Sleepover! Well, sort of.

Wahoo,

Recently you have been pretty excited about the possibility of having a sleepover. Now, I am not certain at what age most kids start having sleepovers, but four seems mighty early to me. Nonetheless, since you are in a long holiday break, your dad is off work this week and two of your best friends live next door, we decided this was as good a time as any to try an overnighter. We sent an invitation to Lalani Rain and Kordelia and received this response from the girls’ dad: “God speed. Blanca and I are are booking a trip to Vegas!” Hahaha!

Last night at 5:30, the girls came over. First item on the sleepover agenda was swimming at the Y. Wow, but you all had so much fun. I’m not sure that Lalani Rain and Kordelia get to go swimming that often, which might explain why Lalani Rain kept saying, “I think we should do this again soon!” The three of you splashed, shrieked, dunked and laughed; your dad and I tried to keep Kordelia alive, as she kept venturing into the deeper end then floundering around. It sounds scarier than it was–she seemed to be enjoying herself, as long as there was someone to save her.

We left the pool around 7, came back home and the three of you changed into your pajamas; Lalani Rain and Kordelia had new pajama pants that said “Sleepover Party!” Fun! While your dad and I cooked a pizza, you guys watched a little bit of Lady and the Tramp. We paused the movie for a dinner break, then I made you all some popcorn and you watched a little more of the movie. I don’t know why exactly but it was around this time that Kordelia got kind of homesick and cried to go home. Her brother, Bubba, came over to bring their toothbrushes and told her that she could come home at any time (they only live ten steps away), after which she perkied up again and decided to stay. We turned the movie off and you all decided to play one of the games you got for Christmas, “I Can Do That!” It’s hard to take a picture that captures how much fun you all had trying to complete all the challenges you were given–you’ll just have to take my word for it that you all had a really good time.

I love Lalani Rain’s smile in the background.

Your dad, good at so many things, failed in his mission to skip around the trick-a-stick with a little man tucked between his legs. Actually, I was the only person to succeed at this challenge! GO MOMMA!

Having hot cocoa and cookies before it’s time to brush teeth.

By this time it was about 8:30, so your dad and I asked the three of you to brush your teeth and get ready for bed. We would read some stories together and then it would be lights out. Apparently you three turkeys thought that having a pillow fight sounded much better, so with minty fresh breath and sparkling teeth you beat one another senseless with pillows. Fun!

After we read some stories, you all settled in to go to sleep. 9:00–not too shabby, parents! We had some struggles over getting the lighting just right–Lalani Rain wanted the closet light on and the door wide open, while you and Kordelia preferred a darker room–then had a few rounds of needing water, but mostly it was easy to get you all tucked in. As we left the room for what we thought was the night, I heard someone said, “You want to tell ghost stories?” I wish I had hung around to hear what sorts of spooky tales you crafted, but I moved myself along.

Let the shenanigans begin!

The next two hours went like this: 20 minutes of laughter and mischievousness followed by me saying, “Goodnight girls. It’s time to settle down now.” “Okay! (giggle, giggle, giggle!)” 20 more minutes of up to no good and laughter, then another reprimand from me, which was again completely ignored. I was totally fine to let you play until about 11 pm, at which point I decided it really was bedtime and came into the room to get everyone settled. At this point Lalani Rain was asleep on your bed, and you and Kordelia–little imps–were playing around her. I got Kordelia tucked in next to her sister, and you wound up on the air mattress. Goodnights were said, the closet light was turned off and I went out to shut the house down.

Five minutes later: “Sniff. (pause) Sniff. (pause) Boohoo!”

So I escorted your friends back to their house at 11, where a smiling mama welcomed them home. When I arrived back at our house, you were crying, whether from sadness or sheer exhaustion one may never know. You finally fell asleep around 11:30, then woke up at 5 am and came into our bed because you were scared. Neither Burkert girl slept particularly well, which is why today you are playing at Natalia and Maddy’s house and I’m still in comfy pants at 12:30 pm.

So, was the sleepover a success? Well, this morning I heard you declare with gusto, “That was the BEST sleepover ever!” Since it’s the only one you’ve ever attended, I’m glad you thought so, wahoo.