Tyler's "Nap"

Had a great day yesterday with Tim and Chip trying to tame the woods of Mad River Glen. Beautiful weather, great views, and as noted by the whiteboard at the top of the single chair, 'the conditions we dream about'. The double chair was out of commission until about 3pm, which meant the legendary single-chair was our only ride up (equaling some very long lift lines), no one was complaining. Awesome snow, great friends, and in reality, by the time we were done, I didn't have many turns left in my legs anyway. If you ski and haven't been to Mad River, you really should check it out. I think it is to skiing what Fenway Park is to baseball.

Needless to say, after two straight weekends of grown-up skiing, Ty and Ally were anxious to return to the mountain today. We got a nice early start this morning, and arrived to jacket-shedding 40 degree weather. Looked beautiful for the first couple of runs, but it was not meant to last. Some nasty rain chased us back to the lodge for an early lunch, and we ended up calling it an early day. A bummer from a ski perspective, but the report looks good tomorrow, and the rain seems to have subsided pretty quickly. The good news is that the kids would get a much needed nap today, as they've both been fighting some spring colds.

Maybe. As I write this, Ally is putting the finishing touches on a 3-hour nap bender. Much needed. Tyler, on the other hand, has been a bit more challenging. One of those afternoons that really ought to be captured for posterity:

1:05 pm: Both kids down for naps
1:07 pm: Ally is out cold
1:15 pm: 'Do you hear something, Lar?'. 'Yes, it's Tyler.'
1:16 pm: I go in to settle Tyler down. Got to be quiet, buddy. He's missing a stuffed pumpkin from Halloween. All set now.
1:20 pm: 'Do you hear something, Lar?'. 'Yes, it's Tyler.'
1:22 pm: Tyler needed to tell me that he wanted to ski more today. Fair enough, we'll go longer tomorrow. Get some sleep, buddy.
1:25 pm: Actually quiet.
1:45 pm: Lauren is now napping, so I have to talk to myself... 'Do you hear something?' I think I know.
1:46 pm: Tyler needed to tell me he was happy that my truck was back from the shop (new tires). Great, pal, thanks!
2:00 pm: Ty, we really need some quiet time. You're going to wake Ally.
2:25 pm: I give up. Come sit on the couch *quietly* with me. Wrapped up in a blanket, we'll fall asleep watching college hoops together, right?
2:30 pm: 'No talking, Ty. Quiet time.' 'Okay, Daddy'.

The next 30 minutes are something like this: 'Please be quiet.' 'okay'. Ten seconds pass... 'my foot itches'/'is it time to get up yet'/'Where are Mommy and Ally'/'Quiet please'...'okay'... 20 seconds... 'can I have a toy?'... 'not right now... please be quiet'...

You get the picture. I've finally given up -- the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, and a quietly playing/reading Tyler lets Lauren and Ally sleep. So we're in my office, blogging and reading stories, when after 2:45 minutes of trying to get Tyler to take a nap, countless attempts at getting him to lay quietly with me, lay quietly by himself, watch basketball, read books, you name it...

3:52 pm: "Daddy, I'd like to go have a nap now, please."