Karate and Sleep (or lack thereof)

Today is my karate day. I take the girls with me to my morning class and then I have black belt class at night. Tonight I even had some knife fighting afterwards which was fun. I think that we are going to do that from now on. Isabela has been coming with me to my morning class since she was three months old, and that is when I started bringing Maya too...

Isabela and Maya's Adventures

Isabela loves it. She runs around like crazy and tumbles all over the mats. One of the instructors brings her daughter with her in the summer, which means even more fun. Today Isabela was rather subdued though. We were working on some tonfa and sai forms and she just sat and watched us most of the time.

I started bringing a playpen for Maya since she can now quickly crawl anywhere she wants to go. She is not a fan. I always bring lots of toys, but still receive only frowns from my youngest. Isabela was the same when she was confined to a play pen, but she got over it eventually. Maybe Maya will bear a grudge for life, but somehow I don't think that either of my good natured girls is a grudge bearer (knock on wood).

Usually on karate days both of them are pretty tired and nap time goes well. Today started out beautifully. Isabela announced that she was tired and she wanted to sleep in the guest bedroom. I said fine and next thing I know she is tucked up in bed reading herself some books. Score! Well, my elation didn't last. She went on to request lots of food (she had already eaten lunch) and received a granola bar:

Me: How can you still be hungry? What happened to the granola bar I just gave you?

Isabela: I fed it to Puggy.

Me: Isabela! That was for you. Don't feed Oberon. How much did you give him?

Isabela: Um. (Endearing grin) Lots.

It was enough to drive a person crazy. I usually let her get up if she hasn't fallen asleep by 4. At about 4 she said that she was thirsty and I brought her some water. I was going to tell her that she could get up, but then she snuggled herself in and said that she was going to rest. I kissed her and told her that she could get up in a few minutes. When I came back ten minutes later to get her she was asleep. Figures. When she does take a nap she usually sleeps for three hours. Maya, on the other hand, takes pretty short naps, and you can't occupy her with a Baby Einstein DVD either. She has zero interest in anything on the TV. She would much rather move or eat. I put a Baby Einstein in today so that I could get some dishes washed. No go. Isabela used to love them, but Maya could care less. Jake came home while it was going. I was holding her and Jake was standing in front of the TV eating some chips and talking to me. Suddenly her attention sharpened. I was surprised and I told Jake that she was interested after all. He moved out of the way so that Maya could see the TV, and that is when I realized that she was looking at the chips, not at the TV. I am fine with her not wanting to watch, it would just be nice occasionally when I want to get something done.

Karate night is Jake's night to put the girls to bed. Maya is very easy. You put her in her crib, make her giggle a little bit with a toy, say goodnight and leave. Isabela has a whole routine: brush teeth, go potty, read three books. This routine, unfortunately, does not result in instant sleep. In fact when I came home she was still up. I went upstairs to say good night and she had dressed herself up in her rabbit fur vest. She thought that this meant that she had to be a bunny so she begged me to find her rabbit ear headband, and was hopping all over the place. Silly, goofy girl. So cute though.

I am falling asleep, so I have to go before I fall asleep and drop my computer. That would be very bad. Good night everyone.

Laura and the Karate Kids :o)

PS - I don't have any pictures from today. Tomorrow I will try to get some more. Good night!