Birthday Parties!!!

Before we had kids, Steve and I had BIRTHDAY WEEKS!!  It was SO FUN!!

We'd do something every night for a week and even one year got a gift each day of the week, I think!  It was fun.  My mother-in-law makes still talks about our "Birthday weeks" we used to have.

Well, then came kids....

And, now it seems like THEY get the birthday weeks.

So, Tyler's started a week before his birthday.  We went our for dinner at Carlos and decided to tell them it was his birthday!!  He got to wear a Sombrero and get his picture taken.  (Tyler does like to get his picture taken!!)  The staff doesn't sing to you---so we all sang to him!!

Then, a FRIEND Birthday Party

Jackson, Ethan, Tyler, and Harrison

Braden and Jacob couldn't come!!

We went to LUNAR GOLF (glow in the dark miniature golf) at the Mall.

It was FUN!!!

Of course Jaden and Paige joined us!!!

Then, a FAMILY Birthday Party

Our new addition to our Birthday Decorations!

Tyler's teacher made these blocks ( I bought them from her).

I love them!  And, the other side is GIRLY!!!!   So cute!!

It took Tyler a while to decide what his "theme" was going to be.

He picked Basketball.

He debated about Football but we decided since he didn't play football this year, we'd do Basketball and then Football next year---since he plans to play football next year! 

 We'll see if he really chooses Football next year!!

Listening to his MUSICAL Card....

Of course, birthdays are FUN because of the GIFTS!!!!!

Nurf football, Wal-mart gift-card, Kinex's, $CASH$, Disney Apples to Apples game, a new sweat-suit, Crocs (real CROCS, not the Target brand!!!, an NBA Wii basketball game---Jaden appreciated this gift and even thanked Grandma and Grandpa!! and an electric scooter!!!

As usual---he made out quite good!!!

Riding his new scooter a few days later----in his new sweat-suit!!!

We have some SERIOUS rules with this scooter---it could be dangerous!!!

The be-loved GRANDPARENTS

Tyler's cousins and siblings!

And, then TREATS TO SCHOOL

I let Paige go with me to take the treats to school because Jaden and Grandpa Roth

 ate lunch with Tyler earlier this day!!

What to take for snacks at school????

Tyler wanted M&M cookies.  So, I thought I would be a good mom and make homemade cookies!!  I don't think I have made "homemade" cookies in at least 5 years.  Why? 

When the cookie dough at the store is SO GOOD!!!  

I made a double batch so Jaden could take some to school too.

3 hours later..... I am finally done!

Tyler tries the cookies and DOES NOT LIKE THEM!!!  His exact words, "they don't taste like the other cookies we always have."  (the store bought dough).  I said, "they are homemade".  "Homemade?" he questions.... I don't think he even knew what "homemade" was!! or that there is a difference from how I normally make them!

So-- "good mom" does not mean homemade cookies at my house!

The Pillsbury dough is good enough for my kids!!   Awesome for me!!

Here's Tyler at 8 years old.

One tooth growing in and another about to fall out!!!

And, we're getting a haircut this week!  How short can I go with it??

Birthday Week is OVER!!!  Til next year!  We love you!

Happy Birthday Tyler

Well, I did not get Christmas DONE!! 

So, we'll take a break from Christmas 2010 and celebrate Tyler's 8th Birthday!!!

My friend Deb took these pictures in October!!  Isn't he handsome!!

Tyler at age 8----He LOVES football and basketball.  When the weather was nicer, Jaden and Tyler would dress up in their "football clothes" and play tackle football with each other until we made them come in.  The boys also love to play basketball together in the basement.  Tyler is starting to like to play the Wii more---probably due to the cold weather!!  He also loves to watch Basketball and Football on TV.  He is very knowledgeable about college football and basketball and he is just learning and figuring out NBA and NFL sports.  Tyler knows every player on the K-state basketball team.  In addition, he amazed my mom by naming MANY (most) of the college's mascots! 


Tyler is still a happy, funny boy!!  He likes to JOKE.  He likes to make-up knock-knock jokes.....and you have to make yourself laugh, because they are not funny!!!!  But, he cracks up!!  Tyler LOVES his brother and sister.  He plays with Jaden so well and takes good care of Paige and helps her.  


Tyler is a good student and the teachers all love him at school.  He is in the highest reading group at school again and continues to excel in school.  Spelling comes easy for him.  (He did not get this from his mom!!)  He loves math!!!  and does VERY WELL at it!!!


A few months ago he started taking piano lessons and really seems to enjoy it!  He is learning "real" songs that he knows now and thinks that's pretty cool.  Jaden and Paige will sing while he plays his songs.  He loves music so piano is a good fit with that!


At age 8 he is losing his baby teeth.  He currently has one big hole in the front of his mouth!  It is so funny!!!  We are waiting for his front tooth to grow in.  And he has 2 more loose!!!  


For his birthday----Tyler got to go to Michigan with me to visit Sydney (and Jeremy, Aunt Stacy, and Uncle Jason.)  He was super excited to ride on an airplane and I think he enjoyed having time alone with mom!!

I printed this for Tyler to remind him of all the things we did in Michigan!!  We had so much fun!  We surprised Jeremy with Tyler coming -- we got to Michigan a day before Jeremy's 10th b-day!  We went to clinic with Sydney and then Jeremy got to skip school one day and we went to Dick's Sporting Good store so Jeremy could spend his B-day gift card!  The boys bought matching blue sweatshirts!!   It was a great trip!!!  Way better than any silly gift we could have gotten him!!!


We love you Tyler John!!  can't wait to see what this year will bring for you!!!

Happy Birthday JESUS!!!

I am DETERMINED to get caught up on all my Christmas pictures this weekend!  (mostly because it's Tyler's b-day Monday and then I'll really be behind, if I don't!!)  

Dec. 22nd is Steve's b-day--so we always celebrate that with his family!

Dec. 24th is Christmas with the Balzer's and

Dec. 25th is Christmas at the Roth's!

SO----December 23rd has become our FAMILY NIGHT!!!!

Some years we let each kid open a small gift like new PJ"s, one year we got a new game to play, and one year they all got a movie for movie night!  

This year---we had a Birthday PARTY of Jesus!!!

First we made a HUGE Birthday sign!!!

Can you see the stable and the manger on the left.  Of course the cross.

and I think those are crowns---I can't remember!!

This is Jaden's section!

Tyler likes to WRITE!  and sing!!

YES!  This is Paige's corner of the poster!

THEN---we made cupcakes, frosted them, and SPRINKLED them!

YUMMY!!!  or YUMMY??

It was a FUN FAMILY NIGHT!

The kids asked if we could "Act out the Jesus story"  

So, we read about Jesus' birth and all took turns acting out the different parts!  

I bet we did it 5 or 6 times!  They loved it!!!  

And then a week later or so, I heard Tyler ask his friend, "Did you have a Birthday party for Jesus?"  His friend said no, with a questionable look on his face.

Tyler then looked at me and said, "we did, didn't we mom---and we're going to do that every year, right?"

SO---I guess we will do it again!!!

Next year I am going to have each kid take 3 things from their rooms to give away to other kids.  This will help get rid of toys before we get NEW toys, help them to remember to GIVE,

 and remind them that Jesus got 3 gifts at his birth!!!  

It will also remind us to GIVE as Jesus GIVES TO US!!! 

And, I think the evening took place with no major fights or anyone being sent to their rooms!

AHHHH-----Happy Birthday Jesus!!!