Kelsey, the Dexter Whisperer

Last night I had a few colleagues from work over to celebrate the completion of a project with a little BBQ. On Wednesday, Ben's friend Billy called to say he and his daughter, Kelsey, would be driving through Chicago on Friday so it was a real party when they also showed up. Dexter had a blast interacting with everyone. He was great until it was time for bed. He went through the get-read-for-bed rituals with no problem, even said goodnight to everyone, but then absolutely refused to lie down in his bed. He was fussing and screaming and crying. Ben and/or I kept going back into Dexter's room trying to soothe him to sleep. No luck. As I was coming out of Dexter's room for the umpteenth time, Kelsey asked if she could go in. I thought about it for a minute and figured she wouldn't get him any more worked up than he already was so I said fine. Kelsey was in that room for 10 seconds and Dexter was silent. She came out and I asked how she did that and the 11 year old told me, "I said, 'Dexter, can you go to sleep for me?' and Dexter said, 'Yes.'" And that was that!

Billy and Kelsey spent the night and we all went for a walk in the morning. Dexter held Kelsey's hand the whole time and pointed out things (mostly cars) in the neighborhood to her, "Look at that Cadillac, Kelsey." Too bad Kelsey lives in Tennessee or she would make a bundle babysitting for Dexter!