My first ilife 09 project in celebration of Ashlyn’s birthday festivities…

A bittersweet day for me. My sweet Ashlyn is 5. What a fun day it was to celebrate the day with her. She was so gracious with her gifts, allowing Drew to help her open each one (mind you, this was after he threw a fit demanding that it was his birthday and no one else’s). She was so happy to be 5. Here are some examples of her birthday joy:

Scene: Sitting at lunch at Chick Fil A.
Kelly: So, Ash, does it feel different to be 5?
Ashlyn: (takes a moment to ponder) yes, it does feel a little bit different. I AM big now.

Scene: We’re walking in the parking lot after having lunch. She’s licking her ice cream and not totally clued into what she’s doing.
Kelly: Stay close to me, Babe. Cars may not see you, but they will always see me.
Ashlyn: Well, now that I’m big, they will probably see me.

later…

Ashlyn: I’m so glad I’m 5 because now I’m almost 6 and Evan is 6.

Enjoy these pictures…I enjoyed finding them. But, it did make me a little bit sad to know that she really is almost 6 and then almost 7 and on and on. Can’t she just stay little forever?

Ashlyn today, sporting her cool birthday girl shirt which will be worn tomorrow too and probably the next day.
Ashlyn celebrating her fourth birthday with friends.
Ashlyn at her third birthday party–a princess party at the muffin store.
Ashlyn at age 2.
Ashlyn at age 1 at Chuck E Cheese.

Today was Teddy Bear Day for Ashlyn’s school. Had to post this picture of her sweetness decked out for the day thanks to Mom and Dad’s find in China. Ashlyn loves pandas and ladybugs–she loved them way before we started our adoption process. She had no idea–nor did we–that they were associated with Chinese adoptions.