tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81935480028312985662024-03-05T06:13:41.343-06:00Ashlyn's WorldTrisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-30232124982352609602011-11-28T10:25:00.004-06:002011-11-28T10:36:01.904-06:00Christmas In Lee's Summit<div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>Ashlyn has met with several news outlets over the past few months. Most recently with Terra Hall of Fox 4 News. After finishing our last interview on November 14th, she was invited by Terra to help Mayor Rhoads light up downtown Lee's Summit on November 18. This our hometown so we were super excited. I work for the City, so Ashlyn had met the Mayor before, but this time it was going to be for something more fun than just going to my work.<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680086000910579122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjol2xNVRlqJwITtk_Qnmxazt_aiADQJMnOrGknjOW3zyEKQZFAzhkeA3qBk6D_t2sHCW5fgfFiVlGB6j2W11SJhZkt03SC9SPd7gtdvwRjf0XZ_Cj7PzFm5Ny1eafFU4hjn6MxvoZRH7HK/s320/Mayor%252C+Terra+and+Ashlyn.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><div></div><br /><div>I thought Ashlyn might actually get a bit shy as we approached the stage that evening. There was a large crowd gathered around the stage for the lighting and to see Santa Claus. Oh yeah, that was an extra bonus. She would get to see Santa FIRST! My worry was for nothing. She didn't get shy at all. She loved the attention. Go figure.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>As Terra introduced her on stage and explained that Ashlyn was born missing her left arm from the elbow down, Ashlyn proudly held up her little arm and grinned from ear to ear. As she finished the introduction Ashlyn said "Merry Christmas!" loudly into the microphone and resounding "Ahhhhhhh!!!" came from the crowd. *proud mommy smiles*</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680085667663904674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixpMEsVX7oK49JjdaM6vQKcKO6zd3IkYnUrBvqfMiTJKzqjaO7LeUrr3hqQe-o3ZOo8LpoetS6D8gLbLYcacnt1r4SV_Dn91f1Z-D2a94J7Or8CaiUcQb0h313lgWjk_uw78LeGypB5Cz/s320/Mayor%252C+Terra%252C+Ashlyn+and+Santa.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><div></div><br /><div>She did a most excellent job of helping Mayor Rhoads and his grandson turn on all the Christmas lights downtown. She enjoyed every single minute of it. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>She's so going to be in the movies someday. Hee hee!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680085675820605954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRtiEVsgXBLa8tpcNXbCuoFHQHDGDWPPW4Wq4Jcs1e5gk1p-8pHpzQkE8U2srCWA4hW9sqaV7pZSN5L4V2dVoBcXEs0E9mmh42Z8q9bqPqgCduOJsrFu6ay01cTt7FF47mmkRHEsykbyk/s320/Ashlyn+in+Candycane.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div>Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-46024283435995217922011-11-14T13:46:00.002-06:002011-11-14T13:57:26.098-06:00In the news!Ashlyn and I have been interviewed my several local news outlets over the past couple of months. We have shared her story and that of Winter the Dolphin with anyone that wants to listen. Check out some of these stories:<br /><br /><a href="http://independence.fox4kc.com/news/news/64673-dolphins-tail-inpires-metro-girl-reach-goals">Fox 4 News</a><br /><a href="http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_missouri/lees_summit/lees-summit-4-year-old-with-limb-deficiency-meets-star-dolphin-nov2011swp">NBC Action News</a><br /><a href="http://www.kmbc.com/news/29707865/detail.html">Channel 9 News</a><br /><a href="http://www.examiner.net/features/x940621350/A-girl-a-dolphin-and-a-happy-tale?img=3">Independence Examiner</a><br /><a href="http://www.lsjournal.com/2011/08/09/71020/ashlyns-tale.html?story_link=email_msg">Lee's Summit Journal</a><br /><br />I am a single mom that hasn't really found the extra time to do special things to raise awareness. (Do single mom's get "extra" time? :) ) I've met some fantastic people that are doing great things to inspire and educate and I hope you take time to check them out as well.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bornjustright.com/">Born Just Right</a> and <a href="http://www.luckyfinproject.org/">Lucky Fin Project</a>.<br /><br />Thanks for visiting!!!Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-7970607734485017272011-11-06T08:00:00.001-06:002011-11-06T08:00:09.207-06:00Day 6 - On our way back home.<div align="center">Sadly, Sunday, October 6, 2011 marks the end of our time in Florida. </div><br /><div align="center"><br />We woke up late again. No reason to rush to the airport today. I gave Ashlyn a much needed bath after her princess makeover left her hair a bit stiff...and glittery. </div><br /><div align="center"><br />We all got ready to go. Had our bags delivered to the airport and enjoyed one last lunch at the resort. We had no idea that we almost missed our bus, but we made it just in time.</div><br /><div align="center"><br />We were headed to the airport at 1:30 pm. When we got to the airport, Ashlyn found one more princess to have her picture taken with. She doesn't miss a princess. *smile*</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671249695902254530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CRgko9mNsNzRILG7EwbipgTwtNziKTs6yIrKVurgufLM4amAE44_EpK5oB1QihvvSFH3r8cnFuBeOrmEPTZiOv8bf4NLDSrJ4hiYF1gepyOORprIv6FnGkcWt2MSJgFEJbqYryYXjkbK/s320/snow+white+at+airport.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><p align="center">She also found a nice big giraffe at the Sea World shop.<br />Giraffe's are one of her favorite animals so we HAD to take a picture. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671250226974164002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBB3-keZPRW0vjNBDGsHMyutNEQslIxzTsrUGFBzCbMLLjLw2319zIV0ULLGIeaIGMRqdEQI4n5l7-sywE9bBSjDzdg5wmpnXl7tM-eXyQbHa5F-ImLOoB3N4akrjEJtQEdJSHAEhdPKD1/s320/Giraffe+at+airport.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEk_du0sW2bdh67XUjKYaU1u-ChSqCijmE1N1PadvGoB_RGS2X1-TbVqp-YfMURVat8M9GTRuFMtcS5kF6CLIRrViJnzqc5wAt0-Q94ESFfZ3cWK_ldfzXBpUEvIo8i9Ix5MEoM-6qKjrb/s1600/Giraffe+at+airport.jpg"> <br /><p align="center"><br /></a>From there we made our way through security and waited for our plane. Ashlyn was getting a bit cranky and finally fell asleep on moms lap about 30 minutes before our plane was ready to load. I was hoping that meant she would sleep quite a bit on the plane. No such luck. </p><br /><p align="center">We arrived in Kansas City around 6 pm. My uncle met us at the airport and we headed home.</p><br /><p align="center">We thoroughly enjoyed this trip. Mom, Ashlyn and I got to spend a lot of quality time together. This is a trip that none of us will soon forget. </p><br /><p align="center">(Pedometer Steps: 8,670 - A mostly "sitting and waiting day")</p><br /><p align="center">P.S. By the time I got to work on Monday it seemed like it had never happened. </p>Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-89293356918180651772011-11-05T08:00:00.002-05:002011-11-05T08:00:10.951-05:00Day 5 - Epcot and Downtown Disney<div align="center">Saturday we headed to Epcot! We FINALLY had the chance to meet some blogging friends that I've gotten to know since before Ashlyn was born. It felt as though I already knew them...but getting to meet them for the first time in person was exciting. They are great people and just as fun in person as they are on Facebook and blogging. So glad we got to meet them!</div><br /><div align="center">(Thank you Trish and Marty for showing us around for a while. Still sorry we didn't make it back in time for our picture. Maybe we could photoshop something? *smile*)</div><br />align="center">We all made our way to The Seas with Nemo and Friends. What a cute little ride it has. Just takes you on a search for Nemo. Then project Nemo, his dad and Dory into an actual fish aquarium so it looks like they are really swimming with real fish. That was great!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671221757895314338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmHhB6mLeyXMKiK37wu_nFwZ99OQSbfVilkn7XXgoSdvc-kf1qJQc2E-IIpuRk5ReEO-HkL7gQBv_ty6x4aPG6kchfHXiAis8Duo11sdp-Z9ip3WfAH-oT5kBJwshY8rpPRdLWTVUDkct/s320/Ashlyn+%2526+Nemo.jpg" border="0" /><br />align="center">We even found the REAL Nemo and Dory!! <br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671221934524581458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiICGgwfFRZCayw2TI9rz0o6sLS4_CSlW0Q7phxwYZHOTignLKw6NAqBB-ErvtT8RFwqpdgduF8RhgffDWoEHxXKd_A5ETuLwjXrWz93a5-zD2vURj76J61_1HBrKaUw0sSvppjdOCIrvI/s320/Real+Nemo+%2526+Dory.jpg" border="0" /></div><br />align="center">After Nemo, we walked around looking at the different fish and aquatic life including seahorses, eels, manatees and yes, even dolphins! <br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671222031659144002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZZ8xLCRM07Uea6qjUVXvsaFnJD7WakTEGmfvcwGqskwXCjlaU-Z9FtKHnzeCRyuWSBPOYcyDm4s2gwiYNh_PQAt_UeL3SSlB3bAauTkavRNLq7uBo2I3M3wPIB7YffazC6j3OZ9r1V62/s320/Ashlyn+at+Epcot+Aquarium.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center">After checking out all the animals, we went to Turtle Talk with Crush. This was super cute. All of the kids got to sit on the floor at the front of the theatre and the parents sat on benches behind them. Crush is animated but interacts with the audience. He would talk to you, make faces, move around the screen as he interacted. It was MAGIC!! We all loved it. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671221853209237234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzm1cb2Aosmtg-d-4EKq9FEW_5RSK8eBHLOpZB2F7JY-7dbQoQ_GrfbODAjXa1eYXKJdp2szQnFvpEoYFWtSXFBDxFQyLUTUsvgv0erkvR-NXgQDx_9SnMi-wRn0uZ9fiFkdTBpu4kWtbj/s320/Turtle+Talk.jpg" border="0" /><br />align="center">We went our separate ways from Trish and Marty after this as they were going to ride something that looked awesome ("Soarin'") but Ashlyn was too short and the fast passes were for MUCH later in the day and I wasn't sure we would be there then (and we weren't). We thought we would catch up with Trish and Marty later...but that didn't work out. *sad face* It was still great to visit with them for a little while. *happy face*<br /><div align="center">We had lunch at Epcot and then headed to Downtown Disney. There was a lot a wanted to see and do there. Who knew that there was no straight shot there from Epcot. Bah! align="center">As soon as we arrived in Downtown Disney, Ashlyn was ready for pictures. She found some odd little soldier fellows and without me even asking she posed perfectly with them...and Mickey and Minnie too! She's such a character.