A Closer Look At Kyler

Some people are easy to know... like my Carson, for instance. After only knowing him for one minute, you'd probably assume that he was bold, colorful, and fun... and you'd be right. Others, however, are not so easy to sum up. These unique people are so layered and complex that their personalities are really more like mysteries that require patient unfolding every day. Kyler is one of those people.

Kyler was born with an old soul. A quietness. An awareness of others. He is, without a doubt, my most submissive, sensitive, and responsible child. He's also the most trying, challenging, and needy. Where McKenna and Carson are happy-go-lucky, Kyler is a stark contrast--chronically disappointed. In one moment, he has me ripping out my hair... and in the next... wondering if I am teaching him or if he is teaching me. It's hard to explain, but the events of a recent morning illustrate this rare boy much better than my adjectives ever could.

A few mornings ago, Justin left very early to show a farm to an interested buyer. I was well aware of the events that would follow. I've seen it hundreds of times.... Immediately after waking, the kids would go down to our bedroom to cuddle with their Dad (as they always do) only to be startled to find him gone. Kenna and Carson would be disappointed, but they'd get over it quickly and continue on with our morning routine. Not Kyler.

As predicted, Kyler emerged from his room with his usual moody morning expression, ignored me, and headed straight for my bedroom in search of his Dad. (It's okay. I've come to terms with Justin holding the favorite parent position long ago. I really don't blame the kids... I like Justin better than me too.) Moments later, Kyler reappeared with that 'let down' face that I've come to know so very well. With a voice on the verge of tears, he said, "Where's Dad?"

"Oh, here we go," I thought. It was time for the unleashing of 'Kyler Drama,' and I really wasn't it the mood for it. I quickly said something to the effect of, "Look Kyler. Dad's showing a farm this morning. It's really important, and it's really GOOD. I need you to stop feeling sad for yourself, and instead, start feeling happy for our family. Got it?"

Kyler gave me the brattiest glare he could muster, rolled his eyes, and walked away. I was actually thankful that I got off that easy.

About ten minutes later, Kyler came into my bathroom so I could comb his hair for school. In a softer tone, I tried to smooth things over between us just a bit. "Kyler," I said, "Maybe you could say a little prayer for Dad today."

What Kyler said next stopped time for me. He looked up at me with his pure, honest face, and simply said, "I already have."

That simple reply describes Kyler perfectly. He is a boy who struggles with so many things, and yet always has his heart in the right place. Always.

Easter Weekend 2011

Our Easter weekend in three words:

FAMILY. FUN. SUNSHINE.

Yes, we are feeling blessed because it just doesn't get better than that!

We kicked off Friday with the messiest kid activity known to man-kind. Who came up with the idea to combine children and dye anyway? Did that person really have children? (Just wondering.) Well, the clothes and tile survived--and we had a great time!

Last year, Ashton watched on from the confines of the high chair. We weren't going to get away with that this year. Yep, he was smack dab in the middle of the fun. He caught on fast: Throw the egg in the cup, get it out, repeat. He was delighted with the repetition and bright colors--and he colored about 20 eggs in 20 seconds! The other kids were on their own--because it took both Justin and I's efforts to contain the tidal wave of splish-sploshing dye that he was creating. And forget spoons... Ash preferred dunking and retrieving with his fingers. (And yes, he still had blue-green-red-yellow hands at church on Sunday.)

I found the funniest egg coloring kit: Monster Eggs! The kids got in full Mad Scientist mode as they made their monstrous creations... and I'm afraid they got a little too attached to their work. When I started making deviled eggs on Sunday afternoon, Kyler almost started crying because "he wanted to keep his egg forever!" (I'm probably going to find some rotten, diseased egg hidden in the toy room three months from now.)

The kit even came with fuzzy monster hair!

Aren't these hysterical?!

On Saturday, we planned a Cousins Easter Egg hunt at Aunt Brooke's house... and a miracle happened: It didn't snow, rain, or hail all day! It was ALMOST spring weather in April. I testify that miracles do still happen.

Look, we're outside...

and we're not shivering and running for cover!

We're outside and we're SMILING!

The Stevens Grandkids line up for the hunt.

And they're off!

Ashton loved this Easter tradition too...

... but once he figured out what was inside the eggs, he was done hunting.

It was candy eating time!

After the hunt, we had some relays and races. Note Kyler's face in this next photo. Kyler prides himself on being fast. Winning this race was very, very important to him... and determination pays off. He won!

An egg rolling race... with your nose!

The Stevens Grandkids on Brooke's famous hill. That hill provides us with so much fun all year long. The kids raced and rolled up and down it all afternoon.

