Mom: 0, Twins: 1?

But it's only half time. I'm not worried...or at least not yet.

This is one of those times when previous parenting experience has been put to good use. It's hard to believe that the twins are old enough, but we decided to take the leap from cribs to toddler beds since it was evident that the cribs' days were numbered. Being the conscientious parents that we are, we wanted to make the transition before there was an injury. It was still a tough decision, though, not because I don't want to let go of their "babyness", but because my prior knowledge of this milestone tells me that the bed time routine becomes a major challenge, at least in the beginning. And twice as hard (at least) with twins.

After taking them shopping for their new pillows, I had the brilliant plan to introduce the "big kid" beds for their morning nap first.

Come see your new and improved "big kid" room!

Ella had been begging me so sleep in her "big girl" bed for weeks...

...do you think she likes it?

Chase was a little less sure...

...but eventually warmed up to the idea.

I knew there would be a period of novelty that would have to run its course. And I knew it was a bit of a gamble, since things are much more enticing when you can see them in daylight. But I also knew that had we waited until night time, we would run the risk of being up half the night playing the new "back to bed" game. So, how'd it go? Here's the play-by-play.

~5 minutes: until the twins realized they could stand at the window and look outside
~15 minutes: the time it took the monkeys to start jumping on their beds
~25 minutes: the point at which they opened the bedroom door....the first time (of many)
~30 minutes: the party was really getting started
~45 minutes: they played "light on", "light off" Ella just couldn't help herself
~1 hour: when they decided it would be fun to climb INTO the crib we left in the room (just in case)

~1 hour 5 min: when they decided to trade beds


~1 hr 20 min: ahhhh, quiet play and some silence....maybe a nap?
~1 hr 30 min: no such luck- Ella had things to do when she remembered she could go through the drawers to her heart's content
~1 hr 35 min: don't forget going through the closet
~1 hr 40 min: delirium starts to set in...intermittent laughing, crying as they roll around on the floor (and over each other)
~1 hr 50 min: settling down again...THIS time maybe some sleep?
~2 hrs 5 min: wishful thinking...delirium keeps them awake and busy making animal noises, playing and Chase stands watch opening and closing the door while Ella continues to explore the drawers
~2 hrs 40 min: game over (it's all part of my strategy)

Okay, so they never slept. And, yes, they will be cranky and difficult at times because of it, but I'm looking at the bright side...I didn't lose any sleep! At least not yet. And even better? They will be plenty exhausted for an early bed time tonight.

At least that's what I thought. That was until I discovered that Chase finally gave in shortly after I surrendered and fell fast asleep on the floor.

Twins:1, Mom:0? Maybe we should just call this round a tie... Game on!