The Holidays!

Please make sure to check the link in the previous post often. I add pictures there instead of this blog. Enjoy!

Lots of pics - too much to post

Instead, follow the link and see them for yourself! It's been a fun summer for Miss Ashley!

http://gallery.me.com/traceelarocca

4th Of July

Ashley and I spent the weekend out in Claremont where I grew up. Claremont has a 4th of July parade every year and I used to always decorate my bike and ride in it with my sisters. It was so fun to see the tradition carried on by our daughters. It was a perfect slice of Americana. Looking at the world through my daughter's eyes reminds me of all that is good and honest and pure.

My Sweet Girl

First Trip To The Dentist

Yesterday, Ashley went to the dentist for her first cleaning and check up. The office was SO wonderful. First they cleaned her Tiger's teeth so she could see exactly what they were going to do. Then they showed her how the water, suction and air worked on her hand. Then she picked out a giraffe toothbrush so that they could polish her teeth! I was floored by how great she was ... see for yourself!



When we got home, she ran upstairs to brush her teeth again. She said, "I like going to the dentist Mommy!" Let's hope it stays that way!

The Best Song EVER!

Latest Soundbites...

Ashley has quite the imagination now. Here are a few little gems:

A: Mommy, I want a pet.
M: Really? What kind of pet?
A: Um, like a doggy or an elephant.
M: Don't you think an elephant is kind of big?
A: No. I'll get a little one!

The other morning she was sitting in her little chair pretending to drive.
M: What are you doing Ashley?
A: I'm driving.
M: Where are you going?
A: Fashion Island!

We recently bought the movie The Princess and The Frog. It's a Disney movie set in New Orleans and the music in it is really fun and funky. As we were watching it she looked at me and said, MOMMY! I have to move my body!" And proceeded to get up and dance.

She just cracks me up... when she isn't having a tantrum. She is definitely in the defiant phase, but usually understands after you threaten her with a time out. Man, those things work. All in all, she is seriously the best part of my day.