BIG Day

Today Zander celebrates his 4th birthday. We are in Park Rapids this week as we have been for all of his birthdays. There is a Toy Story 3 themed party. Yummy cupcakes just came out of the oven. Beach day all afternoon, Zorbaz tonight for supper/karaoke and a fireworks display by papa tonight. Z already snuck into the bedroom and found two presents from mom and opened them. It's going to be a good day by the excitement on his face!!

much needed update!

As you can see, I am not very good at updating our blog. I always say I am going to be better at it- I will try harder :) Well, the past couple of weeks have been really busy/crazy/overwhelming at times, yet really good. Last week Zander, Punky and I moved back up to our apartment in Mpls- for good (we hope!). I started two new jobs. One is at MN Masonic Homes in Bloomington. I work as an Activities Leader in the Alzheimer's unit. My first few days I have just been shadowing a lady named Carolyn who has been great. The first hour of work was a little overwhelming. I didn't know how I would do, but now I look forward to it! I leave that place feeling awesome. The residents truly love the time that we spend together- and so do I. It is a very rewarding job, even if every time I walk into the room I have to reintroduce myself to some of them :) The residents are at all different stages of Alzheimers. It is a very sad to watch at times because some of the residents are quite young and when you look at them and watch them you think gosh why are they here? But then you ask them a question like 'did you get some juice yet?' and they respond 'yes yesterday I went for a walk outside'. I don't know how many times the residents have been told me that the name Ashley is so beautiful and that I am the prettiest lady they know. Love it. My other job is at MOA at the store Aerosoles. My good friend Chandra is store manager there and she gave me the opportunity to work for her to make some extra money-thanks Chandra! My first day of work I sold almost $500 in product in 4 hours. I thought that was pretty good! The only difficult part is finding someone to watch Zander for me, while my shifts are during non-business hours at times. So, that is still a work in progress. Ally helped me out last week as well as my friend Stacy. Stacy and her fiance Tom took Zander to Nickelodeon Universe- Z had a blast, minus the haunted house ha :) Well, I am off to work. Hope everyone is having a great Monday.

go-carts & mullets

PNG=Paffrath Neighborhood Gang

Here are some pics of Zander and his best friends. Now that Spring is here we spend every chance we can outside. Ethan&Sofie live right next door, Dru&Andi live a few house down one direction, and Russell&Thomas live a few houses down the other direction making our block the central meeting point. It is so much fun watching them all ride their bikes, jump on the trampoline, play baseball, etc.

Zander taking a break on the trampoline

Zander, Ethan, & Sofie

Ethan and Zander "wrestling"

Sofie, Ethan, and Zander devising a plan

Sofie

Sofie and Z making silly faces

Sofie, Andi, Zander, Dru, Ethan