Our "Pookie" turned eight today. Grandma took her on a date for lunch, Mimi came in today to celebrate for dinner, and tomorrow is her "fifties-style" roller skating party. Somehow birthdays at our house get drug-out to 48 hours, or 72 hours, or sometimes weeks.

Ashley is sweet, cheerful and fun-loving. Ashley brings the gift of peacemaking to our family. She has her normal amount of "spits and spats," but overall, she is quick to forgive and looks for ways to cheer other people up.

Ashley was born giggling & smiling. She doesn't actually laugh, she cackles. Her infectious cackle is one of her trademarks.

Ashley is also famous for her double-jointed limberness. She will gladly show you any bodily contortion that she learned from the Chinese acrobats while we were at Epcot.

Ashley loves to make up dance routines with her sister, and she likes to play X-Box Karaoke and belt-out "We are Family."

She brings so much joy to this family, and everytime I stop to watch her, I remember what it's like to be a kid again.

Love you, Pookie
Mom