America's Got Talent -- Mustang Style

Kyler and Keanna both participated in the talent show at their school today.  I was quite surprised when Kyler told me he had signed up.  A sheet was left by the door of each classroom and you had to add your name to the list and the talent you would be sharing.

Kyler chose to break dance.  If he hadn't taken Terrika to her Senior Ball I would have never known he could twist and turn like this.  I was impressed and figured if he didn't lose his courage in front of his peers he would be awesome.

He chose to dance to Dynamite and coincidentally began his routine in the same manner as the dance number in Napolean Dynamite, he was just missing the moon boots.  He gained courage and performed a toned down version of his Senior Ball performance which means his clothes were unscathed.  

To add a little spontaneity to Kyler's performance and completely unplanned, Aysen joined his brother on the stage, wanting to share the spotlight.  I was video taping and decided to just let the tape keep rolling.  Kyler didn't bat an eye.  My insides smiled at the reaction, there was no embarrassment, no dismay.  He loves his brother and his actions prove it.

Aysen truly believes he is a student in his brothers class, the 29th kindergartener, a genuine member of the student body.  The director of the show cut Kyler's music shortly after Aysen joined him.  Kyler was happy to be done but Aysen felt he needed more time on the stage.  When I went to grab him he shook his head, not wanting to be removed from the spotlight.

(For some reason, pictures on the stage of the school never turn out.  The blurriness comes standard.

Lisa took a minute after the show was over to take pictures of Kyler.)

Keanna also participated in the talent show.  She was hoping to perform a dance number with a few of her friends but arrangements to practice never evolved and on Monday morning when they had to 'audition' Keanna moved to Plan B.  She performed her piano solo from festival a few weeks earlier.

I was impressed with our student body.  Keanna was playing a song that had a fun beat and the audience showed their support by clapping along to the beat.  She seemed more nervous to play for her peers than the judges a few weeks earlier, but her peers gave her amazing support.

The talent show is one of my favorite extras our school allows.  There is such a variety of talents -- joke telling, basketball dribbling, singing, dancing, magic tricks, jump roping and even rollerblading by none other than Kaci Fae.  To have the confidence to stand in front of your peers and perform is amazing but the cheers from the students in the audience was my favorite act.

Super Scientist and the Testing of the Sun

Little Miss Keanna likes a project.  She figures out her approach and moves full speed ahead until it is complete.  This is the case unless she needs help from her mother or father.  Science Fair is one of those occasions.  Last year, as a third grader, she expressed interest in completing a project (not required until fourth grade).  I didn't veto this desire but it was also not encouraged.  I admit to celebrating internally when she changed her mind.

We (means Tina in this instance) have an unwritten rule at our home:  Science fair projects are the responsibility of the father.  Science was never my forte and so I graciously remove myself from this assignment.  I'm happy to help create a board but otherwise want to be left out of the process, let it be a great bonding moment between father and child.

This year though, Keanna chose to do a project based on a myth I was interested in busting.  The project:

Sunscreen SPF -- Does It Matter?

When you are stopped in front of the sunscreen aisle contemplating which brand and SPF to purchase, expensive or cheap? a 15, 30, 45, 60 or 100 SPF?  My brain begins to debate, "If I'm going to spend the money should I buy the most expensive or is this just like throwing money to the wind".  On the other hand, "If I buy the cheapest sunscreen available will it work well enough for my children to avoid becoming lobsters?"  Keanna chose to test the SPF factor.

After Keanna begged, pleaded and constantly reminded her father, he purchased sunscreen (we now have our three year supply).  On a Sunday right after church, the sun was shining, clouds were absent and the project was ready for testing.

Step-by-step Directions according to Keanna: 1. Fold each piece of construction paper in half.  2. Smear a different SPF rated sunscreen on half of four of the sheets of paper.  3. Make sure you label each piece of paper with SPF used.  4. Put them in the sun for 6 hours (make sure they don’t blow away).  5. Evaluate which SPF worked best.

