There is a fine balancing act that goes on here each and every day, and that balancing act involves two toddlers, one baby, me, and nap time. I have found that it is extremely ideal if I can get all three to nap at the same time, though if I have to, I settle for the toddlers napping at the same time.

It's important that they nap at the same time because of the noise created by any awake children playing in the great room. Extra noise = less sleep = cranky kids = cranky me. You all know what I mean, I'm sure. Basically, I need the kids to get the right amount of sleep, both for their well being and mine.

Anyway, the toddlers always go down for their naps around 1 pm, plus or minus 1/2 hour. The baby, who still naps in the morning, is usually ready for his afternoon nap shortly after the toddlers go down. So it usually works out really well.

Unless something like what happened today happens.

We live across the street from a band.

(you all see where I'm going with this, don't you?)

Anyway, this band lives across the street from us, and actually, they seem pretty good, so that's a plus, but today...yeah...The drummer practiced all. day. long. And the thing is, there is only one room in our house where you really hear the drums, and that is our office. And Baby Boy sleeps in here for his naps.

So today, about a half hour into nap time, guess who was awake and crying full blast? Yep...Baby Boy.

Argh!!!! I tried everything to keep him quiet and to get him to go back to sleep. Obviously, he needed more sleep but I was also worried that his crying would wake the other two up.

And it did.

A short time later I heard Toddler Boy wailing. And by wailing, I mean WAILING. And within seconds Baby Girl's cries chimed in.

So all three were woken (woke?) from their naps early.

And the drummer? Still practicing...