Early mornings.

I have amazing children.  Our flight for Panama left Ohare at 5am.   That meant a 2 am wake up for our international flight.  Our children are used to sleeping 10-11 hours a night.  Does 3 in the afternoon sound like a bed time to a 6 and 7 year old?  How about 5pm? Could you fall asleep then?  The night before we left for Panama we drove to Chicago. During the drive our children wanted to do the good thing and fall asleep. We encouraged them to stay awake. And they did. After a quick dip in the swimming pool it was off to bed. We pulled the curtains shut. We dimmed the lights and got kids all settled into bed. Did I say that it was now 4pm?  We set the alarms and fell into bed as well. It was now 4:30pm.  Non of us were all that tired and the kids were tossing and turning.  Cheryl went to lay down with them, within 10 minutes you heard nothing but snoring. It was now 4:45 and everyone was asleep. The alarm when off at 1:30 am and our kids were up and dressed within 10 minutes.  I couldn't have been prouder. The morning continued with standing in lines, waiting, quickly getting on airplanes after walking "miles" to find girls bathrooms. The kids showed us their excitement as they explored the airplane for what they remember as the first time. We answered the questions, walked through all of the safety features and took off. Watching Chicago grow tiny from the air. Chicago became the tiny town. Cars and trains quickly went out of sight. After a short stopover in Houston, we were off for Panama.  It was a 4 hour flight and knowing what was to come we asked the kids to close there eyes and take a nap.  Not 10 minutes later both kids were again, sound asleep. I don't know what I have done to be so blessed to have kids that within 24 hours went to sleep whenever we asked.