Ashton's newest accomplishment

I know it's dark, but we were at a party and Ashton wrote out his name... all by himself! I was pleasantly surprised that after less than a month at pre-school, he can write his name! I was quite impressed! At under 4 years old, and by no part of my own, he is able to write out his name!

A Warm Summer Day

Summer is still well in effect here in Fresno and it's hot as can be! Well, it's cooled down to the low 100's. So, what better way is there to end the day with a cool ice cream cone (mini-sized of course).

Not his first ice cream, just the first evidence

Not the best picture of my sweet, little terrible two year old

Ashton & Violet proud of our first squash

It's huge!

Our walker

Ashton wanted to take a bite!

Long & Overdue

Well, life sure has passed by in a blink the last couple of months. It seems like Tim's birthday was just last weekend and Ashton's birthday is already around the corner! Our weeks have passed by and my camera just became a little dusty. Ashton started preschool, Violet is well, in her terrible two's, and Tim has started to walk!

We spent the morning at a cool park in town, Oso de Oro. Poor Tim has yet to have his 1 year old pictures taken, so I decided to dust off the trusty ol' Nikon and take her out for a session! So without further ado, a lot of pictures!

All 3 kids - Ashton, 3 years old, Violet 2 years old, and Tim, 1 year old

Ashton in the echo tunnel

A new favorite, monkey bars!

And of course, the swinging poles

And climbing a fence

Happy Tim

Hungry Tim? Eating the plant

A climbing Tim

Yes, he is climbing UP the slide

A cool mural

On the swing

Would be my favorite pic, but it's dark. Maybe my Mom can fix this one... Mom?

My other favorite even though it's a little blurry

A walking Tim!

The essence of Violet

Moving too fast

Excited to play in the water

Pretty princess pose

Upside down on the swing Violet!

Ashton is in Preschool!

Ashton's 1st day of prescool (with his doggie, Daryl Parker), August 21, 2001

Yesterday, Ashton officially began preschool at our neighborhood elementary school, Valley Oak. This is where he will start kindergarten next year as well. It's hard to believe he is already starting his education! He was very excited with a brand new shirt and backpack but got really sad when we left. He held on with a tight hug around my neck, crying. Not the usual temper tantrum cry, but the sad whimpering cry. So sad. But he went back today and was a brave little boy. Unfortunately, this Mommy was not aware that they feed them breakfast at school and by the luck of last minute thinking, I threw in a bag of Cheese-its. I felt as if I got reprimanded to bring him a "healthy, nutritious breakfast" but how was I supposed to know?!

Tim's Dr. Seuss Birthday Party

I still have a ton of photos to peruse but I wanted to share some of my fun projects for the day! I went with a Dr. Seuss theme so I could kindly ask for Dr. Seuss books instead of more toys! I think at this point we have accumulated just about every toy out there! We have every garbage truck to mankind and just about everything else! So, I went with books! Even if we already had them, I was glad to get new ones and most of our books have bindings that are giving way!

I didn't do a lot to contribute to the theme, but I did want to create a few things so everyone knew what theme I was going for! Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of the green deviled eggs!

Started out with a simple juice box container

Taped it off and got to painting

Made some funfetti ice cream cone cupcakes!

And swirled on some funfetti blue icing with sprinkles!  Yummy!

Simply juice boxes with paper I created! I finally  learned how to use Photoshop elements! Thanks to online tutorials! I just printed the picture with a circle frame and cut it out with scissors!

I made these to stick on top of the cupcakes, although how did I forget to take a picture of the final product? I simply found pictures online (thanks Google images), printed, cut out, and taped to a straw!

Thanks to Targets red spot and Dr. Seuss items! I found this border for a dollar and it was the perfect backdrop for Tim's monthly pictures with Pooh!

More Target Dollar Spot items!

Filled with fruit snacks and $0.25 crayons for the kids treats!

That pretty much sums up my birthday projects! Next up, examine all of the actual birthday pics!

Kid-isms

Recently, I have noticed the kids saying funny-isms.

Ashton -
"You need to stop messing up it."

Violet -
"Oh my gosh!"
I frequently hear her say, "No Jose!" Well, I realized I tell Ashton, "No way, Jose!"
"I do it all myself"
When she wants Tim to follow she says, "Come on kitty." I know! I have no idea where you got that one!

Tim -
"dadada"
"mamama"
"bah... (bye)"
"yaaa (yeah)"

Watch Tim Grow

Well, it's official! My baby is no longer a "baby." He is definitely a lot more active and is trying to keep up with his big brother and sister. He is still not a walker, but will take steps! But the kid can climb! I turn by back and he is up on the top of the couch pulling at the blinds or slamming up on the mirror. Geez! What else?! He is my big boy at 21 pounds on the dot and is both at the 50th%ile for height and weight! To think he's just average! Talking -- mainly just mama and dada. He might say "haa" for hi and "baaa" for bye, who knows? He can wave hi and bye, blow kisses (one of his favorites), and sign all done. He got his 1st ear infection for his 1 year birthday present! Fun! He still loves a good snuggle and loves to hug up close to your chest when he doesn't want to be passed to another person. And he loves to give big open mouth slobbery kisses! He is off formula but not yet keen of milk and is my last kid in diapers! Yeah! I really can't believe a year has passed by in a blink!