Oktoberfest and The Side Eye

We have been complete blog slackers this year. The fact that 2010 only has six posts should let people know that things have been a bit crazy for us. I'm vowing to do better and keep our loved ones more informed of our adventures. I have now internalized the fact that we can schedule posts so hopefully this will help us post more often.

This past month we've done a few fun things with the Ashman. First we went to Oktoberfest which was held downtown. Our friends had told us that, in addition to international beer garden, there would be rides for little kids. Armed with this information we decided to attend. Asher rode on a bus for the first time and really enjoyed himself. Honestly, we probably could have just stayed on the bus all day. Once we hit the venue we ate lunch and went to check out the children's section. They had a few free art projects set up for people to paint, ball tosses, etc. Ash was unable to go on any rides because he's about six inches too short. We were lucky that the splash pad was open because only AZ is it still over 100 degrees in October.

Ash putting the "fruit" in the trees.

Painting the roses red...

Asher being named after Asher Lev...coincidental?

The following weekend we went to a pumpkin farm and corn-maze. Ash and his friend Micah had a great time together. My favorite part was the bride and groom in formal attire taking bridal pictures. I don't feel that badly giggling at the situation, especially since the groom was mocking Aaron pretty loudly for not being able to ring the bell on the strong man game. It was funny but the least he could have done was waited to go home and post something snarky about it on his blog. What is the world coming to?

That's one big ear...

The lead investigators of the FSI (Farm Scene Investigation)

Not as full as the corn mazes in Utah, but it will do.

Ash insists to wear his hat like a Hoodlum over his eyes.

"I want this one, OKAY, MOM?!"

And you thought we were taking pictures of the cow with flies on him...

Warning: this could be the X-mas card for this year...

Asher finally introduced to a teat...

You would be right if Asher insisted on the "car in front of the train."

We Have News...

After many months of keeping it a secret we can finally announce a new additions to our family. It is still in the development stage (as are most babies its own age), but it is learning quickly what is expected of it. Asher is thrilled to have two new members of the family.

We have tried to keep Asher in the loop as to what is going on. Asher is at the questioning phrase of "why?", "what's that?", and his favorite question "Chicken? Okay." So, we felt it was only right to include him on the naming process. He seems to think the new baby should be called "Elmo", "Who has the frog", "ABCDs", or "Shrek." Sometimes he even wants to call it the familiar "Games." He seems to be a good sport about it when we tell him that those names are probably not appropriate for siblings.

Without further adieu here are the early pictures of our new babies.

We call this addition Desktop Baby. She is a healthy 21.5" and 20.5 lbs. Desktop Baby loves music, photography, watching movies in HD, and of course playing games. We are happy she is here.

We call this addition Mine. We are able to measure his brain by gigabytes (he has 32 of them). Mine is 4.3" long and weighs 4.05 oz. Mine is constantly busy and gets tired very quickly.

Choo-Choo

As a celebration of Summer, we decided to take an adventure. So, we ventured to the distant and posh land of Scottsdale. Trine found this pretty sweet park that is all about trains. Since Asher has not ever been on a train we decided it could be fun thing to do.

It was a beautiful 75 degrees with a slight breeze. Asher was so excited to go on the Merry-Go-Round. He kept pointing to it saying "Ride That!" When he really wants something he puts both his hands on your face, brings it closer to his face, and says something...that was him all day. He was thrilled to be on the horse making his "horse sound" which is really just him making a raspberry sound. Once the Merry-Go-Round began going, he held on for dear life and wanted to get off...but wanted to get back on once it stopped.

After the Carrousel, we rode a train (which we rode twice) around the park. A lot of kids wanted to ride in the cattle car, here is Asher's reaction then we made him sit with us and not the slave cart.

Asher even got to spend some time on the local jungle gym equipment.

I think we found perfect combination of things to make Asher happy; Merry-Go-Rounds, Choo-Choo Trains, Playgrounds, time with Mom & Dad, and grapes (lots and lots of grapes).

Our Big Little Boy

We've got big news. Asher went potty in the toilet! He's been asking to go to the potty lately so we've been playing along and sitting him on the pot as long as he's interested. Apparently, some of his friends at day care are working on potty training and Ash wants to join in the fun. We don't know what we are doing, but his sitter says just keep responding to his requests until we are ready to get serious with potty training. He's also been working on sleeping in a bed like the big kids and that's a struggle, but tonight he just went to sleep without the usually game of cat and mouse! Can I get a hallelujah!?

I Better Get An 'A'!

Many may know, I have been designing a group manual for my MSW program. The idea was to develop a life skills group for adolescent fathers that runs for 8 weeks. I developed eight sessions that covered the following topics: 1) GED and educational advancement, 2) employment and job skills, 3) applying for government assistance, 4) creating and living by a budget, 5) safe sex education, 6) basic infant care.

I finished the manual, took it to CopyMax to print it off (wanted to save some money/ink cartridges), and bound it. The manual is about 500 pages. Yep, that is not a typo. I did not know when I compiled it that the thing was so large.

Anyway, I took it to CopyMax to print it out (78 pg black/white; 378 pg color). There were no prices posted at CopyMax or their website on price per sheet. So, I figured I would be out about $50 or so when I went in the store. However, when the guy told be the price and I let a swear word slip. Grand total= $219.00

Just so everyone knows, a black/white copy is $.09; a color copy is $.49. Yep, $.40 difference. If I would had known that, I would have made everything black/white and spent the rest of the money on a new TV or something.

The group manual looks fantastic, and I had better get an A. I am still in shock over the price though...

Operation

Yesterday I found out I have endometriosis in addition to polycystic ovarian syndrome. My wonderful doctor did a laperoscopy yesterday and found that I had some adhesions from the endo that had glued one of my ovaries to my pelvic wall. I am so glad to have found the source of my pain! I'm grateful to live in a time where we have the tools to take care of these issues and allow people to continue to have children.

Recovering from surgery wasn't the way I planned on spending my long weekend, but that's life. My dad is in town right now and he and Aaron were able to give me a blessing on thursday night. I love those two men very much and can't express how they have enriched my life and made me a better person. The two of them are doing a great job keeping Ash away from my stomach. According to instructions, I'm not supposed to lift anything over 10 pounds for two weeks....which is going to prove a little tricky.

IDEAS NEEDED

It is official--the second semester is underway. I am in need of some help from the vast community of blogging land for an assignment that I have. I am in need of some ideas for the project. So, let me explain the project and you can post your suggestions (humorous or serious).

I have been given the assignment to create a group therapy manual from scratch. The group needs to be 8 sessions (8 weeks long) complete with agendas & activities. I have decided I want to create a life skills group for expecting adolescent fathers. As a side note, the current research is claiming that adolescents range from 12-23. So the question I propose to you is what kind of life skills do you think would be nice to address in a group like this?

Here is the list I have thought about thus far...

• Job training (i.e., applying for work, interview skills, resume building)
• Applying for government assistance (i.e., health care, food stamps, WIC)
• Basic Automobile maintenance
• Budgeting
• GED resources