Ainsley is FIVE

I was driving home from our girls trip, A was passed out in her car seat with her arms wrapped around her doll, and all i could think was  “how has she been here five years already?”. It seriously has been the fastest years of my life. The day she was born was one of the best days of my life and i remember everything about that snowy day (and night). 

This next year is going to be a big one for her (well all of us). Starting kindergarten and not being home with me every day. It is going to be an adjustment but i haven’t figured a way out of it, so it looks like it’s happening. 

Height/ Weight: 41 inches (36%) / 35.6 lbs (20%) 

Hair: strawberry blonde 

Eyes: blue

Favorite things: (answered by Ainsley) 

Color- purple (she said when she turned 5 it changed from pink to purple) 

Food- Mac n cheese 

Movie: anything Disney princess 

Favorite drink: Sprite 

Best friend: KK 

Favorite thing to do : color 

Stuffed animal: hippo 

Makes you happy: when it’s my birthday 

What do you want to be when you grow up: a mommy

She is learning so much in preschool. She can write her first and last name. She learns new words every day and even uses them in proper context sometimes:) 

You love organizing and lining all your things up. 

You like to make lists and check them off. 

You have a hundred stuffed animals but you notice when one is missing.

 Your memory amazes us. 

You love dressing up and playing pretend.

Ainsley, you bring so much joy, love, laughter and happiness to so many lives. We are so proud of the girl you are and the sweet heart you have for others. You always keep us laughing with your jokes and giggles. And even when you’re challenging to parent, we wouldn’t trade a minute of it! Happy Fifth Birthday! 

American Girl Trip

Many (many) months ago Mom told Ainsley for her fifth birthday she would take her to the American Girl store to pick out a doll. Every since (literally every.day.) Ainsley has been researching dolls, checking out books about them at the library, and trying to decide which doll she wanted to bring home. She has been talking about things she wants to do with her doll, places she wants to take her, the list goes on. First she wanted Mary Ellen. Then Julie. Then McKenna. Well apparently McKenna isn’t for sale anymore. So then she wanted Tenney. Tenney was the one she went in wanting. 

Sunday after church we picked up Nanny and hit the road to Columbus! Ainsley made it 20 minutes before she fell asleep:) 

We pulled in and she was so excited when she saw the store! We all went in and she was a little overwhelmed at all the dolls and things that went with them. She ran to Mary Ellen and stated that was who she wanted. We looked at every other doll and she stayed firm that she wanted Mary Ellen. 

At check out she got to ring a special bell for getting her first doll. They made an announcement and every chanted “friends forever!”. She was dying to take Mary Ellen out of her box, so we came back to the hotel so she could play with Mary Ellen and her dog Scooter (and maybe a few outfits I had to get). 

Nanny got the “AG package” and with our stay came a bed, a robe and slippers for her doll. We also got popcorn and a movie :) We took Mary Ellen shopping and out to dinner. Ainsley got a special birthday push pop. Ainsley taught Mary Ellen many important lessons like holding hands when crossing the road and eating the biggest tortilla chips. 

*i have to note here that in the hotel elevator it was the 3 of us and a man. He had a beard and long hair and Ainsley loudly asked if he was a boy or a girl. So that was awkward. 

We came back to the hotel, put on our pjs and watched a movie with our popcorn. Well, Ainsley more so practiced gymnastics on the bed, while Mom and I tried to convince her to lay down. 

Monday morning we woke up and Ainsley woke up Mary Ellen. She took Mary Ellen to breakfast with us and the hotel ladies brought her a special high chair. 

We played hide and seek with Mary Ellen and Scooter in the room and took turns trying to get ready for the day. We got to the store right when they opened and Ainsley knew exactly what she wanted to spend her birthday money on (Mary Ellen’s juke box and her flamingo outfit). She also got a coupon from the hotel to get her dolls hair done:) 

Then for the weekend finale, we did the Birthday Celebration Lunch at the AG Bistro. Mary Ellen got a tea cup and saucer, a tiara, a birthday shirt a birthday balloon, birthday muffin, and Ainsley got a tiara and a birthday cake. 

Ainsley said she didn’t want to leave. She asked if we could “start the weekend all over again”. And said “this was the best girls trip ever!”. 

Questions to Ainsley

This was going around on facebook and out of curiosity I played along. GG suggested I put this in the blog so I can always remember her answers:) 

Ainsley, almost 5 💜

*What is something I say a lot?
“don’t do something it could be dangerous “

*What makes me happy?
“ when i am being good and you are proud of me “

*What makes me sad?
“ when you miss me when I’m at nanny and pops house “

*How tall am I?
“um, 13”

*What's my favorite thing to do?
“ dance “

*What is my favorite food?
“ spaghetti noodles “

*What is my favorite drink?
“ Diet Coke “

*Who is my best friend?
“ Pink”

*If I could go anywhere, where would it be?
“ Paris”

*Do you think you could live without me?
“ Mmm, no. I always want you mommy. “

*How do I annoy you?
“when you don’t listen “

*What is my favorite thing to do at home?
“Clean and cook”

*What is my favorite music to listen to?
“What about us”

*What is my job?
“ to rescue Parker and take care of Parker “

*How old am I?
“ {laughing} 20 “

*What's my favorite color?
“purple! “

*How much do you love me?
“ To the moon and back and more each day “

January Happenings

Several weekends ago Ainsley and I, along with several of her friends, Anna Beth and Aunt Rachel, went to UK gymnastics “excite night”. We met for dinner beforehand at HopCat which was loud craziness, then walked to Rupp Arena where the girls cheered on the gymnasts as they flipped and danced. 

We also had some snowy days where we hung out at home, met Pink for a birthday breakfast, and of course played dress up. 

Parker had a big week at school where he played in shaving cream and made a melting snowman, and had an indoor snowball fight:) his teacher is the same one Ainsley had when she was 2, and Parker (and myself) are in love with her. 

We finally had a big snow and we trekked to Georgetown to sled on the farm. Jordan and her kids joined us, as they were on a snow day too. Ainsley lasted about 15 minutes before she got too cold (i mean it was 10°), and Parker loved sledding down the hills and eating the snow. 

We warmed up at nanny and pops house over grilled cheese and hot chocolate (just like the old snow days). Now we’re just trying to stay warm and waiting for more snow! 

Oh, and making snow cream of course :)