Aschermanns: Goodbye Summer…Hello 1st Grade

Well the summer is coming to an end. I think most parents would agree with me that they are thankful to have some routine returning to their lives, but will miss the flexibility for late nights and all the fun summer times.

Milo is staring 1st grade. How did that happen? I can't believe he is in 1st grade. His Kindergarten teacher moved up to 1st grade and he found out last week that he is in her class again. He couldn't be happier to have Ms. Boyer for another year. The highlights of Milo's summer have been swimming lessons, roller blading, and Abigail. Our Nanny, Miss Jan, has a wonderful daughter, Barrett. Barrett goes to CU and this summer she nannied for two kids, Noah and Abigail. Barrett and Jan have joined forces this summer and the result has been a fun group of kids. Now I am sure my kids have enjoyed Noah, but I haven't stopped hearing how much Milo has loved having Abigail around. One night I went to turn off the kids' lights and I could hear Milo weeping, not crying, weeping big alligator tears. I asked what was wrong and he told me…"I just miss Abigail so much". This was during a week that Abigail had camp. I calmed the storm that time by telling him he would see her soon and per his request promised to get her a birthday present. Apparently I had missed her birthday. He picked out two bracelets that he said weren't too girly, but still pretty, just like Abigail. Now that the summer is nearing an end I found him weeping in bed again last night. I think Milo may be a boy that has his heart broken a dozen times by the time he is 10. I love his heart, but worry a bit for this romantic little boy. Other things from this summer that define Milo, the first grader: He loves ninjas, He says "You know what I mean?" all the time, He wears his pants pulled up over his belly button, and he still loves hockey.

Liesel is moving to the preschool in Van Arsdale. It will be so nice to have both kids in the same school. She will move from a two day a week schedule to four days a week. She is in the afternoon class which should be fine as she usually doesn't nap anymore. She is excited for her new adventure and I am sure she will make loads of friends, both real and imaginary. Liesel's favorite summer time activity has been horse riding lessons. Our neighbor, Amy, has been giving Liesel lessons for the past couple months with Sam, a sweet 30 year old horse. She is in love with it. Amy also has an extra barn cat, which she offered to Liesel if he would come stay in our barn. Liesel has been courting him since June, but Black Cat is pretty happy where he is. As a consolation we got ducks. Two from a coworker and four more to round out our flock. Liesel loves them so much, but we have to keep an eye on her so she doesn't love them to death. We are still struggling with Liesel on potty training. We went to a GI specialist this week to try and figure out if there is a medical issue and/or is it behavioral. I think she has been feeling insecure about the number of accidents recently because she has started make lots of random declarations of love. Out of the blue you will hear, "Mommy I love you", "Daddy I love you", "Miss Jan do you know I love you", "Nana, I love you". She truly is a sweetheart and we are all soaking in all the extra hugs and kisses in order to help mask our frustration. Liesel has also become quite the swimmer this summer. She didn't really have lessons just a will to keep up with Milo. We went to North Carolina as a family and she proved me wrong when I said she couldn't swim and she jumped in a swam across the pool. If she wants to do something, she will. If she doesn't, she won't. I LOVE this about her.

Maddox still has one year of free time, no school for him until next year. I am sure he will gets lots of extra fun time with Miss Jan. Maddox is talking up a storm and picks up so many things from his brother and sister, both good and bad. He has learned most his colors, some numbers, some shapes, lots of words, and unfortunately some bad habits. He does a lot of head butting, he loves the term "poopy", as in "poopy moms", followed with giggles. Maddox is a major tease and you can get him to do almost anything by telling him not to do it. His favorite thing to say right now is " I love you alittlebit" and when you say "only a little" He follows with "I love you to the moon and back". It is loads of fun for him and pretty adorable. He also frequently asks "That cooool mommy?". To which I always reply with "YES". Maddox continues to be an amazing napper. It is not uncommon for him to take a four hour nap. He loves sharing a room with his brother and sister. He is a big fan of family dance parties, and he LOVES tractors. Almost every morning he asks to watch "Tractors" which is in reference to Mighty Machines, a terribly cheesy series on all different types of Machinery. Maddox is by far the toughest kid I have ever been around and he loves trying to keep up with his big brother and sister. He has learned that crying generally gets Milo and Liesel in trouble so he uses that tactic more than Mom and Dad would like, but that is the baby of the family's job. Maddox has also gotten really comfortable in the water. He still uses his puddle jumper, but dunks his head and loves the water. He is growing up too fast and with my brother having a baby and some of my friends having babies I realize how big he is. Now with an almost 3 year old, almost 5 year old, and an almost 7 year old I can't believe how fast they are growing. I do miss the infant stage, but there are benefits to them getting older. They are becoming independent little kiddos. It is so nice that they can dress themselves, brush their teeth, and get their own snacks and drinks. So as long as they continue to let me love on them I will tolerate the fact that they are growing up. Both Scott and I have said that if the other one really wanted another one we could be talked into it. But truth be told we both feel very complete.

Milo changing Maddox's diaper. I could get use to this.

Look Mommy, I'm a construction guy.

One of our summer projects was to build a sand box. Scott and I moved 22,000lbs of sand to make a sand box for the kids. That's right 22,000lbs of sand.

A morning self. The only way I end up in a picture.

Cheese ball.

We had our first annual 4th of July party. It was so much fun. We had 60 people including this beautiful Mama and wonderful baby boy, Heather and Conrad

Of course our favorites came too. Candace, Sloane and the rest of the Sturges crew.

Milo with his best gal pal, Sloane

Putting our sandbox to good use.

Jane, Matt, Adam, Calan, and JCox

The Smith Crew

More fun in the sand box

More Conrad love

Liesel has started manicure time. I'll take it. She's pretty good for 4!

All three kids playing in the sandbox with out fighting...

so we can do this. Totally worth a one time fee of 22,000lbs.

Prelude to a family dance party

My ridiculously adorable and awesome family

Hiking is exhausting

Mom and Dad went to a wedding at Hudson Gardens.

Liesel and Maddox with their second cousin Emily

Helping Mommy cook while naked and being cute

Liesel grooming Sam

Riding Sam. Such a fun experience for her.

Even Maddox got a turn on Sam

The boys watching Liesel get the job done.

look at this cute boy

Pirates, Ey Matey

This picture made me laugh. Only a third child would be caught sitting on top of toy kitchen, still in his jammies at 11:00, with a wrench in his mouth and the first reaction of his mother is to take a picture. If I am being totally honest I didn't even notice the wrench until I looked at the picture.

I got to visit Robert and Jen in Jackson Hole (actually Alpine) while my parents were there. It was great to see them and even greater to meet sweet baby Riley. Being an Aunt is Awesome!

The happy family

The whole crew

Such a great visit

After Wyoming I met my crew and we flew to North Carolina via San Francisco. Yep, North Carolina, via San Francisco on a red eye. Gotta love miles. The kids actually did amazing!