Thanksgiving in the UK

A few years ago, an American and a British journalist were discussing Thanksgiving on a British radio program. The American asked if Thanksgiving was celebrated in the UK.

"Yes," the British journalist replied, "but we celebrate it on the 6th of September."

"Why then?"

"That's when you chaps left."

Welcome to laurieashlinmayo.com

Yes, I now have a new domain name (thanks to my wonderful husband Bryce), so if you have a bookmark, a link, or an RSS feed for my blog it now has a new address.

To kick things off here is a great picture that Bryce created - our family in Simpsons mode. You can create yourself as a Simpsons avatar on the movie website - very fun!

Stay tuned - I have a bunch of new posts coming next week!

Timbits Soccer Tournament

Sydney and Lucas had a Timbits Soccer Tournament out in Wetaskiwin in June. We were a bit skeptical about 4 & 5 year olds needing to go to a soccer tournament, but it actually turned out to be a really fun time. It was really well organized and geared for little kids. Their team only played two 20 minute games. We had a lot of fun hanging out with the other families in between the games - visiting and playing some football (for the guys). But I think that the favorite part for the kids was going in the bouncy thing!

Game #1 - Sydney is wearing the orange hat








Game #2 - Sydney again in the orange hat
(Lucas didn't play - he had a nap on the way down and woke up GRUMPY - which doesn't go well with him wanting to play soccer!)









Nathanial (red #6 cheering on the Orange Jack-O-Lanterns)













Nathanial & Daddy playing catch between the games
















Lucas & Mommy (a bit of a smile)


















Sydney & Lucas climbing the bleachers by their second game




















The highlight - The Bouncy Thing

Spidey vs. Spidey

Sydney: "Nathanial and me riding bikes. Going to bump into the other. We are Spider-mans."

Sidewalk Artists

Nathanial: "We were doing chalk. We were coloring different pictures. Some people colored two and some people colored one or three. It looked good. We had fun."

This is for you Mom

My mom took a trip to the Philippines on a work mission a bit ago and brought back these shirts for the kids. They all have the same soccer logo on them which includes a dolphin - so the kids call themselves "The Ashlin-Mayo Dolphins." They run around together as a team with their shirts on - but I don't think they actually play anything other than just being "The Ashlin-Mayo Dolphins!"

The Latest

Here is a link to Bryce's blog post for the latest development in our lives...

Preschool Graduation

Lucas and Sydney have graduated from Preschool! They had a graduation ceremony on their last day of school for family and friends to come and watch them graduate. They got to wear a gown and cap when it was their turn and they shook hands with Mrs. Morris and received their "diploma" for completing Preschool.

Preschool has been such a good experience for both Lucas and Sydney. Lucas went for 2 years and Sydney went for 1. They had really great Teachers in their class who made it such a good learning time for them.

It is hard to believe that they are off to Kindergarten in the fall already - but Sydney is already excited about going. They are growing up so fast...

Sydney with her graduation hat and bear




















Lucas giving a hug to his teacher Mrs. Morris

Playing in the Yard

Lucas drawing a bug on the sidewalk















Sydney with her colorful chalk drawing















Jumping on the trampoline







































Playing on the swings















Sydney getting air jumping off of the slide















Lucas getting ready to go down the slide

When God Created Fathers...

When the good Lord was creating fathers, He started with a tall frame. And a female angel nearby said, "What kind of father is that? If you're going to make children so close to the ground, why have you put fathers up so high? He won't be able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending, or even kiss a child without a lot of stooping."

And God smiled and said, "Yes, but if I make him child size, who would children have to look up to?"

And when God made a father's hands, they were large and sinewy. And the angel shook her head sadly and said, "Do you know what you're doing? Large hands are clumsy. They can't manage diaper pins, small buttons, rubber bands on pony tails or even remove splinters caused by baseball bats."

God smiled and said, "I know, but they're large enough to hold everything a small boy empties from his pockets at the end of a day, yet small enough to cup a child's face."

Then God molded long, slim legs and broad shoulders. The angel nearly had a heart attack. "Boy, this is the end of the week, alright," she clucked. "Do you realize you just made a father without a lap? How is he going to pull a child close to him without the kid falling between his legs?"

God smiled and said, "A mother needs a lap. A father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, balance a boy on a bicycle or hold a sleepy head on the way home from the circus."

God was in the middle of creating two of the largest feet anyone had ever seen when the angel could contain herself no longer. "That's not fair. Do you honestly think those large boats are going to dig out of bed early in the morning when the baby cries? Or walk through a small birthday party without crushing at least three of the guests?"

And God smiled and said, "They'll work. You'll see. They'll support a small child who wants to "ride a horse to Banbury Cross" or scare off mice at the summer cabin, or display shoes that will be a challenge to fill."

God worked throughout the night, giving the father few words, but a firm authoritative voice; eyes that see everything, but remain calm and tolerant.

Finally, almost as an afterthought, he added tears. Then he turned to the angel and said, "Now are you satisfied that he can love as much as a mother?"

And the angel shutteth up!

by Erma Bombeck