Update for January with pictures

Hi there!

I thought I would give an update on the Hicks' household. We had a very low key month in January. The only thing we did was take a small trip to WPB to see our friends. I started school back up, so this is taking up most of my free time; hence not posting on here. Ashleigh & I worked on some of the art projects that her Grammy & Papa had gotten her for Christmas {Thank you, Grammy & Papa}. Ashleigh also played a lot with her new guitar {she got from Grammy & Papa for her bday}. You will see some of the pics posted. One of the most exciting things was recieving in the mail, Ashleigh's pottery that she made with her Grammy in December. They are so precious. What a wonderful momento to treasure! {Thank you Grammy for the beautiful bowl, I LOVE it}. Oh, and we signed Ashleigh up for soccer which will start in March. We can't wait for this new journey. More to come on this.

So far in Febuarary, we celebrated Brian's birthday on the 4th. Ashleigh suggested making cupcakes for Daddy, so that we did. Since carrot cake is his favorite, we made carrot cake cupcakes and Ashleigh & I decorated them. We decorated the house and had dinner prepared for him {including a glass of wine} when he got home that day from work. He had a wonderful birthday and we enjoyed celebrating with him!

Happy 49th Babe, we love you so much and are very lucky to have you!

Another thing happening this month....we are redoing Ashleigh's room. YES, again! However, this time it is a theme that will stick with her for a while {atleast we hope}. It is PotteryBarn Kids theme "Daisy Garden". It is so precious and I can't wait to have it completed. Oh, and we had the carpet taken out and wood floors put in. Oh, how I am so happy about this. Her carpet was full of stains and looked hideous.

Brian got me a new camera for Christmas and I am really enjoying the good quality pictures that it takes.

Trip to West Palm Beach 1/22/10

Ashleigh and I went to West Palm Beach to visit our friends this weekend. We had a great time! Ashleigh & Andrew were very excited to see one another. They played non-stop all weekend. Colin {Andrew's little brother} was much more interactive with them, this time; which, was great to see. Jen & I were able to get away for a little while and go shopping; always so much fun! We were also able to attend their neighborhood block party, too; it was a lot of fun for the adults & kids. Here are some pics from our visit:

Ashleigh, Andrew & Colin

Ashleigh & Andrew; she loves him!

News about "About My Baby": Ashleigh's website

Greetings family & friends!

I wanted to take a moment to let you all know; for those that follow Ashleigh's website, that in August, of this year {2010}, it will be shut down. Unfortunately, the owners contacted me via email {like everyone else who has a website with them} and said that they can not sustain the company any longer. We have had this site since Ashleigh was 6 months old {4 1/2 years}, so this will deffinetly be a sad day. I will be switiching everything over to this blog. Thankfully, I had already started to blog on here, ocassionaly. I will just be updating this one, with more gadgets, as I feel the need to. I am sure, because of the "Type A" in me, I will find some different way to organize this blog. I look forward to this transistion and welcome you to the new world of "technology;" gotta love the changes that always take place!

Ashleigh's 5th Birthday

Today, my love, you turn five years old. I am so thrilled to be your Mommy; and you have inspired me to be a better person. You are so tender hearted and gentle yet so very smart. You have developed a bigger sense of independence, yet you still are shy around strangers. You have done so fabulous in school and you adore your teachers: Mrs.Tyre & Mrs.Massa. You follow rules and are the first one amongst your peers to correct another, if one is not following the rules. You are a good teacher to your friends; you are a true leader, no doubt. You still have your imaginary friends that you talk with; which are the cutest conversations, by the way. You have a talent when it comes to art; your skills for your age are nothing short of amazing. You have a true love of music. You have a great sense of style; which Mommy is very pleased at. Finally, you still love all things Mickey!!! 

Daddy & I are, like always, so proud of you. You have brought so much joy and delight into our lives. I can't wait to see what the next year brings in your development. You, my love, are Daddy & I's gift from God that we are so overwhelming thankful for. We love you, pumkin. Happy 5th Birthday, Ashleigh!

Paul Cardall; an inspiration to me. Part 2

I am in tears as I write this post tonight; tears of joy & happiness.  This man, Paul Cardall, whom I posted in a previous post has recieved his heart transplant.  He was on the list for 385 days.  I wanted to share his remarkable story to you all.  If you have a chance to visit his blog, please do; you will be inspired.

New chapter in Our life.

It's been a while since I have posted.  Sorry.  :(  I have been a little busy.  I have a lot to blog about; however, I will try and make it short.  

First off, Ashleigh began preschool on the 24th of August.  She is thoroughly enjoying it thus far.   Her teacher and teacher's assistant are really great and I feel God blessed us with them.  I was really worried how Ashleigh would react to this change; however, Mrs.Tyre & Mrs.Massa {the later is the teacher's assistant} has made it such a pleasant transition and really took Ashleigh by the hand from the first day.   The first week she was doing ok with being dropped,.  By the 2nd week, she was running to the door when Mrs.Tyre came out to retrieve the students from their parents.  What a relief it is for a Mommy that was so concerned that she would have a level of seperation anxiety.  So, in a nutshell, Ashleigh is doing really great in preschool; in Florida we call it VPK.

To get the year started off right, I decided to throw a VPK "Get to know eachother" swimimmg party.  It was really nice; however, only 4 children showed up.  Brian made hot dogs on the grill for the women and children and saugege links for the men.  LOL.  Everyone had a great time and Ashleigh was able to bond with her friends, Natalia and Liam.  She mostly liked Liams baby sister, Lilly; she would not leave her side, and Lilly loved the attention, I am sure.  

Tonight we finished her first at home " family project", which was a gingerbread man.  The instructions read something like this: Here is a cut out of the gingerbread man, you may decorate how you would like, or use it as a template.  We chose to make a stuffed gingerbread man.  So, off to the store we went.....$43.00 later we have all the supplies.  We {Ashleigh and myself} decorate it and stuff it and then Brian sews it up.  Whala!  See the picture for the final product.  

Ashleigh on her first day of school {above}

Pictures from Ashleigh's VPK "Get to

 know each other" party {below}

And finally, Ashleigh and her Gingerbread Man project; she is so proud of him!  Great Job, Baby.  

Happy Monday to you all!  I hope all of you had a great Labor Day!

August birthdays

Uncle Jeff & Ashleigh August 2006

With Aunt Pam Easter 2008

Uncle John & Ashleigh June 2008

On Uncle John's B-day 2008 {Uncle John, Ashleigh & NaNaw}

Since both my brother's and sister-n-law's birthday days are this month I will just post one big post.

First we have my sister-n-laws, Pam's on the 2nd of August. Happy Birthday Pam, we love you and can't wait to see you in December!  Then we have my little brother, Jeff's birthday on the 4th of August.  Love ya little brother and I am happy to be called your sister!  Finally we have my older brother, John's birthday.  I am so happy for you "Big" brother for your recent house purchase; it is very beautiful.  Love you!