<br />align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671222169086859298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWzigRbOhVEC76YC8i6LHgGyWAcjkIRu4po9637kwo5M0vVg6ia-JnSnkQP0cu-x-xZj8rHcHR2_3_k5TXdeQOPaN8xPmD0JvBEEQFWnMo1Pn44ZUzonEG_BUI9ZTw-dNkEBatfuiJmo1/s320/Ashlyn+%2526+Soldiers.jpg" border="0" />< <br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671222290775634706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79IwNzXzLNDWH4jVPjgs6qXtZ9KJe9_Gbo_3FrLeYdTjvHi_QtNyI5VJ1jhnTCCwaMo1qKQMN7BS2potvqFZembJrdZtZIzQxWXuGgHsiF4pMp-KDdCySIojqvXiVYoK2xWQE9nC2I7ZK/s320/Strike+a+pose+with+Mickey.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">We then went to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for Ashlyn to get a princess makeover. I didn't even think about it being Saturday afternoon and that they might now be able to do it. Fortunately I was told they were accepting walk-ins which was highly unusual, especially for a Saturday afternoon. Shew...that was close. They got her right in. She got to pick her hairstyle, color and make up. She sat so perfectly still that I wasn't sure she was still my kid. She NEVER sits that still when I'm doing her hair. *shaking head*</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">The transformation was unbelievable. When they pulled all of her hair back she looked several years older. If you had walked me out of the room while they were doing it and back in when they were done, I'm not sure I would have recognized her. Seriously. Look. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671222379529258850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmq53Rb438-3EIyRiYVOUGSb_Tlxmp3BXa3qnEkxWBtQz2V-DulQweeyhztvtExPIDpRd0W_13yjm0I3TdBrlo8DxeRmNyfM7j_5Lu5d_2m6XOD2y1x7prO92W5WwE6q3nhVhrGd3lJgPC/s320/Boutique+1.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Just getting started...</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671222466398713778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0pTnV9LhTvhSiQ0V-hTddR9MbWTSQNt4WjL4jbn-ZM6ojvfd_Ho1DmO3y-KzGu0K4uDJO_NQbnreSD32CSYwy73uthMCYi32E9S3PiLV2H6Yl447ptSg9w1Abl9utzUx0DBW-4OuXcbL/s320/Boutique+3.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">Halfway done... </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671222515985228450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4K22qbXe3mog4kmW9YRVaO5o1d5dX1mwVUDFeQ7lyDVKC-7zEfXjE6aVHJecvpL9HsPbLTGhineXZx_t-oGImYGOXmaCd2amo8g8RjQhyJ4ri7_sAs7QLu0fRV5xVKIUxBw2mV35PuTm7/s320/Boutique+4.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Then final touches... GLITTER!!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671222622881437346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_JQ1g5lRpNV1wKGwqVA9OIjFGQxUTZzUTlPpoIvdLWb8ZYK2PeyJ2rujnR7U5VAheG579CFctJLcrj9nyWXYWWm6CmV_xcqDLiS_1ud10xbDId0ugCfIKpIjXjhQNgLZham4Cdm7KzQE/s320/Final+product.jpg" border="0" /> The final prodcut. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">I TOLD YOU...she looks like she's 6+ years old now!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">We completed our tour of Downtown Disney and enjoyed dinner at Wolfgang Puck's. Mmmm!!! Then we returned to the Magic Kingdom for one more evening of princesses, fireworks and light shows. We would be heading home the next day so we wanted to make the most of it!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">We decided to try to get in to see a princess before they left for the evening. We actually got to see THREE! The fireworks were getting ready to start, so the line was incredibly short. Yay!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671222831535361042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwplnMLApJAXrzL-gAG-Z-mn7WGj-hc1zZgqjv6gWwhoj-uIiBBNOQZN0ibMzFy2sSRh7y1TMB9ZKH90rG03pJ4EDj6wJT2YGMzsUwNhjJX_xrcVwN2yy1ONQx6Gv-nqFbO5i8h4_CJ3uy/s320/Cinderella.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTDxr_5BpylGtE2fu_1yQ2cdRb1m-ErUTGxOoZbey0_ZcC82_Ju_upbmF5XT9cAQ_9-BWyvmDLssyGhtwrdOL6d2g4BKQ3B4XDnHZr2mo8saJfHnJqp6fWGpja4GnwCzFFQSUkBGLmTei/s1600/Sleeping+Beauty.jpg"></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTDxr_5BpylGtE2fu_1yQ2cdRb1m-ErUTGxOoZbey0_ZcC82_Ju_upbmF5XT9cAQ_9-BWyvmDLssyGhtwrdOL6d2g4BKQ3B4XDnHZr2mo8saJfHnJqp6fWGpja4GnwCzFFQSUkBGLmTei/s1600/Sleeping+Beauty.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671222898196426290" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTDxr_5BpylGtE2fu_1yQ2cdRb1m-ErUTGxOoZbey0_ZcC82_Ju_upbmF5XT9cAQ_9-BWyvmDLssyGhtwrdOL6d2g4BKQ3B4XDnHZr2mo8saJfHnJqp6fWGpja4GnwCzFFQSUkBGLmTei/s320/Sleeping+Beauty.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4DnuvhqifzkWzIHi0TZpZVHDufMLcsS7Xjd8HEiAVUfKieZ07BQhhoAITVfToUZRY8_ombduG_CcEMa2gdiMlTulTk_PPNuXk73cQwbLA90f_bIPZBP3mK0Qs9gNHNqgiGrb9zHq2GQO/s1600/Belle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671222771133348082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 248px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4DnuvhqifzkWzIHi0TZpZVHDufMLcsS7Xjd8HEiAVUfKieZ07BQhhoAITVfToUZRY8_ombduG_CcEMa2gdiMlTulTk_PPNuXk73cQwbLA90f_bIPZBP3mK0Qs9gNHNqgiGrb9zHq2GQO/s320/Belle.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTDxr_5BpylGtE2fu_1yQ2cdRb1m-ErUTGxOoZbey0_ZcC82_Ju_upbmF5XT9cAQ_9-BWyvmDLssyGhtwrdOL6d2g4BKQ3B4XDnHZr2mo8saJfHnJqp6fWGpja4GnwCzFFQSUkBGLmTei/s1600/Sleeping+Beauty.jpg"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTDxr_5BpylGtE2fu_1yQ2cdRb1m-ErUTGxOoZbey0_ZcC82_Ju_upbmF5XT9cAQ_9-BWyvmDLssyGhtwrdOL6d2g4BKQ3B4XDnHZr2mo8saJfHnJqp6fWGpja4GnwCzFFQSUkBGLmTei/s1600/Sleeping+Beauty.jpg"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center">After the royal visit we went to Adventureland and got to meet Tinkerbell and Terence. </div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Another short line due to other things going on in the park. Woo hoo!</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbkSV_ZmdfPTPhIl9AfL3JDaHem9iR2AkMiMax3_xtx6X2VTkktit5gODRMncCY4WfijX295tgI0Ho7HrGx8zjkUYHatQvfTjevMDbIEQjN8VTR1Ds1TJcadodIOiO0KrUVOybGi4b4b1/s1600/Terence.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671222982741991922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 237px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbkSV_ZmdfPTPhIl9AfL3JDaHem9iR2AkMiMax3_xtx6X2VTkktit5gODRMncCY4WfijX295tgI0Ho7HrGx8zjkUYHatQvfTjevMDbIEQjN8VTR1Ds1TJcadodIOiO0KrUVOybGi4b4b1/s320/Terence.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNeqf3H4WPIpmzixj0wo_0Zd5QcNU3dRMO07DqyeqCkMAh1Ysb-5cvtwsnoXRfo6GFz_PODrRjZM5JKml89DKBfc233H_NWjnJ6PYYiM0vglSIt2AmlWBorNUFOd7atWsmcRXsTz4wz3t/s1600/Tinkerbell.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671223026201990530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNeqf3H4WPIpmzixj0wo_0Zd5QcNU3dRMO07DqyeqCkMAh1Ysb-5cvtwsnoXRfo6GFz_PODrRjZM5JKml89DKBfc233H_NWjnJ6PYYiM0vglSIt2AmlWBorNUFOd7atWsmcRXsTz4wz3t/s320/Tinkerbell.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>Finally, her autograph book was full!!<br />We then went back to the hotel and I began the process of getting things ready to go home the next day. Ashlyn wasn't much help. I got all of her make-over undone and she passed out. Oh yeah...her hair was hysterical the next day. Thank goodness we had time for a bath 1st thing in the morning! Hee hee!</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671223166320841442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAg2kTN1pnPyy2mAO365ewcPIL5lhNMPjhggAuiskMHJxydjvEYDW87TxIMl3CLwenQzQB8yTUeLbeDEmGTz0RbjQpv1Iumn99EvJq59A4hVCgjH43vfDFNSIJ-8-FfAUhGo8cnV8SlX_/s320/Asleep.jpg" border="0" />(Pedometer Steps: 19,682) </div>Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-51745276834259885052011-11-04T11:23:00.014-05:002011-11-04T11:59:24.939-05:00Day 4 - Hollywood Studios and RelaxingWe decided to venture to Hollywood Studios on Friday. We got a late start to the day as it was raining first thing in the morning. We decided that we would take it easy. No need to rush around ALL the time. So we ordered room service for breakfast and ate on our balcony. We watched people walking around the courtyard with umbrellas and ponchos. Yep, no reason to rush anywhere with the rain.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671183847883715938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 194px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWgpEixTHjjIKg1skEJx7trR9D_ynPVX4umIDgC5TBqkcX7dqOx2LfymqqtwGsNDoCZe8cOuulAWHGB0yPYdCM7GwZuO7JwZ4xfMAOFLDoeUB8tr67G4Jtm0_dzZZ1mKB6IBNwf7xfL3t/s320/Hollywood+Studios.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>We finally made it to Hollywood Studios around 11am. The rain had stopped and the sun was shining once again. We wandered aimlessly for a little while and then found that we would be able to meet Mickey at one of the locations we were planning to head to a little later. We went ahead and made our way there. We didn't have to stand in line too terribly long....considering it was Mickey and all.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671183016119748898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 192px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXrrXlBpTtQ_bxDwWKtVDhPr2k5PKq-edhUYxsKYZT9YedaAcQae8ZLU_gNr5Y49sjFfpa7RodBXrDXdhsWfq_JqYr76pEzuvOE-y0IXs7cJAI8zFCUAyzQp3k771QnrjGNMZrsZjk3Oc/s320/Ashyn%252C+Mickey+and+I.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>We did go to the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" attraction, but Ashlyn took off like a bolt and I couldn't catch her. It terrified me everytime I could just catch a glimpse of her up ahead of me, but due to the other children and parents I couldn't actually reach her. Finally I caught up with her at the bottom of the slide and drug her out of the play area. She threw a humdinger of a fit and I felt bad for making her leave, but I panicked at the thought of her getting separated from me and not being able to find her. So after a several minute fued, we found some snow that she got excited about. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671183108192414754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2lpfv5-WE3HE_bI1ztTh0x61MB29NeImyO7eIryowEMwnQpkpm08PmFQ61_i6ByHGhOs5IK_x1cuP1WCxlsBdHnWVTwxeq3ujCFUtspeJduLuOijLqTscJIxUtRnJWFdxJipSmAN3q3g/s320/Florida+Snow.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><div>No, not real snow...not even soft snow. As a matter of fact, when she fell on it her knees got pretty scraped up which began another crying fit. Man, oh man. It was time to head back to the hotel. As we made our way back through it appeared to be an epidemic. 6 out of 10 children where screaming and crying. We all just shared the knowing look and smile. I guess it was just that time of day. Time to head back to the hotel. Yay!</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671183170697434978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGXwzyg7OnQ7wahfXhUaImSq5IRAqz9am5VcemGUiyjtMiAAEfxHoCJU6k5CTUrxv0xi5Op_UoFB2yWjMNZrykXWLYYuSwbfUzZJTsT18ZN5FZG3BZ6f0gnzegPMFJYSetcMPudjx0JmZ/s320/Hotel.