WASHINGTON D.C. Day Two

This is St. Patrick's Church.  (Daddy note:  Immediately after taking this picture a homeless man asked me for money.  Although he was nice and at least tried to offer me directions before asking.)  

Our big trip today was to the Crime and Punishment museum.  This is me in the stockade.  That's one of the things they did in the Colonial times when people committed crimes.

This is me reading about pirates.  It asks you a bunch of questions about a pirate, then you turned it and it would tell you the answer.  You turned it again and it showed you a picture of the pirate.

It's kind of hard to see but this is me in a jail cell from the Wild West.

There was also a shooting range where if you shot a target it did something cool.

(Daddy note:  I took this picture of Ashton because he shares his middle name with the hijacker pictured to his left.  He doesn't get it.)

I found two handcuff on a poll so I slipped my hands through and I was handcuffed to a pole.

This is a picture of a lineup.  I am number 4, 3 and 5 are cardboard.

This is in a jail cell and there's a hole in a wall that I'm escaping through.

I don't really understand why there is a motorcycle but this is me on a weird motorcycle.  (Daddy note:  It's a Police motorcycle, that's why.  I guess the flashing lights on the front didn't tip it off for him.)

This is the first time I've ate a Chipotle burrito.  I usually get a cheese quesadilla.  (Daddy note:  Ashton promised Rebecca he would order a burrito the next time he went to Chipotle and wanted to keep his word.  What a good kid!)

This is me ice skating for the first time.  At first I was horrible but this is a pretty good video.  (Daddy note:  This is the first time ice skating that he can remember.  It is technically his second time, although he actually skated this time.)

WASHINGTON D.C. Day one

Feb. 14 2011. 

Today I went to the Washington Monument.  I got to go on the elevator.  The Washington Monument is 555 feet tall! (Daddy note:  Ashton knows this fun fact thanks to losing a $10 bet with me)

Here is one of the awesome views I saw!  See the White House? 

This is at the American History Museum.  Part of the sign read:  But all some people could see was an inappropriately dressed Washington. (Daddy note:  It  was supposed to depict Washington as a symbol of freedom)

This is a really freaky dummy. (Daddy note:  This dummy was famous on the radio...but I question how good the ventriloquist really was)

These are the Muppets.  The only one I can name is Kermit. 

 The American history museum they had this stand.  I was the President!  There was a screen in front of me.  It was high, so you might see me looking up. (Daddy Note:  Ashton is reading Ronald Reagan's Inaugural Address)

 This is me standing under an army car.  HELP!

 Here is me touching a sign that says: PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH. 

One small boy makes a big leap in growing up

As of yesterday, Ashton has officially taken flight, reaching a height of 37,000 feet, and a whopping 597 mph. He has also officially landed safely in our nations capital, and after a bit of confusion has been safely reunited with Brad. 

I've instructed Brad to take many pictures and since I am not there to partake in any of the fun, I have asked Ashton to take over this blog for the next week to report on all the super fun things I'm missing. He was not enthused at my request of him, until I offered 10 bucks. He will do about anything for 10 bucks. 

Ashton: if you're reading this, we love you! And we miss you! We can't wait to see what you're up to so, happy blogging :)

All ready to board....not sure when he got this big.

Washing Excitment

When I walk down the hall and glance at the washer and dryer all I can think of are the piles of clothes I need to get caught up on before Ashton (aka the over dramatic one) runs out of his beloved straight fit jeans and lays in the middle of the floor yelling that he will surely look like a giant dork wearing boot fit jeans with his pumas. No one told me boys were like this. 

When Syphr scoots himself down the hall, army style, and glances at the washer he sees a new toy. An amazing contraption that makes noise, allows him to stand, and has visuals of water and circling clothes, and hopefully soap, although I did do 3 loads of laundry today only to realize I didn't add detergent. Back in the wash they go. It is mesmerizing to little Syphr! He exhausted himself trying to figure out why he could see the water, but not touch it. So fun to see the wheels in his head turning. 

FYI- two days ago, in attempts to get his hands on something he wasn't supposed to have, Syphr grabbed onto the couch with his mighty fists and pulled as hard as he could, coordinating his arms with his legs, until he was in a standing position. Too bad he is still extremely slow at this so the object he was after had been moved long before standing took place. The point is he did it, all by himself, which opened a whole new realm of baby proofing for me. 

