It really is amazing how many different stressors can all come together in one three-week period. I'm not going to share the stressors here, but we decided that one part of the solution was to debunk the bunk beds. Superstar and JT would share a bedroom with very little floor space. Yes, sounds like a great idea.
Separating the bunk beds was remarkably easy. The fun part for me was contemplating the advice "Never lift with your back." We had Joy, Superstar, and Princess on the three outside corners ready to lift. I crawled into JT's bed, then crouched up so that I lifted the upper bunk ... with/on my back! Tortoise-like, I walked that corner to its new home, got out from under the bed, and we got everything repositioned. Lovely! Painless! Never lift with your back...
Sadly, it did not take long for Reality to inform us that our plans were insufficient. The "bouncy room" is no more and all the children have their own, separate rooms. I was pleased to note that moving one bunk to the other room was a lot easier than setting it up the first time. I had it taken down and reassembled in under 15 minutes. It's also necessitated moving a bunch of furniture around in the house - a constant theme this semester, it seems.
The end of the communal play room has given Princess the opportunity she has always wanted to seize most of the bouncy room toys for her room. Her usual MO was sneaking toys into her room one or two at a time until we come in with a box to repatriate them.
The boys are sad to be apart - they draw such comfort from sleeping in the same room with someone else. On the other hand, they are also excited to have Their Own Room. We'll see how the night goes.
(Update: Superstar says, "We've really transformed this into a great house!" On hearing me type this, he wants to walk that statement back a little - it was always a great house. It's just a new level of greatness. "Thank you! That's what I was looking for!")
Separating the bunk beds was remarkably easy. The fun part for me was contemplating the advice "Never lift with your back." We had Joy, Superstar, and Princess on the three outside corners ready to lift. I crawled into JT's bed, then crouched up so that I lifted the upper bunk ... with/on my back! Tortoise-like, I walked that corner to its new home, got out from under the bed, and we got everything repositioned. Lovely! Painless! Never lift with your back...
Sadly, it did not take long for Reality to inform us that our plans were insufficient. The "bouncy room" is no more and all the children have their own, separate rooms. I was pleased to note that moving one bunk to the other room was a lot easier than setting it up the first time. I had it taken down and reassembled in under 15 minutes. It's also necessitated moving a bunch of furniture around in the house - a constant theme this semester, it seems.
The end of the communal play room has given Princess the opportunity she has always wanted to seize most of the bouncy room toys for her room. Her usual MO was sneaking toys into her room one or two at a time until we come in with a box to repatriate them.
The boys are sad to be apart - they draw such comfort from sleeping in the same room with someone else. On the other hand, they are also excited to have Their Own Room. We'll see how the night goes.
(Update: Superstar says, "We've really transformed this into a great house!" On hearing me type this, he wants to walk that statement back a little - it was always a great house. It's just a new level of greatness. "Thank you! That's what I was looking for!")
