Running from the Po-Po!

Yes, I know it's their job, but really?!  How many times do I have to have my plates run while sitting at a stop light. I've become so paranoid that when I see a cop behind me, I make the next turn so he won't have time to run my plates.  I"m waiting to get pulled over and have him say" Ma'am, you were yelling too loud at your kids". 

It happens in the same general vicinity, but it's not as though I can avoid ALL police areas.  So, my tags expired because I didn't change the address on my license and didn't get the bill. No big deal, I just have to go to the farthest DMV to pay them and then go to court to show the officer.  He scheduled me for the week we'll be in Texas, so I had to fax in a letter explaining why I should get a continuance.  I am so scared that they'll say NO, that I faxed them my flight itinerary. Just in case they feel as though I'm fleeing my duty to pay car taxes....

So, today on the way to Ryan's school (we were already running late), I saw the flashing blue and had to pull over. I quickly grabbed my license and previous citations to give to him.  I had some sort of excuse about sick kids and no babysitter and he said " I understand. My kid is home with a double ear infection." Yea, so let's see if his wife pays her taxes :)  Anyways, I'm wondering how many more times I"ll get pulled over.  My kids are used to it now that it's fun. I had some donuts in the car so Ryan thought I should give one to the cop.  I didn't.

?

Me: Ryan, don't hit your sister's bottom
Ryan: Okay, I'll Booty Knock
Me: ???!!
**Booty Knocking - 2 people bonk booty's. Or 1 person walks their booty into another's

Either way, it's been classified as a new fun game.  This might also be known as a 'bee sting' if you get some momentum going and can knock the other person over.

Is this the definition of Insanity?

So....I pride myself on a few things and I know I shouldn't.  I'm not that strict when it comes to certain parenting, but after having 3 kids, I thought I'd be able to handle things much more smoothly.  I've never had major sleeping or napping or eating issues with the kids.  So, when something comes up that I've never encountered before, I have a rolodex of ideas and plans to go through. One of those has got to work, right?!  Well, I'm used to sleeping my 7 hours at night. I'd prefer 8, but going to bed before 10 is almost impossible.  And sleeping past 6 is almost impossible too. 

So, when a child of mine has interruptions in their sleep schedule, MY sleep schedule  is interrupted. I'm not so gracious after day 2 of interruptions, so this time I reached out to my Facebook family for ideas.

Sweet little Olivia.  She takes 1 nap in the afternoon, generally around 1 to 1:30.  The past few months, she'll randomly not nap. That is, she'll go down screaming, be quiet for up to 45 minutes then start yelling for me.  This past weekend, she did that both Saturday and Sunday.  And Monday. And Tuesday. I am at the end of my rope because she's been clingy, screamy and just hard to handle.  If she was in good spirits, then I could deal with no nap and an early bedtime. 

Is it the light? Is it sugar? Is it not enough playtime? Did the doorbell wake her up? Is it teeth? Is it an ear infection?

I just could not do anything to get her to go to sleep. She's too young to understand the 'stay in bed with your eyes closed' idea but I will try that eventually.

Today, I gave her lunch and let her run around till 2 o'clock. Then we read a book and I put her to bed. It's 445 and I'll probably have to wake her up for dinner. Dare I let her sleep through the night? No, I'm too afraid she'll wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning.

Let's pray that she takes one tomorrow too!