HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TYLER!

It is Tyler's 31st birthday tomorrow and I am feeling the need to honor such an occasion with a quick blog post- the kind that might increase my chances of passing away sooner rather than later, but a post all the same. Here is my tribute to you - The Tyler:

For such an old guy he can sure use his imagination and make things fun!
He is patient enough to put up with me all these years- that ought to say it all right there.
Randomness is a great thing- sometimes you don't even know ahead of time that he is planning on having a great time and participating in the festivities. (Please don't make me sleep on the couch for this one, Honey!)
Now that is what I'm talking 'bout! Yup, this is my man- and a manly man at that.
He loves making fun of my desire to take pictures all the time. (Well- here is one back at ya.) On a more serious note it is inadequate to say he is merely a fantastic husband and father, he is so much more. Happy Birthday, your family loves you.

HALLOWEEN!

Frightmares 2009 was fantastic, the weather couldn't have been better. Thanks kids for earning homework points.
My kids love Mandy- glad you could go too!
I think this is one of the worst rides they have for my poor tummy. Blah!
Nothing too spooky here, folks.
HALLOWEEN DAY! Since it was on a weekend and I didn't have any bio exams the next week we said "what the hey- let's go visit us some folks!" First stop- Grandpa Buggy and Grandma Lucie's house. They carved pumpkins with Grandpa's jigsaw (ever so appropriate for pumpkin carving) and Grandma helped me with math- bless her heart.
Syd took a break to pose with attitude outside.
Next stop- Aunt Trishie's house! We had an amazing time with cousins- soup in a pumpkin bun, Trishie took the kids trick or treating, and Ty and I got to hand out candy at the door. I was the best old lady ever. Kids came to the door just wanting there candy and I made them talk to me and tell me what they dressed up as- they were so annoyed and I couldn't have been having more fun.
Two on the left are 2 weeks apart, and you know Syd - or do you....?
Surprise of all surprises, we even got to see Grandma and Grandpa! We snuggled them up to keep them warm so that they would be comfy. Fantastic day & weekend if'n I do say so myself. Not only did I get to play ping pong while dancing to the new Michael Buble cd in Ty's parents' driveway (in full view of neighbors, mind you), act like an old lady and pass out candy in a very annoying manner, get enough math help to pass my exam today (I hope)- but I also got to pinch the cheeks of the little ones excessively - and they even liked it.

Frightmares & Family

We are super excited for Frightmares this year! The kids earn it by getting homework points for everyday that they come home and complete their homework in a reasonable amount of time with a good attitude, and it seems to be working wonders. Some of us need motivation a little more than others, if ya know what I mean. And again, I am certainly not above bribery as a parent. If it helps my kids develop habits of doing homework with a good attitude it is worth a whole lot of Frightmares.

Also, I must say that Ty and I have awesome, awesome, awesome, families. This semester has been INSANE, like no semester has been before it, but we have certainly had great help from our families. My favorite part is that the kids are only neglected some of the time, and we don't have to have sandwiches or Papa Murphy's every night (you can only do that for so long, ya know). Last weekend my friend from micro was so excited that her family was helping out for a couple of hours over the weekend, I didn't have the heart to tell her that mine were totally loved and taken care of for the whole weekend. I have never felt so incompetent as I do in my classes right now, but having such awesome support day after day just makes me want to try harder and do better.

Much to be Grateful For

We have so much.

I need to try harder to be more appreciative and thankful for what we have.

I am going to do better.

For Ronald McDonald and his great invention of a Playland.

Ice cream cones that make kids smile.

My Dad who taught me

"What matters is that you do the right thing."

Finding out what that is can be quite a journey.

Kids who never let life get too dull.

Sisters who love you, no matter what.

Pinkie swear.

A family to learn and grow with.

Curious Cousins and an adorable Aunt.

Chubby cheeks and a sassy attitude.

A husband who will:

do the chores

make great dinners

read with the kids

support me in anything

even...

pose for cheesy pictures with me.

Hooray for School!

I can't believe summer break is at an end and the kids are back in school already! They both have great teachers and aids and we are excited for a great year ahead of us.

Royce was super excited about having lunch at school and getting to go to recess 3 times each day. Syd just likes school and is really good about coming home and getting her homework done. Royce has a much harder time, and I'll admit I am not above bribing my kids. In fact, right now everyday they come home and do their homework right away (with a good attitude) they get one homework point. They are saving for Frightmares at Lagoon which is 40 points, and it is totally working! I am ever so sneakily establishing habits and routines, hopefully instilling these in them so that when they are older they already know "how" to do homework or to study. The best part is that they have a great attitude while they are doing it and don't seem to get so frustrated when something may be difficult.

Yup, I'm Officially OLD!

I had a great 30th birthday last week complete with "Welcome to the Old People's Club" comments and the like. I am not super excited to be 30, but I must say I feel as though I have earned it. I have done enough in my life that I can feel good about being 30. (30!)

Just wanted to thank the donors of all the birthday wishes!

Freaky Nightmares!

So Royce has been having some freaky nightmares, and I do mean freaky ones lately. So we looked up some stuff on the lovely internet, and of course decided to make him a dream catcher to help him "catch" his bad dreams. I did not think it would work, but so far so good. If this stops working we are going to try to spray for bad dreams (squirt bottle with water and vanilla). All this stuff seems so weird to me, but it is just heartbreaking to have to see him go through this. I'll do hokey stuff if it helps my little man. Anyone have any good ideas? What do you do when your kids have nightmares?