Still working

After Chuck E. Cheese I felt Callen was digressing and had a couple of rough nights. Like he would not stay in his bed after I took him back there finally both of us were exhausted and he decided to pack his pillow, bear and blanket into our room and camp out next to my side of the bed. He had picked going to breakfast at the local cafe for his reward this week. Even though this was his choice I don't think it was a big enough incentive for him because he kept getting up, so I suggested going for ice cream. This seemed to help, so on Sunday afternoon we went out for an ice cream cone. If that isn't the best $3 I've ever spent I don't know what is. Since having that mint chocolate chip ice cream cone and seeing his brother get a birthday cake flavored one he has slept through the night by himself for the last three nights. Sunday night after reading books to him I told him that to earn the next ice cream prize he had to stay in his bed all night, not just sleep by himself in his bed. He couldn't get out of bed unless he had to go to the bathroom. Sunday night after I wished him good night and went to get ready for bed myself I hear his door open and he hollars, "Mom, I'm just going potty." I found this funny because we always brush teeth and go potty before stories. But he was excellent and went right back to bed. I decided I better reinforce the good behavior so I went in a little later and told him how proud I was of him for following the directions.

He really seems to want that birthday cake ice cream.

Maybe we can finally get him sleeping consistently all night and then tackle the binki for Claysen....maybe, it all depends on how strong I can be.

Finally working

I'm finally addressing the sleep issue with Callen. I think he's slept through the night in his own bed about 20 times since birth. Yes, that's right, and he is 4 1/2 years old!

Whoever said bribing you kid is wrong or doesn't work?

Callen has been talking about Chuck E. Cheese for a while now, asking if we can go or to have his birthday party there. I've been dreading the day I would have to take my kids there. So I sucked it up and decided if he wanted to go bad enough he might stay in his bed. For a week I was very diligent about not staying with him until he fell asleep then I kicked it into high gear and did the same thing in the middle of the night for the next week. I would just walk him back to bed and snuggle him a quick second and head back to my bed. He successfully slept alone all every night. Not always sleeping all night or not getting out of bed, but I didn't lay with him and he didn't sleep in our bed either. Out of 8 nights that he sucessfully did this he slept all night with out getting out of bed 3 of those nights. Three in one week!!! One early morning he got up, walked out of his room noticed it was still dark and went back to his bed all by himself. I was shocked.

Last night was reward night. We took him to Chuck E. Cheese. Our friends Tyler and Shelly went with us with their little boy. It made going a little more bearable. Thanks guys.

So hopefully the sleeping all night will gradually get better each week. I just have to keep it consistent. I think I am actually getting better sleep this way so it should be easier for me to stick with it.

Yeah!!

We've been Busy!

I think September was one of the busiest months for us. We had 3 weddings to attend and a party, one every weekend! Thanks to everyone who babysat for us!

These first two pictures are when we were in Twin Falls for the 3rd wedding we attended. We got the boys to pose before the ceremony and I think the picture of Claysen is "pro." The scenery was beautiful so we took advantage. I was surprised how warm it was so late in September, but we sure enjoyed it. Now the weather is defenately FALL! It is as if the thermostat was quickly turned down from Summer to late Fall.

They day after the wedding we took the boys to see Shoshone Falls just outside of Twin Falls, ID. I knew the falls wouldn't be at their best but still wanted to show the kids. I think they liked it. While we were there some canoes rowed up to the base of the falls. It puts a new perspective on them. The really look huge when you can see the ant-sized people down below.

Dracula-Claysen...

I share my home with a pig and a horse. Callen received a book for his 3rd birthday that has four masks of animals in it. Last night the boys were having a good time pretending to be farm animals.

Callen is going to dress up as a cowboy for Halloween and was practicing the other day. Today Claysen decided it was his turn. This is Rusty's hat and Callen chinks/chaps that he got for his birthday. This is my favorite shot of the dress-up because I love his eyes so much! He has the greatest smile!
This is just plain cute!