Art Exhibit

The Lewisville Independent School District has an art exhibit in town showcasing the Elementary kids art work. They chose about 20 kids from each school. Ashleigh's Crazy Craziness was picked!! David and I are so proud of her. She was embarrassed to go see it but we loved it. I was amazed by all varied pieces from these talented kids. Once we get her catcus home, we are framing it and hanging it up.

Loree

Daycare Holiday Show

Ashleigh has been taking guitar lessons since September. She has done so well and learned so quickly. Her instructor, Philipe, says she is a joy to teach. Well, at Ashleigh's daycare the Children's Courtyard they do seasonal shows with the holiday show last night. On Tuesday Ashleigh decided she wanted to participate. Philipe was game and came up just for the show to play with Ashleigh. They performed Overboard by Justin Bieber. They decided that Ashleigh should just sing since she did not quite have down the sign and play thing yet. Two of Ashleigh's friends danced behind them which was just distracting to the crowd. However, Ashleigh did not stop or get flustered when the kids laughed at Haley and Krissy. I can not even express how proud of Ashleigh I am. Just this past summer she would not sing at Girl Scout day camp. They almost called me to get her she was crying so much. For her to do this and do so well is amazing to me. I am in awe of my little girl :)

Girl Scout Cookies

I have to say that my heart swelled with pride last weekend when I took Ashleigh out to sell Girl Scout cookies. I was amazed that she would go to the door, ring the bell and say the script. The reason this made such an impression on me is that a year ago she would have been too scared. She sure has grown up this past year!!

ICE at the Gaylord Resort

We went to see the ICE display at the Gaylord Resort on Saturday. Everything in the room was ice. They even had a slide made of ice. It was so cool to see the talent the ice shavers exhibited in making this wonderful display.

Parent Teacher Conference

So we had Ashleigh's parent teacher conference this past week. I have not been posting lately due to work but I did want to share. Her teacher said Ashleigh was reading above her level. She jumped a level over the summer which is uncommon. I guess those trips to Borders to spend her savings on a book have really helped her stay interested in reading. We will continue to encourage her since I firmly believe reading is the pathway to success.

Her teacher also mentioned Ashleigh has a healthy self concept (I guess that is their buzz word), self confidence and self esteem. I could have told her that. I would rather that than a terribly shy introvert child like David and I were. She has plenty of friends which I think is good for her.

Her only issue is that Ashleigh does not get her work done timely. She gets distracted and frequently has to finish work up later. I know Ashleigh HATES to write so that slows her down.

All in all I think Ashleigh is doing great in second grade and will continue to thrive!

Awesome news!

Yesterday we went and had Ashleigh's VCUG done. We got the great news that her reflux had corrected itself!!!! Basically she grew out of it. David and I are so relieved. It is horrible every year to see her wake up from the gas in pain and disoriented. Those tears break our hearts every time but at least this year we got to tell her she did not have to do it again.

Ashleigh told David this morning that the gas smelled like "skunk peed on bubblegum." I think that is probably a fairly good description of what the gas smells like.

So this means no surgery, no more VCUGs and no more antibiotics!!!!

Rocking Out!

When I got home from work, Ashleigh told me she had her rock star outfit on. I of course had to take some pictures. She then started to ham it up for the camera. I just love my silly girl!

I did notice that Ashleigh now has freckles on her cheeks. I think they are so adorable. Of course, I could be partial since I have freckles all over! Ashleigh is just growing up so fast. She turns 7 tomorrow and I just can't believe it!

Career Day

So last week, Ashleigh's school let them dress up to show what they wanted to be when they grew up. The night before, Ashleigh said she wanted to be a princess when she grows up. Her daddy and I said that being a princess was not really a career. She promptly told us that yes, she would grow up and be a princess at Disney World. I just had to laugh.

Let's Rock

Monday night, Ashleigh and I were heading to Girl Scouts. We were listening to the Foo Fighters Pretender song. Now if you have not heard this song, it starts out a little slow and then picks up some serious speed. While the beginning of the song was playing, Ashleigh says "I love the part where it rocks out." I laughed at my little rock chick as she rocked out in the back of the van!!

A moment I don't want to forget

So Sunday night while getting Ashleigh in bed, she asks me "Why did the chicken cross the road?" I respond, why. She says with a huge smile on her face, "To say AAGGHH!" We are both laughing. She is laughing because she thinks her joke is funny. I am laughing because her joke is definitely not funny.

So last night as I am putting her to bed, she tells me some knock knock jokes. Of course, they are not funny but we are laughing anyway. I want to remember this moment - the silliness of the moment, our laughing, her joy in telling me a joke. These moments make being a mother the best thing in the world.

Christmas Card Shoot

After bribing, pleading and begging I finally coerced Ashleigh into taking pictures for our Christmas card. Here are a few of the outtakes.

Growing Up

I was taking a good look at Ashleigh the other night. She looks so grown up to me. Her face has thinned so she looks more like a typical school kid. With her losing teeth and growing her hair out, it just makes her look older. Even pictures from six months ago shock me since she looks so different. Granted, I would not change a thing. She will always and forever be my baby girl! I take joy and pride in how much she has learned (reading and writing) but sometimes, for a brief instant, wish I had my little baby.

Easy to entertain

So I am sitting on the couch, checking my email and smiling. Lately I have been pretty quick to laugh. It probably has a lot to do with me working hard to meet my 10/15 tax deadline. Today I am especially tired since I worked a solid 9 hours. So while I sit here typing away, my daughter is crawling under the lap quilts yelling for help and for the quilts to let her go. Who could not smile at such a scene. I find comfort in the fact that I am not the only person in this family who is easily entertained. My friends often tell me how she looks like David yet acts like me. I can live with that!

Lost another tooth!

Ashleigh lost a top front tooth on Wednesday. It had been extremely loose and hanging on my just a bit. Of course it fell out at school and she did not even notice. We wrote a note to the tooth fairy letting her know what happened. She was sweet enough to bring Ashleigh a dollar! She was excited. Now she has one permanent in, one halfway there and a hole. Good thing school portraits were the day after the picture! lol

1st Grade

My little girl is growing up fast. Here she is the first day of 1st grade. She likes her teacher and is enjoying school. I am glad she is liking it and anticipate this to be a good year for her.

Snuggle Buddies

David took this picture of Ashleigh and Coco last night. Had to share. Too cute!

We are a Brownie!

Sunday we finally got to bridge from a daisy girl scout to a brownie. I am so glad we got through the ceremony. Here are a few pics. The ones where she is prettying herself up are before. The one of her holding the doll is after.

Only my daughter

Only my daughter would lose her panties at school. I am on the phone last night when Ashleigh says, "Mom I have something to tell you that's true". She then proceeds to tell me she lost her panties at school. I automatically check to make sure she has some on imagining she went all day without any. She did have panties on since she used her spare ones in her backpack. Yhew! She apparently lost them while changing for swimming. Only my daughter.

Goofing Around

There is no denying it, Ashleigh has inherited her mother's silliness. Maybe she wasn't born with it, but she sure has learned it from me. We spent a few minutes this evening goofing off with the camera. I had her laughing and posing for me. I can be a total ham when a camera is around and I am sure Ashleigh will be doing the same.


Times like these she melts my heart with her laugh and restores my soul with her kisses.

Secrets

Ashleigh has been on this kick about secrets. She and David walked home from school on Thursday. They usually stop at the park to play for a bit. Ashleigh was on the swings and the other children left. She turns to David telling him she is glad they are gone. Now they can talk where no one will hear them. She spends the next 5 minutes lecturing David on keeping the secret from Tabbie and me. However, she never told David the secret!