Just Thought You Should Know

I thought you should know that I caught on to momma and "Happy Thoughts" no longer work. Oh, I still make momma go through the routine. I mean, it IS funny. I just don't go to bed without protest and tears. I'm just, you know, scared.

If anyone knows anything that might help me, let me know. I don't like being scared.

The Magic Powers of a Good Puppy (Momma's Words)

We took Luke (and Thomas) over to see Radar, Jesse's corgi today. It was a rare weekend where we had both boys, the weather was nice, and Jesse was up for the visit.

We were there for roughly 2 hours.

First they boys, of course, started out by playing fetch. Which lived up to, if not surpassed, the 3yo's expectations. Poor Radar got bored with it before the boys did. So next they moved on to chase. By the end of the 2 hours, both boys and the dog were pretty worn out. It was AWESOME.

But the true test came tonight. The happy thoughts and fetch role-play has been working, but there has still been some protest at bedtime. His bed is scary, etc. No tears. No major meltdown. But still some protest. Which in the grand scheme of things, is still major progress and I can live with some protest. What kid doesn't protest bedtime in general?

So tonight we went up, and nothing said about a scary bed. I got him in his top bunk, hugged kissed, and then it began. Only tonight I was curious and had him do our routine. Which, btw , was the cutest thing ever. The best part being the tail wagging, butt wiggle. I may or may not have joined in. Because, while this whole routine is on the humiliating side, and I'm glad the only witnesses are my kids (Thomas refuses to miss the show), the looks on their faces and tones to their laughs make it beyond worth it. Plus, you know, it actually works.

So Luke worked through the routine. He has it memorized. He shook his butt with glee. I shook mine right along. And then another hug, kiss, promise to check on him, turned out the light, shut the door and... not a single protest. Not one. Not even a hint. There may have been a lingering giggle, even.

An hour later and I haven't heard a peep from him.

Can dogs be knighted? Sir Radar, the Monster Slayer

The New Tag line Explained

Dr to me: See you later alligator!
Me: I'm NOT an alligator!
Dr: Well then, after awhile Crocodile!
Me: I'm NOT a CROCODILE EITHER!

Sheesh.

Can't figure out why my doctor and Momma laughed so hard...

Anyway, you may have noticed I changed the name of my blog and it's tag line. "Luke's Play Pen" was just insulting. I mean, I'm 3 now!

Monsters and Puppy Dogs

I have a monster problem. Momma and Daddy keep telling me it's the cat. Apparently, when I'm tossing and turning at night, she investigates and wakes me up and I get scared. Momma and Daddy learned to shut my door at night real fast. But sometimes my brother or I get up for something and forget to shut it and the monster gets in anyways.

Oh, and I don't care what you say: It's a monster!

After a fresh attack Momma or Daddy lets me get in bed with one of them for the rest of the night. Some nights when I'm too scared to even start out in my bed, Momma or Daddy cave and I don't even have to try.

My bed is scary.

Mommy and Daddy say I have to at least start out in my bed now, every night. I guess since there hasn't been a recent monster attack.

Momma first tried giving me PJ. PJ is Momma's bear that she built. Momma says he is a monster fighter and won't let monsters get me if I sleep with him. So I keep PJ, but I'm still suspicious. Monsters are crafty, tricky sorts.

So for a few days, Momma tried putting me in bed and then sitting in the rocker until I fell asleep. Only, it's hard to sleep with momma in the room.

So Momma started trying something new a few nights ago. She calls it happy thoughts. The first night she asked me to think of a happy thought. She helped by listing a few things. We decided on a puppy playing ball.

So Momma told me to think about my happy thought while I tried to sleep. She then helped by telling/showing me what it's like when a puppy plays ball. It's fun to watch Momma do this:

First you throw the ball *arm gesture and all* and the puppy gets really excited, "Oh boy! You threw the ball!" *mimics running* Then the puppy chases the ball and picks it up in it's mouth. *both hands to mimic the puppy picking up the ball in it's mouth* Then the puppy is all excited, "Oh Boy! I got the ball!" and wags it's tail all happy. *butt wiggle* Then the puppy runs back all excited, "Oh Boy! I'm bringing you the ball!" *mimics running* And THEN the puppy drops the ball and you get to do it all over again!

She usually shows me a few times. (It sometimes changes a little with each showing because Momma gets creative/silly with it.) It's pretty funny to watch from my bed. I laugh the whole time. Momma uses all her energy trying to be that puppy chasing that ball!

Then after I have the happy thoughts firm in my head, Momma gives me a hug and a kiss and tucks me in with strict instructions to keep thinking about my happy thought of the puppy playing ball. And then she promises she'll come up and check on me in a little bit. Then she leaves. I won't say I let this last bit happen without any protest, but I will admit my happy puppy playing ball thoughts do make it a lot easier so I don't cry like I use to.

And the best part? My friend Jesse has a puppy named Radar and we get to go play ball with Radar sometime soon! Mommy thinks it'll help with my happy thoughts. Plus, any excuse to play with Radar is a good one, she says.

I am slightly suspicious that Momma doesn't end up checking on me. I try to stay awake for it but after 5 minutes my eyes get so tired...