An unexpected visit

We had a surprise visit from Mr. Rick earlier this week. Mr Rick had been stationed in Diboutji, Africa, finishing up the last weeks of his deployment when he got the word that his father (who was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer right before Rick was deployed) was in his last days of his life.

So Mr. Rick was able to come home and say goodbye to his father.  Your paternal grandfather.  I've included his obituary in case Ashton wants to know more about his extended family in the future.  I had no idea his father lived in Frederick, so it was a nice surprise when Mr. Rick asked if he come over and visit with Ashton.  Ashton and him enjoyed playing Minecraft together and Mr. Rick put daddy and me to shame with his made building skills in creative mode.  I think Ashton had a nice time, because the next day he asked when he might see Mr. Rick again.  I hope it is good for Ashton to have that biological connection to his birthfather. 

My bath boy!

It is no secret that Ashton loves the bath!! He would take multiple baths a day if we let him! Just recently when mom and dad's guard was down he took 3 baths in one day! LOL! Now keep in mind he does not usally wash his hair, he just loves to soak and watch t.v on whatever electronic device he has pilfered for the moment! I told Olav we are going to have to buy him is own hot tub someday! Too bad they cost an arm and a leg to keep and maintain!

Halloween Fun

Help!  I've been abducted by an alien!

 

Halloween and trick or treating is always a fun time and this year Ashton had his heart set on having the "abducted by an alien" inflatable costume.  We ordered it from Walmart, but it got lost in the mail and didn't arrive earlier this week.  Thankfully for the internet, I was able to post my predicament on a local page and someone came through and gave us one that needed a little bit of repair, but once repaired was usable.  So grateful!  We had a great time trick or treating with our friends Nanna and Micheal in my old neighborhood in Lake Linganore.  As usual, Ashton brought home a huge haul of candy!

Alien vs. Gozilla!

The haul!

And new baby brother equals 8

Ms. Taylor welcomed baby number 6 to the world  on 10/18/21.  She named him  Eli Callum, weighing in at  6.8 lbs and 19.5 inches long.  Both mom and baby are happy and healthy.  Bio dad Rick currently has 3 boys,  making Ashton a half sibling to 8 other kiddos.  Plus if you add his adopted siblings (Lily, Stian, and Frederik) he has 11 siblings!  Talk about a big family tree!

 

Emotional Support Animal and 5th grader in the house!

 One of Lily's good friend's family recently went away to Jamaica, innocently one day when we were dropping their daughter off when Ashton was in the car, and the mom asked Ashton is as he would want to watch their dog waffles while they were away.  He desperately wanted to, I told him we could ask daddy.  Daddy agreed and so we had waffles for 9 days!  Ashton and Waffles became VERY attached!  She would cry anytime he left the room, sleep in his bed etc...It was very endearing and sweet.  

Ashton and waffles!

 

Anyway, Waffles is about 16 months and was  living with two other pugs, whom she was attacking pretty frequently.  One of the pugs was able to fight back and put her in her place, but the other pug wouldn't fight back and so she was constantly being attacked.  They had sent her to obedience school in hopes of rehabilitating her but things have continued to be stressful.  A few days before returning home, the owner, Ms. Susan asked if we would considering keeping Waffles.  After both families discussed it and I prayed over it, we decided to keep Waffles as an emotional support dog for Ashton.  At first only Ashton and I were attached, but as the days have gone on, I think we are all officially smitten.  She still has her moments where she is can be insecure and act out, but Austin deals with her quite well.  He's been a
trooper!

Waffles cuddling Pokey while Ashton is away

 

In other news,  after going to school with Ashton for the last 3.5 years,  started a new school (our local home school, Liberty Elementary.  His 5th grade teacher is Mrs. Hammond and she has a student intern who just happens to be one of Lily's friend's mom from Montessori school.  So far he has gone two days and has reported having great days!  I have been praying for a successful school year!  Also Ashton filled out this first day form and I snuck a picture of it!  So cute!

