Debacle!

We decided to take the kids to a Vandy basketball game tonight. The time at the game (just until halftime) wasn't too bad. The kids enjoyed clapping and watching the jumbotron, and just the general atmosphere. However, NOBODY enjoyed the aftermath of staying up way past bedtime. Last night we went to visit some friends and there were lots of children there so the kids had a great time playing with new toys and new friends. They got to stay out later than usual, but they were in pajamas and in bed only about 30 minutes or so later than is typical and I didn't think it would wreak too much havoc. I was wrong - as is usually the case on nights when they stay up later, they were up earlier than usual. We were already operating on a slight sleep deficit - not good for strict sleep schedule kids - and deciding to keep them up for a second night in a row is in hindsight a very bad idea. Katie took a whopping 1 hour nap at school (also typical), and was in a relatively good mood when we set out to go to the game (early season, small crowd, sit where we want, no big deal to leave at halftime). That all changed however on the drive home and especially once they were supposed to be going to bed. Katie yelled (not just cried or whined, but flat out yelling, screaming, pitching a royal fit) for the entire 3o minute trip in the car, and then had to be wrestled to change her diaper and pajamas and after that went ballistic screaming, crying and flopping uncontrollably. We tried to calm her down, leave her to sort it out, and everything in between and she was just having the tantrum of all tantrums combined with being extremely overtired. Just 30 minutes ago she finally went to sleep after leaving her for a while, checking in, rocking, back rubbing, etc. I am sure she will be up at 5 AM and we will pay the price for messing up her sleep routine for a week at least. I definitely think at this point it is not worth it - Tyler seemed to really enjoy the game, but Katie could not stay still, and it was just stressful for us trying to keep up with them and keep them entertained so I think the verdict is debacle for now. We'll probably wait a year to try to take them back to another game, and I still think basketball is a better bet initially since there is no tailgating, the games are shorter, there is more action, and it is indoor! Football games are in our future too, though, of course - I just think for everyone's sanity we need to wait to include the kiddos in our sports fan fun!