After the egg hunt, we headed over to the Earth Day Celebration at Tauphaus Park to check out Kenna's Statue of Liberty art project on display. While there, we had a great time at a few of the booths. Kenna got some glitter hair.
And the boys got their faces painted by the most talented face painter I've ever seen. Check out these dragons she hand painted in about 60 seconds.

The boys were in heaven! Their inner animal was released!

We had taken our bikes with us, so we biked over to a park and soaked up every last drop of our sunshine filled day.

On Sunday morning, the kids were relieved that the Easter bunny had found us. They were a little worried after seeing a squashed run over rabbit on 21st street a few days before.

Ash woke up with the rosiest cheeks... evidence of a sunny day in April! Mmmmm! Lollipops for breakfast. I think Ashton thought that this was the most magical holiday ever!

My sons. I just love this picture.

Who took my little girl and replaced her with a pre-teen?

On Sunday, we tried to focus on the Savior. Kyler gave a talk in Primary about the true meaning of Easter, and in Sharing Time, Sister Warner brought out the Time Machine and transported Mary Magdalene, Doubting Thomas, and Nephi back from the past. The kids loved hearing their testimonies, and the Spirit was undeniable. After dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Stevens, we opened "spiritual" Easter eggs that contained objects and scriptures from the story of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.

As I reflected on our fun filled weekend, I was-above all-grateful for my Savior's atonement and sacrifice which provides me with eternal bonds and relationships through my covenants. There is not a greater gift than to look in my children's eyes and know that we will be together long after this life. I am thankful for holidays and traditions that encourage us to remember our blessings.

We are blessed.

Spring Break In Ammon

Ammon, Idaho is a great place to live. It's got that small-town feel, snowmobile and dirt bike trails minutes from your back door, and most importantly--both sets of grandparents within 45 minutes! It does, however, have one major flaw:

Winter is long. Seriously long.

I'm talkin' 7 months, folks! And when I say winter, I'm not meaning gentle flakes falling from the sky... I'm meaning brutal, negative temperatures and violent, thrashing wind. Needless to say, it gets a little depressing... especially when you're shoveling your driveway in April.

Due to limited funds, we were unable to escape to somewhere warm for Spring Break... so instead, we chose to use the power of positive thinking and lots of imagination.

Ahh... Can't you just hear the waves crashing along the shore?

Mmmm... I just love the smell of coconut tanning lotion.

Nothing beats the feel of sun on your skin!

Crazy Hair Day - Part 2

... And you thought it was over! Oh no. We're at it again.

When Carson wore his blue hair to preschool a few weeks ago, it inspired his preschool teacher to have a Crazy Hair Day of there own... so out came the hair paint yet again!

Lucky for me, it was my carpool day, so I got to see all the kiddos with their wacky do's! These are our carpool buddies and good friends--Noah & Reagan. I guess we were all feelin' blue that morning! Aren't they the cutest? I just love 4-year-olds. It's without a doubt the funnest age!

Ashton got in on the fun this time around, so I had to document a few photos of him. He is getting great at imitating his siblings' weird, crude, and silly antics!
This particular day was a busy one, and Ashton and I were all over Idaho Falls. I got many stares as I toted my blue-haired mohawk baby from store to store. People probably thought I was some crazy mom whose kids are going to end up in jail someday. I have to admit that it made me chuckle inside just thinking about what people were thinking.

Hip Homework

Have you heard of 'Upscaling' or 'Repurposing?' If so, then you are current on the latest trend in home decor! It's basically taking something old and making it new again. It's great for the Earth and the pocket book all at the same time. What's not to love? Well, thanks to McKenna's latest homework assignment, we too, are Upscalers!

McKenna's fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Abbott, is very pro-science. When you walk in her classroom, at first glance you think, "Wow. What a mess!" Every surface is covered with plants and all sorts of growing vegetation... and I am so grateful that my daughter gets to be part of all of the hands-on fun! The latest science experiment, however, brought the mess home. McKenna was assigned to create ART out of recyclable GARBAGE. At first, I wasn't too excited about the mountain of trash growing in my pantry, but every now and then, I must admit that I felt a thrill went I recognized trash with promise! The night before the due date, we spread our cherished garbage all over the kitchen, and then let the artistic juices flow!

Of course, McKenna wanted to do the most complex idea she could muster, but her determination is inspiring. With lots of hot glue and and tape, we created an American Monument. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you:

The Statue of Liberty

(Because Recycling Is SO Liberating!)

A crisco can for the head, a sliced-in-half can of chow mein noodles for the neck, a Sun Chips bag for the flame, diaper and wipes boxes for the body... Come on! Homework doesn't get funner than this! As we layered and styled the dress, I felt like a star straight from Project Runway!
I had to put Lady Liberty up on the counter to keep her safe from Ashton's grasp... and boy, I got quite a scare the next morning when I came walking into the kitchen. In the dark, all of those flowing garbage bags look just like ghost... Trust me! I may have to put this little lady out on the porch next Halloween... because she sure scared me!