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><div>There was a lot going on at the hotel that evening. We grabbed dinner and then headed to the beach (sand beach on Buena Vista Lake). We roasted marshmallows and then got to sit back in chaise lounge chairsand watch a movie (Mars Needs Moms) on the beach. When the movie ended we moved to another part of beach where you can see the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom. That was pretty neat.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671185132608057682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrImghYc2zA-xWL8yXk5hbsF6-8dfvy4pwfWSfn_TmWkjf0gAj5pq4oVRV5vPAtYVxBXzNx2IdZBMarkOEX4AJ4UfkSZUbBPlcUugVFWNzU1aQ0ptE44Ikh7EMtgEGbEd2cU7kyG4KL0p/s320/Marshmallows.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>Then we saw a line of boats. Then we heard them playing fun carnival type music. They were all dark except a single green light on their bow. They stopped infront us and then they light up with animals made of lights. It was parade of lights on the water. How cool is that? When the animal song ended, then the lights changed to stars and american flags. Very very neat. Glad we didn't miss that.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671183285911616530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4X5T00NlhsFS00KQkqyccUeR11TxBQVg6tBwvOlRtX_v0s2hQNiXX68Tq8xCuyy4vr3HjY0zBygLQdJqoSOAJWBvjE5pqhpNKc9q-bclOalAEWQIV9BtWf9o1kuBisE7dCZxGtCXSjoD/s320/Light+Parade.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>Ashlyn played with a new friend for a while on the beach and playground while mom and visited with her parents. Then it was off to bed. We were meeting friends the next day at Epcot! Yay!</div><br /><div></div><br />Pedometer Steps: 10, 126)Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-60128150503707778002011-11-03T10:35:00.026-05:002011-11-03T11:30:29.507-05:00Day 3 - Animal Kingdom and Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMV1zOEO-Ti5HAp9kMs3DHr0RZkQbJ_s0ortK9HhPqS7dC8upeShl0rv3drjCGasEvHGN5n4sVuNdvLN3QWjuJDOb4VZq4QJgbWf9PHby87aYiR98iYYrGBUaO16f1ejCQldgRYxBP2EJ/s1600/383967_10150454476274050_730929049_10723110_909688110_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670803439101210930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMV1zOEO-Ti5HAp9kMs3DHr0RZkQbJ_s0ortK9HhPqS7dC8upeShl0rv3drjCGasEvHGN5n4sVuNdvLN3QWjuJDOb4VZq4QJgbWf9PHby87aYiR98iYYrGBUaO16f1ejCQldgRYxBP2EJ/s320/383967_10150454476274050_730929049_10723110_909688110_n.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Today we set our sights on the Animal Kingdom. Another amazing place. Full of animals, characters and fun rides. Our first stop was at "It's hard to be a bug". First off, I didn't know this was from A Bug's Life and I had been warned it was a little creepy. Once inside, I realized I might have made a mistake. It's a 4D movie type thing. Ashlyn thought it was great until Hopper (the mean grasshopper) came out and proceeded to call on the mean bugs to take care of us human folks. The spiders are what really got Ashlyn. She was DONE with it. LOL. It was pretty neat though to have air blown at you, water sprayed at you, smells in the air and "critters" moving in your seat. She laughs about it now, but at the time she was so over it. Ha ha!<br /></div><br />We wandered around quite a bit until we found a ride that she enjoyed. It was just a ride that goes around and around and up and down (at your control) as we sat in a dinosaur. We could see a lot of things from up there as she liked me to us as high as we could go. She's such a little dare devil.We also got to meet several characters such as Pluto, Goofy, Chip 'N Dale, Donald, Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger and Pocahontas.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670796012205683234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdXaxqhs19Mw1nbHyU6takBH89qLgY2eZ4-FO3CPtqKslLrbqrQr5foVN3a64z-7-UZjttesqwPHtYURTZ3yGn7ckpTIda842DXYFa-1gt7Z6Xbi7N7zVoFCe5WZfVqitKoAhUD0K6lqa/s320/Disney+World+2011+108.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670797371035756194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIIp1cl_GSpiq9vwwmbbsvXEIose3KL5Gk6E26YTDEqcq3ANsGpYLqmLwJIPMEcgNCors7QGZMMCy9Ho3f7k2ZLAQuhmUT4o-D-zP8SDFjXTu_PbCUL3ainIqeEffAM3ZNemwC9Hwa6WS/s320/Disney+World+2011+118.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670800064750588050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMipy07gFIEPFN2hHpluk1E0dHPf_OLETwQTx-Jc6A-NyMoX7DsoMnopsilqHMwUSfuFeUcaST01LZK9oiN2sx3pzKTVL0K4lY58FsWRvq0bDILjpDqsWvc10LyqnzAzp_54cV_Oy9znVf/s320/Disney+World+2011+103.JPG" border="0" />We had so much fun walking around, visiting with the characters and seeing the animals that it was hard to make ourselves leave. However, just as we were making our way back out of the park, my little princess fell fast asleep. This made the walk back to the bus a little bit more difficult carrying 30+ lbs of dead weight. LOL. But we made it and she slept the whole time we were on the bus back to the hotel. She woke up at just the mere mention of going swimming for a while before the party.<br /><br />The pool at the hotel was beautiful. A bonus to stopping by mid-afternoon is that there weren't as many kids in the pool either. We got to enjoy it for about an hour before we had to head back up to the room and get ready to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party. How exciting!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670800226490174194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 205px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0X2uyg71XSo1b6vsMgSHS2Uux97fbWe81cgCd9y0GFW7QQ1mDToeOpBRqNcwDJ4524HJ6L4oWPJRWaMqUjarN6kfAi_Uy8Dn6r1xpRZmYI4xMmKPnugcAakBhLTuq25uX3WfgSF22kNo/s320/Disney+World+2011+127.JPG" border="0" /><br />I got Ashlyn all dolled up and ready to go as Cinderella. She looked so adorable. As you might have guessed, in Disney World she was not going to be the only Cinderella. She was one of probably 1,000 of them. But she was the cutest one in my eyes. *smile*<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670800465686221586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq28tS8EiQqcXrX5ztrWEUdDVuPEKXg5ZAAJ1DUTb0AfvGQ91Ovc2aHZCasU-jmhtXbV-DYPfucXHxuljgkeWW9hdAxCJqOyNcHQN1S0dLAHL32GUGmiSZ9ab-DnLh6d8Le8FMyA1Xw52p/s320/Disney+World+2011+122.JPG" border="0" /><br />We made our way back to the Magic Kingdom to enjoy all the wonders of the party. We walked. We danced. We watched the parade. We rode a few rides (including the infamous teacups).<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670801046615348786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TiWITSDKQC6rxTVgg13fHA4887-QmQuVJh22lIi28WH6IzS1L5OfWlkJnLWTvzJ-ebmhZDTDAXXoXsXMFt5Qm7ROKgbcswq44u9y3LIqCSwhZvEMm9RZKVElIg8OtQR0G0Ej8t3uFjOM/s320/Disney+World+2011+173.JPG" border="0" /><br />We watched the incredible fireworks. We trick or treated. By the end of the night we were completely exhausted and ready for bed.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670800686826392242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 284px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtfnLd1dMfAn-1mm_cE6Q4Nk508DwWMTrerguLQi84d9aTI7BP22VeaNnCzfrPQq6cVpCp-5XEHsLC-M96nspe-ZCc9rlGzBd191HFCrKvxDklJuiBQ-Y2hjs0hkx4kBsssMZ9mhDbh4P/s320/Disney+World+2011+166.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="left">It was another wonderfully busy day. We were ready to rest up for Hollywood Studios the next day!!<br />(Pedometer Steps: 21,148) </div>Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-79329196674752291872011-11-01T16:23:00.028-05:002011-11-02T09:27:16.868-05:00Day 2 - A Day with Winter!<div align="left">This was what the trip was all about. Earlier in the year Ashlyn and a fellow blogger's daughter (<a href="http://www.bornjustright.com/"></a> <a href="http://www.bornjustright.com/">http://www.bornjustright.com/</a>) Jordan had the incredible opportunity to meet Kevin Carroll, Vice President of Prosthetics for Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics. Mr. Carroll is co-creator of Winter the Dolphin's "helper tail". This was also the first time the girls had the opportunity to meet each other and there was an instant bond. We had no idea at the time that we would be presented with such an incredible opportunity!!<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670402836214966834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsCLU8eRRbbVovPal5PsjzKeojh9gigNHtH9kxcqD13ooYQ4bLlJcepINyQGlWRyVZb_XVH51EoupbkUZR9xZ1BRLipVPHtSL8PrEthSasjCKHILtS7VAXMWWWMVd6CyqB7cfLPLqN1h3/s320/Kevin%25252c_Ashlyn_%252526_Jordan%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" />After this meeting Ashlyn and I began the process of working with Hanger Prosthetic and Orthotics in Independence, MO for her new myoelectric arm as well and her swim arm. They have been so fantastic to work with. From there we had the opportunity to meet with several media outlets to discuss the opportunity to meet Winter live with the help of the Hanger Prosthetics foundation. Oh yeah. You better believe we were excited. We made plans with the other family and worked with Mr. Carroll's assistant (Ms. Carol Wade) and set our sights on Florida for this October trip! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670399531805214290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizz3ncnJFuasvK5cEYWhkKL_2XO3qoqztqBGH2VFuCqFN0qfJFlW1zuGz9knRwWDAdZPXVvLRLnd7pZYJnp_bt_3q_GdkJFvKoP6ooLZS_4I17b3-zoOk2pwAc183j1GZVpIXf9P-VmSVT/s320/Ashlyn+Arm+Winter+Tail.jpg" border="0" />Fast forward to last week - we woke up early on Wednesday (after arriving at 1am the night before) and headed for a quick breakfast. Our limo was waiting outside promptly at 9am to take us to Clearwater, FL for the big day. The limo was impressive to say the least. Jordan and Ashlyn sat behind Jen (Jordan's mom) and I and picked up where they left off several months earlier and as if no time had passed at all. It was definitely an "Ahhhhh" moment. *smiles*<br /><br /><br /><p align="left">We arrived at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium 2 hours later and ready to meet the animals. We were given the royal treatment with a tour guide showing us the ins and outs of the aquarium and the different aquatic life that has found their new home at this very special place. Ashlyn and Jordan looked at the animals swimming above as soon as we walked in.