Soon He'll Conquer the World

Mr. Aysen has found a new love which surpasses his love of air-hockey, the wii.  My children have been good about letting him join in, sometimes he even has a 'live' remote.  He is great at mimicking their actions and shakes the remote just as they do.

Tonight we were invited to the Durbin's home to celebrate the birth of their two outstanding children, Ty and Olivia.  Aysen didn't seem to even notice the difference in the brand of controllers, he knew just what to do.

He watches the game and with his facial expressions you would think he has full comprehension of the going ons.  I would love to spend a day inside his little (not really so little) head.  Too learn how he thinks, what he really comprehends and maybe to try to convince him to sleep through the night.  

Any time we are with the Durbin's 95% of the conversation is geared towards sports.  Cris and Andy are both obsessed with trying to help their children be their best, especially in the sports arena.  I once again will not complain.  Time spent with a dad is well spent.

And every once in a while these two girls get a break from a ball and have a minute to play a different kind of game . . . Happy Birthday Ty and O.D.

A New Kind of Trophy

Today was the 3rd grade spelling bee and Keanna had practiced her little guts out.  She went and stayed with Aunt Mary Dawn for the weekend and my mom became her spelling coach.  Even though she was right in the middle of reading Harry Potter 4 for the second time she kept the book closed while she learned how to spell words like 'bombastic.'  And out of pure curiosity, when was the last time you used that word in a sentence?  Just in case the answer was never, I spent a little time with the dictionary:  bombast |ˈbämbast|, noun, high-sounding language with little meaning, used to impress people.  DERIVATIVES: bombastic |bämˈbastik| adjective.  Where do words like that come from?


Her class has been having some practice spelling bees the first of which she won.  The next time wasn't as favorable, she came home in tears because she had lost.  She spelled worldwide and forgot to include the 'e' on the end.  She will never forget how to spell that word again.  (I still remember the two words I got out on in spelling bees twenty-five years ago: secretary and colonel).  The six kids left in the competition had gotten out on the same round.  I explained to her she wouldn't have lost, everyone would have gotten to spell again.  She was a finalist in all of the other practices which didn't ever finish because of time running short.  


Last night my mom came to our home at 9:30 p.m. to help her review the words one last time.  They had established a system and had made it to column six of seven.  Many of the words I can't pronounce.  To say Keanna was nervous would be a great understatement.  Her stomach became continuously more upset as she missed words she had never missed before.  Shortly after 10 p.m. my mom declared Keanna was too tired and rest was more important.  I tried to help relieve the pressure and kept telling her if she won or lost I wouldn't love her one ounce more or one ounce less.


The spelling bee ended up going 13 rounds with words on the 8th grade level.  Keanna's list of words included: hitch, makeshift, vision, dignify, abolitionists (this is a word she can't pronounce but spells without hesitation), notorious, salary, fortification, establishment, preliminary, capillary, desolate and engineer.  I believe on round 7 everyone was eliminated except her and another girl who had also spent some time practicing.  Her competition misspelled 'rhombus'.  Keanna's championship word was 'misinterpret'.  She won!  I, along with her cheering section, Grandma and Grandpa Sperry, Aunt Diane, Kyler and Aysen were so excited for her.

Thanks so much for all of your help Grandma.  She couldn't have done it without you.

Egg-fried-ramen topped with cheese . . .

As of late, I've been starving.  I eat a meal and within ten minutes I'm looking for something to supplement it with.  This problem may be linked to the amount of mint flavored goodness that is found around my home this time of year.  Fernwood Mints are still number one on the list but Kara's Mint Truffles and the chocolate mint orange come in a close second.  My supply is now completely dry.  Maybe the urge to eat will slowly die off but doesn't seem likely.

Yesterday Paul and Garrett stopped in.  They were in the process of nursing Diane's car home.  It had overheated on her way to work.  They needed to let it cool off again and came in for a visit.  I was in the middle of cooking the high-class, loved by all, non-nutritious meal of Ramen for Kyler and his friend, Bridger.  Paul told me I needed to make fried-ramen instead.  My interest was peaked and he made a batch for himself, Garrett and I.  I had him add an egg to make it a little more authentic.  One pack of noodles divided into three doesn't go very far.  My palate was wet and I dreamed of having more.  Not quite as tasty as sushi but still on the top end of goodness.

Today I was determined to make it on my own.  To make sure there was plenty I made two packages.  Kyler was quite distraught.  He couldn't understand what I was doing to his noodles.

Food never seems to taste as good the second time I try it.  Lessons were learned though.  1.  Two packages of Ramen is more than enough for two people.  2.  Never look at the nutrition facts while you are eating.  I've always considered Ramen to be a non-food food.  Something your children love and is extremely cheap but lacks nutritional value.  I would have never guessed so many calories were packed into such a small package.

I'm sure I'll eat it again but not for a while and maybe just served as a side dish instead of the entire meal.  I'm still not sure how to curb my love of food.  It seems the more I think about losing my extra 20 and making my husband happy by becoming a little more fit, the further I drift from accomplishing this goal.

I no longer have a burning desire to eat egg-fried ramen.  I've moved on.  I'm ready to dabble in baking a gourmet dessert, something rich in caramel, chocolate, maybe even with a little mint and a crisp texture.  Visions of sugar plums dance in my head . . .

