So proud of this boy!

 One of the things I have really want for Ashton this year is larger circle of friends to play with and new experiences, so he can expand his proverbial tent pegs.  I was really hoping with going to a new school he would make some new connections, and even though he has some acquaintances, the one kid whom he really connected with moved away.  So I must say, I was super proud of him when he decided to go to an overnight winter camp even though none of his current friends group was going.  He went to a 2 night camp called Camp Elder, sponsored by the PA Church of the Brethren.  Overall, he seemed happy with the experience.  He enjoyed sledding, playing gaga ball, and loved telling me about the history about the old chapel on the hill.  Not sure if he would want to go again, but I am so proud of him for trying it!

A very Covid Christmas and Happy New Year

 Christmas break was bit of a bummer for Ashton.  He was so looking forward to seeing his buddy Aaron Michael and he got to see him for one day, before Lily tested positive for Covid which totally wrecked our plans, but we made the best of it.  For Christmas he got the one and only gift he had been wanting and Oculus Quest Virtual Reality gaming system, so he was a happy boy.  Thankfully, our neighbors kids had recently had Covid go through their homes, so they were agreeable to let Ashton play with them thank goodness!  Poor Ashton was climbing the walls for sure!  Not sure if he had Covid or not, thankfully on Christmas day he was 2 weeks past the official vaccination period!  So he was definitely the most protected.

 

On New Years Eve, after the CDC changed their guidelines for Covid exposure, we met the Best family and Taylor's gaggle of kids along with some other friends at the local Wegmans.  It took Ashton a while to warm up to his siblings, but after about 30-40 minutes they finally enjoyed one another's company.  Plus we got to meet Ashton's newest sibling Eli.  After Wegman's, we headed to Katie's house to enjoy the company of some other friends!

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!