We have broken down Leina’s crib.

It was one of the 3 in 1 do-hickeys that starts as a crib and converts into a toddler bed. For a while now, it’s been in toddler bed formation but I had noticed that my sweet girl pretty much filled the entire crib/bed. When she stretched out her toes, she hit the end rail and I knew it was time. We inherited a twin frame and bed board from Liza and they sat unused in our garage for a few weeks. You see, I was biding my time, waiting for my dad’s visit. Every time he arrives we have some handyman project lined up for him to keep him busy. Just in case hefting small grandchildren isn’t enough of a workout. So this time, I set him to work on Leina’s room.

Kevin kept the girls occupied and out of our hair so my dad and I could break down the crib/bed, rearrange the furniture, and set up Leina’s new twin bed. It took about 2 hours to get everything ready. Once we were prepped for the big reveal, Kevin led the girls upstairs and we ushered Leina into her new room.

Her reaction was not, exactly, ecstatic.

She took one look at her new bed, crosses her arms, furrowed her brow, and turned up her nose. I knew what was coming next. Her current favorite phrase is “I hate…..” and I could see the words forming on her lips when Kulia, bless her pesky little soul, burst into the room.

That kid ran straight for Leina’s new bed, threw herself on it, and began rolling around gleefully squealing with uncontained joy. Leina was torn. On the one had, she was all ready to hate the new bed. On the other, Kulia was clearly violating her personal space and having way too much fun. Leina is many things but most of all she is smart. She quickly transferred her hatred of the bed to….. her sister.

“Get that baby off my bed!” Leina yelled. “That’s my big girl bed and there are no babies allowed!”

Once Kulia was removed, Leina began to declare how much she loved her bed and how Kulia was never ever ever allowed to even looking at it again.

Sigh.

So last night, as I lay in bed with Leina and read her books, I asked her if she liked her bed. She said yes, she loved it.

“Isn’t Papa the best for building you this bed?” I asked Leina.

She thought about this for a moment and then said, “Yeah, I just wish we could think of some way to get him to stay here longer.”

I had to smile as I watched her little mind plotting away next to me. Watch out Papa, she has her sights set on you!