TGIF

I'm so thankful it's Friday.  I've had a migraine that's plagued me most of the week and it seems to finally be gone today.  I also saw the pictures from Jack and Claire's photo shoot and they are awesome!!  When I get them, I'll be sure to share. 

I've been thinking more about Jack's troublesome behavior and what he could be trying to tell me.  I think I've come up with an answer.  The main struggle in the morning is that he's too tired to get up.  This is unusual for him.  He's my early riser.  Or, at least he used to be.  We had to buy him a clock that was programmed to turn a color when he was allowed to get out of bed.  He used to wake up and watch the clock intently until it was time to get out of bed.  In the last few months, the clock hasn't been needed because he was sleeping through and I was having to wake him up to get ready for preschool.  It's harder to stick to a strict bedtime in the summer.  It stays light so much later and time seems to get away from us.  Before we know it, it's 8:30 and we haven't even started baths.  It's also hard to convince the kiddos it's bed time with the sun still streaming through the windows.  So many nights the kids aren't getting to bed until 9:00 or later.  It's funny because I used to be such a stickler for bedtimes, but I've mellowed on this issue in the last couple of years.  Maybe I shouldn't have.

So I decided to try something crazy.  We actually put them to bed at 8:00, their old bed time.  And you know what?  Jack was so much better this morning!  I still had to wake him up, but he didn't seem so sleepy.  He got up, put his clothes on, came out and ate breakfast with nary a tantrum.  It's a miracle!  I hope this is the answer to our morning meltdowns.  I love it when answers are simple.