I love my kids. I just read Amy's post and had to fight tears as I read the beautiful showcase of her daughters...and HERSELF! What a cutie! If you haven't read, check it out...the Hendrickson family blog. I don't really have time to do all of that for my kids (6) at the moment, but I wanted to pick on Ashley, because she's my oldest.
I love this girl. She just turned 9 in September and amazes me so often. Today we went to Holden's birthday party, and truly uncharacteristically, Timothy was having what I would call a "meltdown!" He wanted to personally "inspect" Holden's new toys, and I wanted him to stay on my lap. He was screaming and arching his back...maybe you moms out there know the drill, but anyway, he was ruining the atmosphere! So I carted him into the front room and tried to calm him down...worried that Matthew left alone would cause disasters himself! So, moments after I left the room, Ashley follows me in, and says, "Mom, let me take him. I can calm him down." She held her arms out to Timothy, and he quietly fell into her arms as she hugged him and whispered softly in his ear. I wanted to cry. This amazing little girl is such a mature spirit. I quickly left the two of them alone, and only seconds later she came in and held him...quietly...on her lap for the rest of the gift-opening.
This is so typical of her. I can't tell you how often I slide into that "cleaning nazi" mode and start giving cleaning orders to my children. Ashley so immediately recognizes the mess and does so much more than I ask. I'll say "please take your shoes out of here" and she grabs hers, Andrew's, and any other toys or books or whatever is lying around.
Ever since she was a toddler, I've noticed her GREAT love for animals. I have never wanted one. For years John has tried to get me to agree to fish, gerbils, rabbits, cats, dogs...but I've never relented. It is this inner struggle I have, because she LOVES them SO MUCH! So, I made a deal with her. She used to cry every morning doing hair, because with her THICK GORGEOUS hair, she also gets tangles. I told her if she would shower and use conditioner on her hair every day, then in one year I would buy her a cat. She didn't like cats to that point, but suddenly, the thought of ANY pet encouraged her. From that day on, Ashley wakes up at 4:00 a.m. sometimes so she can shower in time for school. We try to make her wait until 7 a.m., but no matter what time it is, she is completely self-motivated. I used to think that Andrew was my "morning" child, but now I see an amazing ability for Ashley to get up early and do what it takes for her cat.
She is a great big sister to all of the other kids. She randomly gives baths to Matthew and Timothy, and organizes great games and activities that all of the kids can do together. Last October, she BEGGED to host a party for Halloween...I told her I had too much going that day to help her plan and host...so she said she could do it ALL by herself! She invited all of her older cousins (or at least the ones that could participate in the activities without parental supervision) and made the cutest games and activities for them all. One activity she created was a hand-drawn cauldron on a box for a bean-bag toss, made witchy ingredients for the guests to try and toss inside...so cute. She literally led the whole night and kept all 9 of her guests interested in the party for over 3 hours.
She is also an amazing artist. EVERY DAY she comes and shows me her latest creation. We noticed very early on her talent for drawing, and it has only become more apparent the older she gets. She usually draws animals, but in interesting activities. At Christmas, she made a book of all of Santa's reindeer, each in their "alternate" career. So great!
It's wonderful to be the mother of such a great kid. She's unassuming, unspoiled, gracious, helpful, smart, and above all, so obedient. She always asks me when we leave an event if she was "good" while we were there. She just wants to do everything right. And well, mostly she does ;) I'm a grateful woman who recognizes the amazing gift that motherhood is, and the blessing it is in my my life to interact with such a noble spirit. I love you, Ashley!
