Sleep Deprivation

I think my whole household is suffering from sleep deprivation. I don't understand my kids at all. They are both up with the sun (at least that's the rule I finally had to make when Hayden kept coming in our room before 6:00 - he couldn't wake up until the sun woke up.) So between 6:00 and 6:30 every morning I have two happy, ready to conquer the day cuties jumping into my bed to wake me up. I am SO NOT a morning person! I don't get them. Rebecca has a 2 - 3 hour nap in the afternoon, but Hayden doesn't nap anymore. He'll usually crash for about 2 hours once during the week, and he usually has a forced nap on Sunday, but he won't sleep unless we lay down with him- which I can't do every day during the week, as much as I'd like to. So then they are going strong till bedtime at 9:00. The smart thing for me to do would be to go to bed by 10 or 10:30 so I get a good full night sleep before they're up and ready to go at 6:19 (this morning's time.) But no, as tired as I am by the time they go to bed, I have to have some time for myself, so I end up staying up too late, just for the cycle to repeat itself. Is it normal for kids to only get 9 - 9 1/2 hours of sleep a night???? I've contemplated putting them to bed earlier, but I still have hope, even after almost 4 years that they'll start liking sleep and they'll sleep past 7:00. It does happen once in a blue moon, and those mornings are WONDERFUL! So along with their early mornings they get a mom who is sleep deprived and not so happy to see a whole box of cereal poured out onto the floor. Hmm, go wonder. I learned an important lesson watching Curious George the other day (yes, he is very wise.) "Kids need sleep to grow." So here's my question... How much sleep do kids need? When I asked one pediatrician years ago (when Hayden was about 18 months) he said probably a total of 10 - 12 hours a day. Yes, including naps and night. I had to ask him because that seemed so little to me. I didn't like that answer. I'm thinking I might have to start putting them to sleep earlier and give up hope of them sleeping in, and risk the chance that Rebecca won't take such long afternoon naps. What do you think???
P.S. I appologize if I don't sound so happy and perky, I'm a little tired. :)

I Got Duped!

I'm so irritated. I went to Target today - that's not the irritating part- and on my way out a homeless man came asking for money. I usually don't give any money to pan handlers because first of all, I usually don't carry any cash, just my debit card, and second, I guess I'm a little cynical and I assume they'll use the money for alcohol or cigarettes. So at first I told him no and started loading my car. Then I started thinking about the time of year, and that I should give service and help those in need. And I started remembering my scripture reading from last night, about having charity, and helping less fortunate. So my guilt finally got the best of me and I waved the guy back over and gave him a dollar bill. Not much, but I figured I at least did something good. I had that good feeling, knowing I helped someone out, until he quickly ran to the next aisle of cars and started running and waved down his friend that was working that row of cars, and then I saw them whistle down a car that was driving through the parking lot, run and hop in the car and peel out. Did he think I couldn't see him? I guess he didn't care once he got some money. I don't know what my measley dollar is going to help them with. I guess to be fair, I don't know the entire situation, but I immediately felt duped. Oh well, I guess I can still feel good that my heart was in the right place. But unfortunately when I went to another store tonight and got asked by someone else for some money for gas I wasn't willing to help. Return of my cynicism I guess. Especially when he asked if I could go with him and use my card to help fill up his car with gas, and he'd "send me some money in the mail." Sorry, I don't think so.

That's My Man!

So, I've been doing some major de-junking and organizing in our house. I went through all the closets last week, which led to finding my box of journals, which led to abandoning cleaning and organizing to read through old journals and strolling down memory lane. It was interesting reading through entries about guys I was dating before I met Jerry. All the confusion about "how do I feel?" "How do they feel?" Stress of relationship ups and downs, and all that fun stuff. Then I met Jerry and my journal entries were much more calm, and there wasn't all that stress. I started reading all about my thoughts when we first met, started dating, got engaged, etc. and my heart was just swelling with all those warm feelings of love for this man that was just so perfect for me. Jerry was already asleep in bed, but with all those romantic feelings of love, I had to glance over at this amazing prince charming that won my heart. What do I see? Jerry sprawled out, with his mouth open slightly, snoring lightly, and saliva drooling out onto his cheek. I couldn't help but laugh out loud. That roused him enough to do a big snort, roll onto his side, and scratch his behind. Yip, that's my man. It was kind of funny.

Roylance Halloween Party

Warning: Warning: MAJOR picture OVERLOAD

(I need to figure out how to do the slideshows.)

So, guess what we dressed up as for the Halloween party?? Need a CLUE?? Yes, the Clue characters. In the past we've done a family theme, but this year we decided to go in with Rebecca, Chad, Angela, and Joseph to do the clue characters. Notice all the weapons are in the picture too. My favorite fashion accessory was the peacock feathers in my hair. I know I put a TON of pictures on this post, but everyone's outfits are so great, that I needed to put all of them on. (For some reason I didn't get a picture of Joseph and Angela's family (Mr. Green and Miss Scarlett, and Ethan was a great Spiderman, and Alex was a darling Superman.) Enjoy.

Jerry as Col. Mustard

Sarah as Mrs. Peacock

Our family, Hayden was obviously Darth Vader and Rebecca was Minnie Mouse. (She had just woken up, and wasn't ready to wear her ears.)

