My three year old (and oldest) son, Connor, had a very rough time as an infant and toddler when we tried to transition him to his own crib.  It terrified him, and my wife and I didn't see a need to traumatize the poor kid, so we let him sleep with us in our bed.  We always figured it'd be easier to transition him to his own bed later with a carrot-and-stick approach, e.g. "Now Connor, if you want to borrow the car this weekend, you need to sleep in your own bed."  :)  Seriously though, our approach to parenting has largely been one of watching our kids for signals that they're ready to try new things and encouraging that development as it happens.

Sure enough, a few weeks ago Connor flat-out asked us for his own bed.  We were floored.  We moved his toddler bed from his room into the nursery (which is right across the hall from our room) and got a new toddler bed for our younger son, Cade.  We set up both beds next to each other.  We also installed a wall-mounted TV.  I realize that may be controversial, as a lot of people have a problem with exposing kids to TV at a young age.  Nevertheless, watching a Disney movie or some Blues Clues on DVD has been something he can focus on to relax in bed and dose off, and we still read to our kids frequently.  Their TV doesn't have a satellite receiver and we only use it for watching their favorite DVDs.  (Side note:  Eventually, I plan on getting a digital media player for their room so we don't need to mess with DVDs anymore.  We've already eliminated DVDs in the den and living room.)

Tonight, as I was tucking him into his bed, he asked me to read him a story.  On his mom's suggestion, he selected The Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.  After I finished reading it to him, he asked me to read him another book.  I asked him what he wanted, and he replied, "Star Wars."  I grabbed the Golden Books rendition of the Battle of Hoth and started reading it to him as he pointed out characters like Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.

After I read to him the story of Luke Skywalker almost being eaten by a wampa, and Darth Vader and his army of snowtroopers storming Echo Base, I asked him if he was ready for me to put on a movie for him.  "Watch a movie!" he exclaimed in the affirmative.  "What movie?" I asked, expecting Cars or Toy Story. 

"Star Wars!" came the reply.  I asked if "Return of the Jedi Star Wars" was a good choice.  "Watch Jedi Star Wars," he replied.  So I put on Return of the Jedi, kissed him goodnight, and closed the door.

I've never been so proud.  :)