5/2/10

The girls woke up early again today. That's ok - we got a head start on the days activities. We started the day with breakfast at Friendly's with Andy. Then off to Sam's Club for a few things. Came home to take naps but Emily wasn't feeling well so she couldn't sleep. She was congested and couldn't suck her thumb...so she couldn't sleep....so she kept the other 2 awake by getting out of bed and giving them books. I'm sure other parents out there would think I'm crazy for being 'mad' about her giving the other 2 books...but they needed to sleep! 3 kids sans naps are a recipe for disaster.

I ran to the store while they tried to sleep but since they weren't sleeping - Pete got them up and fed them lunch. I came back and they were having lunch outside on the deck. Lucky for them it was beautiful outside today. After lunch we tried naps again. This time it was a success but only because I kept Emily with me and let the other 2 sleep. Emily helped me clean up the mess in the living room.

We separated all of their toys into bins. We have a different bin for just about everything now. Music, tea set, kitchen set, food, puppets and so on. This was NOT my idea - it was very much 'borrowed' from my cousin Jen whom we went to visit just yesterday. But I saw how the girls stayed occupied for 5 straight hours simply by alternating the toys they played with rather than having them all out at the same time. I knew I needed to do the same thing at home and I knew I couldn't wait. It was such a positive experience that I decided to do it today. So we did it. And we'll see how well it works.

We played outside for a while. First just snack at the picnic table. Then another 'borrowed' idea...we played with a water table. Last year the girls hated their little swimming pool. They wanted nothing to do with it. But they loved playing in the water table yesterday so while at the store today I bought a bucket (picture a bucket you put in the sink for dishes) for $2. I put water in it with some toys and let them play. It didn't take long for Emily to jump into the bucket...she didn't fit really...but she found a way to put her whole self in there! So I ran with it. I brought out the pool and put about 2" of water in it. They LOVED it. Played in there for almost 2 hours straight.

And...since Emily was spiking fevers all day - this was the PERFECT solution to keeping her cool! (Along with some Motrin and Tylenol throughout the day as well).

Andy, Amanda and Christina came over for a cookout - burgers and hot dogs (can't go wrong there). Then it was time for bed. Early too - they were wiped out. So they were sound asleep by 6:30 tonight.

Andy cleaned the kitchen, Amanda took Christina home so they could do their night thing, I worked out, Pete hung out and now...it's time for relaxing.