Themed Bedtimes...

Aryka and Rulon all have different bed sets to help differentiate between which bed is there's and to help keep Rulon thinking more like a boy than...well, you know. So our family has decided to give Rulon, Cars and Aryka, Princess.

Rulon has Cars pajamas, pillows, blanket, sheets, AND sippy cup. Aryka has everything Rulon does but in Princess.

But she also has her official blankie. It has to be in bed with her and she has to be touching it at all times or she has a fit. Granted, she's had that blankie all her life and doesn't like being away from it at night. It used to be all day, but has turned into just at night. But if she goes into the bedroom and it's not there she freaks out and starts thinking the world is ending. We have to hurry when we wash it, otherwise she knows it's missing.

So nighty night everyone and sweet dreams...

just a side note:Ben's Aunt Jane made Aryka the blanket and it was given to her when she was about 5 months old. So to her, it has always been with her.

Rockin' Out!

After dinner, Aryka wanted her hair done and when Mommy asked what she wanted done to it, she replied, "Lots and lots of braids!" Unfortunately, her hair is too thin to put tons of little braids in it, so Merritt was able to do at least 5. This was the result:

When Rulon saw what Aryka had, he wanted his hair done too. He actually sat still while Mommy was putting his hair in ponytails. He kep trying to touch it and feel the hair stick up on end. Luckily it ended up like a ponytail mohawk, otherwise Daddy would've been angry at Mommy...

After their hais was all done, they wanted to play Guitar Hero with Daddy and so each had a turn 'playing' the guitar. Rulon got mad when his turn was over and kept trying to take the guitar away from Aryka. Aryka would then give him the stink eye...

All in all, they enjoyed playing with the guitar and having their hair done.

Well, maybe Rulon enjoyed it a little bit more than Aryka...

Gettin' Down with the Dead

Before Merritt's mom left us in early February, we all took a trip to Luxembourg and St. Avold American Cemeteries.The day we went was very cold and all of us were bundled up tight. Aryka kept trying to take off her coat and Merritt kept having to put it back on her. Rulon understood the solemnity of where he was and showed proper respect and decorum. Or... he was really bored. The graves that probably affected our family the most were the unknowns.

At St. Avold, we got there near closing and we were able to help with retiring the flags.
It was the best experience our family has had and we plan on going back soon.