WHAT AM I TEACHING MY 10 YEAR OLD!

Asher's 10th Birthday!!! We always let the kids choose what food they would like for the day. Asher wanted to eat at IHOP (a Stock Family Favorite). Mita, Tony, Asher, Kyler and myself went to IHOP for lunch to eat breakfast....got it. Only problem...after a 2 1/2 week fall break, school had started that day. Asher and Colton have never spent their birthday at school before, and Asher certainly didn't want to start now. So we let him ditch and have fun with Kyler (I'm sure that the fact that Colton still had to go to school didn't influence Asher's choice to stay home!) Happy 10th Birthday Asher!

FRIDAY MORNING CONVERSATION

Kyler and Tony are the only ones awake when Kyler starts the conversation:

Kyler: "I know why I'm in this family"

Tony: "Why?"

Kyler: "Because Mom really, REALLY wanted me"

Tony: "She did! When she told me we had a chance to get a Kyler I said SIGN ME UP!"

Kyler: "And when I was born I saw you and said - Hey Dad! and you said - WHOA!.............He knows my name! and I said - I knowed because I was supposed to be in this family!"

CONFERENCE WEEKEND

I had a crazy idea this weekend.....I decided that all of my children could be present (in the family room) during ALL four sessions of conference. I had my conference packets printed out for everyone (Colton was offended) and they could be on the carpet or at the table. I wasn't forcing them to watch, just be in the same room with me as I watched. Can we all guess what happened?!? I got about as much out of Conference as I do in Sacrament Meeting! I couldn't tell you ANY detail with either Sunday session. Just trying to keep them quiet took all of my energy! (Notice I included the picture of Colton and Asher "watching" conference....Colton's even taking notes......this was a fleeting moment Kyler did enjoy coloring the ties of the general authorities. Well, Mita did what she does best....SLEPT ON THE COUCH!) The priesthood session was the best.....Colton and Tony were gone and I took Asher and Kyler and a couple of friends to meet more friends at the park. No complaints!!! The weekend wasn't a total bust though....we had yummy food the whole weekend - including the muddy buddies that Colton helped make - and Asher, Kyler and Tony got the winter lawn in between Saturday sessions! I can't wait to see that beautiful green carpet in the front and back yards soon. Sunday evening we visited with lots of family at Uncle Chris' and then a fried turkey dinner with friends. Now, back to the drawing board......how to keep three kids quiet and get the most out of conference in April......IDEAS?????

SATURDAY IN THE PARK

I wouldn't say we have cool weather yet, but I'm started to deal with the mornings better. So the first 2 1/2 hrs of Saturday was spent at our neighborhood park with the cousins. I was smart and brought my camera. Here's my family and Jean-Jacques' in order - Colton (with the preteen angst look), Asher and Kyler, then Michael, Sofia, Sariah, Jean-Jacques, Ruslan and Joseph. They had fun playing and then building in the sand. They even got to see many dogs and pet a few of them. Thanks to our cousins for starting our "park season" off on the right foot. (Sorry Jean-Jacques - no pun intended!)

ASHER'S BIRTHDAY BASH!

I run into a problem every year with Asher and Colton's birthdays. Colton's birthday is during spring break and Asher's birthday is during fall break. I always try to plan their party before or after their break, which is 2 1/2 weeks, and the break for Gilbert schools, since they have friends that they don't want left out. Asher either ends up with a birthday party WAY EARLY or one around HALLOWEEN! This year was early - last Saturday. Eighteen children gathered at the World Tae Kwon Do Center to celebrate 10 years of Asher! Asher wore his uniform, complete with orange belt and showed off his kicks and punches. Instructors CJ and Jacqueline kept order and ran the party like a class. For some of the games, they were divided into three teams and chose their own team names - The Dragons, The King Cobras, and The Smokin' Hot Guys (thank you Colton for your guidance). Kyler was so adorable and LOVED following the instructors. After the party he said he would only join Tae Kwon Do if his best friend would (come on Deanna - let Kevin join!). After stretching, learning jab, cross, front kicks and running races it was time for cake (and the tradition of the instructors smearing frosting all over the birthday boy's face), then presents and finally getting back in line to review what they learned AND TO BREAK A BOARD!!! Every kid was able to break their own board and take the pieces home to show off! Asher started off breaking his board with a step-in back kick - which he did beautifully. Every one else was taught to use their hand. This party far surpassed any expectations that I had!!! Thank you again, CJ and Jacqueline!!!

SUMMER OF 2005

I was looking through photos the other night and came across these of Kyler. The second picture is my favorite! Could he be any happier....PURE BLISS! It was the summer of 2005, we had bought the Southern California City Passes and visited - Sea World, The San Diego Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm and 3 days in Disneyland. It was a very fun trip - Kyler especially liked Sweet Tomatoes! He was so intent on getting every last noodle that he finally picked up his plate to lick it all up. Today he's a very picky eater - I wish he had the appetite and the willingness to try foods that he did at 14 months.

TIME TO BUZZ THE HAIR!

Kyler has avoided the clippers for far too long. So I got them out last Wednesday and took my underwear boy out back to cut his hair. We generally give the boys mohawks first, just for fun as we buzz their head, but Kyler didn't want to do that this time. Instead, I decided to cut the top first - Yes, the male pattern baldness cut! He was really looking like Terry Bradshaw to us - Tony and I were cracking up (yes, we have NO life when cutting our kids hair reminds us of Terry Bradshaw - AND WE THINK IT'S HILARIOUS!) Now Kyler is back to his WAY TOO CUTE status with his buzz cut!