For over a month now it has been hard to get both girls to go to sleep at a decent hour. We try the standard - run their energy down by letting them play hard outside, feed them a big dinner, bathe and ready them for bed (with the same schedule as winter), and yet, at 8:30 pm, they still are wide awake.
Note that I said they are "wide awake" versus "not tired."
Attitudes are rampant (overtired) and they cannot get themselves to sleep. They have lost priveleges and pamperings, and still sleep does not come. Last night Lillian did not drop off into slumberland until 11:00 pm.
And this means that I can't sleep. Call it motherhood - I cannot sleep until I know my girls are asleep and all is well. I drift in and out sometimes, sure - but good old fashioned sleep has been elusive.
Tomorrow the girls go to Maine to visit their Grammy and PawPaw for a week. Surely, I am assured some sleep then. Alas, I have found it is hard to sleep when the girls aren't home. I fear my future with empty nest syndrome.....
While the girls are away with Grammy and PawPaw I have some things planned:
First, clean the house (after all, a good cleaning will certainly wear me down, and I hope be comforted by the unusual non-clutter);
Second, paint the bathroom. Yes, I am crazy. But the flower wallpaper has to go! It has been 4 years since we bought our home and I still get nauseated when I walk into the bathroom.
Third, a true SPRING cleaning of the girls bedroom. ALL toys will be reviewed, sorted, and what is staying will definitely be relocated from the bedroom to the playroom.
Lastly, some good dark curtains will be put up against the windows in the girls bedroom. According to Lillian, it is her "natural clock" that won't let her sleep (a direct quote from 2 nights ago). I call it curtains that aren't dark enough and they let too much summer light in. I love New England - and I love New England summers. They usually aren't too hot, and when they are the time is short. But like summer everywhere, the days are long and that means children don't care to go to sleep.
All in all, the girls are enjoying their summer. Both are excited for school in the fall (Lillian to Kindergarten and Rosina to 3 year old Preschool), but have been overjoyed at gardening, sandturtle play and general backyard fun. We hosted a large family BBQ on the Fourth of July that was fantastic fun, with lots of backyard games (Polish Horseshoes, anyone?)
Both Rob and I have been working too hard and playing too little. Part of my lack of sleep can certainly be attributed to work. Here, nearing the end of July, I have found that my priorities at work are shifting and the burden is a bit lighter (Fiscal Close is done! yea!) and I am assured less stress. Next week while the children are away, the parents will play....and sleep. Lots of sleep.....zzzzzzz.
