Preparing for South Dakota Bootcamp!

As the boys prepare for South Dakota Bootcamp, here’s a schedule for Grandma Linda, Grandpa Pam and Grandpa Al. The boys do pretty well sticking to Miss Lauren’s schedule at day care, but they have minds of their own, too!

Jaden will likely wake up first, if it’s before 6am, I give him some milk, change his diaper, and put him back to bed---he will likely cry. Try to leave him and he may/should/hopefully go back to sleep. Leaving a book within his reach helps him too. Evan is less predicable as he could wake up at 6am if he hears Jaden, or wake at 7, and if you’re lucky, 8am. They can have some cereal in the morning. As we are eating, Jaden usually sits and watches cartoons with his dry cereal.

Between 8-10am they usually eat. Typical foods include: yogurt, applesauce, lightly toasted bread, waffles (plain), muffins, fruit of any kind. You can put dry cereal on their tray as you prepare food or clean up. DO not be surprised if Evan throws food on the floor---Jaden does this when he is full; Evan does this for attention! At any time, please discipline as necessary. 

If it’s nice outside, morning is a good time to play outside. For sunscreen: the ‘stick’ makes it easy to put on the face, ‘spray’ for their scalp, and ‘lotion’ for arms/legs. I know, they are high maintenance.

Between 11:30-12:15 they typically eat lunch. It totally depends on their moods as to what they will eat! They seem to like mac n cheese, pizza, grilled cheese, cheese sandwich. They will eat most meats in small pieces……pasta marina sauce/BBQ sauce/or ketchup with the meat helps if they aren’t eating it. We grilled out and they loved baked beans! Canned carrots are their favorite veggie and they can easily split 1 can in a sitting. If you plan to give fruits at meal time. Give them at the end, or they will only want more and eat nothing else. Also, If they aren’t eating the figner foods/bite sized pieces on their trays, try using a metal fork and put a piece on it for them and give them the fork---then they should eat better because it’s more fun for them…..more work for you!

After lunch, change their diaper and to make it easy-just give them about 4-5 ounces of milk in a bottle and put them in their respective pac-n-plays with the lights out and sound machine. They should fall asleep for about a 2.5 hour nap.

When they make up- they can have a snack. For snacks: any fruits, any of the breakfast items above, gold fish crackers, veggies, graham crackers, etc.

Special Occasion: Ice Cream treats!

Playtime! They will continue to push their boundaries! They are sneaky, and quick! If they are doing something they shouldn’t be---diverting their attention should help. Also during fussy time, DVDs or Mickey Mouse online should help. They love Mickey!

Supper- same advice as lunch. Depending on snack time in the afternoon---they likely will get hungry by 5:30 or 6. They can have water in sippy cups at meals. Only thing they can’t have it Peanut Butter (and I would just stay away from eggs with Jaden).

At 7:30pm (7:15 if fussy) give them about 7-8 ounces of milk in bottle. They can drink this while playing/watching DVD. You can change them into PJs. After the milk, brush their teeth. You can put about a fraction of a pea-size dot of the toddler toothpaste on their yellow toothbrushes. You will have to do the initial brush, then they love to try and eventually chew the brush. Tonight Evan was a Drama King after I took the brush away. Then put them in their pac n plays. Nate typically sings the ABC’s and Jeasus Loves Me. Jaden gets his blanket and Evan his lamb. 

They likely will cry, but just for a bit. Evan tends to be up til after 9 whereas Jaden should cuddle with his blanket and fall asleep soon.

Now, go to bed yourself!! I do not practice what I preach, but I would highly recommend it. Jaden will be up early! If one happens to wake during the night---change diaper if needed. Evan seems to talk in his sleep, so you may just let him go. Jaden will scream-cry. If it’s like 4am, I’d give him some milk and leave him alone. I got in a pattern of trying to rock him but then he wouldn’t let me put him back down without waking up, so then we spent days basically waking up at 4…….now I just give him milk and close the door!!

You will have so much fun…..oh, and don’t forget to take pictures!!! Text/call anytime. Miss you all!!

And a final HUGE THANK YOU!!!!!

I know, I know.......'Mom, we've got this!!'