Catching Up... February through early April 2010

Hello! Happy Spring! It's been awhile since our last update so I am going to try to catch you up from February to early April. :o)

On 2.6.10 Ashley moved from her baby room and crib into her new big girl room and big girl bed. As you can see, her bedding is Mickey Mouse - her favorite!! She is such a big girl and transitioned to her new room and big girl bed without a complaint. She climbs in at night and without complaint goes to bed. When she wakes in the morning, she calls for us before getting out of bed.

On 2.7.10, we met up with the Johnson's and the Brooks' at the High School pool for a swim. The kids had a great time in the wading pool and received bags of popcorn on the way out.
(Pictured L to R: Ashley, Violet, Maddy, Allie and Henry)

My little sweetie pie bathing with Minnie.

Daddy and Ashley went on a winter adventure walk. Look how neat the trees look!

What do you do when you're feeling cooped up with the winter blues? You have an indoor pool party! Set up and take down took much longer than the actual time she played in the pool but it was still fun.

More swimming, this time at a hotel in North Branch. Ashley was brave enough to start jumping off the edge of the pool into our arms. Once we started that game... it went on and on...in and out of the pool.

Happy little girl smiling for mommy so that I could have a picture on my camera to take with me to Florida.

Girls weekend in Florida with my best friends! We've talked about doing this for years...2010 was the year we made it happen. As you can see from our clothes, it wasn't the warmest of weather but we enjoyed our time and did manage to come home with a little tan.

3.11.10

Ashley Jane - 3 years old!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Ashley received several gifts in the mail for her birthday. She still asks if there are presents in the mail when we stop at the mailbox. This package was from Auntie Angie, Uncle Erik and cousin Jessica and was filled with dress up clothes! A cheer leading outfit, pom poms and dress up shoes! She loves the shoes...because they are noisy on the tile floors.

Daddy and Mommy got Ashley her very own grill. Now she can cook on the grill just like Daddy.

On 3.13.10 we threw Ashley her 3rd birthday party.

The party was Minnie Mouse themed. Here's Ashley with her birthday cake.

The girls are getting so big!

L to R: Elsa, Violet, Lila, Ashley and Maddy

Ashley loved opening all her presents!

The surprise at the end of the party...Grandpa & Grandma J gave Ashley her very own Mustang! All of her friends took a ride before she did but we were finally able to convince her to ride in it by having both Minnies ride with! She's a pro at driving it now!

A few weekends ago, we drove to Sauk Rapids to see Ashley's cousin Jessica play in a volleyball tournament. Ashley adores her cousin Jessica.

On 4.3.10, the Dinnerbell hosted an egg hunt for kids. Ashley had a great time and found 10 eggs filled with parade style candy! She opened all of the eggs and then gave all of her candy away to daddy and his friends who were working outside on the new deck on the Dinnerbell.

Easter morning, Ashley woke up and immediately we heard the following over the monitor: "Mom...did the Easter Bunny stop at our house?" It was a very exciting morning! The Easter Bunny hid Ashley's Easter basket in the plant hanging from the ceiling and he also hid 12 plastic eggs filled with change for her money bank and candy. She had a blast looking for them. In this picture, Ashley is pointing to a hidden egg.

A funny story... On 3/23 we were in the car heading to Applebees to celebrate my birthday. I said to Matt, "can you believe Easter is next weekend?" Ashley from the back seat says "Mom, is there a guy for Easter?" I repeat it back to her with the did I hear you right voice. She said, "yes, is there a guy for Easter?". Racking my brain I try to figure out what she is talking about. Although I know they don't talk about God at school, nor do we talk about him at home, I say, do you mean Jesus? She said no. Is there a guy for Easter? So it dawns on me and I say, do you mean is there a guy for Easter like there is Santa for Christmas? She says, YES!! I said, oh yes honey...he's called the Easter Bunny and guess what...he loves candy and if you are a really good girl, maybe the Easter Bunny will stop at our house and leave you some candy! She then says, with a terrified voice.... DO I HAVE TO SIT ON HIS LAP? Haha! Isn't that so cute? (She is terrified of Santa and will not sit on Santa's lap.)

What else is new? Ashley continues to love school and her teachers and friends. She has gone to daycare with many of the same kids since she was 6 months old. On 2.18.10 Ashley told me "Zane is my best friend. I love him!". Ashley loves puzzles and can now complete a 25 piece puzzle without any help. A few nights ago she was working on a puzzle before bed. I told her, come on honey, it's time to go to bed...to which she replied..."just one more piece mom" and then had to finish the puzzle before going to bed. I had to laugh...I think everyone does that when putting puzzles together...just one more piece and then I will... For those readers who may not know, we have exciting news to share, Ashley is going to be a big sister! We found out we were expecting another baby on 11.21.09. I am now 24 weeks along and due at the end of July 2010. Ashley is very excited to be a big sister. She is sure I am having a girl. While on our way home from daycare yesterday, she asked me when she could drive. I told her she would have to wait till she was 16 years old. She then said "ok Mom, when I am 16, I am going to drive and pick up my sister from school".