Falling asleep

One way we survived sleeping in one hotel room with 5 people was to make a game for the big kids. We gave out huge prizes for the winners of the sleep game as well as some special privileges. There wasn't any real money involved, but sometimes you got the first pick of seats at the table or the last packet of fruit snacks.

The winner was defined as the person who fell asleep first and another winner was the person who slept the longest. Mom and dad were disqualified from this game, but it really helped the big kids.

A major problem is that William prefers to read himself to sleep until he cannot hold the book anymore. It isn't unusual to find him passed out with the book across his lap, chest or face. We've seen it all. He comes by this genetically. I'll let you guess where it comes from. William is the back up again around 6 am and he has no sense of how loud he is when others are trying to sleep.

Amelia falls asleep very quickly (I suspect she still needs a brief nap, but refuses to take one. This, she totally collapses at bedtime.). She also usually sleeps in a little longer. However, in true little sister style, if William is up, she is ready to go. She will not miss a minute nor be a step behind.

Gemma needs the most sleep, but at the youngest, she is the last to let go. If there is going to be a party, she will NOT miss out. She will hold out for quite some time just in the off chance something exciting happens.

Getting all 3 of them to sleep in the same room is very tricky.

Enter in the sleeping winners. If the big kids are quiet and even just pretending to sleep, then Gemma will let go as will Amelia.

One night, everyone was in bed and everyone was supposed to be sleeping. Amelia was all tucked in, eyes shut and very still. I would have guessed she wasn't sleeping, but I wasn't sure.

I quietly reminded William that he needed to settle in and go to sleep so he could be a winner tomorrow.

Which is when this conversation happened:

Amelia: William won't be the winner. I am the winner because I am asleep first.

Daddy: Amelia, you aren't asleep if you are still talking.

Amelia: yes I am.

William: if you were really sleeping, you wouldn't be listening to us talk.

Amelia: yes I am. I am talking and listening in my sleep.

Daddy: that's enough. It's time to sleep.

Amelia: I'm already asleep. And I'm a winner.
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