May

Herndon Big Trucks Day

Our annual trip for this great event. Asher was very excited that the police motorcycle was there since last year the police officer left just as we were walking over to him. The police officer mentioned to me that he rarely rides when he's off duty since it's so dangerous because of congestion in our area. I'm glad Rob decided to buy a car instead of a motorcycle when I gave him the chance.

A boy, girl and a motorcycle 

My three kiddos

Kindergarten
I laid down for a rest a few hours after registering Asher for kindergarten. Within a few minutes Asher comes in my room stating that he had put a string cheese in his backpack in case he was hungry at school and that he had written his name on a piece of paper in case people didn't know his name. I almost cried. He can't grow up! I love having my little boy at home and I feel like I'm giving up my "momhood" to someone else for all day (8:20- 3:40). Someone else will be teaching him. He's ready for a bigger world but I'm not ready to let him go.

Asher's backpack on the door "ready" to go.

 Our tri-ward pack needed more Arrow of Light awards for Cub Scouts so I was volunteered to make arrows. It was a learning process since I had only touched an arrow twice before in my life. They turned out pretty cool in my opinion. Real obsidian heads, real fletching, custom nocks, the works. 15 completed.

 

A little baby wasn't feeling well but we didn't know that until that night when he developed a low grade fever. He was even more cuddly then usual which was the only positive.

Cuddling with Daddy

It's the spring rainy season here in Virginia. One early night the kids were supposed to be in bed sleeping but instead they were looking out the window and saw this gorgeous rainbow. Asher rushed down excitedly to share the great news of the view and I couldn't become upset with him because his excitement was contagious. I love seeing life through kids' eyes.

Jacqueline's first rainbow

"Attacking" Daddy

 Asher and Jacqueline are able to take a swim class together and are loving it! They do wish they had more play time so we'll have to go back for some fun another time. Asher was terrified of getting his face and ears wet but by the third lesson has overcome that fear. Jacqueline has no fear of water, a good and bad thing.

Jacquline (far left) and Asher (with swimming teacher)

James was a little excited when I handed him a wad of dough when I was making some bread. I think there's more on his face then in his tummy.

Dough baby

Asher can now ride a bike by himself with no training wheels! Way to go kiddo! Rob had been helping him learn and stopped to take a rest. The next thing we heard was Asher saying, "Look at this Mom and Dad". We turned around and he was riding by himself.

Rob has officially graduated again! Mom and Dad Hinman were able to come out for the commencement ceremony. The kids were great for the whole ceremony and James slept the entire time.

Mom, Dad, Asher, Rob, Jacqueline, Me, James

Playing with Grandpa Hinman

Uncle Paul and Aunt Connie came to dinner when they were in the area for Aunt Connie's High School Reunion. The kids were completely comfortable around them, probably because they have sweet and loving personalities like Mom and Dad Hinman and had just seen Grandma and Grandpa the week before. 

Rob organized a bike ride with a bunch of his buddies from church. James, Tyler, Ross, and Craig all went approximately 36 miles on the C&O canal trail. Rob and Nathan kind of didn't stop. They ended up biking 103 miles. Rob ended up getting home at 11 o'clock at night and had ridden for an hour and a half in the dark holding a flashlight (it's a good thing he had one in the first place!). Crazy Rob, but congratulations on finishing your first century!!!

 Rob went on a short 2 day business trip and the kids enjoyed wearing some of his gear before he packed it up.

April

The first letter Asher wrote all by himself

James's first selfie

Family outing to a new local park. Asher, James, Mommy

Helping Daddy screw down sub flooring in an attempt to eliminate squeaks.

The new carpet is in, hooray!!! Jacqueline laughed, giggled and rolled around on the new carpet during installation. Asher in the mean time was having a partial root canal.

Jacqueline on new carpet

Quick story: Before the carpet was installed we slept on our mattress on the sub floor. The kids loved it! One morning I was a bit slow arising in the morning and James crawled into our room with Rob. I peeked over the edge of the blanket and James saw me. He gleefully started laughing and quickly crawled towards me. After climbing onto the mattress he laid right next to me and was content to cuddle. I love being mom at moments like this!

Another trip to the Air & Space Museum

We put a sticker on James's head at the peripheral limit of his vision. He felt it and could barely see it but couldn't get it.  He tried hard to reach for it and not fall over backwards. We were only "mean" for a minute or two before our conscious said we should stop. It was hilarious though.

Happy kids!

Asher and a butterfly house he built and painted

Wild flowers the kids gave me and a happy little girl

Mommy + Asher + Lego Blocks= Quality Time and Happy Boy

Happy Girl

March

This month we started overhauling our little townhouse. We're getting ready for new carpet, will complete painting in two rooms and other miscellaneous things.  I was able to do a little electrical and plumbing work which was fun to try. 

Lots of pony tails

There is a very tired Asher underneath the jacket 

Our friend Devin told  us about a kids craft at Home Depot when we ran into him at the store. I have a feeling that this is the start of a new tradition for us.

Building mini wheelbarrows 

Jacqueline tripped on a computer cord and went straight into the corner of a wall. Seconds before the accident I was very frustrated and as soon as it happened I was no longer angry. Interesting how an event can change feelings so quickly. When I first looked at the wound area it looked like her head had split open since the area was indented 3/8th s of an inch. After grabbing a washcloth to control bleeding I called 911 and held her while Rob grabbed some consecrated oil and gave her a blessing. After holding her for a little while she looked like she wanted to go to sleep and immediately I thought she might have a concussion and shook her to "wake her up". By the time an ambulance arrived the bleeding had basically stopped. At the hospital they gave her two stitches and sent her home a few hours later. Scary event though. I am glad my little girl is okay!

Decorating Mommy with stickers

For Christmas I gave Rob a flight experience and he finally had the time to redeem the adventure. He loved it! If it didn't cost around $10,000 I think he'd become a real pilot. He banked left and right, controlled the throttle, and basically flew it by himself part of the time.

The airplane he flew

View from plane

Flight instructor Yosef and a very happy Rob.

Three kiddos wrestling

Happy 10 month old baby James and Mommy

Asher and his Jesus and the Apostles play set from Grandma Wilkerson.
The kids have been "talking" to Jesus a lot lately.

Rob and I tore out all the nasty carpet in our townhouse in preparation for a nice new one.

I painted the fence and deck and put the kids to work helping.

Asher painting

I made sure James didn't get into my paint bucket but forgot about the trays I had given the kids to help paint. James found one.

A happy painted James

The deck before

The deck after 

How to keep a baby from getting into paint

Putting Asher to work again. This time he's painting in Rob and I's bedroom.

Jacqueline's turn

We ended the month with some fun. Our city replaced a local parks play equipment and we are now enjoying it. We also joined a friend for a little Lego club play.

Busy busy but great month!