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!

Our little party animal

About two weeks ago Ashton attended a birthday party/sleepover for our next door neighbor. Reports are that he stayed up the entire night! He did not sleep at all! He came home around and fell asleep playing a video game on the downstairs computer. I guess he is just prepping for college life!

A little fall fun

Covid might of slowed us down a little bit, but we still got in some Fall and Halloween fun!

This past tuesday we finally had a chance to go to Gaver Tree Farm for their annual fall festival.  Ashton had fun with his buddy Nathan.  Ashton is constantly impressing me with his ability to build and create things!   At Gaver Tree Farm they have this "life size" Lincoln logs building set.  Ashton and Nathan built the entire house by themselves.  So impressive.  I don't always understand his little brain, but I sure do love this kid's amazing brain.  He is totally going to do something awesome in this life!

"Look what I made for you mom."

How to prevent dropping my phone on my face!

Super Builders

 

For Halloween he decided he wanted to wear a "purge mask".  So that's what we did!  Trick or treating was a little different with people not really giving out candy, but leaving bowls of candy out for the kids to grab.  Needless to say, Ashton "grabbed" a little bit of candy.

 

As far a pumpkin carving, we had great ideas but little follow through.  Ashton and I carved one pumpkin purchased from Walmart, but we forgot to take a picture of the final product because I put all the "pumpkin cutting and lighting supplies" in a safe place.  LOL

A new half-sibling added to the bunch

Today Ashton's biological father Mr. Ricky, just had another boy.  They named him Jon Wilhelm.  Weighed in at just over 10 lbs!  Ashton was not interested in seeing any pictures!  So this makes Ashton officially the half- brother of 7 siblings.  Not to mention our family with Lily, Stian and Fredrik  That's one big extended family for sure!

Accident

I have heard through the years that everyone has at least one major car accident in their life.  And I am hoping that is true for Ashton but we got into a very scary one on Sept. 17th @ 6:44 p.m.  

Ashton and I were traveling on Interstate 70 Westbound to pick up Lily from soccer practice after visiting a local daycare in Mt. Airy.  We took the 53B exit ramp to route 15 N, when a car on Interstate 70 decided at the last minute to try to come onto the 15N ramp.  He lost control of his car on mild slanted hill and began flipping over into our lane.  It was like something out of a stunt car movie.  I am not 100% sure but I think we made contact with the under carriage of their car.  

Thankfully, Ashton and I were not seriously hurt.  But it definitely shook us both up.  The gentlemen in the other car appeared conscious and was taken to Meritus Hospital.  I don't know what the extent of injuries were. 

I just know that both Ashton and I are very fortunate to be alive!

Back to School-4th grade

Ashton started his homeschool program yesterday.  He had a great first day.  He even got up early and got dressed so he could have a little extra television time before the day started.

1st day of homeschool

Also last Monday we meet Ashton's biological father, Mr. Rick at Greenbrier State Park with his wife and two boys.  Mr. Rick was super nervous, but I think the visit overall went well.  We stayed there for 2 or 3 hours and then Ashton was ready to go home.

1/2 brother Ethan age 2

1/2 brother Aiden

Ashton and Mr. Rick

Ms. Tiana pregnant with baby boy #3 and Mr. Rick

Another big change ahead!

So we officially took the leap and decided to start Ashton off with a home school program this school year.  I hope I am not biting off more than I can chew, but I also find myself somewhat excited.  I am hoping to spark a love of learning in him!  I figure I can't do much worse than virtual online school and if it's a total failure, we can just enroll him in his local home school.

Summer has been a mixed bag for Ashton.  His mood over the past month or so has been really angry and irritable. He had been threatening run away and jump out of his window on numerous occasions and has had trouble with his peer relationships We recently increased his Zoloft and for the first few days he was like a different kid. So much happier.  It's just so hard to understand what is going on with his brain wiring.  I am confident that much of it is genetics, but I so wish he didn't have to struggle so much.

Even with Covid Ashton has managed to sneak in some summer fun.  Last week we went to Bethany beach with his best friend Valentina from school.  They had a great time digging holes the beach and playing in the surf with their new boogie boards.

Ashton with his friends!

This past weekend our neighbor Mr. Jimmy took Ashton and Lily fishing on the lower Potomac.  Ashton caught the largest fish weighing in at 20lbs!

My heart in one photo!

Reeling in a big one!

 

 

He didn't want to touch it, but he was pretty proud!

Pondering life!

 

Exhausted from the day!

Ashton has attended Playground camp most days, but really enjoyed going to Tree Trekkers Camp where he got to climb trees, zipline, and travel through obstacles platform to platform.  He keeps asking to go back!