Conclusion according to Keanna:  My hypothesis was correct.  The highest SPF rated sunscreen offered the most protection.  Although the lower SPF ratings offered good protection there doesn’t appear to be much difference with their results.

My conclusion:  Unless your children have extremely fair skin and always burn, save your money and buy an SPF 15 rated sunscreen.  The results were as good with this as with the SPF 30 and 45.  But, the SPF 100 was amazing, the paper protected with this was almost unchanged.  It must have been designed for red heads with freckles.

We place the finishing touches on Keanna's board this morning.  The date it was due -- she would have been finished weeks ago but I needed just as much coaxing to buy a board as Andy did to buy the sunscreen.

If all kids were as homework motivated as this girl, teaching would become a career of ease.

The Luck of the Irish Continues

My mother is amazing.  Genuinely, undeniably, amazing.

She hosts the most magnificent parties of which her St. Patties Day celebration is one of the favorites.  Some years, in the true spirit of the Irish she serves Corned Beef and Cabbage.  Other years, the food is dyed green in honor.

Contests are also involved, they differ from year to year but the wearing of green is the standby.  Taylei has coveted this award and one year planned her attire for months, layer after layer of green.

My girls were not to happy with my clothing choice (embarrassed actually) but it was the most green I could find.  Grandma Lou always has extra accessories for those who want to add more green to their costume.  My father is the judge of the wearing of the green but his opinion can be skewed, just ask my little sister, Diane.  She has won after she whispered a little reminder to my father of some of her more prominent features.  Cheater!

Taylei and Zeak will forever be in competition with one another.  Taylei came more prepared but Zeak scraped up enough green to put him in the running.   Grandpa awarded them both a gold dollar (the modern version of a pot of gold) for their efforts.

Everyone ended up with a gold dollar or two.  Even those who didn't find green tights in the bottom of their drawers.  The kids loved performing for grandpa, money is a great motivator.

Uncle Paul did prove to all in attendance he has the largest mouth.  Years ago we had contests to see who could catch the most Cheetos balls in their mouth after tossing it to the ceiling.  Paul hasn't lost his skill and no matter how we tried to change it up he always pulled off the win.

Grandma Lou sent the parents home with baskets of green treasures.  The grandkids were all given butterfly nets filled with gold coins.  The best part though was being together -- my mom has blessed my children with some experiences they will always treasure.

A Court for Aysen

Our home is full of basketball arenas.  Each with its own unique characteristics, dimensions and obstacles.  The hoop is found in our bedrooms, the office, kitchen and even moves outdoors when others are using the basketball standard on our driveway.  Today Aysen discovered a new arena, my queen-sized bed.

I'm unsure who created this new court (would O.S.H.A. approve, the pillow does seem to be regulation plus?) but he is in love with his new found talent.  Dunking.

Aysen always wants to change up his game.  He shoots for distance.  He requests the basket to be raised to its limit and then becomes bored and needs the hoop lowered.  Dunking adds an element I'm sure he's only dreamed about.

He has also began to practice his own version of dribbling, complete with imaginary defenders.  His mouth is shaped into an O and he makes the cutest little who-who-who noises while working on his offense.  Andy has tried to capture this on film but any time the camera comes out his serious, conquer-the-world-game vanishes, replaced with his I'm-showing-off-for-the-camera game.

Andy has tried to teach Aysen the correct form when shooting a basket -- he shoots baskets the same way a soccer player inbounds the ball -- from back behind his head.  My father's theory is he learned this watching Keanna and Kyler play soccer.  Soccer was clear back in September.  He became passionate about basketball in January.  I'm not willing to put any money on my dad's theory correct or incorrect, but . . . the fact of the matter is . . . he is content with his shot.  He can score eight feet back from the hoop - five shots in a row.  It works for him.  He is 2, the serious training can wait until 3.

