10:42 PM

I had to run back downstairs to grab my camera last night after my first attempt at going to bed. I did my usual pre-bed routine and went to check on the boys. When I went to cover Bryce, this is what I found:













That's right. He's hugging his Elmo (well, that's the ORIGINAL "Tickle Me Elmo" that was given to Brendan. Bryce has claimed him.) PLUS-please note that our friend COW is sticking out between his legs. If you look again, you'll see Blanket is also there. Bryce grabbed Elmo last night on his trip up to bed. He's a well loved friend, but not a typical bed companion. You can see why I had to grab the camera.

To keep things fair, I went & checked on the big boys. Brett was sacked out-not surprising. He really could still use an afternoon nap most days, even though he is 6 and "should" have outgrown the need for late-day sleep. The big surprise here is that he didn't fall asleep with a book in his hand or on his face. There's a "Peanuts" cartoon book off to the side.














Finally, we have Brendan. He's a sleep chameleon: sometimes a night owl, sometimes up with the birds. He got a little piece of Brad and I on that one. He was happily reading, again, one of the books in the Percy Jackson series. I shut him down after this photo. Well, he was shut down after he looked at the photo of Bryce with Elmo I'd just taken.