Ashley Elizabeth

From the very start, this little girl has been nothing but smiles (she started smiling at just 3 weeks old, and hasn't really stopped since!).  She loves to laugh, and be tickled, she can light up a room, just by walking into it!  Ashley is enjoying school this year, much more than last year, as her time isn't 100% focused on playing pretend any longer.  (Ashley saw school last year as in interruption from playing pretend...a long help activity for her.  When she was very young, just barely 2 maybe, she brought some items to me and asked to play pretend.  "Here, you play this."  She said, handing me a chair.  She had a little girl and a rabbit, as I recall.  After almost a minute of silence and her walking her characters around the chair, I said, "Hi, I'm a chair.  Can I offer you a seat?"  to which Ashley replied, "No, Mommy!  Chairs can't talk!"  In her, that is completely ridiculous and can't happen in our pretend show kind of voice, lol!  At the time, this was a welcome change from her very overachieving active self...she was crawling at 5 1/2 months, and walking at 9 months...and didn't slow down until she discovered pretend!) 


She is getting better and better at reading, writing and math.  She has started working on penmanship this year, enjoys singing in choir, playing piano, and is already greatly anticipating playing the clarinet in band (though she has 2 1/2 years to wait for that one, lol!).
Ashley has always had a very small stature, but what she lacks in size, she makes up for with big personality!  She loves to be silly and make people laugh!  She enjoys making silly faces, doing art projects, riding her bike, and cooking.


This is by far our best 1st birthday cake pic!

Ashley has also learned in the last year to really enjoy playing outdoors.  She never really liked it before as, no matter what we put on her, she was just too cold!  Her adventuresome side, however, has always been apparent prior to her desire to be outdoor inside...she now just has a whole lot more to explore outside now!

Ashley has always had a curiosity and excitement for life that is played out in her exuberant smile and enthusiasm when learning about something new.  Currently, she is starting a study on her own about Beavers.  She wants to learn about them, then make a presentation to give to the zoo, and possibly take it to the Evergreen State Fair.



This is one of my all time favorite pics of Ashley...check
out her expression as she is running from this
pretend dino at the children's museum!

This girl is always thinking!  Even when I am sure she is getting NOTHING out of our school lessons (particularly those we do as a group, that are geared more for the twins), she will surprise us with very deep thoughts, and truths that are far beyond her years! 

Ashley has made a good transition to being one of the 'big girls.'  She enjoys hanging out with them and doing whatever it is that they are doing...but she also will take the time to play with Brianna and Callie, making them feel special. 



Check out this excitement!

Ashley has always had a way about her that was almost like royalty...the way she swishes her dress, makes sure she looks presentable, her desire to be modest and to look nice.  It has been very interesting to watch her sense of fashion develop, especially when she decides to experiment with different combos, lol!

Ashley is such a blessing to our family!  While she does tend to be on the quieter side of things (sometimes, we have to go check on her just because of how quiet she is!), her presence is huge!  When Ashley is gone, the whole family dynamic changes, and she is greatly missed!

I know I have said that each of my younger 6 are blessings to our family, but the truth is that each fo them ARE a blessing!  They all add their own unique flare and character to our family, which has made it what it is.  We couldn't imagine our family without each and every member in it - including Chris' parents who we have lived with for almost 2 years now!