You, running on Moody Beach

Grammy when she was little

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.