Five Years Old

How to describe my silly Asher?

You are so much fun.  Sometimes I watch you and my heart just wants to burst with pride at how thoughtful and friendly you are, and other times, I just don't know what to do, as you try and push everyone's buttons.

Asher started preschool this year.  He likes to tell everyone he is in "first grade" and is rather confused that there are two grades BEFORE first grade; like, how does that make any sense?  He loves school, and doesn't like that he doesn't have school EVERY day.  I don't know much about what he does at school, other than what he has for snack every day, because thats all he will tell me about. He is already counting down the days until Kindergarten.

He is a quick learner, and astonishes me with how quickly he can memorize entire books.  His favorite books were The Pigeon Books by Mo Willems, but now they are Elephant and Piggie Books, also by Mo Willems.  We read several every night, occasionally with some Dr. Seuss, and There is a Monster at the End of this Book thrown in.  I love his love of reading.

Asher really loves his friends.  He likes to ask everyone what their name is and tell them "My name is Asher: A-S-H-E-R."  Every time we go to the park he will walk up and introduce himself to people until someone reciprocates and will play with him.  He doesn't get discouraged easily.  He loves to run and play chase or hide-and-seek most of all.

Asher likes to get a reaction out of people.  He will make silly faces, and get right in your face if you don't respond.  Sometimes he will push, just because, and often he will grab toys from Everest, just to make her yell at him.  Asher has a lot of mischief in his little body, and if he doesn't have space to run and explore, it escapes him in less than ideal ways sometimes.

Asher is very physical.  He doesn't play with toys as much as he likes to throw them.  He loves to run, jump, climb, and explore.  He likes to cuddle, and sit REALLY close to everyone.   He likes to touch EVERYTHING, and really enjoys playing with sensory things, like play-do and slime.  Asher has no concept of personal space, and will run and jump on anyone (something we are constantly trying to remind him not to do if he doesn't ask first, because he is a big kid, and can easily bowl over just about everyone.)

Asher loves music.  He is often found singing a song, will dance anywhere and is doing really well learning piano.

Asher really likes playing Minecraft and Fortnite with Ephraim.  He loves Sonic, the Hulk, Little Einstein's, Frozen, and Mickey Mouse.  His favorite colors are Green and Purple.

Asher loves animals, and wants to pet every dog he sees.

Asher is branching out with eating, although he still prefers meat to vegetables.  He will try a lot of things, but loves ice cream the best.

Asher has loved Sonic for a long time, and when a new Sonic movie was coming out so close to his birthday, he quickly settled on a movie birthday. He got to bring 4 friends to the movie, and couple other friends came along as well. Asher picked out his own cake and we ate it and sang Happy Birthday in the courtyard as soon as everyone came out from the movie. It ended up being a perfect birthday party. Very little work for me, and Asher loved it so much.

Happy Birthday Ash-man!  We love you so much!

Back to School

It's schooltime!  Ephraim went off to second grade last week.  

He seemed a little more nervous this time, and was sad to see summer fun end.

Last week we had meet the teacher.  Ephraim's classrooms are right next door to his first grade classes, so that  was helpful is easing some of his nerves.  His teachers are Mrs. Garlutzo and Mr. Yao.  He was also excited to have his first ever boy teacher.

He liked his new shirt and told me it was "kind of funny."  He chose a Minecraft backpack this year.

He told me he wants to design video games or be a twitch streamer (a person who plays video games for a living) when he grows up (of course).

He is super excited to have Asher at his school, and he's going to do great this year, I just know it!

7 Years Old

Ephraim Alexander Beckman.  You are getting so big!

You are so smart.  You love numbers, math and problem solving.  You always have schemes and solutions to every problem in your head, and you are constantly thinking of new and better ways to do things.  Your favorite book is "non-fiction."

You love video games.  You are especially into Minecraft lately, although your love for all things Pokemon is still very strong.

You are active.  So far team sports aren't really your thing, but you love to run, climb, and play. You and Asher are constantly rough-housing.

You are creative.  You like to draw, make things with lego, and write little notes.

You are emotional.  You feel things very strongly.  When you like something, you REALLY like it, but when something makes you mad, it makes you VERY mad.  You are learning better coping skills all the time, and are overall a very good brother and friend.

You are still by far my pickiest eater.  Every meal is a battle.  Luckily, broccoli is still one of your favorite foods.

You love people.  You get so excited when you see someone you know, and always want to play with your friends.

You are also so loved.  Asher and Everest look up to you so much, and its been really fun to have you home for the summer.

For you birthday you got to go to PokeFest in Chicago.  It was a dream-come-true for you.

Although, that trip was in lieu of a birthday party, you still had a really fun birthday dinner with a lot of your favorite people there, and got spoiled, because you are so easy to spoil!

We love you Ephraim!  Happy Birthday!

2 Years Old

Oh my dear baby girl.  How can you be two?  I don't know if I can ever stop calling you baby girl!

You are so sweet.  You love to laugh, and snuggle.  You love singing and goodnight kisses.  If you hear music, you want to dance.  You get a little shy around new people, but quickly warm up and want to chat. You are the easiest sleeper.  You get excited to go to bed and get your binky and your babies, and never put up a fight.

You are loud!  You always have something to say and make sure you are heard.  You are smart because you know to yell, "Mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy...." until I acknowledge you before you say something.  You are speaking in phrases and learning new words everyday.  It's such a fun age.  You love when you learn a new word for something, and practice them at every opportunity.

You are assertive.  You yell "MINE!" if someone looks at something you want, and "NO!" if you don't want to do something.  You also yell "STOP!" if someone is doing something you don't like (like singing a song, giving you kisses, or, in Moose's case, barking).

You love fries.  Probably a little too much.  You also love yogurt, crackers, strawberries, apples, and applesauce.  You will eat pretty much anything we are eating, except for green things.  Although, more recently you have been willing to eat broccoli.  Really, what you want to and will eat changes by the day, so it's difficult to say.

You are adventurous.  You want to keep up with your brothers and will mimic anything that they do (good or bad).  You love to climb, and pick up heavy things and comment on how "big" they are.  You love to explore new places and situations, and especially love being outside.  You love animals and point out every "bunny" and "birdy" you see.  You love your bike and your scooter, and jumping on the trampoline.

You love shoes.  You love all kinds of shoes, and trying on everyones shoes.  You like to have a "bow bow" in your hair, and love when your clothes have "fwowers" on them.

Happy 2nd birthday Everest!!

We sure love you a lot!  I'm so grateful you are in our family.