May... now that was a busy month! For a mom with several grade school aged kids, I actually think that May is busier than December. Graduations, plays, field trips, parties, recitals... it all happens in the merry month of May.
Are you ready for a really long post? Each of these pictures is one of twenty. Instead of 10 different May posts, you're getting the quick, condensed versions of the Stevens' month of May. Here we go:
Kyler's first starring role as The Tortoise!
His class performed a reader's theatre version of The Tortoise and the Hare, and Kyler was super green, super slow, and just plain super!

We seeded our yard!
For a 1 acre yard, this was no small task to do all on our own... but we did it! This picture says so much. Kyler just walked behind his Dad for hours as Justin raked, and raked, and raked, and seeded. This kid seriously loves being with his Dad.

McKenna as Betsy Ross in the Fourth Grade Wax Museum.
Each year, the fourth graders pick a famous person from history, research them, and then portray them as a wax figure. They each freeze, and when you push their button (sticker), they come to life and tell you their story. It's an awesome event and I learned so much!
The entire school attends the wax museum, so the fourth graders get to say their part about a gazillion times! Here's Kenna reciting her part.

Cousin Jaden as Meriweather Lewis!

McKenna's best friend as Helen Keller.

McKenna's Dance Recital!
McKenna took a Hip Hop class this year and had a blast! This girl was born to be a performer because she does not get nervous... ever! She eats up every minute in the spotlight. She really shines on stage... and I'm not just saying that because I'm a biased Mom. She really does!

Proud Parents

McKenna & Olivia (our neighbor and good friend!)

Carson Graduates from Preschool!
Talk about a ham on stage... Carson takes the prize! When his preschool teacher gave Carson his diploma, she told the audience that she is positive that Carson will end up on Broadway some day. Carson's cute class performed all of the songs they learned that year and each told something they had learned. Carson counted to 100 by 10's. When asked where he would like to live someday, Carson said, "In a ninja jungle... if ninja jungles were real." (That's classic Carson right there!) When asked what he would like to be when he grows up, he said, "An actor... or a ninja if ninjas were real."

Carson with his babelicious teacher!
Miss Natalie was so great with Carson. Carson was a handful, but she never complained. She would just tell me all the funny, random, inappropriate things he would say in class, and we would both just laugh and laugh!

We had a mini flood!
The water pressure in Ammon is super high. While I was showering, a pipe underneath my bathroom sink broke. I went into total frantic-panic mode, so with Justin's directions over the phone, it took me 6 minutes to get the water off. You'd be amazed how much damage 6 minutes of water can create. As I was sopping up water in the basement, I looked over at my little boys--only to see them having the most fantastic day of their life. The jumped in puddles, made water tracks, and just loved having Mom, Dad, and Grandpa Stevens in the basement with them all day. This is them drawing and munching animal crackers while I cleaned... Oh, to be a kid again! (And yes, they wore their P.J.'s all day.)

McKenna dancing in the Rimrock Talent Show!
McKenna performed her hip hop dance number as a solo in front of her entire school. (I was thrilled that we were getting a little more of our money's worth out of that simple, overly-costly dance costume!) She did great, and once again, wasn't nervous at all. The night before, I asked her if she'd like to practice her number. She responded, "Why?" I said, "Aren't you nervous at all to perform in front of your school?" She said, "Why should I be nervous?"

We met a camel!
Random. I know. A gas station in Ammon was having their grand opening, and as part of it, had a camel there to attract people. It worked. We pulled over and followed the camel around the parking lot for about 20 minutes in 50 mph winds! The boys were thrilled! P.S. Camels shed. Alot.

Fathers & Sons Camp Out!
Aw... the one part of May that I love! Fathers and Sons is like a holiday for me! It was rainy and cold, but the boys went anyway... because Justin is the best dad EVER! The boys survived the cold and even slept! McKenna got to sleep with me in my bed, and she thought that was pretty special. I just think that boys and girls having a few hours of separation is truly inspired. The Church is TRUE!

McKenna auditioned for the Extreme Ballroom Team...
and made it!
Idaho Falls has an incredible ballroom organization. It's pretty time intensive, but also one of the best teams in the country. Here is McKenna and cousin Jaden auditioning. (So cute!) They made different teams, but we're still excited that they both made it. It's pretty competitive. This ballroom thing is the next chapter for McKenna beginning this fall!

Kyler Beat Boxes in his Second Grade Talent Show!
Kyler stole his class talent show with this beat boxing skit. This recording doesn't do it justice. I had to turn off the camera for a few seconds while I ran and turned up his mic --so it doesn't show him taking each "sound" out of the box... but it's still pretty cool! Click on this link:
My world doesn't slow down... even when May is over. But though I complain, I really do know that these are best times of my life. I love watching my children learn, grow, and even embarrass and shock me! Kenna, Ky, Carson, and Ash are the joys of my life. I'm thankful for each and every busy day.