If a hoop is not available for his shooting pleasure he asks for human assistance.  He uses both verbal and non-verbal communication until the lucky participant realizes they are to make a hoop with their arms and let him use their face and chest as his backboard.  Most family and friends have been willing to participate, it takes a shot or two before they become aware of the forthcoming bodily injury.

And in true NBA fashion, he celebrates when he makes a shot -- proud

as punch of his accomplishments.  

Meet Mr. Brandon Mull

During our brief trip into Costco yesterday, I noticed an event they were advertising:  Book Signing by Brandon Mull, Saturday, March 17 from 9:30 to 11 am.  Sirens, alarms, bells and whistles awoke in my mind.  Brandon Mull.  Keanna loves Brandon Mull.

Brandon Mull wrote the Fablehaven series.  Keanna has read these books more than once.  Brandon Mull is currently writing the Beyonders series.  Book two became available to purchase on Tuesday.  I purchased it for Keanna on Wednesday and she is already engrossed within the pages.  He is one of her favorite authors.

I decided it should be a surprise.  She awoke without complaint just before 8 am, all Andy had to do was use the word 'shopping' (Granny deeply imbedded this love in both my girls).  The smile was magnified when I told her who we were going to see.  She grabbed both of her Beyonders books for autographs, reminded me it was St. Patrick's Day (with a pinch for my lack of green), and we were on our way.

We arrived at Costco and the store was still closed (I can now say I opened Costco).  A line was gathering but in non-normal fashion we were only three groups back with fifteen minutes more to wait.  We joined in with the crowd discussing authors, book series and electronic reading devices.  As we were about to go in, Keanna surveyed the waiting crowd and spotted Brandon Mull at the back of the line waiting to get in like the rest of us.  Amusing -- first that she recognized him, second that he had to wait in line as well.

Keanna loved talking to him.  He signed both her books and asked her if she had any questions for him.  Her response, "How many books will be in the sequel series to Fablehaven?"  We learned he has planned three.  He has finished book three of the Beyonders and it is in the final editing stages.  He is also writing a sequel to Candy Shop Wars.

And as providence would have it, Keanna found her purse buried deep in the couch last night.  It had enough money in that when we were finished at Costco she requested we make a few more stops to find her a new shirt and new sandals.  What an awesome day!

A day . . .

The 2011-2012 school year has almost come to a close, 75% of the year is completed.  Today was the end of third quarter break.

Last night, Diane called and invited us to go to the zoo.  The weather was looking good.  After cheers of excitement from my children we decided to join them.

But, reality had other ideas.  When I finally started moving this morning I realized I had many obligations to complete before we could go anywhere.  The top of the list: posters for Relief Society.  My terrible procrastination habit once again revealing itself.  Kimo's isn't open on Saturday, posters needed for Sunday, time expired.

As the morning progressed, the zoo became less and less of an option.  The wind was beginning to blow, Mary Dawn and family were heading our direction, and the almost unaffordable cost of fueling my Tahoe kept circling through my mind.  But, on the other hand, the kids had the day out of school.  We needed to do something to celebrate.

I decided miniature golfing at Trafalga was the solution.  Half the gas, we could golf inside if the wind was too much, Ryan could drop Mary Dawn and children off to join us, and with our Pass of All Passes the price, free. Can you say, win, win, win and win.

We tried to keep score for the first couple of holes.  Not a good idea.  Everyone had so much more fun when they went at their own pace.  Kyler and Braden broke off first, I think they did some holes 2 or 3 times all in a fast-forward motion.  Keanna and Taylei played together and actually followed the rules.  Aysen had his own style of golf swing.  I tried to correct it once but decided to let him be, he was happy, therefore I was happy.  Maci was just delighted to have her own club.

After one of the quickest games of miniature golf known to man, we went to ride the go-karts.   The line was longer than any of us wanted to wait in except for Kyler.  He was determined to go for a ride.  After 20 minutes passed and the line hadn't moved Kyler gave up and granted us permission to leave.

