You will sleep or I will make you sleep!

So Boot Camp: Sleep Style is in full force at our home over the last couple of days. As mentioned in the previous post, the boy has nap issues. And really, it was not working for me anymore. I have never been one to read a million parenting books or one that has stuck to a strict time schedule with my kids- it was always more of a loose time schedule and just kind of seeing what worked. If I'm being honest with myself, Cole has not been on much of a schedule at all. He just got to fill his needs in between what we were doing for everyone else. Hence the almost 8 month old with sleep issues. So, in an effort to turn over a new leaf, we began some sleep training, which means lots of time at home with a baby crying in his crib. We've had some good hour cryfests that result in a short nap, and then some more crying, but the point is we are trying. I'm giving it a good week- a set morning and afternoon naptime, as well as an earlier bedtime. Also, no feedings before naps. Now it's just about endurance. How long can I stand the crying? How long will he keep crying? Wish me lots of luck and a strong will. I'm definitley going to need it if I'm going to win this battle. He is cute though. His second tooth is well in place, and he's begun to roll circles across the floor. Still no where near crawling, but I'm not really complaining about that. And honestly, even though he still hasn't totally caught on to the whole sleep idea, he's been a happier boy since Boot Camp has begun. Maybe it will pay off in the end...

Besides all that, we are getting excited for Easter. Mya had her little egg hunt at school today and came home with lots of candy. Just what we need!

Little Boo is perfecting her art skills and actually did a great job coloring this egg for her Aunt Jessica. I'm also trying to teach her how to play on the computer and how to write her name. So far we've only worked on the "J" and really we're not even close. We'll just keep working at it.

She also changed her clothes nine (yes, 9) times yesterday. I counted. From PJ's in the morning to the PJ's she slept in- nine clothing changes. She also had her PJ's for the night out and ready before lunchtime yesterday. She did wear them for one of her many outfits, but not for bed. I love this girl.

She has been loving jumping on the trampoline with me lately. We just hold hands and jump around. Sometimes I'll bounce her. She'll do an occasional trick and I'll bust out the old back flip and she's happy as a lark. Our poor trampoline is really biting the dust big time. Our net is literally falling apart, which means we have taken a few spills lately. Jada even flew out one of the holes. It may need to go bye-bye.

And lastly, some videos. The first is a song I taught Jada to try and learn her name. There is some unintentional wisdom in choosing short names for your kids. Imagine trying to teach her something like Alexandria or something super long like that! And after, enjoy some nice tricks on the junked-out trampoline. We love Spring!

Anti-Napper

The kid won't nap. At least not for very long. I think he caught wind of the rumor that I was going to remove his title as "The Worst Napper Ever" and has set out to prove that he is still very deserving of it. We had a good little spell where I thought he was maybe cured of the "power nap" but I think it was more that he was sick than that he actually discovered the joy that comes from a good, long nap. In his defense, it's honestly not his fault. The kid has had to cater to three older sisters' schedules which means a lot of car time. So, I'm going to ask for some advice. Any tips from moms who are wiser than I? Because apparently having 4 children makes me no where near an expert. A normal nap day for Cole is an occasional catnap in the car, and then maybe one or two naps in his crib that last 20 to about 45 minutes (but usually not that long). Thirty minutes would be a safe average. Even on days where he doesn't sleep in the car, he still won't nap for long in his crib. We even bought a white noise machine which has been unsuccessful. It is driving me crazy! I'm trying to tell myself that it is just a phase and he'll grow into naps, but maybe he won't! Has anyone else ever dealt with this?

Spring Break- so sad to see it end!

I thoroughly enjoyed myself this Spring Break. It really made me look forward to summer with the lax schedule and endless time to do fun stuff with my kids. Our life has been pretty hectic so to have a week of almost nothing was awesome. Jake is switching positions at his job starting Monday so he took Friday of last week off work to have a little fun. We batted around several ideas of what to do and went back and forth on different things, but turns out with it being Spring Break our options were kind of limited as lots of things were busy. We ended up going to the good old Oil Ranch for a little family fun.
While checking out these chickens, Jada said something about, "When I was a chicken..."

I was actually really surprised that Jada would get on the horse without a problem. The kid is totally afraid of animals but took some big steps in overcoming her fears on this day.

The hay ride was a favorite part of the day, except for when the horse bit Elle's hand. As you can imagine, that didn't go over too well.

The kids were really excited about doing the bounce house (don't ask me how that really fits into the whole Oil Ranch theme, but whatever). I wasn't too excited about it after seeing the barf on the ground outside one of the entrances.

Jake even helped Jada get in on the fun, and they made it all the way up to the bell.

Jada pet and fed some animals and let me put her down in the petting zoo area. Told you- big steps this day.

Also don't really know how putt-putt fits in, but fun nonetheless.

We also celebrated St. Patty's day in style (Halloween kitty shirt on St. Patrick's day is okay, right??)

The older girls worked really hard planning a "party" for us on the big day, with fancy decorations and all!

They made a fun scavenger hunt for Jada, made up dances for us to do, and set up various stations around the house. It was a lot of planning for them!

I helped Elle devise this awesome leprechaun trap that almost worked but you know leprechaun's- they can be pretty sneaky!

We also did some painting...

I made it my goal to color everything imaginable green. It was all edible, although it looked a little strange.

Besides all the Oil Ranch and green excitement, we also busied ourselves with fun things like a trip to the donut shop...

Not really sure why we are wearing the shades, but whatever works...

And we enjoyed the nice weather while riding our bikes.

Jada spent two nights sleeping in her tent...

(I accidentally deleted the pic of her sleeping in the tent- I'll have to insert later!)

Volume 3 of the "Sunnie Days" collection arrived in the mail last week. I'm telling you- if you don't blurb, you definitely should. So worth it!

And over half the family downed some meds...

Mya and Cole were both getting over ear infections. Jada and Mya were being treated for pink eye. And Jake ended up with bronchitis. Sounds like fun, huh!

It's hard lookin' this good (AKA- Picture Time with the Fam)