The kids went to bed ‘early’ last night. Only a matter of half an hour to an hour… but they certainly needed it. It was an order as well.
Just after tea Eve had got a wooden jigsaw out & was playing with it very happily – & doing rather well with it as well. It’s a proper wooden one with big chunky pieces. She was just figuring out the penultimate bit when Jack noticed & pinched the final bit. So there we were – at stand-off. Jack refusing to give up the final bit & Eve very upset that he had it. No reasoning worked & Eve got so upset she just pulled the jigsaw apart again. Hmph!
I got on with the washing up & the stroppiness continued in the front room. No, I don’t really recall what exactly happened, but Jack was not playing nicely at all. I came into the front room to try to calm things, & didn’t succeed. Could I really expect to? Jack wanted the toy that Eve had even though there was another near exact one that he was rejecting. I ended up having something thrown at me, & Louise after trying various things said that it was definitely time for bed. I carried a protesting Jack upstairs & Eve following upset that Jack was upset (but still carrying the toy that was causing the confrontation). I managed to get Jack nearly calmed down, when ‘that toy’ started it all off again. Louise followed upstairs with Jude. Jack was in full tantrum howl & she held onto him while I ran the bath for Eve to distract her & calm her down. Jude woke up so I held him while Eve had a bath. She quite enjoyed her bath & was not really worried that Jack was still protesting. He wanted to go downstairs, but Louise was not letting him. What would he do there now anyway – we had the bath done; it was – without denial – now bath time. He became more compliant (somewhere there a hold turns into a hug) & had just about drifted off in Louise’s arms (changed into pyjamas), by the time Eve was out the bath. He stirred again to be put into bed & be read to. They both fell asleep in Jack’s bed. They were both somewhat over tired. Sleeping angels.
Jack was awake before went to work & although not in a great mood (he’s still not feeling “very well” & was not sure he wanted to go to school) he was in a sweet & loving mood. He is going out with William after school. There’s a group of adults & William’s older brother & a friend of his as well. Something called ‘The Wacky Warehouse’. Has food – & a veggie menu- so he should be OK. Hope he enjoys it.

Jude Sneezes! Aw!