</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670148086391499762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxg-Jgw0ZjiUtq6oGMEAbckLjV3xpO8ItJZZ3RlgemNNL6X9FKxgtm8VFkW-zCgsCtIVQAiq044K1D54Zt9WqfZZh1SGh4Hdm_loWKbrewEV1KvNiG_V_P0BSDew-vwsQgS5cOZQFzVgss/s320/Ashlyn+%2526+Jordan+looking+in+window.jpg" border="0" />After touring the facilities the girls (and Jordan's brother, Cameron) were given an even better special treat. The chance to get up close and personal with Winter herself. Yeah, I'm jealous that I didn't get to touch this beautiful creature. However, watching the kids enjoying this moment was even better to me. It made my heart all warm and fuzzy. *smile*</p><br /><p>They got to touch her, feed her, wave at her, talk to her. It was more than incredible...but I am at a lack of words to describe how awe struck I was. It was....beautiful!</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670404406673400226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8udlOxj4oLgKY0CRSD8bPm2sO6A7GKUfT0RZvkIgPGAExw0qtIclPRJmzhmtNNpSkByYlJz7WvuBYa_A562ztLZL09bj8Txivma25ZG0lm4zSvK1qdGgqEqRBBiP9N4pstGpjT84c0FBv/s320/Ashlyn+and+Winter+4.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670149032099886802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81AVVes3hs3IYAaqIJnhLdHHYJkWh6Dc1IiVyHFVO6sUrKIyV0evw4nttXcNaZA1RfAtj6E8Z1DXM4rvOX91SETEEz2yh87pGHXf4YhfgrLuXFF8GCJC33DcGCIvMX4SXMHH8PBjFNQ1A/s320/Ashlyn+and+Winter+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670149125863301330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX29khjgm1ogyzRH78e9L3sJ4G6HwSUn7pV36Y5b-dDSdsezEqqSezHGKg6GrF9c1edQcJGQXESrLivfDCJWMcSID3FVhn3n1btJ114sc_zY8l9nSDotlKD0MXfP9Q7VzIzGqrC7ioFlwZ/s320/Ashlyn+and+Winter+3.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670149656223889426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixL-jF4B3l9gPwDDXW6C-0ZrMeYfLODbdhZqnLoLfrxXu9Rx3TfXUVoM_HIRCJ7Ph21EKLzxh307nS_RWaE_qgzC6vHkPF0P7w20FMq_EKPHrCH_SVTMjNWbGh1fK0RPFPfX1XpawKzY_t/s320/Ashlyn+and+Winter.jpg" border="0" /> Oh yeah...Ashlyn totally kissed her!! *squeal*</p><br /><p align="left">We enjoyed the afternoon at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, learning about the different animals that live there, how they came to be there and how the aquarium gives them an incredible place to live, make friends and be happy critters.</p><br /><p align="left">After the aquarium we managed to squeeze an hour in at the beach. Clearwater is absolutely gorgeous. I could easily live here. We walked into the water and strolled around on the beach. </p><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670399483659723954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglApYPIg21JFDmQzMWTcXLMi-JXxNDgASiMNKJ5uqb_tWh_fO0-rgdOtlgncauk64qPcWo-RAcbEFKLHawKSMKIKOY3LdbHq9E5bRDa0oYUfT_SzgXRKB-6vExWrNqMqvSsq9z39VKS8Ub/s320/Clearwater+beach.jpg" border="0" /> On the way back to Orlando, we all caught a quick nap in the limo. We needed a little refresher before heading to the Magic Kingdom that evening. </p><br /><p align="left">We made our way to the Magic Kingdom to change our Not-So-Scary trick or treating tickets from Tuesday (when we got in at 1 am) to Thursday so we could enjoy this special treat. We decided to explore the Kingdom while we were there. It was nothing like I expected...it was even BETTER!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670402667221191810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOW5cOF3TtnzX8E-lxT0i3i8A9gAj9oLxN4sc7Y8VaHnKVzZjuirS25sn69GqZtqowwdHoY67GK0vjj8JMOGjtRQ0Hd2nbthdN3VizDaVs0vPlOvvc34ekeQF5cOpbY947lBEw81cYxVcl/s320/Magic+Kingdom.jpg" border="0" /> We stayed for the fireworks and then decided we were exhausted and wanted to get some good sleep in order to enjoy a full day at the parks on Thursday. </p><br /><p></p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670401320777418418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8M5gktcS5noy3t2rbuRuThh-_ANO1Ls8fPTJD2w3Oh6VSZFk_AMP_Gxqty6Ec6CctMyrrPIua4O_6is_vb2n2At06f2-WjG6RWMi_3quji1RYwCtlmjxFulZ67x7mp4a6IEhu7IEN0sXw/s320/Mickey+Ear+Ashlyn.jpg" border="0" /> Ashlyn barely stayed awake for the ferry ride back to our hotel. We had a terrific day with Winter and friends. This was probably the best day <em><strong>EVER</strong></em>!! </p><br /><p align="center">(Pedometer Steps: 9,682)</p>Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-30916695833887507452011-11-01T11:23:00.010-05:002011-11-01T11:56:04.522-05:00Florida Bound - Day 1 (The Flightmare!)Prepare yourself for a daily recap of our adventures. I know I'll probably bore you silly, but this is going to act as my journal as well. So read on...lots of fun and excitement is ahead. *smile*<br /><div><br /><div>On October 25, 2011, Ashlyn, my mom and I headed out early to KCI. Arriving just a little after 8 am for a 9:25am flight. Upon our arrival there was an incredibly long line for our terminal. We had no idea what was going on. My Uncle Frank (my mom's brother) was dropping us off. We piled out of the car with all our our luggage, carry-on's and car seat. It was no small feat just carrying this stuff to the end of the line. He went on his way and there we stood. Not moving. Finally getting the news that the terminal had lost power much earlier in the morning. The only flights affected were Southwest and Delta. Oh yeah, that would be us (Southwest). About 45 minutes of standing in line not moving we were advised by an overhead sound system (Where did they get the power to operate that annoying thing? *shrug*) that the power would be out for some time and we should reschedule any morning flights. </div><br /><div>Awesome. Stuck in line with 3 suitcases, 3 carry-on's, a car seat, and an anxious 4 year old. We finally did get our flight rescheduled. From 9:25 am to 6:10 pm. We went from a straight through flight to having to land in Nashville for a connecting flight. We also went from arriving in Orlando at 1pm to arriving at 12:10am. Oh yeah. This was a great way to start Ashlyn's first big trip ever. Let's just say by the time we made the arrangement my nerves were already shot and I had 6 days to go. *joy*</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_pSSekA_ENyIkJJT7mkjMd8NvM-FX9BsRWe2UvRgHZLyZxRe167TrjOneW4fjzgXUuCZNZKQRmKcOYiVtLcXkuuZANP-PPMsO5sxnVMX5_5dlCytestEJczmlp4EGvTuZ5_4eX9y4ZY2/s1600/Waiting+for+the+plane.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670069263743621970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_pSSekA_ENyIkJJT7mkjMd8NvM-FX9BsRWe2UvRgHZLyZxRe167TrjOneW4fjzgXUuCZNZKQRmKcOYiVtLcXkuuZANP-PPMsO5sxnVMX5_5dlCytestEJczmlp4EGvTuZ5_4eX9y4ZY2/s320/Waiting+for+the+plane.jpg" border="0" /></a>We made our second flight at 6:10 (it was slightly delayed) but at least we were on our way. Finally.<br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8i4PkdQgoxq9-OpTEHHBCnOEcbEQ5QekmiwTmfY2ITOcAJ11qUDqSVOQP949TkcE1Unq_utqUkFMrb3eYvCmsIrCXJmh2U3GEXdZV6LmhM93pshKZWuk1CRU00cVvN3TKx7xLIpNeXtdu/s1600/On+the+Plane.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670069870037742466" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8i4PkdQgoxq9-OpTEHHBCnOEcbEQ5QekmiwTmfY2ITOcAJ11qUDqSVOQP949TkcE1Unq_utqUkFMrb3eYvCmsIrCXJmh2U3GEXdZV6LmhM93pshKZWuk1CRU00cVvN3TKx7xLIpNeXtdu/s320/On+the+Plane.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We had to make arrangements (VERY last minute) through the travel agent for transportation from the airport to our hotel. We were staying Wilderness Lodge - a Disney Deluxe Resort...and the buses stopped running just before our arrival. We were instead provided a limo to our hotel. Oh yeah, we were treated like royalty. Ashlyn is an excellent traveler on planes. She enjoyed every minute of it. </div><br /><div>We arrived at our hotel at 1am so our first day was filled with travel. We were tired yet still excited as heck. We had to get some sleep in before the next day. It was going to be a BIG day of travelling to Clearwater to meet Winter the Dolphin face to face (literally)! Stay tuned!!!</div></div></div>Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-11992790156670352952011-09-26T09:19:00.006-05:002011-09-26T09:31:33.735-05:00Seeing "Dolphin Tale"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFQ7-BjKmi74mjVDcUIMc1zMzC1BKY6hfnzotkVswoAF1oSxkib8uO_qnq-r1REGxXjGFKMiSwNDAc6jcW687ukFOCqhnoYf1H9EhOMqvyePz20kZvIZntFOfKoDM-rFyEa3lZ_Mx6PEc/s1600/Kaitlyn%2526Ashlyn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656675625324477730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFQ7-BjKmi74mjVDcUIMc1zMzC1BKY6hfnzotkVswoAF1oSxkib8uO_qnq-r1REGxXjGFKMiSwNDAc6jcW687ukFOCqhnoYf1H9EhOMqvyePz20kZvIZntFOfKoDM-rFyEa3lZ_Mx6PEc/s320/Kaitlyn%2526Ashlyn.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /><div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Kaitlyn (my niece) and Ashlyn waiting to get in to the movie. </span></div><br /><div align="center"></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><br /><div>We finally got to see this FANTASTIC movie. Wow. It is amazing. It started out a little slow, not for lack of a story line, but because I wanted to jump right in and watch this amazing animal begin the prosthetic process. It probably would have been better had I not known what the movie was about and if I didn't have a personal reason for wanting to see how this beautiful dolphin worked with her prosthetic. </div><br /><div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><br /><div>It was an incredible journey though. Ashlyn was just excited to see Winter in the movie and to already know the story. She did, however, ask me if Winter died. She was a little confused by the story line about Sawyer's (the main character...next to Winter) cousin. I said, "No silly, remember we get to meet her." </div><br /><div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><br /><div>I, of course, laughed and cried. There were moments that struck me so deeply and profoundly that I didn't just didn't expect it. I would explain them to you, but most of you probably haven't had the opportunity to see it since it just opened this weekend. So hurry up...get out there and see this incredible movie so I can tell you all about the parts that really struck a chord with me...or else I'm going to ruin it for you. *smiles*</div><br /><div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><br /><div>It also made it nice that our group included Ashlyn and I (of course), my dad and step-mother, my sister, my brother-in-law as well as my niece and nephew and one of the main lines in the movie is..."Family is forever." Now that's what memories are made of. *warm fuzzies*</div></div>Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-9768324440035380972011-09-20T10:37:00.006-05:002011-09-20T10:51:37.142-05:00The New Arms are fantastic!!<div>We finally made it to the end of the process...well almost. We picked up Ashlyn's new helper arms yesterday. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCL_DShVR4JaEHRf4MOcbO8qcDMp0M9w-AY6whXe5urtVOKvcC89DBaGF4zTFkPxg4nzwRLyDZ6BF-5FBV-oWSec_w9G6uI_4oXuZvZcQdXuF3cfqi1n31zLGRFG4_ieQNlrWl1B6kC2Wc/s1600/Swim+Arm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654467132094779698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCL_DShVR4JaEHRf4MOcbO8qcDMp0M9w-AY6whXe5urtVOKvcC89DBaGF4zTFkPxg4nzwRLyDZ6BF-5FBV-oWSec_w9G6uI_4oXuZvZcQdXuF3cfqi1n31zLGRFG4_ieQNlrWl1B6kC2Wc/s320/Swim+Arm.jpg" border="0" /></a>She has a new PINK swim arm which is lightweight and, of course, waterproof. Now we just have to find a good indoor pool to give a try. She really likes this one since it will help her swim and she has and incredible interest in Winter the Dolphin right now, so she totally sees the benefit of this one. Though, I must say, she is quite and incredible swimmer without it. I think she maybe a candidate for a swim team already. She's amazing!</div><br /><p></p><br /><p>Dr. Keith told her about the pink dolphins and we are excited to learn more about them too. Hmmm...maybe she will be a dolphin trainer some day. That would be okay with this momma! </p><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzqfPy_FrSWpIrWtJbd1MHG_hEwvPg5oTn7T2_fcMpD4itCfchZ6GFU9qJfGTWND8AZltmyF2pK662U1F9HNUfnzRyzFKGeHWIyVoIXDWSzs6QLKTFBB73f7-6t8MEqUgMU43WB5OKutD/s1600/MyoElectricArm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654467805494067314" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzqfPy_FrSWpIrWtJbd1MHG_hEwvPg5oTn7T2_fcMpD4itCfchZ6GFU9qJfGTWND8AZltmyF2pK662U1F9HNUfnzRyzFKGeHWIyVoIXDWSzs6QLKTFBB73f7-6t8MEqUgMU43WB5OKutD/s320/MyoElectricArm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p>We also got her new myoelectric arm. Wow. It's fantastic!</p><br /><p>It will take quite a bit of adjusting and practic to operate it, but I think she'll get the hang of it in no time. It's a little heavier than the swim arm but once she learns to use it as a tool, I have a feeling she will become a super user. </p><br /><p>She learns things so fast (like how to work my phone, how to navigate the internet and computer games) that I think this new helper arm will be a breeze to learn. </p><br /><p>We are going to start Occupational Therapy as well, so that might give her an added incentive and insight on how to use it and how it can benefit her in some activities. </p><br /><p><br /></p><br /><p>Hanger Prosthetics has been absolutely fabulous to work with. I would ABSOLUTELY recommend them to anyone that needs prosthetics or orthotics. Our appointments were easy and fun. We really liked the prothetist (Dr. Keith) we worked with also. In fact, the entire office team was great. So fortunate to be able to do this, and close to home. Very thankful to everyone that had a part in making this happen for Ashlyn. She's going to do amazing things!! </p>Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-2842344103827074092011-09-06T11:37:00.014-05:002011-09-06T11:54:16.841-05:00Happy 4th Birthday!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7jSc7zRuNFUsvZKbFKrYxak9dKZOy0m7PIUkfn63oJUhzeKQgbMZNAUJidKdbvLZ8pLrafoThin0lx0tPhxWVWHOWqEcpjnQwr7suX1r_c8XTYKwyN9lwLBQyYqbrVbEl_Y4TFLciPdR/s1600/Ashlyn%2527s4thBirthday.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649290675373198818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7jSc7zRuNFUsvZKbFKrYxak9dKZOy0m7PIUkfn63oJUhzeKQgbMZNAUJidKdbvLZ8pLrafoThin0lx0tPhxWVWHOWqEcpjnQwr7suX1r_c8XTYKwyN9lwLBQyYqbrVbEl_Y4TFLciPdR/s320/Ashlyn%2527s4thBirthday.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /><div>I cannot believe that it has been 4 years since I first met my little princess. She has grown up so much in those 4 years that I can't even imagine what the next 4 will be like, and I hope I have the patience/wisdom/strength to handle the next 4. *smile* </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649288534096966258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRkBNmB-mqG2aRCRywzU-cUjv6j43FIj7C31BNcbeWIaKKGjnuoX5wSSj3fuW3_vBZWm7DqruhJ-gAXbsBFAUnBf27PU0m3F-5_w9sxKW96941yniVaNSHlfijDEgFNLA566e7v41gGKj/s320/Ashlyn%2527sBirthdayCake.jpg" border="0" />We celebrated the big day at Lake Jacomo (Shelter #6). It started out rather warm (97 degrees) with a pretty strong wind. We got the celebration underway around 1:30 with most of my family and friends, her dad and grandma and Ashlyn's favorite cousin and her two best friends on the planet. She was in 7th Heaven!! She got to play for quite a while and then enjoyed cake, ice-cream and snacks as well as punch and water.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649290104375505762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_4JN33eRNKKv6wgD3953dP0sqcVoAgBRYI0rHwRJJrtpSPHLeeLzJ40zg2FSXdnDvw44HHPByUls20sRpbGEMG2Ek6ykXBg_KRn_SLA-jbUECi4kQC_vi8hGxhcWUmMbzp3_EJKed2Ua/s320/Ashlyn%2526Bella.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><p>As we started the "present opening" portion of the festivities it got darker and darker with thunder and lightning looming just to the north. I rushed her through her present opening to make sure we got through all of them, but I don't think either of us got a real chance to actually SEE what she got. By the end of the presents it was storming like crazy. We covered things up and everyone pitched in to get things put up in my car so they wouldn't get ruined. </p>We got to say goodbye to family and friends as they made their way out in the storm and headed home. We stuck around for a little while with the few family members that stuck it out as the rain turned to a sprinkle. Ashlyn was soaked (as was I) from head to toe, as she caught a few extra raindrops on her tongue.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649289667650894370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikM2Jf3PSb5-3bPO9SlsYA_F19X3RMoksJX1aQ-8XDguCzNXWjhb-E6qSIOh9HZsGzoMyfd4YNplAHmPtzdtcrF-XBW51ynHeyhcjmyuxYvtDT6NYzg6oaYcjpffZk4KLlLcTIigWxfaOC/s320/Ashlynintherain.jpg" border="0" />It was a very happy birthday for her and great to see so many people come out and enjoy her special day. She's an amazing girl. I still just can't believe she's already 4.<br /><br />Happy birthday baby girl! (Yeah, she'll ALWAYS be my baby girl...even when she's 80.)Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-78075609167347964182011-08-22T14:33:00.010-05:002011-08-22T14:51:09.770-05:00Creating Ashlyn's 1st Myoelectric ArmThis is going to be a longer process than when we went to Shriner's for her mechanical arm. That arm required a harness and it never really fit "right" for her. It was very cumbersome and she got very little use of out it. It was done in 2 appointments. One for the casting...one for delivery. This time, we are making sure it's done so that she will use it by making it fit right and by teaching her to use it correctly.
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<br />We are going to Hanger Prosthetics and Orthodics in Independence, MO. Instead of 4 hours each way, it takes 15 minutes each way...in traffic. Super excited!
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<br />Day 1 - August 15, 2011
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<br />Today she was cast for her new arm. She did everything exactly the way he (Dr. Keith - her Prosthetist) asked. She could not have been better. Once that was complete, we headed to the mall for a quick carousel ride and then we went to lunch at Logan's Steak house. It was a good day for all.
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<br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643767031786264850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaVsLjhGTxCC0drkzZjOEFOk8x3GQwCXuyg0SDH17RznAYUQ0NV_VQAgSH_qYVqovTonUnBnAMTctHyTh-q-O_JlC3b6BWRt1Uwyx7gcloTtRQy8zZLbm9Lfhmj2F9V1Nn3VQ7uHeZM1b/s320/Being+cast.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Dr. Keith casting Ashlyn for her 1st Myoelectic Arm</em></span></p>
<br /><p>Day 2 - August 17, 2011
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<br /><p>Today we just went in to see if the mold fit her correctly. This is one of the most important parts because if the mold doesn't fit her like a glove then the measurements will be off, it won't stay in place when the weight of the prosthetic is added, it just won't work properly for her at all. Unfortunately, the first mold did not meet all of these criteria so adjustments will have to be made. It's okay though, because I know the end result will still be amazing!!</p>
<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643767979426031666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWdDlinhYxzRT6ljUKFnhrX_oq1nMhc0LvS3srGWQID9Ldg1QnWCXFlAeJLjlo_73p6X1dXSHLxBgX6ckluY4hGGsmFDe0rqlAPSnzBSO_ayS4y7VCNTKOD4cLxMKCPlFDZBtF4oNEvbP/s320/Waiting-+Day+2.jpg" border="0" />
<br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Waiting to see if the mold fits</em></span></p>
<br /><p align="left">Day 3 - August 22, 2011</p>
<br /><p>Today we went back to see if the mold would fit correctly. Well, it certainly did. It fit perfectly. Dr. Keith added a weight to it to see if she had any strength or range of motion. Incredibly, she had both. She could move the weight around (it was long like an arm and weighed the same as the prosthetic device will when this is complete). She raised it up and touched his nose with the end of it, which means she has the range of motion as well as muscle control. Yay Ashlyn!
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<br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643768626667311042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzW3NybswNs9mBXG_8nwEVu11In-kSqzEyrXmPmthC0CLTwBJf07feeWkxw6IcZJe4sGnf2lrTYbqR4I4ViJgqb9ys608GfPT3L_5hTsGvfGUAB4neZ_vq_9_dRWfR2Vn3RW6WHQa3QuTg/s320/mold+fit.jpg" border="0" /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Just like Cinderella's glass slipper, the mold fits perfectly!</span></em>
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<br /><p>The next step will take a little longer as they will work with all the information they have as far as weight, length and range of motion. Now they will begin work on her new arm with everything except the actual electric part. Once we have the next step complete then we work on the electric part and then begin OT so she can learn to use it the way it was designed. :) Did I mention I'm super excited to see how this works for her when it's done. SOOO excited! Then we will get her swim arm done as well. Woo hoo!!
<br /></p>Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-27083348297842647632011-08-10T16:52:00.002-05:002011-08-10T16:55:06.139-05:00In the news...I'll make this short and sweet. Ashlyn and I made the front page of our local newspaper.
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<br />We are so excited. I just hope that this reaches many people as awareness was/is my main goal. And when that awareness comes in the cutest little girl ever...well heck...that's news!!
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<br />Check it out here: <a href="http://www.lsjournal.com/2011/08/09/71020/ashlyns-tale.html">Ashlyn's Tale</a>
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<br />Happy times!
