Rewards

Sometimes, in life, you just need a reward…am I right?

A few weeks ago, when Lo Gung and I took a child-free vacation, my in-laws stayed here with the kids. My children adore all of their grandparents, but whether it’s nerves or sheer pig-headedness, they have problems sleeping when I am away. And so it goes. Ming Wai wouldn’t sleep alone, and wouldn’t let MaMa (grandma) sleep in the bed with her. (She thought my 108 pound mother in law would break the bed. Heh.)

They slept in the playroom. Together. On a old spare full-size mattress that we keep in there for the kids to jump on. I’m assuming it wasn’t very restful for my mother in law, but Ming Wai did eventually get to sleep!

After my in-laws left, Ming Wai continued to sleep in the playroom. Honestly, I didn’t mind. She never wandered out to find me after I’d tucked her in, and she didn’t keep her brother up…sounds like a win-win situation! Finally, though, she told me that she would move back into her room IF I hung up the “princess tent” that I’d made for her months prior. It took me that long just to figure out the best way to hang it, and to gather the supplies. (The tent is two sheer curtains tucked into a huge embroidery hoop and hung up with thick craft thread and 3M command hooks on the ceiling.) I hung it up…and she moved back in that night.

Now, Siu Jeun…his room was crowded. He was still sleeping in his crib, but his Big Boy Bed was also in there, at the ready, if ever he decided to give up the cage crib. Finally, I told him that IF he would let me take down the crib and put it away THEN I would build him a train table for his bedroom. Luckily for me, a dear friend heard my plan and offered her un-played-with train table as a substitute for my DIY approach. Yes, please! I drove straight over to pick up the table, and we had it set up in Siu Jeun’s room that night. Both kids love it, and their father enjoys setting up intricate trackways for them (although he probably wouldn’t admit it!).

What rewards have you given, or received lately? Anything fun?

PS – Have a great weekend, y’all!! We will spend the weekend celebrating, and reflecting. Six years ago, today, I became an aunt. And six years ago, tomorrow, I became engaged. It has been an absolutely fabulous six years, and I hope for many, many more!