He didn't pull himself up at the washer. I put him there and he held on for dear life...with one hand anyway. 

8 months

Only a day late in posting this. Fail. 

Likes:

• The convertible car seat. What a relief
• Eating actual food. Especially any kind of carbohydrate 
• Crazy brothers who make all sorts of weird noises and actions
• Sitting
• Toys. Favorites include: small slinky, balls, and teethers
•  Flying high up in the air....as long as someone is there to catch him
• A wide open mouth. The kid never closes his mouth.
• Winds blowing at high speeds directly in his face. 

Dislikes:

• Being woken up
• Being late for his nightly bath
• Having toys taken away by a certain 3 year old
• falling over from a sitting position

Talents:

• We have added "mama" to the list of 2 recognizable words! 
• Scooting
• sleeping all night...in his own room! Well 97% of the time.

After lunch today Talan picked up his plate, flopped it on the table and said, 

"here wife, I'm all done."

As I was sitting there, frozen, with my jaw practically on the floor trying to figure out what I have done to make him think that any of that was okay, he chuckled and said, "I'm just kidding." I never know what is coming with this kid.

Love these kids!

While doing one of his daily chores I came into the kitchen to find Ashton had enrolled his three year old brother in Unloading and Loading the Dishwasher 101. I thought it was so sweet that he was including his brother and teaching him this skill. However, as I was snapping pictures from around the corner I began to think...

Is Ashton being a great big brother? Or does he have a brilliant plan to rid himself of the dreaded dishwasher chore and place its duties on his unsuspecting brother. 

Syphr missed enrollment. 

This might be my favorite picture. After intently explaining  and demonstrating the art of placing plates in the dishwasher successfully, Talan puts the plate in backwards. Ashton realizes he will once again have to review the last 5 minutes of class.....for the third time.

The perks of living in Kansas

In addition to hanging out with the Jayhawks a couple days ago, all the participants of Bill Self's Holiday Camp received a free ticket (rephrase: free to the kids, included in the camp fee for parents) to todays game vs Ohio. Awesome! 

We tried to get Gramps to paint a K on his chest, and Ashton would paint a U, but he declined. That is okay, Ashton will sport both of those letters on the back of his head. 

 

I really want Ashton to spike his hair up all the time, but he only agrees for special occasions. 

Talan is the middle child. He requires a lot of attention. He was unhappy that Ashton was having his picture taken, yet when I focus the cameras attention on him and take his picture he does this face:

I don't think either of my children remember how to smile for a picture. They are both always making some sort of silliness happen in their facial expression. Oh well, in a few more years when we hit tween status Ashton will probably not want any pictures. I guess I will take what I can get.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

Ashton was lucky enough to be one of the almost 1,000 kids to participate in the KU Jayhawks Holiday Clinic today. For one day these first through sixth graders received direction from Bill Self, his assistant coaches, and the entire Jayhawk team to improve their basketball skills. They didn't use basketballs. Instead the coaches worked on fundamental skills:  passing, shooting, lay ups, taking a charge, and loose ball. I think every one of the kids had a blast! And even better, all the players and Bill self stuck around for a couple hours after the clinic was over to sign an autograph for every participant. 

We waited in line to get registered in the cold and ice so we were happy to finally be inside.

This is most of the kids. They ended up filling up all the red portion of the seats.

Coach Self talks to the kids about the importance of having fun and enjoying the ride.

Ashton walks onto the Allen Fieldhouse court for the start of the fun part of camp.

This is only the third and fourth graders! The younger kids practiced in the Jayhawk practice gym and the older kids in some other building.

The players assigned to Ashton's group were Brady Morningstar, Mario Little, Travis Releford, Royce Woolridge, Nico Roberts, Elijah Johnson and Jeff Withey. They would walk around the kids and help them if need be. Ashton in this picture is at the bottom towards the right. (he's wearing black shorts)

Sometimes the players did demonstrations.

Finally waiting in line for an autograph...

 I really wanted to get Ashton's picture with Elijah Johnson because that is his favorite player and I had my picture spot staked out for about an hour. I took this quick photo and prepared for Ashton's arrival at Elijah Johnson's signing spot, and just like that, my camera died.

A super awesome completely autographed basketball.