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<br />P.S. Our fitting for her myo and swim arm got rescheduled to next week. :( I guess we've had to wait this long, what's another few day? :)
<br />Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-25828347225279649372011-08-08T11:14:00.004-05:002011-08-08T11:25:24.820-05:00Going back to Hanger ProstheticsThis week is going to be an exiciting one. Ashlyn and I will be going to back to Hanger Prosthetics to have her cast and measured for her new myoelectric arm (with a "cookie crusher") and swim arm. I cannot wait. I'm hopeful that these will be less cumbersome than her current arm with the harness and that she will find them as useful tools in accomplishing everyday tasks. Actually she already does everything she needs to do, but I want her to know these "tools" make make some things easier...as I know it will also make some tasks more difficult until she really learns how to use this.
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<br />I am also hopeful that our insurance is going to be covering this at 100% (after my co-pay). I've been told by the insurance company (via email so I have it in writing) that it will be. But, I've also heard numerous other parents complain that insurance doesn't cover it. I know that where there's a will, there's a way (Ashlyn is living proof of that)...I just don't feel like I should have to fight for my daughter to have something that most people are born with. I will, in necessary, don't get me wrong. I just don't think I should HAVE to. We'll see how it goes and I hope that no fighting with the insurance is required. *fingers crossed*
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<br />In other news (pun intended)...Ashlyn will be featured in our local newspaper, The Lee's Summit Journal (<a href="http://www.lsjournal.com/">http://www.lsjournal.com/</a>). We interviewed with the journalist (Mr. Roberts) yesterday and her article should be in the paper this Wednesday. I kind of talked in circles (as I'm not regularly interviewed) but our focus was on Limb Difference awareness, insurance, technology advancements in prosthetics over the years and Ashlyn's new favorite friend, Winter the Dolphin (as the movie will be coming out in just a few short weeks).
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<br />Lots of exciting things going on. Hopefully I'll have more news this week on her new arm and when you may be seeing another photo shoot to show them off. :)
<br />Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-56756780874639292932011-07-14T13:26:00.002-05:002011-07-14T13:36:21.461-05:00A New OpportunityI'm excited to say that Ashlyn and I will be going to an Upper Limb Clinic at Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics next week. She is starting to get very excited about the possiblity of getting a pretty new pink princess arm. She fell in love with one that we saw Jordan wearing on <a href="http://www.bornjustright.com/blog/">Born Just Right</a>. I think she might actually use her arm more often if it weren't for the harness part...which Jordan does not use. <br /><br />Last year at this time my insurance didn't cover (or barely covered) prosthetics. However, we have recently switched insurance carriers and I have been informed they are now covered at 100% (+ copay). That means that we won't have to travel 4 hours (each way) to St. Louis. Now don't get me wrong I LOVE Shriner's and they were wonderful to work with and we did enjoy our trips there. However, I don't have a lot of vacation time and the hospital isn't open on the weekends. Not to mention that a very active 3 year old (almost 4) in a car for that long makes for an even longer trip.<br /><br />I think we are both excited and the opportunity to see what they may be able to do for her. They also mentioned a new swim arm. She's swimming like a little fish this year. She has really impressed me with all she can do, including diving under water and picking up dive sticks and returning to the surface. She hasn't figured out how to tread water yet...but it's in the process and I think she'll get there. I do think, however, that a swim arm will help her with the ability to get resistance to move both sides of her body equally. Eh, she would probably figure it out in time on her own, but I want to show her there are "tools" that can help. :)<br /><br />This clinic will be an opportunity for me to really discuss my wants and her needs. Yes, she can do just about everything with her right hand and little arm, but I just want to try to open even more doors for her and introduce her to these tools bas soon as possible.<br /><br />So excited!! I'll let you know how it goes!!!Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-21724705745938728852011-07-06T13:10:00.002-05:002011-07-06T13:19:42.467-05:00I was born this way.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRjx7Io9R5fnfaXgy-RoVrCH2GNuYAkR_S4mHHlDX5G-unG7pDWhALUyYhjMmH0kpbpyiAD2938MZbc9j8riGsqKN-j4Uv1IaA6pkBQbDSY1YfBy56K3tuJbNaCvU9qCt-sSkQRw6vL3T/s1600/Tres_Amigos%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRjx7Io9R5fnfaXgy-RoVrCH2GNuYAkR_S4mHHlDX5G-unG7pDWhALUyYhjMmH0kpbpyiAD2938MZbc9j8riGsqKN-j4Uv1IaA6pkBQbDSY1YfBy56K3tuJbNaCvU9qCt-sSkQRw6vL3T/s320/Tres_Amigos%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626305631480277426" /></a><br /><br /><br />I know that I probably shouldn't find satisfaction in this story...but c'mon...my kid isn't going to take any poop from anyone and I'm proud of her for that!!<br /><br />Ashlyn recently went to a birthday party for her BFF. She was so excited to see her again as she has recently transferred out of Ashlyn's daycare, and they were BEST friends. I, unfortunately, did not get to attend as I had a family medical issue that took me out of town, so this story was told to me by one of Ashlyn's teachers that attended the party also. <br /><br />Ashlyn was having a blast with all the girls at the party. Playing, swimming, running, eating, giggling...you know, being a complete girl. *smile* <br /><br />While playing another little girl came up and asked Ashlyn what happened to her arm. Ashlyn gave the standard, "I was born this way" response. That apparently wasn't good enough for the little girl. So she asked what happened to it. Ashlyn responded again, "I was born this way. Do you want to play?" The little girl seemed scared of Ashlyn's little arm and said, "No, you're missing your arm." Ashlyn responded again, "Yeah, I was born this way. Will you play with me?" The little girl didn't want anything to do with Ashlyn and her "missing arm" so she began to back off and try to get away from her. Well, my kid doesn't take kindly to being told no...and most certainly not for something as silly as her arm, so she began chasing the other little girl, hitting her with her little arm and yelling, "BUT I WAS BORN THIS WAY!" repeatedly. Hahahahahaha!<br /><br />Okay, okay, I know that I shouldn't encourage that type of behavior. I never encourage hitting anyone. But sometimes, well, this is what it takes for others to see there is NOTHING wrong with my kid. To me, she is beyond perfection.Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-65515292135697660902011-06-06T09:18:00.007-05:002011-06-06T09:36:25.364-05:00First meetings...<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_mx1TQBmTaFBMURvSCv8oGFcVMJp2KfkHQBLfzu7yZz3Cg8xA9BdnfZoTgnXdZVYsnk5LRa6Qr1571P3x-lJ4YVK8AEOiVv6nHwDuIc9kILH6d8fytscKnQjDlFNiavtv2rMcrohoWkR/s1600/JordanAshlyn+hiding.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615114499565439042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_mx1TQBmTaFBMURvSCv8oGFcVMJp2KfkHQBLfzu7yZz3Cg8xA9BdnfZoTgnXdZVYsnk5LRa6Qr1571P3x-lJ4YVK8AEOiVv6nHwDuIc9kILH6d8fytscKnQjDlFNiavtv2rMcrohoWkR/s320/JordanAshlyn+hiding.jpg" border="0" /></a> Jordan and Ashlyn hiding from Jen<br /><br /><div align="justify">Saturday, June 4, 2011, will be a day I don't soon forget, and I'm pretty sure Ashlyn won't either. We FINALLY got to meet Jen and Jordan of <a href="http://www.bornjustright.com/">Born Just Right</a> and it was AWESOME!! </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">The girls were a little shy for a couple of minutes, but Ashlyn doesn't let that keep her down for long. She finally approached Jordan and asked her if she wanted to play. She then noticed, and pointed out, that both girls had the same little arm and BAM they were off and running, screaming, giggling and having fun. We also got to meet little Andrew and his family. He's 15 months, so he wasn't of the running and screaming age just yet, but he and his family live close so we are hoping to make a connection there and become friends and supporters very very soon! (In fact, I have their card on my desk to make sure I email them today!).</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615113072493314962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgpgz0_C4u07AUaHr8kMLE-MlypFMIWhaJm4hzrwrRPlZ_TVvxPCgiHOW2eBo2O2Mzo1ox4iF2uxHp8mN9utERrBY4XvW8kkSJJdiefsyhjzKUD9hYnEaVgBtp9qf9klam7ZUxStNP54-/s320/Jordan+Ashlyn+Andrew.jpg" border="0" /> Andrew and his mom Sarah, Ashlyn and Jordan<br /><br /><div align="justify">The girls enjoyed running around like wild childs throughout the Rainforest Adventure at Crown Center. Anything Jordan did, Ashlyn would mimic and sometimes add a scream or giggle of her own. LOL. It was just so cute!!</div><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615113242902643234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHGGs3l6Rs8TU_gmV9BkgegW9qFFDDi1IOie3crfzRGwfjXtqlPYrjR2Hm3z4zbf6fHrEsSQ4ef-96veyTY90qzbmvKSzM1vUJDVYf1rCodtanB0_j48hwQXvF6d-Ydw91H4VqpjMgJro/s320/Jordan+Ashlyn+Crown+Center.jpg" border="0" /> Ashlyn and Jordan</p><br /><p align="justify"><br />I spent a majority of my time trying to chase down Ashlyn, so I didn't get to talk to Jen as much as I would have liked, but we are FB friends and she has that awesome blog that I talk to her on, so I guess it was really all about getting the girls together.</p><br /><p align="justify"></p><br /><p align="justify">We did have an awesome chat with Kevin Carroll though. He helped build a helper tail for Winter the Dolphin and though he was out of animals and books at the time, he promised to send Ashlyn one soon (another email and/or phone call I need to make today). He was such a nice person and loved talking to the girls even though they were easily distracted. </p><br /><p align="justify"></p><br /><p align="justify">Such and amazing visit with such incredible people. I'm so excited about entering a new world of contacts and connections with these families. I'm not passionate about too many things in life, but the one thing that I'm very passionate about is my daughter and giving her memories, friendships and connections that will last a lifetime!!!