Ashton's 8th Birthday

Ashton turned 8 this past week. It proved to be a GREAT birthday, despite bad weather. On his birthday we had to cancel our day plans (McD's for lunch and the skate park) due to a sleeping baby brother and rain. That night we invited Grandma and Grandpa Likes and Aunt Nicole over for presents and cake. Ashton received A LOT of LEGO Star Wars from Grandma and Grandpa. Which he loves, of course. They also gave him a builable Light Saber. Jeff helped the boys build the LEGOS over the weekend. Aunt Nicole gave Ashton a Baseball DVD/ Board Game and a Star Wars card game. VERY COOL!! Aryk and AJ gave him Star Wars toys, and Dad and Mom gave him...

A Ripstick! He has been asking for one, for a while. We thought they were a little spendy, but Jeff found one on a steal of a deal, and we couldn't pass it up! He was so excited, he wanted to go ride it BEFORE he ate cake!


Here is his first try on the Ripstick. It was tricky, and it took him... one whole day to get it! He picked it up fast, thanks to a friend and the DVD.


This Birthday Cake isn't super exciting, but I was working on the party for the next day and Jeff helped keep this one simple. Ashton thought it was fun, and chocolate cake always tastes good!



Just ask Aryk...

He was really enjoying the cake, until we laughed at how messy he was and I started snapping photos and threatening a bath. SORRY little man!

The next day was Ashton's "friend party". We had planned for an outside Harry Potter "Tri-Wizard Tournament" pool party. But it was RAINY. Really rainy. Crazy, I never thought that weather would be an issue in August! So, we changed the party to a Harry Potter/ Wii party indoors. Yeah, I never thought I would have 10 boys in my house at the same time either! It was fun. Ashton has GREAT friends.

So... here's the set up...
We set up the counter to be "Honeydukes" the candy shop. We had edible wands, chocolate covered "cockroaches" (they were really cinnamon bears), "Bertties Bots Every Flavor Beans", sour worms, and gummy lizards. For the birthday cake I actually made Wizard Hat cupcakes. And we also had "Butter Beer". YUM!!! What a sugar loaded spread!

Ashton has been asking to learn guitar since he was 4 years old! We told him he had to learn piano first. So, when Ashton was 5, I started teaching him piano. He has done well. He knows the basics of reading music, and the notes on the staff. So lately we have been doing some guitar shopping. Looking at sizes, prices, what we are willing to spend. Ashton even offered to use his allowance money to buy a guitar. This helped, because we knew he was serious! Ashton received money from Grandma Holbrook, for his birthday, to help pay for his new guitar. He also received some cash from Grandma June, Grandma Ashton, and one of his friends. So... Jeff took him shopping, and they bought his guitar.

Jeff bought him a beginner guitar book and DVD, and he has all ready learned a few things. He is excited to take lessons. We are hoping his guitar teacher will be available this week!
Thanks to Grandma(s)too!