Today was our first full day back home after vacation. The house is a di-zzzza-ster zone!!! From the moment we arrived yesterday and all day today the boys opened every drawer and pulled out every toy they own...and they are still out all over every room of the house. I just let them thinking, how else was I gonna get all the unpacking done? They hadn't seen their toys in a month and were pretty excited to get back to the old routine.
One thing that is not routine around here is bedtime and getting ready for it. So, tonight while I was doing dishes, Joshua was reading the boys books in Levi's bed. Usually, if Joshua reads the boys books, they ALL fall asleep in Levi's bed, Joshua included. If it's my turn, I read them books on the couch where they fall asleep and I move them...then I stay up a couple more hours.
Well, out of nowhere, I heard Joshua say he needed to go to sleep in his own bed. Then, a bunch of whining like...but daaayaad, i can't sleep without you in heeeeeere, pleeeeease just read us one more boooooook! I went back to figure out what was going on, since, a ha ha hem, we had not discussed this. Joshua said I could sleep with them if I wanted to, but I still had a ton of "we've just been gone for a month" busy work (ie. mail, laundry, etc.) ahead of me, how are we gonna make this fly?
Well, luckily, Joshua had a plan. One told to us by many many parents...if your child gets out of bed, take them by the hand, lead them back to their bed, tuck them back in, and leave the room...all without saying a word.
Guess what? Abey went right to sleep. And thankfully, after what seemed like 2 HOURS later, Levi was finally asleep too. It was horrible at first. Hearing Levi sob so deeply. He genuinely didn't understand why we were all of a sudden "doing this to him" and I felt guilty for not preparing him for it. He'd come in our room, and Joshua would take him back...over and over again. Then, when we'd see his shadow just standing in the doorway, Joshua would get up, and Levi would go running through the house making Joshua chase him. That was actually kind of comical and I couldn't help but giggle. Finally, Levi started saying things like, "why don't you love me anymore?", "I wont talk to you anymore." etc. etc. It was crazy to hear such things come out of his mouth. Things he's never said before. All in an attempt to break Joshua's heart!!! It's crazy to think somewhere, somehow, kids learn to manipulate you with words.
And then it was quiet! YES!