Our Family again - this time without the mask.

My Mummy and Dead Daddy. Isn't this creative. It's masking tape with the edges colored with a brown crayon. I don't think there was one picture taken when they weren't in character. Do you wonder where us Roylance's get it from??? Wonder no more.

They won the "Scariest Costume" award.

My niece, Rachel. She is going to BYU and it was so fun having her at the party.

Rebecca and Chad's family. He was Prof. Plum, and she was Mrs. White. She won the "Best Costume" award. (I especially love her white streak in her hair.)

Darrin and Elizabeth's family. Fun 50's family. They were great - especially their introduction! :)

Mark and Karen's family. They were hillarious. They won the "Silliest Costume" award.

We went on a photo scavenger hunt. So here is our picture with a headstone.

Also for the scavenger hunt. Our picture of a train going down a slide.

Once Rebecca woke up a little bit she was more willing to wear her ears, for a picture at least.

Dad, slipping away into the Mummy Zone. I don't know how he does it, but he can fall asleep anywhere - even in the middle of a wild Halloween party.

First Haircut!

Final Product- cut and styled.

Believe it or not, Rebecca will be 2 next month and still hasn't had her first haircut. Basically she is a girl, so I didn't see the need, since I want to grow it out. Jerry is such a cute dad, and I never thought he'd have such an opinion about his little girl's hair. He has wanted her to have a haircut for a long time. He LOVES to comb her hair, and he'd love for her to have bangs. Well, we compromised. She got her first trim, and I admit it was needed. But no bangs - with as busy as my little girl is, I don't want to take scissors to her forehead and try to keep bangs trimmed that often. I was so surprised. She was such a big girl. She sat so still and let Angela cut it without moving much at all. She is growing up so much, and SO much FUN!!

Trip to Utah

Here is Jerry practicing his best presidential impersonation.

WARNING: PICTURE OVERLOAD!!!

We were able to go up to Utah for a fun, fall vacation. It worked out great because Jerry had to fly to Ohio for work on Tuesday, so he took off the previous Thurs. and Fri., then was able to fly out of SLC on Monday, but that was considered a travel day so he didn't have to take it as a day off. I was originally going to stay until Thursday, but I wasn't looking forward to the drive, and by staying till Friday I was able to see my brother and sis.-in-law, Dave and Jana, and two of their kids, Jayden and Meghan that came from Colorado to see Rachel at BYU's parent's weekend. It was a great trip. We had our annual Halloween party, which was great. (I'll do a whole post about that.) We also went to Hill Air Force Base. Hayden loved seeing all the big planes. It was just great to be with family and for the kids to play with their cousins that they don't see as much.

Our family at Hill Air Force Base


Rebecca hanging out at Grandma and Grandpa Roylance's


Hayden having posing in his favorite "Star Wars" shirt.


Rebecca was excited to try driving to Utah.

Hayden and his cousin, Ethan. What cuties.

The three of them had fun playing alphabet games on Starfall.com (one of my favorite kid sites.)

Hayden was amazed at how huge those wheels were.

Hayden in a jet seat. This is his favorite new face to pull.

Once again, his favorite new silly face to pull. Do you think he's related to his mom???

He had a blast climbing on the rocks in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard - which is usually illegal, but we're rule breakers. He's such a cautious little boy I knew he'd be fine, especially since Rebecca was asleep and not watching and getting ideas.

Ethan, Alex, Hayden, and Rebecca

My kids LOVE babies. Anytime Baby Alex was around Hayden and Rebecca were glued to him, and usually very soft. That was so good to see, and made me excited to see how they'll be with their new baby sister.

My Birthday

Happy Birthday to me. I've been out of town so it is time to play catch up. My birthday was a couple weeks ago and it was a great 32nd. birthday. We had Jerry's family over on the Sunday before for cake and ice cream. Jerry made me this DELICIOUS cake. It was his own creation. With crushed up Butterfinger and Recees Pieces on top it was definitely a winner. We're going to have to start making two cakes when family comes over, especially when Jerry makes such good cakes. His family was so sweet. They spoiled me with gifts, and it was great having them over. I really appreciated them driving across town just to come celebrate... me. Thanks everyone.
On my actual birthday (Tues. the 14th) I took the kids to their sports classes at the rec. center, which is always fun anyway, but especially fun knowing it was my birthday.
Then I took the van in to get the check engine light off/ fixed before our trip, and Jerry met us and drove us home. My friend, Maria took me to lunch that day for my B-day. Delicious! I love the Olive Garden. And the kids were wonderful there. (Added Birthday gift.) When I got home I called the repair shop and found out our van would cost around $750 to fix - with a warranty. NOT the best present. But oh, well, what do you do? That day I got several calls from family and friends. It meant a lot to me. And when Jerry got home he took me out to dinner. I ate WAY too much on my birthday. My girlfriends, Pam, Rochelle, and Heidi took me to dinner on Wed. night too. It was fun. Then we headed up to Utah Thurs. morning. Now it is time to detox my system after all that eating out, plus a trip to Utah. My birthday week was great, full of food, thoughful friends, and fun. Thanks everyone. Even with a pricey car repair it was wonderful.