First Day of First Grade

I forgot about taking the customary front lawn photos, but I did remember to take the camera to school. The kindergarten and first graders have their classrooms around the library. They get to go there as they wait for classes to begin.

Ashton picked his Michigan jersey for his first day of school outfit.



Lorelei can't stand not being part of the picture.



Ashton was a bit nervous heading to school that day, mostly due to what became known as "the shoe situation." The kids wear whatever shoes to school and then have shoes that they keep at school to wear inside only. He was very concerned about knowing when to change his shoes. He even followed the other students into the class and ran back out to ask me if it was time to change his shoes. I told him to stay with his class and that I was sure his teacher would tell him everything.

After what seemed to be an eternity, school was finally out for the day. I asked him how it went and he said, "my class is great and my teacher is awesome!" Then he told Chadd later, "first grade is a lot longer than I thought it would be." He is falling asleep quite quickly at bedtime.



Ashton's New Room

Ashton loves Michigan, football & whatever other Detroit sport that's in season. In honor of that, here's his new room:

Walking in the door

 He really loves the 'M'

Chadd & Ashton picked up this penant after watching Michigan's spring practice

The 2 sets of bookends are for Ashton's 2 favorite NFL teams: The Lions and the Dolphins

The picture shelf has my favorite picture of Ashton & his friend Connor (A State fan!)

Ashton, already sweaty from shooting bedroom hoops, admires the Old English lettering on his piggy bank

Birds and Bees: Part 1

I was at work one day when Lorelei asked Chadd if she could be a mommy one day and have babies in her belly. He said yes, she was happy, and went off to mother her baby dolls.

That got Ashton's head spinning, so the questions started to pour out.

Ashton: She can really have babies in her belly one day?

Chadd: If she wants to.

Ashton: How would they get there?

Chadd: Huh?

Ashton: How do the babies get in her belly?

Chadd: That's a good question. Let's wait for mommy to get home to answer that one.

Ashton: Why can't you tell me?

Chadd: Because...

Ashton interrupts: Did you forget how?

Patience is for Suckers

All the wiggling and waiting for that first tooth to come out wore Ashton's patience down. This time around, it was time for bed, so he yanked that sucker out. Then the tooth fairy got out her wallet.

The Tooth Fairy Cometh

After many weeks of wiggling and wiggling, Ashton's first tooth finally came out! He was at school (of course) but he called me right away. He got a card from his teacher and the office receptionist gave him a baggy full of the mints she keeps on her desk because she super spoils him all of the time.



That night we put the teeny-tiny tooth in a very special Tooth Fairy bag (I strongly believe there is a perfect accessory for every supernatural occasion). The following morning Ashton found his cash prize and felt aptly awarded for his central incisor sacrifice.

Here's What You've Missed

Ashton was in morning Young-5's and toward the end of the year he got to start riding the bus. (Only on the way home from school!)

Then, a few short months later, he started kindergarten.
And then he had a Super Hero themed 6th birthday party.