The Night of High Performance

Tonight we had a pretty low key FHE.  Andy took a break from his closet building and announced the theme of the evening: The Night of High Performance.  Each member of the family was given five quiz questions.  Kyler's questions had to do with addition facts -- his skills in this area have improved greatly as of late.  Keanna's questions were spelling words (she has the third grade spelling bee this week and has been studying her little heart out).  Taylei's questions started off with her play scales on the piano.  She was successful with the scale of C but became confused on the next one.  She was then asked random questions about the boiling temperature of water, the stars and stripes on the flag etc.  Andy and I weren't left out of the game.  He wanted me to name the planets - I think I got 7 of 9.  After he threw out this question I changed from the easy ones (name the continents of the earth) I had been giving him to a question Mr. Farr asked Keanna's class while I was there.  If you have 13 quarters, 22 dimes, 45 nickels and 429 pennies how much money would you have?  Keanna's class is learning to figure these out using mental computation only.  Andy was off by $1.  Keanna nailed it - $11.99.  (I was dumbfounded when Mr. Farr asked his class this question and couldn't believe how many got it right.  Being able to figure out money is a life skill not many people learn.  Props to Mr. Farr on challenging his class to think.)  Kyler answered the most questions correctly, 5 for 5.  Maybe I should be creative and come up with an award for the winner to be displayed neatly in the bedroom until the next competition.  Maybe this warrants a need to go and shop . . .  or maybe I'll just stay home, save my money and spend more time with these glorious beings.

The Super Bowl was second fiddle to . . .

Litte Miss Maci -- the star of the day.

 We traveled to Holladay for her baby blessing.  Ryan did an awesome job and Maci is a little princess.

Mary Dawn, as always, was an amazing host.  The food was delicious.  The company was great.

The Super Bowl though, was disappointing.  I was hoping for a Steelers win.  Andy and I both wore our jerseys to show our support but no go.  I admit I have no idea who any of the players or coaches were.  I was just cheering for the Steelers name.  In all reality, I just like watching the commercials, the game is extra.  The day turned out way nice . . . an awesome time spent with family and we even avoided all forms of Sperry fits.  The week of miracles.

We (means Andy) are almost ready for the blue and green

Kyler has wanted his room painted for some time now.  I store my craft paints under his bed and have often questioned how wise this is when he sees them and his interest in painting is peaked.  A little spark in his brain reminds him how much he wants his room painted.

Last summer while we were visiting Mary Dawn, we went to the paint store and chose a few samples.  They have been taped to his wall since this time waiting to become reality.

This is the last room we have to redo.  It was retextured and painted when we first moved in but that was of the orange peel variety and the walls were a bright version of white and it was 11.5 years ago.  Time for a change.

I wanted something with more color but I'm also scared of color.  While visiting a friend's home garnishing ideas the vision hit me.  Andy complied and the trim boards were the project of the day.  It is going to be miserable to paint but I believe it will look awesome when it is all is finished.

Now I just need to work on convincing Kyler the paint colors belong where I want them.  His idea is a little different than mine.

Protection of Angels with a Graphic Warning

Kyler and Taylei had a play date tonight at Uncle Mike's house.  Kynlee wanted to play Super Mario with four players.  The night had went well to the best of my knowledge and I called Taylei when I was on my way to pick them up and asked them to be ready.

The journey took a little longer than normal when I had to stop and purchase fuel (which has skyrocketed in price, again).  I called Taylei as I was driving up the street hoping to have her and Kyler just run out.  Sounds kind of lazy I know but it was terribly cold and Aysen was with me and all mothers understand the pain of moving children in and out of carseats (nice run on sentance). 

When Nikkii answered Taylei's phone I was slightly confused.  She quickly expained the situation had changed in the last few minutes and she had taken Mike to the emergency room.

Super Mario may need to attach a warning, it should read something like this:  Do not play this game while sitting on glass coffee tables.  Sounds a little ridiculous but really, McDonald's has to put the warning that the 'coffee is hot' on their cups.  Same mentality I believe.

The story:  Mike, Kyler, Taylei and Kynlee were in the middle of a serious game of Mario.  Mike and Kyler must have felt the hard, glass (remember the need for the warning) coffee table gave them the competitive edge over the cushioned, leather sofa.  I'm told Mike has also sat in this same position with his brother Paul while playing the game.  Warning needed. 

The glass shattered.  Kyler fell straight through and Mike caught himself on the wood frame.  The size, shape and sharpness of the glass pieces under the table is hard to imagine and quite undescribable.  (My mother and I cleaned up piece after piece.  When the shock of it all wore off we regretted not taking a picture.)  Mike yelled for Kyler to hold still and lifted him up out of the glass.

Taylei helped Kyler undress to check for injuries.  The worst of it was a small scrape at the base of his back that didn't even draw blood.  Mike didn't come out of it quite as lucky. 

He doesn't know when he received this gash to the inside of his elbow.  It makes me physically ill just looking at it.  He was stitched up but it didn't require additional medical care .

I know Kyler should have been seriously injured.  I know he should have required stitches in multiple locations with the possible internal injuries.  Glass is nasty.  I know he was blessed.  I know Heavenly Father protected him from harm this day.  I know I am blessed.  Miracles are abundant this week at our house.