Fun Camping trip with friends

 Camping is always Ashton's happy place and our last camping trip with his biological sister Ariana and friends was no exception!

The three amigos, Ariana, Xavier, and Ashton

The torture picture!

One more funny for the day, last week we had some terrible air quality, like nothing I had experienced in the United States before.  Kids and adults had to stay indoors.  Anyway, someone told Ashton at camp that breathing in the poor air quality was similar to smoking 6 cigarettes.  Ashton was super concerned, "does that mean I am going to get addicted?"  Don't worry little man...the air doesn't have the addictive drug nicotine...you are going to be okay.  Love my boy!

School Out for Summer!

 Today was the last day of school for Frederick County Public Schools!  Ashton has officially completed 6th grade at New Market Middle and is moving on to 7th grade next year!  Our morning routine started with Alice Cooper's School's Out for Summer wake-up call, which none of my children appreciate!  But I was able to get a few last-day-of-school shots!  Praying for a great summer!

And he's off!

A little update from Ms. Taylor

 Ms. Taylor sent Ashton the results of her DNA results, so Ashton can see where his maternal side of the family comes from.

Also, she sent him a very sweet birthday card with a Roblox gift card.  Very sweet.

Turning 12!

We celebrated Ashton's 12th birthday yesterday.  His big gift was a new bicycle that actually received a few weeks ago.  He also enjoyed a meal out with his buddy Chase at his favorite restaurant California Tortilla, followed by a Dairy Queen Chocolate Blizzard Ice Cream Cake and a trip to the Walkersville Community Park.  He also got some great gifts from friends and family, including a new hammock for camping and a new Lego set.

Easter Sunday was fun, we went to church and then had some family friends over.  I upped the Easter egg game up this year with some money.  So each participant walked away with a little extra cash!

Good Samaritan

 So proud of this boy.  We occasionally will take a walk together after school with the dog and he was telling me how much he had been bothered by all the plastic water bottles and trash cluttering up the side of the road.  Without any prompting, he decided he wanted to trash bags to clean up the litter!  He collected a full trash bag and two grocery bags of trash!  #soproud

Also recently I made Ashton apply for the GEMS program at Hood College again.  He needed a teacher's recommendation and I asked his technology exploration teacher, Mr. Flick, to write him his recommendation.  What he wrote was amazing!  As an acquaintance of mine said, "when they find their thing, they really shine."  He is definitely shining!

 Lastly, Ashton has been doing fantastic at both home and school.  We are very proud of all the progress he has made over the past year!

Airsoft and Honor Roll

 Today Ashton got his report card and once again he made the honor roll!  Way to go Ashton!  Two weekends ago, he got to go play airsoft with Mr. Rick and daddy.  Daddy said he was a natural!  He loved it!

2022 comes to a close!

 Ashton has been growing so much!!!  Several weeks ago I noticed he surpassed Lily in height.  We had a very happy and healthy Christmas season this year thankfully!  No covid this year!!!!  Ashton even put up the Christmas tree and decorated it for me this year!

Before Christmas we had a gingerbread decorating contest boys against girls.  Ashton, Olav and Mr. Ernie (Elaine's husband) vs Me, Lily, Elaine and Emily.  We had people vote on Facebook and the girls won by one vote!

On Christmas eve we were visited by Ashton's bio father Mr. Rick and his family.  I think it was a bit overwhelming with his 3 younger siblings Aiden age 6, Ethan age 4, and John age 2.  Olav and I were exhausted when they left!  A lot of energy for sure!

John, Tiana, Ethan, Rick, Ethan, Ashton and Waffles

John wasn't wanting his picture taken

Ashton and Mr. Rick

We had a lovely Christmas eve party with several friends and neighbors and on Christmas day we enjoyed eating our traditional breakfast,  opening gifts, and going to Chinese food with our dear friends Katie and Dan.  Ashton had really wanted the Xbox game Forza 5 and a steering wheel and Mama Santa got him for him and ukelele that Tia Lisa got for him.  

Happy boy with Ukele

Steering Wheel:)

We had several visitors over the last few days including Eirik and Luis Miguel.  Ashton enjoyed Urban Air, Germantown Bicycle Pump Track, an Remote Control car place, and tubing at Whitetail.  It's been a great Winter Break! 

Happy New Year!