Bye Bye Cribbie! Hello Chaos?

The Paynelets sleep in the same room. We have kept them in the cribs as long as parently possible. Last summer Georgia (of course) made the first escape from the crib. However, she had shown little interest in repeating her feat. Dashiell however was inspired and several weeks later he perfected his own method and proceeded to use it over and over and over again at every opportunity. Ben, in the higher-sided crib escaped only once but did not like the final drop to the ground and I don't think he tried again.
Nap time became a repetition of retrieving Dash from Ben or Georgia's crib. Thankfully it was less a problem at bedtime. However, naps or in the morning Georgia or Ben's cries meant they were trying to sleep but Dash wanted to play . . . often on top of them.
Parental debates were held. Do we get netting? chicken wire? Since Violet does not keep secrets and we want to avoid a visit from DCFS (Violet said we keep the babies in cages? wherever could she have gotten that idea?) The only option seemed to be a switch to toddler beds. The thought seemed too nightmarish to contemplate.
However, after Ben's crib started to look like it was about to fall apart under the stress of 2-3 of them shaking the sides at once we decided to bite the bullet. We've had the beds in the basement since the summer. It was time for installation.
The switch has not been as bad as it could have been. It actually started off pretty good. The Paynelets watched construction with rapt attention and they were all very excited about their new beds. The first few nights they actually went to bed and stayed there. Since then they have reveled in their freedom and ability to turn on the lights. Bedtime is now playtime - but that is certainly better than crib explosions. Erin is the best though - she has the magic touch to get them to sleep in short order.

funny face

The other day I was searching for a specific photo on my computer and stumbled on about (no joke) 300 photos Violet and Jack had taken on photo booth. Most are variations on these. Crazy what will entertain them.

Brothers to your corners

More nap fun, at least they are sleeping right?

naps?!?

Lately this is how naps have been shaking down... Georgia goes right to sleep, wakes up happy and ready for action
Ben, having finally fallen asleep about 20 min before it is time to wake up, is dazed & confused.
Dashiell, I am pushing the door into trying to get in the door, still sound asleep on the floor. How long will this last?

Here she is on her way home (30 min in the car)

totally tuckered out after her first day of all day school.

Kindergarten!

Violet's 1st day of kindergarten was a smashing success. Her teacher is a former ballerina with the Joffery Ballet what more could she ask for?

Seriously, after much angst (by me mostly) in selecting a school for Violet, we feel really lucky to have ended up at Disney. She loves going to school each day and we are thrilled to watch her blossom.

For her 1st day I appliqued an apple on her dress to match (in spirit) the dress that I wore to my first day of kindergarten. She looks so grown up!