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!

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!