Naptimes

Ok. So there are very few things in this world that are sacred to a mother. Naptime is one of those things. I believe in naps. I cherish naps. I enjoy naptime in my household.

There is a downside though. To get to the glorious end result (which is when both of my girls are asleep at the same time) it takes a lot of work. Patience (which I lack), a schedule ( which I have!), and morning playtime that will get them ready for the hiatus from the world. My girls have an agenda most days. Play, bug Mommy, and refuse to take a nap. That's about it in their world. Occasionally they add in some snuggle time, maybe even a blissful 30 minutes when they watch an entire episode of Dora the Explorer (curse me if you must, but she's my savior sometimes). But when 11:45 a.m. hits, they begin the revolt. They wind themselves up, prepare for battle, and even at times join forces. Like I said, I have a schedule, so they know when it's coming. Lunch is winding down, they've jumped off the couch a few times, and this Mama claps her hands and says "Allllright...."

And they know.

What that means for me is suddenly they will share a mind. A plan. With one look and grin at each other my girls can devise my destruction. Oh yes, I've learned what my little Grinch-Grinners can do. They take off in two directions, neither headed toward their own room, because that would make it too easy. One under the table, one under the desk. Usually my first victim is the youngest, because every good mother knows, you should change diapers before naps. I'll admit, if the wrangling is rough, it's straight to bed for Monster#2. For her, it's giggles and shrieks as she is swooped in the air and deposited safely in her crib. For me, it's back pain and a burst ear drum, with a ringing sensation left in said ears as I throw back an "I love you" and run off after the next.

Monster#1. She is slick, and she is QUICK. Most little ones can't resist giggling when they are hiding. This one? Oh she is quiet as a mouse when she is avoiding that bundle of pink blankies waiting on her bed. The first logical place to check is under the computer desk, unless she has moved since her sister was tucked in. Always a sure possibility. So instead of hunting her down like the Huntsman and Snow White, I decide to take a different approach. I sweetly grab up all those delightful little lovies that my daughter cannot sleep without... And I hide them. It's evil I'm sure. But it gets her attention, because if there is anything my oldest spawn hates more than naptime, it's having someone (even Mommy) move her lovies.

A few quick wrestles with her and a change of movie or two (yes, she has a tv in her room, get over it), and she is soon to be down for the count.

What does this mean for Mommy? A treat, like a piece of chocolate and a heating pad for my aching pregnant back. Plus the t.v., the glorious t.v. all to my little lonesome. Grey's Anatomy, here I come!