Ashlynn's Thespian Talents

Ashlynn recently wrote a poem which was entered in the Rexburg Civic Club's Annual Art & Poetry Contest for Children. Much to her surprise (and to our delight), it won first prize! Here she is reading it in front of all the parents at the Rexburg Tabernacle.
Here is the winning poem:

Are We There Yet?

Are we there yet?

I just cannot wait!

To be where I've dreamed of

my excitement can't wait!

Are we there yet?

"NO!" yells mom

But soon we will be

to where I have dreamed of

my whole life long!

YAY!

Because she was the winner from her grade level, her poem has been entered in the General Federation of Women's Clubs' state competition, in Boise. It is rumored that, if her poem wins there, she will get to read it on the radio! Her poem was also published in the local paper; you can link to the article by clicking here.

Here are a few other examples of her recent work (perhaps it is the budding artist in her, or perhaps it's the twenty bucks they gave her when she won, but she has had quite the creative streak lately). I've put them here how she typed them, including the font colors.

Dishes

Dishes, Dishes, Dishes.

I hate dishes!

Washing dishes is horrendous,

horrible, and atrocious!

Some dishes have slimy beans

And some dishes have

Squished bananas!

YUCK!

I HATE DISHES!!!

AYLA

WHO'S THAT GIRL WITH CURLY, CURLY HAIR?

WHO'S THAT GIRL THAT'S EVERYWHERE?

WHO'S THAT GIRL THAT'S CRAZY, CRAZY, CRAZY?

IT'S AYLA BAYLA RUNNING EVERYWHERE!

Creations of God.

The sun, the moon, the snow, and rain, and

lots of other things,

Are all of God's creations,

that he made for you and me.

Any interested publishers can contact me or my agent directly to discuss the rights. :-)

I Can't Believe Nathan Is 12!

Twelve is one of those landmark birthdays that, when you reach it, signals the beginning of growing up, the prelude to teenage-hood, and a lot of other landmarks in the life of a child, particularly an LDS child, who graduates from Primary and starts going to Mutual. Nathan's twelfth was January 30.

Twelve is, apparently, about the age when kids begin to discover they are smarter than their parents, if Nathan's attitude lately is any indicator. Don't get me wrong, Nathan is a GREAT kid. I believe you simply could not ask for a better one. But, it is strangely comforting and disconcerting at the same time to watch him develop "a mind of his own." On the same subject, though, it is fun to watch him develop a more sophisticated, grown-up sense of humor, to have little "inside jokes" with him, and to laugh at a lot of the same movie lines (does that mean my own development is stuck, suspended at around age 12? Please, Jillyn, no comments.)

He is excited, because he is pretty sure he got "straight A's" this term; the trimester just ended and he hasn't got the report card yet. This would be quite an amazing accomplishment for him, he works very hard. I can't believe how much homework he has, particularly in math. I don't remember ever having that much, not even in high school!

Here he is in his new suit, ready to go to church and pass the sacrament. He is very conscientious about his priesthood duties.

He received his Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class rank advancements at a recent court of honor. Here he is attaching the pin on his mom's lapel.