<br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615112931863207778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhDyBPdaa7oXCHEH3_8d1dfWyL4bVwANqb0LzmQF33Y4MZ9vTbW5DyEbsN3H-V5e1a3oU5-Bufdy_dAb6d02e9Z2OQSSehM-DvRxC5aaQnywoGhpoRgVjfWHwI6vf89LJpujBiqJLX1wR/s320/Jordan+Ashlyn.jpg" border="0" />One of the fountains at Crown Center<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-65551058670930706872011-05-24T10:27:00.006-05:002011-05-24T10:42:01.371-05:00Mommy failure<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4jyGE6sD1CuinIL1V5PyUDIrHofzM0piAVYjO3YKG-QdKuTbW8zzT8NiEe4Gi_rEwJzAWHvRGPl7X8J_s7OEnMLy8Wb8yz8ky2RJNyrrIbCMTNAujcKxnN3kLOz6mjwaemO58XkbARVk/s1600/230727_10150271889184050_730929049_9209196_7542031_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610307783319311186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4jyGE6sD1CuinIL1V5PyUDIrHofzM0piAVYjO3YKG-QdKuTbW8zzT8NiEe4Gi_rEwJzAWHvRGPl7X8J_s7OEnMLy8Wb8yz8ky2RJNyrrIbCMTNAujcKxnN3kLOz6mjwaemO58XkbARVk/s320/230727_10150271889184050_730929049_9209196_7542031_n.jpg" border="0" /></a>Ashlyn and the kitty take some time to watch the grass grow. </div><br /><br />It finally happened. I failed my girl for the first time in the great world of making friends. I'm not sure how or why I let it happen the way it did. Guess I was lost in a world of other thoughts with so many things going on with my family.<br /><br />Ashlyn and I (along with her Papa and Nana) went to a playground at a local elementary school. Ashlyn always has a blast on the slides, swing, climby things...pretty much everything about the playground is her "favorite" thing. There aren't a lot of kids that go there to play, but every once in a while she'll find some one willing to play with her besides me and my family. However, this time, I failed as a mom.<br /><br />She was playing happily with Nana when a little girl (about 7 or 8) showed up with her family. Ashlyn was so excited to have a "friend" to play with. She rushed up to the girl and said, "Hi, do you want to play with me?" in the happiest friendliest voice ever. The little girl just stared at her. I said, "Well, tell her your name honey." And she did. The little girl didn't speak. Just stared at her. Her dad said, "Tell her your name too." She simply said, "Abby." Ashlyn said, "Hi Abby, do you want to play with me?" Abby just stared for a moment and then got down off the monkey bars and ran away to play something else. I was shocked. Neither her nor her dad really said much of anything.<br /><br />Why didn't I step in at that point? Why didn't I say, "She was born this way, and there's nothing wrong with her and she'd love to play with you."? I have no clue. I guess because I wasn't really sure if was an "arm" thing, and age thing or just the fact that the other little girl was shy...which Ashlyn is so NOT. So I let it go. But I wasn't happy. The little girl came back a few minutes later and Ashlyn attempted the friendliness again, yet still no response from the little girl. She just wouldn't speak to her. Finally I just said it was time to go and we headed home. Ashlyn didn't think twice about it, I don't think. But I've been frustrated ever since. Not only that the little girl didn't talk to Ashlyn at all, but that I didn't do more to encourage it. Time for me to get my "game plan" together so that I can encourage other kids to actuallly play with my precious princess rather than act like she doesn't even exist. *sigh* Yep, it was a mommy failure for sure.Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-56447052676738060962011-04-26T13:19:00.004-05:002011-04-26T13:27:17.228-05:00Easter 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNQM9WQWxicgiumT3uhu2wajbT0_4ek5PJw03aOar6NuPrbiFLF1MejYuDdvKtkQB62ywe8buFAq6fAMMEbznRm5yBnyENj3IDJewI2bjxl5LZwsLWXV9Mo4l7JldrI01Ei7flSM0xSxe/s1600/Easter+Girl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599960354099252546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNQM9WQWxicgiumT3uhu2wajbT0_4ek5PJw03aOar6NuPrbiFLF1MejYuDdvKtkQB62ywe8buFAq6fAMMEbznRm5yBnyENj3IDJewI2bjxl5LZwsLWXV9Mo4l7JldrI01Ei7flSM0xSxe/s320/Easter+Girl.jpg" border="0" /></a>Ashlyn spent the first half of her day with her dad. When she got home, she was pretty tired but she came home to this.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599958924382795234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1X2pM6651LVpbj5IcWXDrzqrkmgYAurHQsTvAZTqT7Kt7ojsM1Hvxd2CC-PSZTGccuQi1j8X9j7NNdrx5c87StVUz3v3MSKve0F3mTNDyTmX591CuhU2HEtkVaCiOOSVXo6upMDpOTwm/s320/Easter+Stuff.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><div><br /><p>So what little girl wouldn't be excited right? Yeah, I overdo it. It's what I do. All she wanted from the Easter Bunny was a princess scooter and a princess helmet. She was so happy (yet not surprised) to see that he (she) got the memo. *smile* </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599960272525694530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdhhQTeMOtQVtnREf92RvEXy0u_-1XgTqlQXX0UQ66rA5JWLc364iAdD_DdeFkh_uXt4pzR9uX40mluUoCB0zLmuP5fEUkAXlpAbuXPZrOntjxj0uq9fbZHU8relMFEQdmz6DOVx5w7Wz/s320/Ashlyn+with+Scooter.jpg" border="0" />We visited my brother for a little while that afternoon. Then we enjoye some ice cream from Dairy Queen and spent the evening at home playing with her new stuff. Have I ever mentioned that she is the sweetest girl EVER? I might be a little biased on that. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I hope you all had a wonderful Easter as well!! </div>Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-36976116902155857662011-04-18T09:32:00.009-05:002011-04-18T09:47:03.692-05:00Miss VersatilityIs this a title that can be won in a contest? Because my girl has got this down.<br /><br />Yesterday we spent the day doing yard work. She was busy searching for worms and bugs. Her favorite was the roly poly. She found a lot of them and was so gentle to not squish them, and let them walk around and her arm and hand. She had so much fun with these silly little bugs and even begged me to let her keep one inside, as a pet. I guess I should get her a bug box, so she can enjoy the little critters inside the house, without getting them all over the house. She was filthy, and I mean filthy by the end of the day. Clothes, feet, legs, hand, arm...everything covered in dirt. Hair (which had been in 2 pony tails) was a complete mess. Yep, she was a tomboy from head to toe. <br /><br />After we completed our yard work for the day, I showered and then gave her a bath. Scrubbed her clean again. She opted to wear her blue Easter dress (which is 1 of 4 dresses she has to wear for Easter this year...yeah, I'm weird). It looked absolutely adorable on her. I braided her wet hair and she looked like she was ready to go to church, or to her castle depending on who you ask. *smile* She then went to show my mom how pretty she was all cleaned up in her pretty dress and with her pretty braid. My mom asked if she wanted to look for bugs again and Ashlyn says, "No, gross! Princesses don't play with bugs! Gross!" It hadn't even been an hour since she was last cooing over her newest roly poly friend. :)<br /><br /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596933341817885138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDQg92p97U353iNUU37xd0CIDsu8XgTLuzLrW8CE9VUBaJevIGwK2_zNZIlEvBgPnyHKbpxBEQxDf0uQdbBAPuXuMh_oyNAeiuYaVLQnd8JXWbJuQfJI-C5hWw9cXnIWsKDg_IS60eDHt/s320/untitled.bmp" border="0" /> <br /><p align="center"><br /><br />This was the princess...not the tomboy. :)</p>Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-23620233465918997122011-04-12T13:20:00.003-05:002011-04-12T13:33:12.745-05:00Potty Mouth<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQ27CUKMw-nZ4MDybcaHbZ1xPv15tpoyPKigisPGtUP9_DNfYXP49y7fc6cIMoOQDVPFlb-jEkUqP_nUCLAs5knsHbZhfY-0Pts4ctuADxV_skA_dKLVJx_8ujZdq0IPk9KnDw4wnTdad/s1600/Ashlyn+%2526+Rabbit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594763852178653042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQ27CUKMw-nZ4MDybcaHbZ1xPv15tpoyPKigisPGtUP9_DNfYXP49y7fc6cIMoOQDVPFlb-jEkUqP_nUCLAs5knsHbZhfY-0Pts4ctuADxV_skA_dKLVJx_8ujZdq0IPk9KnDw4wnTdad/s320/Ashlyn+%2526+Rabbit.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /><div>My precious little princess is the picture of wholesomeness. She is sweet and loving and as funny as they come. However, we have a new problem that I'm not sure how to correct. She has a serious case of potty mouth. I won't say that I don't use curse words when she's in earshot, because she learned her first one from me...but in the scheme of things, I don't feel "Damn!" is completely horrible. However, there are words that I do NOT use when she is anywhere around and that includes the "F" word. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>She has picked up learning several of these words and I can't seem to get it through her head that they are not nice words and I don't like to hear them coming out of her mouth. She will be busy playing some imaginary games and I will hear one of these words come of out her mouth and I just stop what I'm doing and look at her, she see's that I've stopped moving and says, "What? I didn't say anything." OR "I love you mom." Thinking either of these sentences is suddenly going to make me unhear what it is she has said. I feel the more I try to convince her NOT to say them, the bigger the problem becomes. I also feel that if I ignore these words, she will think it's okay to use them. I've tried both things and still the words come out of her mouth. *sigh* I fear being the only mom having her child kicked out of preschool for her language. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>She will come home from school though and tell me, "Mom, at school I didn't say: shut up, or stupid, or dou**ebag, or jacka**, or fu**ing, or anything, " and smile at me as though she's solved the worlds problems. I'm pretty sure she DID use those words, or she wouldn't have felt it necessary to tell me she did not use them. Oh dear, how to fix this? She's such a sweet girl, and to her they are only words, she has no clue what they mean. I don't think I could ever do the whole "soap in mouth" thing because that's just cruel, I just honestly don't know how to eliminate these words from her ever growing vocabulary. Suggestions?</div>Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-11399967734905582402011-01-12T13:25:00.005-06:002011-01-12T13:35:43.143-06:00Ashlyn's First Snow Angels<div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbEyx8uGekPGWDGXcKPrwEm1iTqg51t27Day6CbeEOrst1VArloyBv7SkWUX7czknx-R2BXHtk4bjkBL9uYZ6MXE_7y54rTkMb6SfzMap8GlJfHNVFo_AViYhlon_3QU0u3P2vT6ESFak/s1600/Snow+Angels+090.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561384297930226482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbEyx8uGekPGWDGXcKPrwEm1iTqg51t27Day6CbeEOrst1VArloyBv7SkWUX7czknx-R2BXHtk4bjkBL9uYZ6MXE_7y54rTkMb6SfzMap8GlJfHNVFo_AViYhlon_3QU0u3P2vT6ESFak/s320/Snow+Angels+090.JPG" border="0" /></a> I love snow. I really do. I'm not a fan of the super cold temps that seem to go along with it, but snow...I heart it! Apparently Ashlyn does as well. She was SOOOO excited when we FINALLY got enough snow fall on Monday (1-9-11) to go out in her snow suit and make some real snow angels. She has been practicing for this day all year long.<br /><br />This was actually the first time I really let her get out there and play in it. And play she did. She made about 50 snow angels in all. She also liked licking the snow off of pretty much everything that had snow on it. She attempted to lick the snow off a metal fence and I think I startled her pretty good when I caught her, tongue out, headed to the metal pole and with me screaming...NOT THE POLE! Oh gosh, I could just see me freaking out while my poor daughter has her tongue stuck to a pole. We narrowly missed that panic moment. *wiping forehead*<br /><br />Here are a few pictures of her enjoying the only snow we've had this year. The first picture made the local news!!! She's a celebrity!