Now nearly seven, we've been allowing Z to stay up and play quietly in her room after her bedtime routine. To our surprise, after some typical toy play sessions she has turned this evening hour or so (she typically declares herself tired enough to go to sleep by around 9:30) into one of the most productive periods of her day. Some evenings she rounds up scissors and tape, paper and string, raids our recycling bins, and emerges with an invention or doll outfit. Other nights she develops songs to sing to us or dance routines.

"Superbaby" (our name, not hers) is what she made a few nights ago, out of some deflated balloons.











We'll write something up about Z's "free-range" bedtime for anyone who's interested!