(Ainsley, 5; 6 in 4 days)

[Ainsley’s sixth birthday party; her first birthday party including school friends.  We carefully reminded Ainsley that although it was her special day, she needed to remember to be a very gracious and respectful hostess.  If she happened to receive a gift that she wasn’t very excited about, she should remember to sincerely thank her guest for the gracious gift and thank her for coming to her party.]

[Candidly snapping pictures and video of the event, I just happened to observe the following interchange. Soon after the party began, the girls were decorating princess-themed crowns at the table…]

Kindergarten party guest [sitting next to Ainsley]: “What’s your name again?”

Ainsley [very politely]: “I’m Ainsley.”

[beat]

Ainsley [still very politely]: “Thank you for coming!”

[It’s enough to make a father’s heart melt! …very thankful for the wisdom of the “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” book and principle-based character development.]