A summer of new skills

 So proud of this boy!  He has tried so many new things this summer!  A few weeks ago he attended sewing camp (a camp that Lily went to for many years) and loved it.  He made a pillow case, a back pack, pajama bottoms, and patchwork pillow.

This week he has been going to ice hockey camp and seems to enjoy it!  He already asked me to sign him up for more hockey classes in the fall.

He also has been a lego maniac this summer, creating all kinds of amazing creations.  So impressed with his imagination and ingenuity.

He got to spend some time with one of his best buds from Texas the last month.  Sadly he is going back to Texas on Wednesday.

Lastly, he has been pet sitting for our friend's pug.  He is in love and wants to keep her.  The pug loves him and he is her person!  So cute!

A new first!

 Today we dropped Ashton off for his first official mini sleep away camp with his friends.  I hope he loves it so much he wants to go even longer next year!  Apparently he is one of only 4 kids who signed up this session!!!!  I figure either he love his friends so much or they will be sick of each other LOL.

Turning a corner?

 It's been a difficult season with Ashton, but recently had a medication change last week everyone he seems to be responding positively!  

Poor guy has had a lot of trouble sleeping through the night ever since when he turned 10 in April we told him he needed to sleep in his own room, but slowly he seems to be making the adjustment. We recently had nearly 2 weeks where he slept through the entire night in his own room.  Hooray!

Next week Ashton starts his summer party season off with camps, camps and more camps.  This summer he is going to try a mini sleep away camp, sewing camp, tree treekers camp, ice hockey camp, vacation bible school camp and of course the old standby which he declares he hates, but gives mom peace and quiet is playground camp LOL.

Ashton too got his first debit card.  He doesn't have any money on it yet, but hopefully he can earn some money soon. 

Never a dull moment

There is never a dull moment living with Ashton. May has been a tough month, but there have been a few rainbows in the clouds as well. To celebrate Ashton finished his 4th grade homeschool year. As I reflect back on the year, I feel like I can say with a little bit of confidence that I didn't do any worse than the virtual learning he would of gotten at public school. He is currently enrolled to attend his home school Liberty Elementary next year. Hopefully that will be a good thing for him socially, since he has high social needs and he can meet other kids who live closer to us.

He also continues to be very creative and innovative. Creating all kinds of fun contraptions. Here is one of his latest made from a bed sheet!

Last weekend we had a fun time camping with our friends, including Ashton's 1/2 sister Arianna. His birthmother Taylor showed up with her two youngest Paisley and Noel and annouced that she was unexpectly pregnant with baby number 6. A baby boy due in October or November. Ashton seem unfazed by the news. Although he swears up and down he doesn't like his sisters, he did enjoy spending some quality time with Arianna both while camping and the following Wednesday at a informal get together.

We also received an updated photograph his birthfather from Ms. Tiana (Mr. Rick's wife) of Mr. Rick serving in the military somewhere in Africa.

Double Digits!!!

 EEKKK!!!  How have I not posted for Ashton in several months!  This weekend Ashton turned the BIG DOUBLE DIGITS!!!  10!!!  Make time slow down please!!!!  Ashton is growing up way to fast!!!!

To celebrate we took Ashton and his friend Nathan to Lego Discovery in PA.  I think they had a good time!  Ashton said it was the best birthday ever!

 

He also got some amazing gifts from his biological family as well as his extended family.  He was a super happy boy.

Baby Yoda Legos

K'nex

Completed Ferris Wheel

 

Easter was fun as well.  We celebrated with our friends with an Easter brunch and Easter egg hunt.  A fun time was had by all!

He found his Easter basket

A pillowcase for the goods!

Easter with good friends

January update

January has been relatively quiet here, not much to report.  Ashton continues to do well with being home schooled and sometimes requests to  continue being home schooled once Covid is over.  I can't imagine how we could do that unless we joined a co-op where he could get his social needs meet!  Anyway now days he spends his time playing Fortnite online, hanging with our neighbors Chase and Mark, and occasionally hanging out with a friend or two.  Really hoping he can go back to "regular" school in the fall!