Stickers = SLEEP

Avalon has been creeping into our bed earlier and earlier each night. Don't get me wrong, I love snuggling. If I had my choice I'd cuddle with her until she went to college. But this girl is a CRAZY sleeper. She sleeps in between Rick and I, in an H formation. Kicking him, slapping me. If we try and move her, she grunts and cries. IN HER SLEEP. She doesn't even wake up.

We've gotten to the point where our goal each night at bedtime is to try and reinforce the "stay in your big girl bed all night long" concept. She gladly agrees at 7:30pm. She forgets her end of the bargain at 2am.

Three night ago Rick ended up sleeping on the couch all night. Two nights ago I ventured out there. Last night we decided as much as we love the possibility of snuggling with our daughter, she is disrupting our valuable sleep. We feel like zombies throughout the day.

So, last night at bedtime I posted a sticker board in their bedroom. Sticker boards have worked well in the past for us. Potty training Loudoun, chores, etc, so it was worth a shot this time. I promised her if she slept in her room allllll night long, she would get 1 sticker on her board. Once she got 5 stickers, we would go to the store to get a toy. I don't think she is quite ready to understand THAT much, but she definitely got the sticker part. Instead of just one on the board, she wanted another on her hand. Right here, she pointed over and over. Fine.

Just one problem. We didn't have any stickers in the house.

So, during my jogging outing last night, I stopped at the grocery store. NO STICKERS. They had NONE. I tried the Easter section, stationary, toys, magazines, flower section...NONE. But they did have the bright orange Ralphs stickers they put on large purchases at checkout, like paper towels or cat litter.

Better than nothing.

So, I came home and decorated. Those ugly bright orange stickers received markers, fluffy pom pom balls and glitter.

And she slept in her bed all night. So, it's a good thing I put forth the effort. Otherwise, I would have been in BIG trouble.