I enjoy the bedtime routine with the kids most nights. Since I truly do regret having to work, I cherish this time and typically try to drawl it out when they are in good moods. We are starting to hit a grove with the two kids where they can get in the bath together and generally be on the same schedule. This is a big blessing! There are those nights that are exceptions - where I have had such a rotten day or they are really tire - but all in all, it generally is a nice smooth family time.
Tonight was one of those good nights.
David gave Max his bottle while I got Ellie her bath. She listened quite well and even asked for a rag to wash herself when I was done. I know that I need to encourage her learning to do things herself, so I indulged - though not as fast as Daddy does. Daddy's the easy going bath giver - go figure.
After Max's bottle, Ellie plays while Max jumps in to get washed too. When he's done, they play together for a while. Max loves to splash in the tub and Ellie likes having him there. I love the way his face lights up when he looks up to see me all proud of being in the tub and splashing in the water and just having all our attention on him.
I then get Max dressed and David gets Ellie dressed. Max loves to laugh! He loves to have 'zorberts' on his belly and kisses on his feet, and I love the way he laughs. Ellie loves to listen to him laugh and usually runs in. Tonight, I also got her dressed and ended up giving her a 'zorbert' on her belly. Well, the laugh on her face was one of the best I think i've seen. YOu could tell it was a small form of torture, yet she loved it! She kept asking for more and laughing so hard. It was funny.
We read Sleeping Beauty. Max plays in my arms laughing and distracting Daddy and Ellie.
Finally, David takes Max to put him to sleep and I go through Ellie's standard routine. (Which only I am ever requested to do - and it makes me feel special)
Daddy turns out the lights and we have quite time to talk, say prayers, and sing songs. I like to ask her what was her favorite part of the day. Today her response was "Playing with Owen when he was chasing her today."
Prayers - sometimes I ask her who she wants to thank God for... the answer is always the same "G" or "G and Gramma." If I ask for more, the Perrottas come up. (I think she must take our immediate family for granted :-) )
Songs - I set the expectation I will sing her 3 songs a night before leaving. She usually is stuck on 3 or 4 songs. Everyone once in a while a new song makes the routine. If she had her way - it would always be 3 CHristmas Songs. But once January hit, I limited her to 1 of 3 being Christmas songs until December (this is for my sanity sake). She always asks me for The Twelve Days of Christmas. This is so painful, that I have developed an abbreviated version of this song which she cause the "Short-ry version of the twelve days of christmas." Her next new favorite song is "The Owen Song" which is the Banana rhyming song using her favorite friend Owen's name. The third song varies between a few - Twinkle Twinkle still being the one song I started singing her as a baby that is requested most nights of the week. Some other favorites are You Are My Sunshine, Amazing Grace, and West Virginia.
My favorite part that Ellie has recently inserted into the routine is when the songs are done, she tells me how many hugs she wants before she goes to sleep - It's so sweet.
I love being a mom!
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