Sometimes, the funniest and sweetest things happen during nap time in this home.  

For example, yesterday Mary was just playing in the pack n’ play, instead of sleeping.  That was fine with me.  She has free agency, and if she isn't tired, quiet time is just as wonderful.  During quiet time, she is left to her thoughts and imagination and creativity.  And boredom is the father of creation and ingenuity.  

I have come to love it when my children are bored - and confined to a room.  They sit there – almost glassy eyed for a while, and all of a sudden the wheels and cogs of the brain begin to turn and their eyes light up, and they jump up and begin to play in new ways, new games, and with more creativity than what they had before.  Boredom is so good for children! 

Anyways, she was sitting there quietly talking and playing and singing.  When after about a half hour (William, in his room, was quiet and assumed fast asleep), Mary began to yell out to me.  “Mama!!”  “MAMA!!!”  I knew she didn't need anything.  Usually if she needs something, she says that she needs to go to the bathroom, needs water, etc…  This time, it was just the boredom that bothered her and she wanted me to save her from it, which I wouldn't do.  So I quietly walked to the door, and spoke through the door, without opening it, saying in Spanish to her, “Mary, it’s time to nap now.  It’s time to go to sleep, okay?”  Long pause…..and then I heard a sweet little voice say “Okay!”  But it didn't come from Mary.  It came from across the hall.  William, who I thought was asleep in his crib in the other room had been awake this whole time, listening – and he responded.  So cute.  After William said “okay”, Mary seconded her response.  And all was quiet for the next couple of hours.  J Cutie pies!  

There is another thing that happens often – and it happened again today.  When William is trying to nap because he is so tired, but is also at that stage where nothing I do can comfort him, he just lays there a cries for a while until he calms down enough to begin thinking happy thoughts and fall asleep.  Well, Mary – in the other room, in her pack n’ play – also during her nap time – often calls out to him, comforting him, saying in Spanish, “William!  It’s okay!  It’s okay.  Be happy.  You have your blanket, and your water, and your teddy bear!  It’s okay.”  He often quits down and listens to her words, and is soothed.  They are the same words I have said to him, but coming from Mary, for some reason, is more magical.  

They are quite the pair.  Good friends and great siblings, and I don’t think that will ever change.