Let’s say Sara were beyond tired. Overstimulated, even. Good chance she’d give us a clue as to her situation (in the form of teen-like sass that would burn my Grandmother’s ears), and we would simply send her to bed. In this scenario, would Sara fall asleep? Absolutely. After she threw her linens and most of her clothes down the stairs. Along with every toy she could reach, and perhaps she’d rip a toilet out of the floor and toss it down for good measure. The tirade would take no less than 2 hours, and be synchronized with Hulk-like yelling.  She would then fall fast asleep for 45 minutes. 2 night terrors would follow, and let’s say from there? It’s truly anyone’s guess. It’s a sight-to-behold, let me assure you.

NOW, let’s say Kelly were to have a “I’m so sleepy I want to pull my own eyes out” kind of evening, and we put HER to bed. Would she also put up a good fight? Absolutely! She learned from the best! Kelly would quietly, without making a peep, throw ALL of her linens and stuffed animals off of her bed, and promptly pass out for no less than 12 hours. On her face, no pillow or blanket required. No screaming that she couldn’t possibly sleep without that stuffed animal no one has seen in 3 years, and we are the worst parents on earth for not knowing where she lost it, and why haven’t we thought to implant all of her toys with GPS systems? Kelly knows a soft landing when she finds one. She has tossed her Care Bear down in protest, and that’s enough anarchy for one evening.

I do so cherish their differences, as life would be tremendously boring without either one of them. Here’s the funny catch: we tuck them both in after discovering their amoeba-like sleep-states. Sara? Always smiles in her sleep, and grips my hand, just as she did when she was an infant. No matter how mad she is when she falls asleep, she always grins when I pass by her bed. Kelly? Go ahead…move the alligator…I dare you. This little blonde tyrant can kick your teeth out without so much as opening her eyes. We have ONE RULE IN THIS HOUSE: NEVER, and I mean NEVER…WAKE THE BABY.

With another snow storm upon us, I wish you all a warm night’s rest, tucked in and warm. We are lucky to be so lucky. Godspeed my friends, Godspeed.