I’ve looked through my Canon lenses a zillion times, trying to capture unique images of people (especially my grandkids) and interesting places I’ve been. I post my favorites every year on my web site: www.beauprephotography.com.
Ainsley, you’re a a natural when it comes to photos – you’re not shy and you always give it your best effort.
Here are some of my favorites of you from this year:
Peer pressure didn’t change your mind.
Camden, Ben, Emma and Molly all went in the hot tub. They screamed with delight. Laughed. Dove under. Sat, swam and splashed.
But none of it mattered. You weren’t going any further than the highest hot tub seat.
Despite pleas from Molly to come in, 
you stuck to your guns, cried and were generally quite upset.
I asked why you weren’t going in. “The bubbles,” you exclaimed, “I don’t like the bubbles.” (You probably also didn’t like the loud noises that accompanied the bubbles when the jets went on.)
There you are in the photo… the one waaaayyyyy in the back sitting up high with your feet touching the water.
Miss Ainsley you are moving to the beat of your own drum. I hope you retain this no-matter-what confidence and always chart your own course.
You’re a mouse but you’re not afraid Miss Ainsley!
For the second year in a row, people smiled and applauded as you did your thing at the Portsmouth Ballet’s Nutcracker performance at Exeter High School.
It’s a big auditorium… I’m guessing it must hold at least 500 people. It’s intimidating to be on that stage… but you don’t hesitate.
It’s so cute watching you enter stage Right in 
your pink leotard with gray mouse ears. You carefully tiptoe across with over-sized white gloves dangling beneath your chin… simulating the quiet movement of a little mouse.
Molly was so excited to watch, as were Emma and Camden. When you joined your family at intermission (“Release the mouses!”) you sat on my lap for awhile to watch the second act – tansfixed – then you & Molly sat in one seat.
Way to go Ainsley, Grammy and I are so proud of you!
Ainsley, the fearless Nutcracker mouse on stage
you & your unicorn & your buddy Molly at the Dover Christmas parade
On Sunday we went to the annual Dover Christmas parade… we always have fun there.
Grammy & I brought you over to pick a special balloon, like we do every year.
After surveying all the choices, Ben, Emma, Camden and Molly all chose the dalmation dog. They were very excited.
But you weren’t swayed… you had your eyes set on something different…a unicorn. There was a pink one & a purple one… but you un-hesitatingly told me “the purple one.”
You were very happy, Miss Independent!
You and Molly hanging out in front of Snoopy’s dog house at the Festival of the Trees
You, running on Moody Beach
Ainsley, you are my athletic girly-girl set-me-straight beauty smart competitive performer.
Athletic: when you were two years old, you lived with Grammy & I in Dover (along with the rest of your family as you built your second house). You loved to “walk the balance beam” which was a straight line on our living room carpet… the one in front of the fireplace. You’d practice walking straight, head up, shoulders back… you’d turn around but stay on the “balance beam,” raise your leg, lower your head. You’ve repeated this countless times since, including the beach where you walk driftwood and rock formations.
Girly girl – Fancy dresses! Make believe princess dresses! Ballet attire! Tutus! You love all this and can’t get enough of it.
Set-me-straight – I love this about you… if I say something not quite right (which is often, I admit), you let me know! “Papaaaaa….,” you’ll say, “Nooooo…” You don’t suffer fools kindly! People will always know where they stand; you won’t leave them guessing.
Beauty: a lot of people say you look like Grammy. I think they’re right. Here’s a picture of Grammy when she was little… and one of you. 
Someday I know you’ll find someone who will fall head-over-heels for you. They’ll say “she’s so beautiful,” no doubt citing your eyes at some point in the conversation… but they’ll also say…
… that Ainsley is Smart, intelligent and as bright as a never fading LED
Competitive: you push yourself to literally reach new heights. You started walking at 11 months and were fearless as you climbed drawers, counter tops and whatever else stood in your way. Walking straight down our 13 stairs was nothing… Brazen Boldness at one year old.
Performer: You’re only four, but you are already an aspiring ballet and tap dancer. You aren’t scared to go on stage and remain amazingly focused on your art. Chaos may be reigning around you, but it’s all about the look… the performance. We clap… you soak it all in… wanting more in a low key, genuine kind of way.
I hope you enjoy this blog as much as I’ll enjoy creating it. I’ll share some of the stories of your life, the ones that stick with me, make me laugh and feed my papa soul. You’re a special girl Miss Ainsley, and I will always love you very much.