A Riddle

What do you get when you add bath time, a phone call, curiosity, and a touch of mischief?

This!

Top 10 Reasons Why I Love General Conference

Oh, how I love General Conference weekend! Let me count the ways... all Top 10 of them.

#10. I swear that I am much more perceptible to the Spirit when I am not wearing nylons and heels.

#9. When the kids act up, I don't have to walk the hall. I just push 'pause' and yell.

#8. I get to fantasize about being in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir... with my very own camera close-up shot!

#7. I learn new beat patterns and choral conducting techniques as I gaze at "Mack Wilberg The Great!"

#6. I feel my spirituality growing... even as I doze.

#5. I marvel at how a particular address (or "little prophetic epistle") was written and delivered just for ME!

#4. I am reminded that having a living Prophet on the Earth is no small thing--but a miracle and gift from a loving Heavenly Father.

#3. I am reminded of God's purpose, work, and glory as I learn of new missions, members, and temples spreading across the world... and amazed that I am part of His great plan.

#2. I am filled with gratitude for God's guidance in my life.

#1. I turn off the television with a renewed hope, strength, and determination to "Be" an "Do" better. (Thank you President Lynn!)

Carson's 5th Birthday

Avast! What be this vile-smellin' swill? What be this fog on the horizon? For it can only mean one thing, me hearties... We be in the presence of pirates!

For Carson's 5th birthday, we celebrated with a pirate party. Swords, danger, adventure... truly a little boy's dream! Carson's colorful personality made this party all the more fun! To deliver the invitations, he dressed up in full pirate attire, practiced his pirate accent, and gave quite a performance at each of his friends' houses!

The treasure box cake was quite "bonny" if I say so myself. I must admit that it twas a wee bit hard to cut it up so soon after slaving over it!

In true pirate fashion, the party had plenty o' sword fightin...

A crew of scally-wags...

Pirate jigs and sea chanteys...

And o' course... grub for a hard day's work!

What say ye? Ya think this one looks a wee bit too sweet to be a pirate, eh? Just look at that scarfed cake... a pirate appetite fer sure!

Aaarrrgh!

No pirate party could be complete without a treasure hunt! Twas the wee pirate's favorite part! Yes... true pirates fer sure, they were! Gold lust was a pumpin' through those scrawny veins! While in the search, my how the crew got a kick out of riddle #4. It went like this:

Aha, you are smart ones... you've found clue 3!

The next you shall find in a room that's STINKY!

You sit here so often, as we all must do.

Be careful, me hearties... Don't step on the poo!

(Clue was on the toilet. Sorry... what can I say? I'm way too fluent in boy humor!)

'X' marks the spot!

Quicker that you can say "scurvy dog," those little pirates relished in their discovery of chocolate coins, ring pops, and candy necklaces!

What a boatload of fun!

Alright... enough of this pirate talk already! The birthday party was actually the day before Carson's true birthday--so his big "day" was actually a "2 Day" celebration! After digesting all that pirate treasure, it was on to breakfast in bed the following morning!

In celebration of Carson, we chose to eat his staple of life for dinner. I'm not exaggerating when I say that this food alone has kept him alive for 5 years. Carson's more than "picky" when it comes to food. He's more of what you would call a "non-food" human. Thank goodness for blessed peanut butter! Though he has a peanut butter sandwhich for dinner every night of his life, the rest of the family always has something different... so we decided to join him. I made homemade bread in an effort to make our PB&J's a little fancier... if it's even possible to make a PB&J fancier.

Of course, we had to add his other food favorite: Chocolate milk. You would have thought we had given him a ticket to Disneyland. He was pretty pleased with dinner.

He was also just "a little pleased" to receive the puppy that he met and fell in love with at Toys R Us. A week or so before his birthday, we ran in the store to buy a present for a party Kyler was attending, and by the time we made it to the cash register, Carson had already completely bonded with this little hound. Tears and drama came rushing out of Carson as I had to literally pry "Lucky" out of his hands. (Yes, he had already named it and dubbed him Lukey's twin brother--that would be his other toy dog at home.) Needless to say, he was super happy to be reunited with this doggie!

He also loved the vet kit!

Such a funny boy... he freaked out when he realized he hadn't made a wish before blowing out his candle... SO... we had to re-light it. He took plenty of time to make sure that he made the PERFECT wish!
After all of the wishing, singing, and picture taking, this is how much cake he ate. Not even a full bite. See... I'm telling you... he doesn't eat much.
We had so much fun celebrating Carson this week! He is quite an individual--always making us laugh at the funny and quirky things he's constantly spurting out! He adds so much life and light to our family. We love him so very much! Happy Birthday Carson!