Year 5, Day 262

I was reading a story to Miles at bedtime when he started rubbing his nose. What began as a few small swipes quickly escalated into something more aggressive, with Miles resorting to using the sleeve of his pajamas. I stopped reading. "Miles, do you need--" "It's just water!" he interrupted. "I got water on my … Continue reading Year 5, Day 262 →

Year 5, Day 256

I met with some friends after work last night, but it wasn't long into the evening (maybe two minutes after I had arrived) that my phone rang. Jaclyn was nearing the end of her rope, faced with a child that was hungry but wouldn't eat, wanted a shower but wouldn't bathe, and was very obviously … Continue reading Year 5, Day 256 →

Year 5, Day 210

As suggested by yesterday's post, being home sick can really turn an already behaviorally-challenged child into an unruly mess of humanity. By dinnertime last night, Miles's failure to listen warranted being sent to his room for time-out. After several minutes (long enough for us, at least, to eat in peace), we went back to Miles's … Continue reading Year 5, Day 210 →

Year 5, Day 197

For the last couple of weeks, Miles has been asking me to put his tent up for a "camp out." Since Jaclyn was hosting a ladies' night downstairs this evening, I thought tonight would be the perfect time for a camping trip. Of course Miles's grand plan was for BOTH of us to sleep in … Continue reading Year 5, Day 197 →

Year 5, Day 188

For a long time, Miles has pleaded and bargained with me not to leave his room at bedtime. "You can sleep here!" he'll say, or "I have a bed!" and "I'll make room for you!" or sometimes, simply, "Stay!" Only recently, however, has his bargaining become a bit more shrewd. I'll almost always lie next … Continue reading Year 5, Day 188 →

Year 5, Day 160

Jaclyn is on a weekend trip to a (get this) silent yoga spa*, which means Miles and I deviated just a tad from his normal bedtime routine tonight and, instead of reading a story, opted to watch some monster truck videos. At one point, I wanted to acknowledge the actual people driving the trucks, since … Continue reading Year 5, Day 160 →

Year 5, Day 154

After more than a week (!) home sick, if Miles finally falls asleep soundly for the night you let him have it, wherever that resting place might be.

Year 5, Day 142

With pillows and cushions once again strewn about the living room today, I was forced to issue a mandate before bedtime: clean this room up...or else. To my surprise, Miles called upstairs just a few minutes later declaring he had restored the couch to its former state. I came downstairs to find that...eh, well, he … Continue reading Year 5, Day 142 →

Year 5, Day 118

It's no secret that Miles loves bedtime stories, both ones that are invented on the spot and more standard storybook fare. When it comes to the latter, he usually insists on three books. I'll then talk him down to two -- we can't sit up reading all night after all. But then, one of those … Continue reading Year 5, Day 118 →

Year 5, Day 109

Today, after enduring three days of escalating hell-like temperatures, our AC was finally serviced. The house was still cooling back down when I left to pick up Miles from daycare, but I still enthusiastically relayed the news once we were in the car. "Buddy, I've got good news," I started. "The air conditioner is working … Continue reading Year 5, Day 109 →