The King

Okay... I'm going to brag now.  (Isn't that what blogs are for?) Kyler is proving to be quite the Brainiac.  (It may seem weird to take a picture of a report card, but I had messaged this to Justin who now receives snap-shot updates of our lives since he travels so much.  It just happened to go great with this story.)Yea... 99% averages.  Not too shabby.

Do you remember doing multiplication wrap-ups as a kid?  You know--those plastic multiplication cards where you have to string the problem to the answer?  Rimrock's entire 3rd grade participated in a "Wrap-Up Competition."  For weeks, the kids practiced at home and at school--timing themselves to see how quickly they could complete all 12 wrap-up cards.  Every day, Ky's class would dub a King, Prince, Queen, and Princess of the wrap-ups.  Kyler was consistently King of the class... but how would he stack up against the other classes?  That question spurred Kyler to practice HARD every night.  After school, he and his buddies traded in their basketball for wrap-up cards--racing against each other--trying their best to beat Kyler!  Man, Kyler was so fast...  He averaged 10 seconds per card.  (Each card took me at least 20!)

The night before the competition, Kyler was already nervous, and when he's anxious, his Tourettes increase.  I was nervous that his blinking would affect his speed and focus.  I talked to Dr. (Aunt) Brooke about our dilemma and she prescribed a dot or two of natural 'calming' DoTerra oils.  When I told Kyler about how the oils would help him, he got a huge smile on his face, but then his face suddenly fell.  He said that he wouldn't use them because "it would be cheating."  (How did I get such a purely good boy?)  I assured him that it would be like eating a healthy breakfast or stretching out before exercises.  After much discussion, he agreed to consider it and take them in his back pack.

The day of the competition was the day before we were moving.  I was stressed, overwhelmed, and emotional as I was frantically packing--but even with such a high pressure day, my thoughts and prayers were with Kyler.  This little competition meant so much to him, and he had worked so hard to prepare for it.   

At 3:00, he entered the house with a sad expession... and then slowly revealed something from behind his back... The King of the Wrap-ups Prize bag.  (The trickster!)  He won by about a millisecond.  (Hallelujah!)

The King's Winnings

And yes, he did apply just a dot of oil at recess...

 A dot containing gallons of mental confidence!

Partners In Crime

"To the outside world, we all grow old.  But not to brothers and sisters.  We know each other as we always were.  We know each other's hearts.  We share private family jokes.  We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys.  We live outside the touch of time." ~Clara Ortega

I am a lover of words... and I really love this quote.  It speaks truth.  And I know this quote will prove true for my youngest boys who have formed quite the team this past year.  Carson is a fascinating kid.  He has the hugest imagination and lives in his own world most of the time.  Lucky for Ashton, he gets to come along... and he couldn't be happier about it!  He follows Carson around like a puppy dog, obliging Carson's every command.  It's a win/win.

 The few hours before Carson goes to school are the happiest hours of my day!  Carson and Ashton wouldn't even notice if I decided to abandon them.  These two are too deep into their current adventure–usually half naked/half in costume and ALWAYS fully armored with weapons galore.

 If I happen to pass by their game/world, I am always killed.  I have gotten really good at "being shot" and dying a dramatic death.  It makes them so happy.

Am I worried that my boys will grow to be serial killers?  Heavens, no!  I have fully accepted that my house is ruled by testosterone, bugs, and guns.  I get the hugest kick out of their natural boy instincts, imagination, and the fact that they are entertaining each other!

 Here's a confession:  When I was expecting Ashton, I really wanted a girl... BAD!  Not for me.  For Kenna. I can't imagine life without a sister... I love mine so much.  But as I see these two brothers who are becoming the best of friends, I thank my Heavenly Father for blessing my life with all of these darling boys.  Darling... even as they threaten to scalp me.  They are so much fun!

A Spa-cial Day

"Things are never quite as scary when you have a best friend."  ~Bill Watterson

I remember feeling that way growing up.  And I feel that way now.  As our family is experiencing change, I have leaned heavily on the support of my best friend.  Friends are so important... especially for girls.  I am so thankful for McKenna's sweet best friend, Kamri--her 'BBF' since second grade. 'Good friends' is something I pray for my children every night--and I'm so thankful McKenna has this blessing in her life.  When Kyler got invited last Saturday to go skiing with his best buddy, I really wanted to plan something fun for Kenna and her girlfriend.  My neighbor told me about the "Princess Package" offered at our local Cosmetology school.  For $10, your little princess can get her hair and nails done.  Fun.  Thrifty.  Perfect!    

The "Before" Shot.

Getting Glammed.

After.

These two girls looked so fancy, I felt weird taking them home afterwards.  They needed a prom or wedding to crash!  (Funny side note:  See the maniquin in the background?  My two little boys (who had to endure the pampering date) where obsessed with this odd head!  They literally could not pull their grubby hands from this head's face.  Tracing her nostrils, rubbing her cheeks... It was funny!)