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561384287554020690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k40lZyQClh4pMze4Z_F_kCRhyFJ2bvVP_7N47XD1s5FPxDpvpAVVz9NvRGC6MqnhR5HuXrVvy_AYxTwpudCR_xXVYWasK8tCRz_OLNa-ScPG0vxoA8kZ-7mxMLqWGK3nlrGoAWArmqi9/s320/Snow+Angels+095.JPG" border="0" />Catching snowflakes on her tongue. (My FAVORITE picture!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561384318696487554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvgO193EHpfSOO5nvk4fZaS8hGjG4zDSKpFsvkUP7qzpKMahP4QXZlsjPBqUdC-EAwCKN6dXoH1stUTrlVjKdSpFBSUFMCbV7B8y_pPDSQNTlja-hO7kJwhWcNanwaKZiXuprRWSil7nf/s320/Snow+Angels+097.JPG" border="0" />A REAL Snow Angel!</div><div align="center"><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561384323677479122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ylyyWBi5ayoEpUj7ttQ2IQPQ_oz_I4zI5wMHZNhCKP7uZzMod__u9PMANi6RYuwTMmkaMoDnbe1XGLx8t7SZGFubtDS_S3VTYI-U_TnjynFXVt7G5nJTERVpGEE0roOByV4UZIxYVBtW/s320/Snow+Angels+093.JPG" border="0" />A wet snowbaby bum (after the snow angel).</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561384313201086338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsklqY219J92XTXN3EGAQA4i6lFnHWDdAz4NQhK9Q_Dv5xSj2SEcx7NPReEBSXSL8YnOCCgoT-W1p8rGk3hL4EgXyu6jaNJz19d6MH62xSkrARfuQC9rscxbWfv2VyzsoJhbnxBk87UZTq/s320/Snow+Angels+102.JPG" border="0" /></div><p align="center">Licking snow off a rock.</p><p align="center"> </p><p align="left">I wish we could all enjoy the snow as much as children do. *smiles* Stay safe and warm everyone!!</p>Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-73291826222961565722011-01-03T08:30:00.004-06:002011-01-03T08:40:26.297-06:00Holidays...Welcome 2011!<div align="center"> The holidays have, sadly, come to an end. We enjoyed so much time with friends and family. Ashlyn, of course, enjoyed Santa's visit. As you can see, she was obviously a very good girl.</div><div align="center"> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557967392116691618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 306px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuD3CoVnxWGtTrkWzFQUad6w10Le-_zC2q-UzWGWuw_-cDc4a7SgnOGNuERwj_iOr3Qsti9WQOXZOt07GdNQwUSYH3-NkKzQAwOSSFYHo6CUTB112YgQxrZpRebBDlSjEVnj5HidALsjO/s320/Christmas2010-1.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">Waiting to Open Presents</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557967402008834370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVLLo5ofIpyXox14qPrJctKUePRoOlWiSMqovYp88E0pWEgyUF-B-rsZXXehKAJLrWTsKvZ35DIATSH5i92BUNXdC-AUgcQLVU37WpCujoFUtPq6hwroB2kx6BQGNv98KC5K17CniCbX0/s320/Christmas2010-2.jpg" border="0" /></p><div align="center">The Aftermath<br /></div><div align="center">We spent NYE at home. This was a treat because this would normally be her time with her dad. But he had made other plans that weren't really "kid friendly", so I gladly stayed home with her and enjoyed making cakes in her new Easy Bake Oven (which were horrible) and drinking from our new fancy glasses (filled with Cherry 7-Up and garnished with an orange slice, pink straw and umbrellas). We ate junk food and stayed up til midnight to watch the countdown. This was her first New Year to make it all the way to midnight. Woo hoo!! </div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557968455287210450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAh005kU7vzRJuXtj5i-CnzXUJQbjLOj72OQwr8ycoLKeyg1jXhyphenhyphen0etaR74aiOHceBgd09S6MHX-FaoIelsoKcubyUgCkBfVpjZbLttB-q5g3n4cJ_u2doACpWbyqeeV4nVlWlDcxLFNi/s320/NYEdrinkscakes.jpg" border="0" /> Sad little Easy Bake Cakes with pretty drinks <div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557968456933077602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vg4Uauu16PZYAZOL8LNTUkcXF296-Hvc_E9IW8oYofK4fyV2WyQwCEUWGsljbxJI2xk6QShaN_G_gHLWAcbkh-BjhcZO-OnDVjoVC_ehiYApwNuF8y1s_JsnG3Kj8L4jUDXni2m5SoNn/s320/NYEAshlyn.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p>CHEERS to the New Year!! Welcome 2011!</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557968464343626866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 201px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GZdpWlJUWri_RQHswSlGka_E2Xj4AR0pHe7V3jO6rJVrE3FbdNPjlJ1Dihxr_1Y_mvC0Dz9dsLDYYTuk2kaCrclqKED0trYC6BufnkyoY16E6hF8fF92VmJhEcvHSe4_qld23hGzzPZX/s320/AshlynRocking.jpg" border="0" /><br />Our NYE Entertainment. Rocking Princess Ashlyn!!</p><p> </p><p>I hope you all had a safe and happy holiday season. I pray the New Year will bring you many blessings! Happy New Year to you all!!</p><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-36567093558387206482010-12-14T13:28:00.004-06:002010-12-14T13:42:15.577-06:00Holidays in full swing!<div align="justify">Wow! I keep promising myself to be a better blogger and then...I fail miserably. Maybe I will attempt to make that my New Year's Resolution. (That's a great idea Trish!)</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Well, we have jumped from Halloween to 2 weeks before Christmas in a flash. Where did the time go? I guess my other resolution should be to stop being so busy all the time. It seems I do nothing, yet I never have any real "free" time. How does that happen?</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">So, on to Christmas cheer then. Ashlyn has been so very good the past few weeks. Not that she's a bad kid anyway, but she just seems to be caught up in the Christmas cheer that surrounds our home, family and friends this time of year.<br /></div><div align="justify">We visited Santa last week and this year she wasn't scared at all. She ran right up and hugged him. He loaded her up with lots of toys, of which, she has chosen her favorite and it hasn't left her side since she got it. This is the first time she has really latched on to a toy, so I'm hopeful that it doesn't get lost in her journeys to school, to her Papa and Nana's or to her weekend visits to her dads. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="justify">Please enjoy the pictures below of my gorgeous little girl...and I PROMISE to try to post a few more times by years end. PROMISE!!</div><div align="center"><br /> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550624075359524738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 309px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaUN_dFCxHb-imr4n3aF63scuD1AnDLSgO4O19ckygWZjYmraM9IRedpTbB-OMowVTKXvzE835XyXqDbprLgV2vRfhIkscKQhR7J-RqdsmoAwQRI551APeGAwzBFdkYto_43cWqgTn43F/s320/2010Ashlyn%2526Santa.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Visiting the best Santa EVER!</p><div align="center"> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550624086265211042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitp-PdrQxTFK2X1kGcJKzztFjzKCTJx9nSG6Qy4SbOcydIJ7HAsbL03Mlb2q2VSeuQXDJHqa38h7EoaQj6oSpZwycWhQDHnNwr5HSbwM2RsktIMLWcF6yf2Qg3xmlHl5Q23WCfHmwfMJNS/s320/2010Ashlyn%2526Santaloot.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Holding her new toys from Santa. </p><p align="center">(A bright yellow poodle, a princess mouse and a reindeer!)</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550624073186747650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7TexbDnyQNTBqv2hcclT5Bmba6HDgw_cGyVXoZwNuy-ZjM-tLZqUK-jObeVje_UH1707sGpw0uItqPQXwQwnSPlXuy-BHolOpC5uAHfYLlFp2VZuI6dwKeelnGDvs8rXREuw48vsSy38/s320/2010Ashlyn%2526Deco.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">My beautiful girl with her beautiful smile!!</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550624059911328946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISk1YqCpC4wEEAPc6obmH55BCy5ECn54WCbrMe9U1KlXxzBoAOPwBVjY3_GC89txq5nRA7-PC3uPPesuavX-zpHgha0hDLFVvoABe84IKFmtTq8JmPLHcSw5a-YWxwC8LaECgK0O_jH9v/s320/2010Ashlyn%2526Deco2.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">She absolutely LOVES this dog!!</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550624067684883058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykm4OT7yppNdaFZI2OJoa88tQWhloh7t_pNPK7V5Bxq57jR28QmsWAFbTYpXsuRo4eqj-epK93Zq0ujjx35hAOM_ODMd8jRq8kq1rPBrJWJQvQBu6hckWarToMVyaUEH2iYiGQlSKvvOC/s320/2010Ashlyn%2526Deco3.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">The fireplace awaits Santas arrival.</p><p align="center">(Looks a little like E.T. doesn't it?)</p>Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193548002831298566.post-73161002267402554852010-11-02T10:29:00.008-05:002010-11-02T10:38:51.740-05:00Halloween 2010<div><div>Ashlyn and I had a battle over costumes this year. She won of course, but I settled for 2nd place by getting her to wear my favorite costume on Saturday just for pictures. She was sooooo cute!! Well, she's always cute, but she really made this costume work. Here they are:</div><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534975450668398898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJyWuELhZxt77AkaZ4dCfoY4SyDnVAqmUxEBUv0kjyQEz6zkvq8DLeB7JXOKEWC9rwzDHMIsvW9Le0OoIpm6XhbU6BcnOY4I8E8ykp2RTa-HpkKNZIQBWFqtmtjkkr1Yp0IvbHt8aW0Tz/s320/Ashlyn+as+a+Witch1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534975530738974786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW34-5xYb7KuEsK58SVCtMSQlB_IKAxRldsfQIOtFX5NN8r0k4xz0gRxzoF7sJMPhVvJts6PQlhxMbwz8llilM6ukfO0XtDRQ1h7cN6Ivgx8XQ0QWhXMVDM4BB4G7yQE89vYnAKzZ_wXGk/s320/Ashlyn+as+a+Witch2.jpg" border="0" />On Halloween she won the battle and made BOTH of us dress up as Pink Princesses. She absolutely LOVED this costume. However, finding an adult Princess costume that wasn't too revealing or too expensive left me wearing something that appeared to be more of a glorified nightgown than a costume. Oh well, it worked, and she was happy that I dressed up with her this year. I'm hoping for something a little more fun next year...and warmer too!<br /><div></div><br /><div>We had a great time at her Papa and Nana's (my dad and step-mother) trick or treating. There were a ton of kids out and about and she made most of the journey without complaint. As the night went on and the wind continued to pick up, Papa did have to carry her for the last leg of our journey. However, she perked right back up when we got back to their house and she got 400 pieces of candy in her. </div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534976614195565298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIXbv640gU1wRRskpYSWl602bIH2PERonPz8rXK0JbRsl4Z7pldmTRDZDke6HtMkTWcA30dy1fdGulb28UlbXHz9_islWIdQf5OJHW83W2c1_H19paBTir0iQj01QFwZU-RWyDRmUJJr-/s320/Ashlyn+as+a+Princess1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534976773156597234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjoeyFahpf13k6-CzgVoXJtHLS1U8GSyBox4N5yc5W35_h7s5C3bAt_M2QUqzdqj12Z-s8-ao7uDtMlUW_NwyFeCW47rWCOE832XX4heJY9c4jZKn5fDkAY4jKE1J28E-f8gHAwOgppse/s320/Ashlyn+as+a+Princess2.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Papa, Nana, Princess Ashlyn and Gizmo</div><div> </div><div align="center">I hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween!! </div><div align="center">If you need candy...we have PLENTY!!<br /></div><div></div></div>Trisha (Ashlyn's Adoring Mommy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15275584816372349504noreply@blogger.com0