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 →

Year 5, Day 87

Most nights I'll check on Miles before bed and have to make some small adjustment to his blanket or pillows. Last night I found him like this: Some nights he DOES sleep like his mother.

Year 5, Day 68

Today was...rough. For a number of reasons, both personal and professional, I returned home after another long Wednesday feeling completely battered. As I pulled into the driveway and pushed the button to open the garage, I craned my neck, as I always do, to look up to Miles's bedroom window and see if he's asleep … Continue reading Year 5, Day 68 →

Year 5, Day 62

One of Miles's favorite times of day (and mine too) is during that brief window between lying down and falling asleep. Miles often wants his back, cheek, or head rubbed while I cuddle close with him, and I'll typically oblige until he finally drifts off (which I do sometimes too). Tonight, once I was pretty … Continue reading Year 5, Day 62 →

Year 5, Day 43

Nothing says "I am tired and ready to go to bed" quite like a gloved four-year-old hauling a punching bag into your bathroom at 9:00 and proceeding to beat the tar out of it. Float like a butterfly, sleep like a...an animal that refuses to sleep.