The Annual Sleepover

by Nana

The Z duo came over on Friday to spend the night while Tyler and Judy got some time to themselves. Both Zoey and Zander were full of vim and vigor the minute they arrived. Zander kept asking, "Is it time to go to bed now," about every half hour.

They wanted "mac and cheese" and applesauce for supper. (I wouldn't expect anything else from Tyler's kids.) After snarfing it down they wanted a dessert and when I offered them a package of mini cookies...

Zoey: "That's not a dessert! You know it needs to be sweet like candy, Nana!"

Nana: "Yes, it's a dessert, these are little tiny cookies." Zander chooses a package.

Zoey: "Nana, this is not a dessert! Remember Halloween when kids get candy - that's a dessert. I want something sweet with sugar."

Nana: "OK, I'll eat these, I don't have any candy."

Zoey: "OK, I'll have some, too. But, remember last week, you said we could have a popsicle when we came to your house."

Nana: "Yeah, I remember, we will have popsicles later out on the deck."

Kids: Yeah!!!

After the mini-cookie fake dessert we went outside in the cul-de-sac to ride bikes. Zoey and Zander grabbed their vehicles and politely untangled so they could ride. Zoey decided her dress was not conducive to bike riding and Zander wanted to pull the wagon into the park. After parking the bikes safely in the garage Zander took off running and pulling the wagon behind him. It was picture postcard cute. Zoey decided to make a chalk line up to the park so we could find our way back. She drew a line completely across the cul-de-sac. I suggested she count to 5 and mark with the chalk so it didn't take forever. So, she counted to five and stopped and drew a 5 foot line. "How about counting to ten?" That worked better - every ten counts she put down a one foot line. "How about counting to 20?" Zoey: "I can't count that high!" Nana: "I bet you can because I've heard you." So, she counted up to 20.

After playing in the park Zoey wanted us to race home. Zander ran with his wagon and Zoey raced backwards drawing her line back home. Why don't adults do these fun things when they are out for a walk??

Relaxing with our Popsicles on the deck chairs, all four of us had a different color Popsicle. We munched and had a great giggly discussion about blue, yellow, green and red tongues. Zander was very talkative which was so fun to listen to what he had to say.

Last year Zander cried himself to sleep at the sleepover, but this year... He kept asking if he could go to bed. So, we had the kids help us blow up the air mattresses with the air machine, but they kept jumping on the mattresses before we got the air vent shut off. We finally got enough air in and the sheets and blankets and pillows where they should be. Zoey volunteered both of them for a bath. Zoey was first and she was so grown up about getting in and out. (Apart from the "naked baby run" into the living room.) She has no modesty yet.

Zander also wanted to get a bath by himself. We tried the big potty first but no success. He did point out, the second he was in the tub, that he could pee. Oh, well. He knows when he pees.

All dried off they wanted to watch Madagascar. Zander would say, "Nana, I go to bed now." Off he would trot to the bedroom and lie down. He'd stay about a minute or two and then he'd come back in the living room. He did this about 4-5 times. Just practicing for the time when we really would shut off the lights and go to bed.

Both went to bed with no problem except they both flip-flopped around like fish out of water for 20 minutes. By morning light I was awake and tip-toed out of the room to find Zander lying on the floor instead of the air mattress. (Good thing Ron didn't step on him.) I'm thinking... well, the carpet is probably wet... but, when he got up he was entirely dry? Wow. Did he get up and change himself? I couldn't figure it out. It seemed like there was an extra dry diaper in the bathroom?? He, a few minutes later, let me know that he did pee with the Zander diaper point. (A special signal he has developed.) Nana... point point...

Zoey had giggled and talked in her sleep about 5 a.m. Zoey had thought the commercial with Sasquatch was the funniest thing she ever saw. She couldn't stop talking about it and she said she was thinking about it in her sleep.

All in all it was a very successful night away from the parents. They are growing up so fast!!! They both know their manners and seem to feel so entirely at home. I appreciate these special times that we have with them.

P.S.
I forgot to mention: Zoey could not find her nightgown in her suitcase so I helped her look. I pulled out what I thought was a nightgown, (it was) but she said, "No, Nana, that's not a night gown. I'll just have to wear one of yours." So, knowing she really likes my nightgowns, I took out a shorty one and pinned the straps up for her. She really thought she was cool in that nightie! Now, she wants to wear it next time she sleeps over.