A Night to Remember

It’s 7:45pm… The girls are asleep after only 4 readings of “The Going to Bed Book” and 3 of “Your Personal Penguin” both by Sandra Boynton.  I was given these books by a co-worker today who showed me the animated interactive version first on her iPad.  I’m instantly a fan of the sweet stories and their charming characters.  Reading them feels almost as sweet as a verse of “Godspeed” by the Dixie Chicks.  To channel what I’m feeling in this moment click here and enjoy the little ones, or not so little ones anymore, in your life. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqaBof47pmY

Tonight I’ll write a run through of our night time routine using a night like tonight when all goes seamlessly and their soft eyelids are sealed before 8pm.  I’m left feeling calm and thankful for my precious baby girls as I dry up bath tub puddles and gather toddle size clothes from throughout the house.  On a side note – things don’t always go so smoothly, but before I forget how wonderful nights like these are I’ll jot them down so one day I can recall these precious evenings and forget the ones that include tears and rushed lullabies.  Once I’ve completed tonight’s detailed timeline I’ll print these screen shots and place a copy in each of their baby books.  One night when the girls are emotional preteens, who repeatedly try to hate my guts, I can slide their baby book under the door that was slammed in my face in hopes they’ll take a glance and relize I may not be the evil monster they think I am at the moment.  Maybe they’ll take a second to see how much their father and I love them.  I’ll always have the memory of rocking them to each to sleep as I sing (or attempt to sing) “Baby Mine”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNSDfwR7u18

It all starts with picking them up at 5:21 after I’ve locked the office door not a minute past 5:00pm.  I’ll take the fast way and travel just 4mph over the speed limit to avoid another ticket.  When I walk into the colorful building filled with miniature furniture, bright colored collages and perfectly sloppy finger paintings - I’ll look for my oldest first.  Her classroom is first down the sun colored hallway and her independent toddler ways are helpful as I gather goodies like fallen bows and blankies that need washing.  The way she slams down the play-dough and yells “mommy!” tells me she’s excited to see me in the doorway.  I usually can get in three steps before she’s wrapped her arms around my legs.  “See my doggie” she says as she points to an oddly shaped lump of homemade play-dough.  “I love it!” I say and I wave to the sweet patient teacher standing above the last two little ones. 

“We get Sizzy?” She’ll say as she skips for the door.  I have to remind her daily to pick up her mess before we go.  “What do you say to Miss H?” I say with my hand on her back attempting to keep her still.  The words “Thank you!” are barley heard as she quickly heads down the long hall for the infant room.

She opens the door to her sisters’ class before I can sign my name on the attendance sheet.  Sizzy is slower to notice mommy as she’s filled with excitement to see her big sister first.  She drops the xylophone when her big sisters hug turns into something resembling a headlock.  The two speak in their own special language as I receive Miss M’s re-cap of my little girls’ day.  How many pees and how many poops, how long of a nap and what was for snack.  The daily log usually has checks marks next to ‘happy’ and the comments review her latest words and new favorite game at school.

Once we’re in the car I turn off the tunes and ask about the day.  We usually get distracted by my toddler tattling on every no-no made by her classmates.  “J said poo poo” and “D hit me”.  I ask her what she should do when that happens and she automatically responds, “PLEASE STOP IT. DON’T LIKE IT!”  Sizzy chimes in with a few claps and babbles and we’re almost home.  Unloading takes a few trips; we get the mail and head inside.  They make a run for the toy box and I make my way to the dreaded birthplace of I’ll call “dinner”.  It’s usually boneless skinless chicken breasts with canned, frozen or fresh veggies (I’ll let you guess which one is most frequent.)  Texas toast and applesauce are common on the plastic princess plates.  Both girls gulp their milk and often ask for more.  When Daddy does dinner we get much better selections since he’s skilled and much more creative in the kitchen.

A few minutes out back or on the living room floor, dad’s favorite kid friendly YouTube songs with a family dance off in the kitchen, then one screaming lap around the house then it’s straight to the tub.  Splish slash and scrub scurb scrub the smell of Johnson and Johnson in the air.  While they squeal over the squirting hippo, daddy readies the tooth brushes and the detangler while I hit the dishes and front room.  By this time there’s usually more water outside the tub then in it.  We pretend not to see their reflections in the mirror and attempt to witness their unique bond.  Daddy and I see who wants who for the remainder of bed time.  Both girls go through phases on who they want, but thankfully they enjoy alternating.  Only Daddy can read them Chicka Chicka Boom Boom because Mommy doesn’t say it right and whoever had a rough day or a shorter nap usually reaches for mommy.  Husband and I grin at each other as we take note on each other strengths.  Every once in a while we may have to ro-sham-bo for who takes the fussier toddler, but it’s usually over before it starts.

After swallow safe tooth paste, kid proof mouth wash and a layer of lavender lotion we head for panties and PJs.  Picking princess or the polka dots is always an issue, then it’s straight to the glider we go.  I love their clean wet hair in the fold of my arm as I turn on my character voices for story time.  Once the book is closed it’s a combination of Eskimo and butterfly kisses, big hugs and a flip to the tummy for rocking and lullaby.  Other than the traditional “Close Your Eyes” song my mother once sang to me I whisper “Baby Mine” until the breathing deepens and I lay them in their crib or toddler bed.

I tip toe out the door just as they peak to see me go.  Before I meet hubby in the front room I switch on the video monitor and grab a glass of sangria.

Good night sleepy heads, sweet dreams & godspeed.  Let’s hope tomorrow is just a easy… Not common to have two perfect nights in a row.

Other favorite week night memories: 

When Dad is control of pre-dinner music we’ll usually end up shaking our booties to Hip Hop or popular 80’s dance music whereas I pull up YouTube Disney songs from the Little Mermaid, Snow White or Cinderella. 

Music and dance is a big part of our evening.  I can’t count how many nights we wait for the pasta to boil as we bump into each other with the music far too loud.  I hope we’re never too busy for our family dance off’s.

Dance classes, Cheer practices, The Little Gym, Tiny Tots, Mommy & Me, and swim lessons…  Working in recreation means my girls are involved in whatever programs are open for such youngsters, but I’m careful not to over schedule just yet.  These evenings call for quick dinners and fast showers.

(I have a trillion pics that would fit perfectly in this blog, but I'm still learning the how to, so bare with me until I figure it out.)