Oh decisions... this took a long time!

They both went for zebra nails... very 'on-trend!'

I think Kamri has the cutest profile!

Photo shoot in the lobby!  Don't mind if we do!

Beautiful girls--inside and out.

"When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.  The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares."  ~Henri Nouwen

School Happenings

I always thought that my life would be so much calmer and easier once my kids were a little older, but actually it's the complete opposite.  Life is so full... so busy... and I feel myself losing control of everything.  (This is very frightening for a control freak like myself!)  In fact, McKenna was in a school play last week, and the first time I heard about it was the day before their performance.  (She had simply mentioned she needed a hat and trench coat for a play she was in.) As I was sitting in her classroom watching this darling, little play, my jaw literally dropped as I slowly began to realize that McKenna had the lead role and had learned about 800 lines--all on her own--without ever even mentioning it to me.  

McKenna as JoAnne Giles

(The Detective of Lost Things)

With no help from me, McKenna created a tough, smooth-talking character.  

She was a natural.  And so tall.  And so grown-up looking!

The final bow.

McKenna & Jaden (The news photographer)

Kenna & a few of her 5th Grade chums.

I also got to be a "Chaperone" for Kyler's Field Trip last week.  I don't volunteer at the school much, but Kyler begged and begged for me to do this.  I truly didn't feel that I had time for this 2-hour venture, but I was flattered that he wanted me there so badly--so I made time on my busiest of all days: Thursday!  I dreaded leading a group of 3rd graders with my rowdy Carson and Ashton added to the mix... but thankfully, we all stayed together and had a fantastic time!  The dinosaur exhibit was truly fascinating!  (IF friends: don't miss it.)

Here's Kyler & Buddies in front of "Sue," the largest dinosaur fossil on Earth today.

I think this picture is so funny!

My 2 sillies in front of a dinosaur leg.  

(This really puts into perspective how small we are compared to dinosaurs!)

Can you spot Ash & Carson?

Crazy Hair Day 2012

Another year... another Crazy Hair Day.  With a move in the works, Dad traveling 5 days a week, and myself working two jobs, this year's Crazy Hair was not my best work... but the hair was CrAzY nonetheless.  Let me introduce you to this year's Crazies:

"Goldilocks"

"Pre-teen Punk"

"The Schizophrentic Kindergartener"

Carson's friends called him "Two Face." 

 Any Batman reference is cool--so Carson was delighted with his do.

Kenna's only Crazy Hair wish this year was one word: Mohawk.  I had plans to do the hair straight up. I watched dozens of mohawk tutorials on youtube and felt really confident--but on the morning of crazy hair magic--even a full bottle of Got 2 B Glued hairspray wouldn't make that heavy hair stand straight.  Close, but not quite.  This was our last minute mohawk compromise.

I need to note that Kyler came up with the idea for his "hair" on his own almost a year ago when his "wrapping paper sword" started to unravel.

Crazy Hair.  Crazy Busy.  Crazy Life.

Valentines Day 2012

What do you do when, for the first time ever, you're separated from the love of your life on the national day of love, chocolates, and roses.  Be depressed?  Heart sick?  Shed a tear?

Um... No! 

 You throw a party with your sista!

Let me explain.  In January, Justin (because he LOVES us so much) began a new job working for Motorfist, a snowmobile apparel retailer.  During their busy season, he travels five days a week... so that means that we were a part on Valentines Day this year.  (Tragic, yes.)  However, Brooke was a single gal on the day for lover's as well--so she and I got together for a non-husband-family-love-celebration!  Our traditional, fancy, candle-lit dinner was extra fun with our party-animal cousins!  We ate heart shaped everything, sipped chocolate milk from goblets, and expressed reasons why we loved everyone.

It was so cute when Jaden and McKenna left the table--mid dinner--because they were literally summoned by Michael Buble's irresistible dance vibe.  They had to "Cha-cha-cha" then and there.  The pizza could wait!

And... that's when everyone left the table... and the dance party began!  So fun!

Isn't it said that dance is the true language of love?

It was such a fun night!  In all honesty, I was feeling down and discouraged with Justin gone so much--but having the Maglebys in my home that night truly lifted my spirits and reminded me of the blessings of family.

I was so excited about my Valentines gift for my kiddos this year.  I spent weeks making each of them a personalized book listing 10 reasons why I love them.  They turned out so so cute!

And, of course, what would this holiday be without a heart shaped box of chocolate?

Ashton also received this for Valentines Day... A gift for him/gift for me.  Ash is totally ready... Too bad  his mother is too busy to even think about training him.  Let's hope life settles down sometime before he enters kindergarten!