Calling All Princesses....

I have another plug for a great thing! Have any of you heard of the Princess Festival in Lindon, Utah? If not, you've got to check it out. The Princess Festival is an event where your little princess can be in an interactive adventure to learn courage and grace. We went a couple of years ago and loved it. We couldn't wait for Kasidee to be old enough to join in, and we're planning on going with cousins this June. It's an enchanting adventure (in a castle!), and THE BEST PART is that 100% of the proceeds goes to "In Our Own Quiet Way." Quiet Way helps people in Kenya have access to clean water, medical supplies, and school supplies.

Check it out at www.princessfestival.com and be sure to click on "About" and "Our Story." What's better than having a great time and helping people in need, all at the same time?!

Ji Ga Zo

We just found the coolest thing. We just happened to see it on the store shelf this afternoon and were so intrigued we had to buy it and try it. I'm so surprised we've never heard of it before because it's so cool. I know - the suspense is killing you. It's called "Ji Ga Zo." It's a puzzle, one of those sepia-toned ones that is just shades of brown but when you put it together you see an image. Cool enough like that - but what makes it even cooler is that you can take a picture (they recommend a close-up of a face), upload it, and the program will make a "symbol map" for you to follow to put your customized picture together. Then you can do another image - it never has to be the same puzzle twice! It's 300 pieces and the girls, Quentin and I had so much fun putting it together this evening. Check it out. We started with this picture (and cropped it a bit):



And ended up with a cool, customized puzzle! (Squint your eyes a bit to see it better):



How cool is that?!

Happy 96th, Butterfly Grandma!

Quentin's grandma turned 96! Instead of Great-Grandma Stephens, my girls refer to her as "Butterfly Grandma" because she loves, loves, loves butterflies. What an inspiring lady she is - she's 96 and in really good health. She's spunky, positive, and still wears high heels! She is a joy to be around and everyone she meets just loves her great attitude! Look how cute she is....

Happy Home Anniversary #4

We moved into our home 4 years ago today! In some ways it seems like yesterday, and in some ways it seems like we've been here forever. I'm amazed how we're still thrilled with our house and our neighborhood - it's a little piece of Mayberry, at least to us!

Seussical the Musical

Kiera and Makenna had the opportunity to be in their school's musical. They were in the Charlie Brown play last year and loved it. We were prepared for the long rehearsals (I figured they each spent about 25 hours in rehearsals over the last 2 1/2 months - and they didn't even have speaking parts!), but they were so stoked to be in it this year. Kiera was Gracie the Gray Mouse (one of the Jungle Animals) and Makenna was Max the Dog (the Grinch's sidekick). They performed for the school and did 2 performances for family. They got a DVD of one of their performances, a T-shirt and a bracelet. How cool is that?! The play was directed by Addie Holman, who also directs at Rodgers Memorial Theater. What an awesome opportunity, and something they'll probably always remember!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! This is a card the girls made for Quentin - straws and spaghetti. Cute, huh?

My girls' personalities are so different, but it seems to be much more noticeable during holidays or other "major" events. Take Valentine's Day. Kiera secretly and quietly got all of her valentines ready about 2 weeks ago, even before she got her class list. She not only did the ones for her class and teacher, but she made special ones for her grandmas, church teachers (current and last year's), and other friends. She even made her valentine box all by herself. And this morning she got up early, put on the "Valentine outfit" she had chosen a few days ago, and wanted her hair curled.

On the other hand, every time I asked Makenna to do her valentines, she would say, "No, not right now. Maybe later." All weekend long, it was the same response. So finally yesterday I told her she needed to get them done for her class party today. Same response. Finally at about 8:00 I told her they needed to get done. Nothing. So I said, "I don't mind helping you, Makenna, but I don't think it's fair that I do all of your valentines by myself." Kasidee piped up and said, "I'll do them with you, Mommy, so you won't be all alone." Heart. Melt.

I should have just told Makenna that she could go to school with no valentines, but I know her pretty well and thought of a different trick. So...Kasidee and I began doing Makenna's valentines. I wrote the names, Kasidee picked out the candy to go inside, I folded them, and Kasidee put the stickers on to close them. After just a couple of minutes of doing this, I think Makenna got jealous or something and decided to join in and help. Finally.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Brave

A couple of weeks ago, I had a dental cleaning/exam scheduled. Of all of the people I thought of to babysit Kasidee, I knew they had other things going on. So at the last minute I decided to take Kasidee with me. She sat in a little chair near my feet and quietly looked at books. She was so good - like a little mouse - and the staff was so impressed.

So when I had to go back yesterday to get a cavity filled, I decided not to even think about a babysitter and just take her with me again. As we were getting ready to go, I said, "Kasidee, thanks so much for going with Mommy to the dentist. You're going to help me be brave, huh?" And she smiled, gave me a hug and said, "Yeah, just pretend I'm your mommy."

Plug

Those who know me well or read my blog regularly know that Quentin and I LOVE live theater. There's just something about it that is exciting and exhilarating, plus it's a good excuse for a date night. It's something different, and something we can't do at home (like watch a movie). We also especially love Rodgers Memorial Theater in Centerville and have had season tickets for about 4 or 5 years. LOVE IT!! Most of you who live around here are probably aware that RMT will no longer be doing plays in their little playhouse on Pages Lane. Even though that playhouse is old and in need of repair, it felt small and intimate, and it was just fun going.

Anyway, they've been building a huge new building near Dairy Queen that will house the new theater (it's now called Centerpoint Legacy Theatre.) As we've watched this new theater being built, we've been a little apprehensive. We've worried that it will just seem big and formal, and we were "mourning" the small, intimate feel of RMT's old playhouse.

Well, a couple of weeks ago we went to an Open House for the new theater and I have to admit I'm way excited. Although the new theater seats about twice as many as the old theater, the back of the new theater has only been extended 10 feet more as compared to the old theater. It's fresh and new and modern, and the facilities are impressive: there are 7 stalls in the women's bathroom (compared to 2 in the old theater), the stage can "drop" for special effects, and the legroom in between seats is great - if you're sitting in your seat and someone needs to walk in front of you to get to their seat, you don't even have to stand up!!

Seeing familiar faces in the RMT cast and production team at the Open House made me realize that the quality of plays done at RMT deserves a more impressive building. Everyone seems so excited - like a dream come true to them - and they've been so touched by the outpouring of support from the community and local businesses. However, an informal poll showed that most people outside of Centerville didn't even realize a new theater was being built. So get the word out!

The first play we'll see at the new Centerpoint Legacy Theatre will be "Hairspray" in a couple of weeks. I can't wait! And here's my plug - if any of you out there like live theater, check out this new theater. Tickets are a lot less than other theaters like Hale Center, etc. and yet it's a quality, professional cast. LOVE IT!