Opportunity knocks!

Today Ashton, Mark and I attended Accepted Students Day at the University she will be attending in the fall. She was delighted to find out when she registered and picked up her info package that she had the honor of being named a Merit Scholar! It is based on a student's academic record. Needless to say Mark and I were as happy as Ashton was. For this achievement she was invited to a private reception for fellow recipients of this honor. After hearing remarks from college administrators and browsing through a variety of information booths, we were off to.....SHOP AT THE COLLEGE BOOKSTORE!!! Mark and I knew that this would be inevitable...But hey, Ashton received a 25% off coupon for the bookstore so being one not to pass up an opprtunity to shop she soon found her way there. I think she has a GPS system for shopping! While we were browsing it really hit home that in about four and a half months this is where she would be living, studying and enjoying some of the best years of her young life. The next time the three of us would be on the campus would be moving in day. I must start stockpiling tissues now!She absolutely had to have this pink I.D. holder for her future college student I.D. I think it was her most prized purchase. She also purchased a key chain with a whistle on it for safety reasons. That made me feel better!
On the way to the reception I spotted this heart-shaped (you may need to use your imagination a little) rock on the walk. I take it as a good sign for Ashton's college experience!
What a cheery sight on this very foggy, gray, cold day. I love forsythia bushes and this one was starting to work its magic.
On the way home my "little girl" emerged. I looked back when it became very quiet from the back seat and found Ashton sound asleep. This photo reminds me of when we would go anywhere when Ashton was younger that she would inevitably fall asleep in the car. When we arrived home Ashton modeled her new sweatpants. She had to go take her cousins on errands and I know she felt "proud" when she wore these. She bought USM water bottles for Tiz and Robyn and couldn't wait to give the girls their gifts. Somehow she managed to wrangle a pair of pink college sweatpants out of Mark and I as well!
Ashton and I both love this t-shirt. Of course Dr. Seuss has been a big part of both of our lives, I think Ashton knows most of his books by heart. This t-shirt was so cute so it too came home with her. One final purchase for the parents. Its the least we could do for ourselves!