My husband had to make an overnight out-of-town trip last night, so I took the girls out to dinner and rented a movie.  It's frequently very difficult to find something that holds the interest of both a ten-year-old and a four-year-old (Ladybug went to bed, so no problem there), but we had great luck with our selection: "Inkheart".  I was a bit concerned that the PG rating was going to be too much for Baby Duck, but after consistently forcing Munchkin to stay firmly planted in the realm of Disney/Pixar whenever she visits due to the risk of corrupting the younger girl, I decided to take a little risk.  The vague description of "some scary moments and brief language" was a bit unnerving, but we forged ahead.  After all, Baby Duck had already seen "Monster House"  quite some time ago-- I didn't feel like "scary moments" would be too much of a problem.  I was pleased to notice while viewing the movie that "brief language" was indeed that.  From what I noticed (which is usually everything that my innocent child might pick up on), a character said damn once.  That even happens in Shrek.  Baby Duck didn't catch it.  Both girls enjoyed the movie:  success!
    Later, long after everyone was in bed, Baby Duck crept into my room and whispered, "Mommy, I can't sleep.  Can I snuggle with you?" as she often does when her father is gone.  I patted the bed next to me and she curled up and went right back to sleep.  I woke up this morning shocked to discover that my light-sleeping-mommy radar had failed me in the night!  Munchkin was in the bed as well!  At first I was really bothered by the fact that I hadn't heard her, but then I realized that she was old enough to actually try to be quiet when others are sleeping, whereas Baby Duck sounds a bit like a herd of elephants when she gets up in the night to use the bathroom.  Also, I thought about an important milestone that was achieved while I slumbered.  You see, we have some serious jealousy issues in our house from time to time.  Munchkin's usual response is to withdraw, assuming that any perceived injustice is a personal rejection.  I would have thought that if she came in my room and saw Baby Duck asleep in my bed she would have assumed she wasn't welcome and gone back to her own bed to cry.  I am so happy that she knew she could join us-- that she was every bit as welcome in my king size bed.  How bad would I have felt this morning if she had been alone and sad about it all night?
    
    So now it's time to see if I can get us off to the dentist without any arguments...  Wish me luck!

CL