Happy Birthday Ashlyn!

Dear Ashlyn,
Today is such a special day. Today we celebrate your birthday. You are 4! This is such an exciting time. I am amazed by how much you have grown this year. You started the year as a spirited 3 year old and now you are, well, quite frankly, a spirited 4 year old. At your last birthday, you were my only baby! The life in this house centered on you. Now you are a big sister and you have risen to that challenge so well. We love you so much and you truly make our lives better. I know you will accomplish so much in your life.

I'm sorry that I haven't been a better mommy this year. You deserve a wonderful mommy who has lots of patience and understanding. You deserve a mommy who has energy to play all the games and things you want to play. I have not been that mommy this year. I have been tired and Riley has taken up a lot of my time. You have been so patient with me and I have not been patient with you. It took me so long to adjust to being the mommy of two. You have adjusted to this so much better then me. I feel like a tired, terribly mommy. You have been a wonderful, amazing daughter.

I love everything about you. You have the most beautiful blue eyes. And your smile can melt my heart. You have an amazing spirit and love for life. You have strength and determination. You are kind and caring. You are brilliant and creative. You are everything to me! I love you. Thank you for letting me be your mommy!

Happy "4th" Birthday My Princess! I love you!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ashlyn Leigh was born 4 years ago at 7:47 pm. She was 7 lb 7 oz and 22 inches long.

4 years later she is 44 1/4 inches tall and 40 pounds.

This is my lame attempt at making up for this past year of Ashlyn having a grumpy, tired mommy....I made ice cream cone cupcakes for her to take to daycare (the regular cupcakes are for at home). As you can see, some turned out better then others...but hey, the grubby hands at day care won't care as they tear into it and devour the treats.
Every year I make a movie on the computer for Ashlyn's birthday (until she is 5, I said I would do it for her 1st - 5th birthdays, then stop once she goes to school....besides, now I have to do it for her and Riley)--I finished that last night and now we just have to burn it on a DVD so we can share it at her party (just grandparents). I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around the fact that she is 4 already. She is VERY excited for her birthday and can't wait to open presents and have cupcakes. Then on Friday we will have her cake and more presents. I'm sure you can expect lots of pictures!