To finish off our date we headed to Cold Stone and treated the kids to an ice cream.  Delicious.

After a quick stop at Costco we travelled home.  As a side note, three car seats will fit on one row in my Tahoe. The older kids can enter and exit the vehicle from the back window.  And, 18 holes of golf are exhausting, even when it is the miniature variety.

Just Another Manic Thursday . . .

Today had an agenda: reading with Keanna's class, wedding luncheon, and avoiding the Republican caucus.  This morning I was busily getting ready when I got a phone call from Ms. Emily.

Ms. Emily (we added the Ms. onto her name to help Aysen distinguish her from the other Emily's he's acquainted with) works in the Early Intervention Program and has been assigned to help Aysen.  Aysen LOVES her.  We see Emily weekly at playgroup and she comes to our home to play twice during the month.  We began the program last July, they have become great pals.

Ms. Emily was scheduling a last minute play date in the Mona park and was hoping we could come.  The sky was blue, the schedule open during that hour and we agreed to attend.

Aysen loved being there.  He loves anything if we are outside.  Add a few friends, a playground and Ms. Emily and he has found heaven on earth.

More on Emily:  Tuesday morning, Aysen and I walked from work to playgroup and back to work.  On the way back he was insistent to walk in front of the Taco Shop instead of behind it.  I figured he might be listening to the spirit (someone was sitting in the parking lot in their car, possibly hoping for a kidnapping victims?) and we followed his desires.

When we got to the front door of the Taco Shop, Aysen stopped.  He wanted to go in.  I explained to  him we would have lunch in a little bit and we went to work.  Shortly thereafter, my dad walked in.  I told him of Aysen's predicament, his desperate need to eat.  My dad happily agreed to getting lunch for all and took Aysen with him.

They didn't come back for almost thirty minutes.  In the meantime, I couldn't figure out what had happened.  We usually walk the thirty-three steps, order, pay and return to work while it cooks.

Aysen must have been receiving all kinds of inspiration because when they got there, Ms. Emily and Pat had just sat down with their food.  I'm told Aysen found a high chair, pushed it up to their table and they lifted him up and in.  Ms. Emily even shared her chicken taquitos with my son.  Funny.  And, if you want funnier, my father had NO IDEA who the ladies were.  He could tell Aysen knew them but he had never met either one.

Another example of Miss Emily's amazingness . . .  A home visit was scheduled the day of our first snow storm.  My home was also doubling as Grand Central Station -- It was Super Thursday, Mary Dawn was down visiting and a friend had stopped by to drop off a project I had ordered.  Ms. Emily's car ended up boxed in.  Her reaction: make some little boys 'day delightful and engage them in their first snow ball fight of the season.

We are blessed to have Ms. Emily.

Sometimes we are given trials to help us learn and grow.

Sometimes the trials end up being some of our greatest blessings.

This seems to be the case in Aysen's speech delay.

P.S.  I did attend the Republican Caucas.  I was happily spending the evening pruning bushes and was about to work on the apple tree.  Aysen and I were home alone (Andy, Taylei, Keanna = Softball Practice, Kyler = Friend's home).  I began to worry my clutzy side might set in and I would fall out of the tree.  He wouldn't be able to call 911 and then what if he wandered off?  My mind was going 100 miles a minute down the What If? Highway when it came to a screeching hault at 'President Monson Has Cancelled Church Activities For The Week Crossroad.'  I realized by blatantly ignoring the council of the prophet to attend I was in danger of losing blessings etc and not completing my civic duty.  Can you say, ginormous guilt trip.

I went and I drug Aysen along.  I was totally impressed with how many others felt the same need to attend.  And, to make a long story short, I was elected a county delegate and will be attending the county convention.  The apple tree and I will have to reschedule our date.  

Snow pictures taken October 6, 2011