The Great and Dreadful Nap

Kate has not taken an afternoon nap in months. Some days I can tell that she really needs one because she is an absolute bear by 4:00pm, but I suffer through it because I know she will fall asleep easily at bedtime. This week has been a little crazy because Matt's wife Mona came to town with their 6 week old baby, Nathaniel (ADORABLE!!!). Plus, Josh is in New Mexico for work. ON Wednesday morning we went the Arizona State History Museum in the morning and Kate was displaying definite signs of tiredness--you all know how a three year old shows that she is tired--emotional meltdowns, huge fits over minor inconveniences, general crankiness (Wow, that sounds like me when I'm tired!). We got home just after lunch time and I was determined to get Kate to take a nap. Josh's Grandpa was taking the whole family out to dinner that evening and I knew I could not handle Katezilla in a restaurant without Josh there to help with the other kids. So Kate napped--boy, did she nap. She slept for a blessed 2 1/2 hours! She was so perky when she woke up, I hardly recognized her. She was as good as gold at the restaurant. YIPPEE!! Unfortunately, she was so refreshed she couldn't fall asleep until 10:45. I am not one of those people who put their kids to bed early because they need their sleep; I put my kids to bed early because I need some time. However, I dealt with Kate's late hours as maturely as possible, telling myself that she would sleep in. Not so! She was up at 6am. She was suprisingly well behaved today despite her lack of sleep, but by 4pm she had crashed on the couch. There she is still, 5 1/2 hours later. Will she stay asleep all night? Will she wake up at 3 am ready to start the day? Who knows? I only hope that her sleeping schedule returns to normal soon. I am already beginning to rue that Wednesday afternoon nap!