They come in and instantly shoved a drill, mirror, water, and suction in his mouth. OH and a wedge to keep his mouth open. He freaked a little and started shaking. Mr. Dentist sternly told Ash he "can't do that" and if it hurt, to raise his hand. SO, he raised his hand. But it was the wrong hand. Apparently the dentist didn't like that hand and corrected Ashton's mistake. SO, he raised the other hand. "Does that hurt?" he asked Ash and he shakes his head yes. He continues to drill and asks Ashton if it hurts. And Ashton continues to raise his hand. Dentist man was getting annoyed with how much Ash was raising his hands and even tested it. He would, without touching the tooth, turn the drill on and ask if it hurt. When Ash raised his hand, he and Miss Assistant would laugh. He took the drill out of the mouth and did it again. Ash said yes, then shook it, no. Again, the two nut heads thought that was funny and stuck all those tools in again and started drilling.
Ashton was crying, shaking, and clenching. Totally scared to death! ANYBODY could see that. Unless of course you were the dentist and his assistant. When it came time for putting a crown on, they pulled the silver things out and stuck it in his mouth, DROPPED it, then panicked a little, telling Ashton not to swallow, "don't move", and trying to snatch it out with tweezers. (Ashton has a terrible gag reflex, just like me! And I was waiting for it and everything else from the day to come up.) Finally they sat him up and told him to spit it out. After choking on it, he spat it out and was allowed to take a break. He saw the blood on his bib and got worried. The doctor did nothing to sooth his worries or explain to him what was going on. Just another shot, and another filling to torture through.
This continued on until he recieved two SILVER filings, leaving behind a tear streaked face, and a stupid cheap toy that broke an hour after we got home. Didn't even get a toothbrush. (Not that he needed one. I just thought that was part of the deal.)
The last thing the dentist said to me was, "he probably needed nitrus, so when you bring him in next make sure you mention that." YA THINK!????
And the last thing the assistang said/asked me, "do you want me to go ahead and schedule apts for the rest of his work"?
Uhhh...."NO, I'll just call you later." (or not.)
I don't know why I didn't stand up for my son and explain to the Dentist that this was his first cavity visit, or tell the Dentist to explain to Ashton what he was doing or putting in his mouth, or insist on the white fillings like I had wanted in the first place, or to talk nicer to my son, or even request a little compassion for Ashton's sake....But I'm still angry now and HOPE I get a "survey call' asking me how my/our visit went. It was such a bad experience but wonder if I was being overly observant/sensitive with it being my child. Although that dentist definitely proved to this child that going to the dentist is a very bad thing. I'm gonna need a saint to rectify this one.
Since my camera broke, I feel like I've had nothting to blog about. But I'm going to sit down and bring you up to speed. Without pictures. My camera is in being fixed so I guess that's reason enough to post.
Ashton and his team has done so well with football. Up until this last saturday they had only lost one game. The game on saturday was a battle for the number one team to beat with playoffs. But they lost. Barely! 1:30 left to make a goal. 8 yards from the endzone....but the other team held them back. They boys played really well that day. They now have to continue winning until they face this team for the championships.
My big giant pumpkin is still connected to the vine. I'm not sure that it's growing anymore. But we're going to wait a little longer. Maybe at least until the vine dies. It weighs in at 71lbs. and measure 59in. around. Not huge, but not small either. The second largest pumpkin weighed in at 34lbs. That one is still definitely growing!
With canning and harvesting this year. I bottled: Tomatoes, Dilly beans, Salsa, and Pears. I still am waiting on my grapes to sweeten up to make jelly with. We have dried potatoes and apples. My next canning attempt will be applesauce.
In the last 3 months, Jared has lost 30 lbs. His method was exercise and smaller porportions. When Ash has his football practices (3times a week) Jared would just walk and run around the field for the 2 hours Ash would practice. I'm really proud of him. He also goes out on some nights with the kids and runs. It's fantastic for me, because he wears them out right before bed and makes nighttime routines that much smoother.
The road construction in front of my house is even worse than it was before. (I didn't think that possible) But the road has been since torn up and there's a lot of dirt ALL the time. And cars are now coming (after construction crews go home) and peel out in the dirt. Really bugs me! They are also leveling the lane where they want to extend the freeway lane and it's like THISCLOSE! It's less than 100 meters from my doorstep! With winter months coming up quick, I know that crews will work less, therefore prolonging it all. OR...if i'm lucky. Take 3 months off while a beautiful blanket of white covers up all the ugly.
Kid update: Mykael, I believe, has settled into junior high nicely. Parent teacher conferences showed that as well. Jaden is living up his last year of elementary and "ruling the school". Ashton incorporates football into EVERYTHING. School work, recess, cleaning the house, running with dad, and constantly tries to talk his little brothers into "playing" with him. Eli LOVES preschool. He got into the program they have at the school and his teacher adores him. I have to say his paintings are really cool! Dylan had a hard time adjusting to loosing Eli to school, but quickly got over it when he realized it was just him and I.
