Big Kid Beds

Yesterday, Tommy and Ellie spent their afternoon climbing up and getting down from the bed in Ellie's room.  They scattered all of the diapering supplies, grabbed all the things that were on top of her dresser, and climbed up to the higher bookshelves in her room to empty it.

When I commented on how well they were climbing up and down (with the use of an overturned trick-or-treat bucket) they grinned from ear to ear.  So I asked (as I do regularly) if they were ready to sleep in their big kid beds, and they both said yes.  I installed gates at their doors so they couldn't get out to play with each other during the night, and off to bed they went.

Ellie was excited to sleep in her "big bed" and after comfortably
arranging several pillows, fell straight to sleep.

Tommy was excited too... until I left the room. Then he was up repeatedly, and crying for me.
Eventually, he lost the privilege of the big bed and I put him in his crib.

I slept on the couch last night so that I would be nearby if there were any issues. In the middle of the night when Tommy cried to get up I put him in the big boy bed.  Then I fell asleep at the other end waiting for him to get to sleep. When I woke up he had turned himself around and we were sharing a pillow and he was hugging me.  I love that boy. :)

Sleeping tonight.  We'll work on the covers some other day.
For now, they are just using their familiar blankies.

Not willing to lose his privileges again, he went to bed without tears.

And these are just some cute dress-up pictures from a few days ago...

Happy Birthday, Tom!

A half century old.

Five decades.

Over the hill?

Sometimes I think of life in terms like this.  This year, as I approach this big mile marker, I don't want to think in this way.  And as Tom reached his 50th birthday today, I realize that I am not looking at him this way at all.  Instead, I am just thinking about another year of growth and accomplishments, and how my love for him is continuing to grow.

This year, I see a man who has worked hard to further his education and career.  He graduated with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.  He has continued his career as a high school teacher, but has also been invited to speak at conferences, has taken on extra responsibilities at school and extra work for the state to allow me to continue to stay at home with our children.

Tom has grown as a father.  While he doesn't exactly run to change dirty diapers, he does play with Tommy and Ellie every day.  He works with them to help them love books.  He reads scriptures with them, he prays with them, and he sets a good example for them by showing love to all of us.  Every day we each receive kisses and expressions of love from him.

Tom has developed a willingness to get a little silly with us.  Most people probably see him as a serious figure; did they think he would dress up with his kids for Halloween?  Or for the Christmas party?  Or that he would wear his baby's first birthday hat for this morning's birthday picture?

I think my sweetheart is aging gracefully, and I love him more each day.

 

Happy 50th birthday, Tom!

It's a One-derful Life

I may be a bit behind, but as of 10 minutes ago, I have crossed one resolution off my list.  I have finally finished and ordered my photo book documenting another year in Tommy and Ellie's life.
Now let's see if I can stay on a roll and get the first half of the next book finished this month and then finish the whole book shortly after their next birthday.

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