Cousins

Ashton's Senior year is flying by so quickly. I have spent alot of time going through boxes of photos-you know, the ones you promise to get into albums.... Now here Ashton is, 17 years old and the baby book still isn't finished, the photos aren't placed in the pink, girly albums I picked out for her and each photo that I have looked at brings back so many memories. It is such a time of joy for her, she is going to graduate in June, go to her first choice college and study to become a registered nurse, on her way to fulfill her dreams. I am happy for her but seem to have a lot of sadness mixed in with my joy. Perhaps alot of it is because she is the last to leave the nest, maybe because we are so close and maybe because so much of my life has been intertwined with hers. I do have moments when college can't come quick enough but there are moments of dread as well. I guess I will have to find my own way when she leaves for college.
The above photo is such a sweet one of Ashton and her cousin Robyn. They are three years apart in age but have always been very close and do alot together. Age makes no difference to these two girls.

This photo was taken at Story Land in NH. We spent a wonderful day there when Robyn was around 6 and Ashton 9. They don't pose this way for photos, they are always hugging each other.

I believe Ashton was about 8 years old here and Robyn 5. I believe this was the Christmas the two girls set up a "sales table" in the hallway during our annual family Christmas Eve get-together. They were "selling" odds and ends. I believe one could buy rocks (Robyn collected them) and other oddities for a few cents each. I remember they both hit everybody up over and over and soon had plans for a shopping trip forming in their heads.

They have had many adventures together, camping, shopping, overnights, and more shopping. Ashton and I even took Robyn to her first movie and Robyn scared me when she slipped down through the seat (one of the fold-up seats)and I was afraid I would have to call the Fire Department to come extricate her. We used to pack picnic lunches and go to Murray Hill to sit in the shade and have our lunches and then explore the shoreline.

Even though Ashton will be leaving high school in June, Robyn has three more years to go. I hope that Robyn and I can continue to have our adventures, even though Ashton will be in college, and maybe we could add Tiz to our trio. What a wonderful bond these girls have and I hope they have many, many more adventures, and growing to do together.