I Hope You Dance! - Afton, Box Album

I made this box with an accordion booklet for Afton, using the lyrics to the song "I Hope You Dance" by LeAnn Womack.  I've always thought they fit for Afton's personality.  The bright colors are a good representation of her too.

Afton Style

No journaling necessary on this layout.  I like the bright colors, it fits Afton's personality.  I also liked what I was able to do with the photo.  It was an old "film" photo so I couldn't do any computer editing.  It was a very cluttered photo with people in the background and a head in the front.  I was able to cut the top and put a flower on the bottom.  Now you would never know it started out to be a pretty lousy photo.

Essence of Afton

Enjoy Life

Sweet

Sassy

Spunky

eleven

Pink Luv

Someday I want a car like this...

Journaling: (behind the hinged picture of Afton)

Even though the car show was called Woodies on the Wharf, and this particular car didn't have any wood, we couldn't resist taking photos of it anyway.  I had to use some really creative camera angles to crop out the chubby lady wearing a hot pink wig and bikini.  It must have been her car but I didn't need to remember her, just her car and the good time the kids and I had in Santa Cruz one Saturday afternoon, checking out cool vintage surfer cars and breathing in some salty, sea air.

Winter Beauty

I liked this challenge of creating a "WHITE" page. I love the way it came out and of course the photo is adorable.

Social Butterfly

Journaling: (on tag behind photos)

Afton is so good at making friends!  It doesn't matter if they are younger or if they are older.  Heck, they can even be adults.  Sometimes people think she's stand-offish because she likes to scope out the situation first. but give her a few minutes and she could be your best friend.  She is going to be a great babysitter. She likes to take care of little kids and little kids like her because she'll play with them.  Yet Great-Grandma thinks Afton is really friendly and interesting. 

Such is the life of a Social Butterfly.

Sweet

Nothing like a bright colored layout to cheer your day.  Wasn't it nice of Afton and Taylor to match their snack of choice this day? :)

Journaling strips:

Sweet

Springtime

Strawberry  Season

Silly up to here

Afton

Taylor

Friends Forever

Determination

Journaling: (large photo - and photo below- are hinged)

GO CONFIDENTLY IN THE DIRECTION OF YOUR DREAMS

2004 was Afton's first time playing softball on a team.  I was very proud of both her and Kelsi for trying out and then going ahead with something that was hard.  Many of the girls on Afton's team had been playing for a number of years already so the coach thought it was a really good idea for Afton to attend a softball clinic that was being organized.  There were going to have professional ball players giving them pointers on pitching, sliding catching and other techniques that would help them improve their game.  Afton was looking forward to it, knowing that she needed the extra help.  Then we found out it was on Sunday.  I barely had to say a wore - Both Kelsi and Afton knew that they shouldn't go to the clinic, but to church instead. I know the coaches thought that this was something worth missing church for and they kept encouraging us to go.  It made my heart happy that Afton stuck to her guns and went to church that day.  During the next practices and as the season went on you could tell that the girls on the team had learned some valuable things a that clinic and I felt bad that my girls hadn't been there.  I almost wished that I had let them go.  I didn't want them to get frustarated and quit the team - I wanted this to be positive experience for them.

However i was impressed that Afton showed great determination in learning the game and doing EVERYTHING her coach told her to do.  She prided herself on thins she'd learned and would often tell me (and others) on rule of the game or another.  It was a big deal when she got her first base hit, scored her first run, stole home for the first time, caught her first fly ball, and tagged someone out, or the first time she was pitcher or catcher.  the other moms and I enjoyed watching the look of concentration on her face as she prepared for the next play.

Even though there was no formal awards ceremony, at the end of the season the coach, assistant coach and team mom all agreed that Afton should get the trophy for "most improved game."  She still may not have been the best on the team and definitely lacked many skills in the game of softball, but what she lacked in technique she make up for in DETERMINATION!

Which Witch?

I love that this isn't the "traditional" black and orange halloween page, but still gets that point across.  Afton was a great witch this year.  Full of personality... that's her middle name.

journaling:

Could she be any cuter? Could she have any more sass and charisma? I can't speak for anyone else but I know WHICH WITCH i want to come haunting at my house.

Oct. 2004