Ashlyn's Birthday Party

      Ashlyn had a science birthday this year.  We decided to have her birthday at an educational toy store that does parties.  They had a bunch of different themes that you could pick from.  Ashlyn loves science at school and decided on a science theme. 
    It was a big success.  She had a lot of friends to celebrate her special day with her.  They had great fun doing all sorts of different science activities.  The party had a host that directed the kids and she was great.  We didn't have to do anything but sit back and watch them have a great time.  They played freeze tag, did experiments, ate cake and did A LOT of laughing.  It was just the party Ashlyn wanted. 

Our pretty party girl. 

My dad picked out this special dress for Ashyn's birthday at American Girl.  It is beautiful and she knew immediately that she wanted to wear it to her party.  She looks so pretty and grown up. 

She wanted a Frozen cake.  I couldn't make a home made cake for her party because of food allergies. 

Ella Hula Hooping

Playing some freeze tag which they loved. 

Time to put on lab coats

The first experiment they did involved surface tension.

They had so much fun counting how many pennies she could put in the cup without it spilling over. 

They all kept getting closer and closer

Doing some experimenting of their own.

Taking  a quick Gracie break

This was a really race where they had to pick up "atoms"

Look at them go!

Dawson did so well picking up the "atoms"

They did another experiment with food coloring, vinegar, and baking soda.

Pretty colors!

Next, they all got to pick instruments and lined up and got to go on a parade throughout the store. 

The parade

She told them to make lots of noise

Cake time!

Blowing out the candles

He had a great time!

Checking on her sister

Since Gracie didn't get cake, she ate her hand instead.

Ashlyn got lots of great gifts. 

Time for one last round of tag

Look at those girls go!

Ashlyn's 7th Birthday

   It is so hard to believe that our sweet girl is already 7 years old!!! This is going by way too fast.  It seems like yesterday she was just a little baby.  I am finding it more and more difficult to write these posts as the years go by.  It is too hard to put into words what an amazing girl Ashlyn is.  I'm not a good writer, and I find it so hard to write exactly what makes her amazing.  Words just don't feel strong enough to convey what she means to us and how incredible she is.  I will try my best to attempt to describe her a little at this age. 
    Ashlyn is definitely something else.  She has brought an immeasurable amount of joy and love to our lives.  She makes every day that much more special because we get to spend it with her.  She is such a kind and caring little girl.  She loves to pick on her brother, yet she would do anything for him.  She is so good with her sister and takes such good care of her.  She loves to help others and loves write us all love notes telling us how much she loves us.
     Ashlyn is one very smart little girl.  I have known since she was very little that she would be a smart one.  It's becoming more and more evident everyday.  She is reading like such a champ.  She is easily reading books that are a 4th grade level.  She blows me away with how good of a reader she is.  She also is good in math.  She loves school and excels in all areas.  She is a hard worker.
     Ashlyln is very artistic and loves anything involving art.  She is constantly drawing pictures.  She can spend hours with paper and markers.  She is always impressing me with her pictures.  She is really good at drawing.
    Ashlyn seems to excel at everything she does.  She is doing great at gymnastics and always gives it her all.  She is also doing great at piano.  She is already learning songs and is getting quite good at basic songs.  She has even been writing her own songs which is impressive to me.
      Ashlyn loves to be silly and loves to laugh.  Her brother and her love to let loose and dance around the house giggling their heads off.  She is always smiling and telling us jokes or funny stories.      I will stop there because I am struggling with how else to describe her.  Boy oh boy do I love this girl.  She is such a bright spot in my life.  I am sooooo very proud of her and so lucky to be her mother.  She is my world and I love her to the moon and back!  We are so proud of the wonderful, smart, beautiful, and amazing young lady she is becoming. 

7 years old

Our Christmas Elf also comes for birthdays.  She had to leave the birthday outfit and an invite for him before she went to bed. 

These are the decorations that her elf left.  She wanted him to make a mess and did he ever!  He left all sorts of "snow" on the table. 

Eddie Buddy even left a birthday note and an Elf sized cake for her.  She loved it!

Checking out her surprise

Joey had to take a picture of the time.  She was clearly excited and wanted to make the most of her special day. 

She wanted to have breakfast in our bed. 

Birthday girl

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While she was at school, I worked on her cake.  She loves chocolate so I knew I had to  make her this cake.  Its kit kats and M&Ms surrounding the home made chocolate cake I made.  It was very rich, but so good. 

For dinner, Ashlyn insisted on Red Robin because she wanted to go somewhere that sings to you.  Her brother and her had fun playing games. 

Getting sung to.  She loved it.  She does not get embarrassed easily at all. 

We went back to our house for cake and presents. 

Time to open presents!

 

She was so excited for this doorbell for her room. 

It was an American Girl birthday for her and she got a lot of American Girl stuff she had been wanting. 

Gram and Papa brought in this huge box.

She got the changing table she has been wanting for a long time. 

Ready to blow our her candles.

She is so beautiful!

She has always loved being sung to. 

If nothing else, Ashlyn is truly a happy girl.  That's what matters most to me in the world that she is happy.