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!

Up Close & Personal

Live from the Stevens' computer room, we are here with the upcoming birthday boy himself, the ever charming CARSON LUKE STEVENS! Thanks for joining us today Carson! In less than four days, you will be leaving the magical age of four and moving on to the exciting age of five! Big things await you, Carson... bus rides, hall passes, girl cooties... we're dying to hear all about your take on life as boy who is soon turning five.

* Let's jump right to it! How do you think life will change as a 5 year old?

"Uh... I'll turn five."

* Wow... That was deep! Can you expound upon that?

"Me and my friend Noah will be the same. He's 5 and I'll be 5."

* Let's get to know you better. What are you good at?

"Beat boxing, sword fighting, soccer, baseball, kinda' good at reading, and video games!"

* Who's your favorite super hero?

"I have a lot. Can I tell you all of 'em? Batman, Robin, Superman, Iron Man, and The Hulk."

* If you could have any super hero power, which would you choose?

"Speed, lizard eyes.... Oh, and a arm that can lazor!"

* If you could be an animal, which would you be and why?

"A cheetah 'cuz they run very, very fast!"

* What do you want to be when you grow up?

"Buzz Light Year 'cuz he can fly... or maybe a pirate 'cuz they get to swing on ropes... Hmmm. I'll have to think about it."

* Okay. Enough of the small talk. Let's talk about feelings. What makes you angry?

"When Kyler says that I love Reagan."

* What makes you laugh?

"Funny jokes."

* What makes you cry?

"Well, sometimes when I don't want to try food, and I have to sit at the table all by myself, and I'm asking for a PB&J."

* What makes you feel loved?

"When people help me read, when people help me find things, and when people give me Valentines."

* What makes you scared?

"When McKenna and Kyler scare me which is so mean. Sometimes they go, "ROOOAARR!" Also, when I see skeletons, when people look like real vampires, and when it's dark at the front door... so I do Karate stuff."

* Name some things that you think are cool.

"My dad, Kyler, and this power ranger toy at preschool."

* If you got to meet President Monson, what would you say?

"Uh... I don't know. But I would ask VERY NICELY if I could shake his hand."

* Your transition from Nursery to Primary was a little rough. What do you think would make church better?

"We could like... do you know what... we could invite Noah to come, and we could bring our guns and fight!"

* We know you LOVE babysitters. Would you rather go to Disneyland for a week, or have Cortlyn babysit you for a week?

"Maybe one day I'll go to Disneyland and then the next day I'll stay home and she can babysit me."

* What is your birthday wish?

"An iron man costume, a spy watch, and that puppy that you wouldn't buy me at the store!"

* What are you looking forward to most about Kindergarten?

"Playtime."

* Yes, playtime... but aren't you looking forward to anything else?

"Nope."