Ninja Party

Asher and Colin were born about 13 months apart and share many of the same friends, so it just makes sense for us to throw one big party to celebrate them together! They decided they wanted a Ninjago theme (ninja legos), and it was really fun to come up with some creative ways to make a ninja party.

We met at a park that has a nice playground, so the kids that came early had plenty to do until everyone arrived and the fun started. Having the party outside is a must for my sanity!

Here are some pictures to share the fun we had as we celebrated Asher's 7th and Colin's 6th birthdays:

We had sushi, of course...





Ninja veggie cups.


Ninja cake!



The ninjas recieve their headwraps and are ready for training!





Sensei Dad prepares to train his ninjas.





Balance and agility training.





The "laser" course.





Katana practice.



A ninja with perfect aim!



Playing "Sensei Says".


Party favors in take out boxes...


We are truly blessed with wonderful friends for our boys!


What a great day.

Appearing soon on the Home Shopping Network...

Ash: My bottom kind of itches.

Me: Hmmmmm...

Ash: Do you know what I wish?

Me: What?

Ash: That there was such thing as a bottom scratcher.
But then, you'd have to stick it down your pants.
At least you could scratch your bottom any time you wanted to.

First Day

Today was Asher's first day of Kindergarten.

He was so cute and excited as he went into his classroom and settled into his desk. His teacher, Mrs. Corey, is a wonderful woman with a loving heart...we will love sharing this school year with her!

What was your favorite thing about school today?
Snack time.

Who do you think will make a good friend in your class?
Emmy.

What was your favorite subject?
Learning shapes and sizes in Math.

What did you think about your teacher?
She was good.

Mistaken Identity

I took the kids on a bike ride to our local park yesterday. It was one of those perfect summer days where it seems like a crime to stay indoors.

Anyway, as we rolled into the park, I noticed the playground was covered with kids running and climbing wildly around...so much for an easy going afternoon. We arrived at the playground and Colin and Ash just stayed on their bikes, studying the craziness. Suddenly, a middle-school aged girl pointed at Ash and shouted, "Look at him! He's so cute!"

Her friends gathered around and were shrieking, "He looks like a movie superstar!"

"Who is it he looks like? Oh, I can't think of his name...Jacob!!!! Jacob from the Twilight movies!!!!"

They stared in awe down at Ash, as he looked back at them from his bike with no idea of what was going on.

Later, when we were biking home, Colin said, "Mom, why didn't they say I looked like a superstar?"

"Because they're just silly girls, Col." Always remember that.

PS. I nearly forgot that this particular visit to the park also included a dirty little boy chasing kids around with a dead bird in his hands. Let's just say my reaction was his introduction to the fear of God.

Birthday Boy

I can clearly remember May 18, 2005. I had my first contraction at 1:30 am, labored through the night and saw the sun rise through my window. The experience of seeing morning come made me feel like I had been in labor forever...and that it would never end.

I am somewhat ashamed to say that I was not eager to be pregnant or have a child at this point in my life. Nick and I had not even celebrated our first anniversary, he was working and going to school full time, we lived in a very unfinished house...and I was reluctant to have our lives and freedom hampered by the responsibility of adding a baby to it all.

What changed my attitude? The miracle of a squirmy, wet, purplish little boy. Our son. We named him Asher, which means happy and blessed; one who walks a straight path. It was his name and also our prayer for him. His life and heart have exceeded our greatest expectations...I could not be more proud of my boy!

I interviewed him today...to record a bit of the five year old Asher:

What do you want to do when you grow up?
Help Dad build houses.

What are your favorite foods?
Chili dogs and ice cream.

Favorite toy?
I love all my new Legos.

What's your favorite animal?
The rhino, because it has horns and it's tough.

Your favorite vehicle?
Army Jeep.

Favorite color?
Red.

Happy birthday to my sweet Asher...

And thank you, God, for knowing I needed him.

Hmmm

From Colin, in the backseat of the van:

"Mom, could you turn on some girly music? Like Hannah Montana?"

Asher, talking to himself at the table:

"Oreo Training Toothpaste! Moms want it! And kids love it!"

Drat that tv in the kid's room at the gym.

Worldview

Ash came up to me while I was preparing lunch today and asked, "Why are we having peanut butter and jelly sandwiches again?"

I told him in a conversational way that we should be glad that we have pb&j, because there are kids in Africa right now that are very hungry. Kids that would LOVE to have a sandwich to eat. Kids that might only have a little water to drink today.

He said, "oh." And left the kitchen.

A few minutes later, I'd forgotten the conversation, but Ash came in and said brightly, "Mom! I just prayed for the kids in Africa! So they could have food!"

I felt so glad as I heard those words, but as I turned to praise him, I saw his eyes. They were wet and blotchy, and my heart broke. Asher had been weeping for those hungry boys and girls on the other side of the world. I held him in my arms, and he cried some more.

We talked about some things we could do to make a difference. Ash's face showed huge relief and joy at the thought of finding a child in Africa to send money for food, clothes and schooling.

I wonder about my boy. About a four year old with a heart so big that he would cry with empathy for children he has never seen. A boy so generous that he told me to take all of his money for these children because he "doesn't need it." What kind of man will he be? How will he be used by God? How will he serve? How can I guide and encourage him so he never loses this way of seeing the world?

My heart is so full.

Growing Up

We went to a local kid's playplace this morning so the boys could run off some energy.

After a while, Ash came up to me with this picture in hand. He'd made a new friend.

And I had a glimpse into the future.

Asher's Letter

Asher loves my brother Josh! As you can see in the photo, Josh is the kind of high-energy guy that will not only jump with his nephews on a trampoline, he'll throw them up in the air WHILE on said trampoline.

Josh is a high school math teacher, leads worship at his church AND has a Beneli Super Black Eagle rifle. Uncle Josh and Aunt Erin mentioned once that they'd love to have Ash and Colin come over for a sleepover...after hunting season was over.

Asher's been anxiously counting the days, and when he realized that January marked the end of hunting season, sent Uncle Josh this letter:

Dear Uncle Josh

When are we going to your house? I really want to cause I want to get out of our house right now because Eva is crying and she is really annoying and hurting my ears with all that screaming.

I really love you Josh, and I will always love you.

I can bring a game. I will play with your games.

When will you have your baby?

I want to play Road Runner and Coyote Wyote with you, upstairs and downstairs.
I really love you cause you're so good, and you like to play that game with me. Don't play too rough when we play Coyote Wyote.

Josh, I love you, and I will always be your friend, Josh.

Love, your friend,
Asher