I feel like I need to say, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year now! So I'll just end it before I get any more cheesy.
Oh! and my Last Supper cross-stitch...I'm still working on the table cloth! (Once every few months!) So it doesn't look any different from the last picture I posted of it....forever ago. I was hoping to have it done by the same time I started it...November. Not going to happen. I'll just be more realistic and shoot for finishing it within 2 years!
*It's not the best point of view of the play, but hopefully you can see which one is him. #58 He's REALLY good at breaking through the offensive line and messing the plays up for the other team. He almost made it to the handoff to intercept, but was able to quickly pull the boy down with the help of his teammates.
I was so excited for this game. Awake a lot in the night thinking about it and hoping I wasn't going to be too tired to get up with the alarm clock and oversleep and miss the game. Dylan's impeccable timing (5 mins before alarm went off) prevented that. I wanted to get as much footage as possible but my eyes were not in sync with the camera and it floated up A LOT! Although here's a good play I DID catch. It goes kind of fast so you may have to watch it over again to find him. *I'm thinking a tripod in the future would be a GREAT investment.
I always thought it was annoying when my mom would cheer for my brothers at their soccer games. She was always SO loud. It was embarrassing to the young girl I used to be. But the table has turned and I'm now that obnoxious screaming mother cheering for her boy! I'm also the mother with urges to get up in coach's face insisting my boy be put in immediately! But, No worries, I have more self control than that, but that urge is p r e t t y powerful! There's still a full season ahead....we'll see how I behave.
When we got there, the opposing team was already warming up in a rather military-like formation. Quite the intimidation tactic. And I was conviced that we weren't playing them. They were much too big for our little team. (There were 3 different games going on at once so I found another team that sized up more equally. Then they left to a different field and the military "giants" were still at the other end of OUR field. I prayed that we wouldn't loose THAT bad but expected a loss nonetheless. We had good players but have struggled to get the plays down.
I walked over to Ash and some other boys and gave them some "words of encouragment" (or maybe it was permission to hit REALLY hard, act like animals....something like that, I don't remember.) And wished them good luck.
The coaches have pretty much decided to put Ash on the defensive line. Although he does play a little on the offensive. So when it was their time to send the defense out, Ash didn't start and I was sad about that. He was SO excited to play today. He was right on the white line waiting for coach to put him in. And he waited. And waited. And mom was getting mad. And he waited some more. He would frequently ask the coach when his turn will come and continually was told to wait. At this point, I'm thinking of ways to "nicely" request my son be put in, which turned to more aggressive requests the longer he waited. (Of course it was all in my mind. Nothing vocal)! FINALLY I hear "Ashton" and I grab the camera. He ran one play and they pulled him out. I was like, WHAT!? ARE YOU SERIOUS! He just got out there!!! Jared showed up just then and I had some frustrating words to share with him. During half time when coach was talking to the team I suggested to Jared to "just stand over there". Maybe if the coaches saw that his dad was there, they'd let him play more for that reason, since mom's presence wasn't doing any good.
Luckily we had some fabulous friends come to support Ashton and Ray educated me a little on what the coach was dealing with: More players than positions-someones going to sit out. Making parents AND players happy by making sure each kid played. AND win the game. SO I simmered down. Sat down. And took a deep breath. And trusted the coaches know what they're doing.
The outcome: Ash played A LOT in the second half. He was on fire! And it was awesome. I do know that he has a lot to work on and now that he's had a small taste of what this season will be like, he can focus on what needs working on. And me too. The mom. I have to remember that it's his first year playing. And there are boys out there with this being their second. Seniority does have a hand in there and that sucks for Ash. But such is life. And that's how we grow. Fight to the top, right?
We ended up winning 14-0. But to give that other team credit, they came so close, so many times. Our little guys were just faster. One play, their boy was running and 'we' caught up to him and tackled him 2 yards from the goal line. Pretty exciting.
I'll probably post a lot on his games, so bare with me for the duration of this season. I hear they play rain or shine, snow or sleet. So I'll have lots to talk about.
Now that summer is officially over (for the kids) I can do sort of a re-cap, So here goes.
Garden is doing fantastic!!! Cucumbers are endless. They're the "skinless" kind. But taste just as good.
Beans are doing the best! Every week I'm getting a bigger bowl full than this one. So I have blanched and frozen till they are all done, and then I'm going to go crazy with making dilly beans. I'm still looking for a good recipie if any of you out there have one.
We've had some unusual rain storms this summer and the gutters have flooded PLENTY. On this particular day, Dylan ventured out to play in the water. The other two quickly followed suit.
