Asher is 6!

There is no question that Asher is an introvert, but everyone loves to feel special and loved on their birthday, right? So it was funny to see how he handled all the extra attention on Tuesday. He stood in front of his kindergarten class and grinned while they sang to him, but he wouldn't look any of them in the eye. When his taekwondo teacher (who didn't know it was his birthday) coincidentally asked him that afternoon how old he was, he answered "Six" without giving her any clues. And when Tyson was telling random strangers in Target that today was his brother's birthday, Asher did his best to act like he didn't know that kid.

But we love Asher like crazy, and were happy to give him all kinds of special attention. He requested waffles for his birthday dinner. (He requested at least 6 other meals before that, but a couple of days before I finally told him that he couldn't change his mind any more, since I'd bought the buttermilk, fruit, and whipped cream.) After eating cupcakes, opening gifts, and playing games, the birthday boy had had enough. In what was probably a first for any of our kids, he cuddled up on Dad's lap and told Scot that he was tired and ready to go to bed.

Some things I want to remember about 5-year-old Asher:

He's such a sweetheart. If a sibling is having a bad day Asher will give them a toy or book of his to put a smile on their face. If someone isn't feeling well, he's so thoughtful and attentive to their needs. He loves his grandparents and gets especially attached to his Grandmas when they're around. And he's still the best cuddler of my three.

He is a smartie. His Primary teachers last year would often tell me that if no one in the class was answering a question, they'd turn to Asher. He would rarely volunteer it, but they could count on him always knowing the right answer, if they asked. He's so far ahead of the rest of his kindergarten class in reading that he meets a few times a week with the school's reading specialist and a group of first-and second-graders. He's in the highest math group in class, and instead of memorizing sight words with the rest of the class, his teacher gives him a list of 15-20 "challenge words" to spell each month.

He's never been much of an animal person, but he immediately bonded with the tortoise that joined our family in November. Asher calls him "Little Guy" and hurries back to say hello to him as soon as he gets home from school.

He likes building things and following a plan. Give him any sort of building toy (Legos and Zoobs are current favorites) and an instruction guide, and he's content to play alone for hours.

He and Tyson have all kinds of goofy fun together. When they're getting along there is plenty of giggling, silliness, and mischief. And Asher adores his big sister. The two are great at hatching plots, making plans, and solving mysteries together.

And Asher gives me the most enthusiastic running tackle-hugs every day when I pick him up from school.

Garden of the Gods

Colorado is not lacking in beautiful scenery, but I think Garden of the Gods, in Colorado Springs, is one of the most amazing places I've ever been. The rock formations are incredible! It was our last stop on our three day camping adventure.

The kids had a lot of fun climbing on the rocks. Even Asher, who has been more timid in the past that his big sister, got into the fun.

A rattlesnake crossing the path as we headed back to our car was an unexpected surprise.

Musical

We haven't officially started the kids on piano lessons yet, and don't intent to until they're 7- or 8-years-old. But Scot has started teaching Riley some basics, and she practices when she wants to. It's Asher, however, who gets excited about music. Each time we get a new issue of Friend magazine, the song is the first thing he searches for.

Father's Day

I got a card on Father's day with this picture. I thought it was pretty cool, but even cooler once I realized it was my own kids. Thanks - fatherhood has been the best adventure of my life.

Baby Birds

I was clearing things off my iPod and found this photo. It didn't take long for all three kids to discover that Scot had a handful of Goldfish. For his own entertainment, he would only share with them if they'd tip their heads back and let him toss the crackers into their mouths. At least he wasn't chewing them up first.

Helicopter Pilot

Scot was given a remote control helicopter for Father's Day this year. It's hard to say who gets more enjoyment out of the gift though, Daddy or the kids. After watching Scot fly it nearly every day for months, Asher finally got a turn at the controls.

Not Bad, Just Confused

After watching "Megamind," one of Riley and Asher's favorite songs is Michael Jackson's "Bad." It was playing in the car a couple of weeks ago with Riley singing along (as best she could) at the top of her lungs, and Asher trying to keep up. Riley paused to take a breath, and Asher told us, "Dat my song." Now a song with that title could apply to plenty of two-year-old boys, but this guy is not one of them.

But ever since that day, Riley has been reminding him, "Asher, it's your song" everytime we listen to it. Then just yesterday I discovered an explanation to his claim. In the line: "And the whole world has to answer right now," Asher thought his name was being sung. So instead of correcting him, I just convinced Riley that we should sing "And the whole world has the Asher right now."

Father & Son

Asher and I went on the father/son campout this year. (It was the Friday before Mother's Day.) I told him we were going camping about a week before the trip and he was excited the whole week. He would ask every day if we were going. He was the youngest kid there, which surprised me, but I think he had a fun time. Unlike almost all the other boys that stuck things in and out of the fire, he didn't really pay much attention to it. (I was glad because that drives me nuts.) But he did love throwing sticks and rocks into a nearby stream nearly the whole time.

Asher had fun in the tent and still managed to go to sleep around 7:45, which all the other dad's were jealous of. Asher got a little cold even though he had on two layers of pajamas and the hat in the photo above, so he joined me in my sleeping bag for part of the night, although I had to fish him out from under my cot first. We (ok, I) shot my bb gun and then a friend's rifle and shotgun the next day, and then headed home, where Asher slept the whole way home.

I have good memories of father/son campouts growing up. I discontinued the KFC tradition that my dad and I always had for dinner on our way up, but I'm looking forward to many years of father/son outings. In Asher's prayers for a few weeks afterward, he told Heavenly Father that he was thankful that we went camping, so I guess it made a big enough impact that he remembered.

Technical Difficulties

I haven't been able to upload photos from my camera to my computer, so I'm way backed up on blog posts. I do have a few fun ones that I've taken on my iPod with a fun app called "Instagram." Enjoy these, and in the meantime, I'll be pushing the limits of my computer skills.

Afternoon dress-up is becoming pretty common in our house. If I don't get my errands run in the morning, there is a good chance Riley will be wearing a tutu and her mouse ears (or something equally as subtle) to the grocery store. Luckily Asher is content with a hat, or a pair of shoes he hasn't worn in a while.

Happy Flag Day!

Asher got his first "summer cut" last week. I can't resist rubbing his head now, and he has finally quit telling me, "Don't mess up my hair!"

We got an early morning rain storm last week. When the kids saw the puddle on the back patio, they wasted no time putting on their rain boots and heading out to splash.

The kids and I are so blessed to have Scot as their Dad.

The Big 3-0

We are celebrating Scot's 30th birthday today. I think Riley might be more excited about it than he is. I'll add photos later, but here are Asher & Riley's birthday wishes to their Daddy.

Best Daddy

The Daddy in this house has two wonderful kids who love him. Riley and Asher are both very affectionate lately, giving hugs and kisses, snuggling, even holding his hand.

Obviously they love him so much because he shows them how much he loves them.

Scot is a very hands-on Daddy.

He gets down on the ground and plays with them.

He does things with them that they enjoy.

He teaches them.

He helps them.

He makes time for them.

All three of us are very glad that he's their Daddy!