What is it about fresh air that makes a child sleep more?

My toddlers have been fighting me on taking naps, probably for the last month or so.  The weather has finally gotten nice in the Mid Atlantic states, and it was even near 85 degrees yesterday.  My husband and I both agree that the boys need to be outside in the spring and summer as much as possible so both of us have been taking them out for walks or just to play in the yard.  Nothing special and nothing too strenuous – they’re just doing what they usually do inside outside.

The past few days have been wonderful in terms of naps.  They’re taking naps of at least two hours (and on Sunday they even slept for two and one half hours).  They’re going to bed at night at their regular time and might be sleeping in a bit more, but not a lot.

I always am amazed when I figure something out, like the fact that fresh air and sunshine will make a child sleep better.  What makes me mad is when you figure something out and proudly tell someone – like your mother or your sister – and they say something like “of course it does – didn’t you know that”.  No I didn’t know that.  I must have missed that chapter in the owner’s manual that comes with all kids.  Wait a minute – I never got an owner’s manual with these two boys!