Sleep & Food Choices a`la Four-Year-Old

August 6, 2001    Julia is 4 years 4 months old

It is 1:00 a.m. (Aug. 7, actually) and you are asleep -- early for you. Last night you were up til 2:30 a.m. and the night before that til 3:30 a.m. -- and both those nights you were still wide awake when I insisted it was time to sleep!

This morning I pulled you out of bed at 8:30 a.m. to take you to the dentist for a check-up. You were so happy to go (feeling very grown-up I'm sure). You co-operated wonderfully and I wished I'd brought a camera. Alas, you have two cavities. The dentist spoke to you about trying to stop sucking your thumb.

You went to work with me today. (I only worked four hours). You entertained yourself with coloring, playing chase with a little boy, and playing outside briefly with Laura. You were hungry (wanting candy) and used the toilet by yourself (you won't let me even open the doors for you). But you needed help turning on the water to wash your hands, getting the paper towel, and getting a drink. You always check out an armload of books and videos first thing.

I took all you girls to a movie this afternoon. It was rather a tedious movie for you, though your sisters loved it. At the end you said, "I knew she would be a princess". (The Princess Diaries)

Well, I wonder that you manage to live and grow. All you want to eat is frozen juice pops, candy, and potato chips. Today you did eat a bowl or two of cereal. Sometimes you will eat bread and honey sandwiches -- No butter and folded over. You demonstrated this to me by placing your extended fingers over your extended thumb.

Las week I ran an errand with you sisters while you remained in bed asleep. Dad was home but sleeping as well. When we came home we found you preparing "pink milk" for all your sisters and yourself. You had got out six paper cups and the pink milk powder and the jug of milk. You had already made your own. How very resourceful you are.

That week Lark had been crying about us eating desert without her. I told her to get a plate out of the cupboard. She said she couldn't reach it. You said, "Then get a chair Lark, pity sake."