So the amazing thing about bedtime is that it is always a success. Even if you have to work like a slave for it...everyone must sleep! So the below pictures attempt to show our typical evening through chronological order...I decided to blog about this so in ten years I can remember how much effort was put into a "simple" bedtime routine. We start with either a bath or putting PJs on. That is the initiator. We try and do baths every night, but usually end up with every other. That's why we decided "the routine", which every parenting magazine says is a MUST, would start with PJs. Then, we go watch a show...whatever the flavor of the week is...sometimes it's Sofia the First, or Mickey Mouse, or Octonauts, or even Handy Manny, but tonight it was Jake and the Pirates! So pretty much right after we start our show, Cohen makes his rounds giving everyone hugs and kisses. Then, I take him to bed while Greg and Lys cuddle and finish the show. Cohen and I read through a few books, identifying animals, sounds and colors...then I rock him in my arms while singing a cheesy song I made up (something along the lines of "goodnight Cohen, goodnight Cohen, goodnight Cohen, I love you oh so much!" While subbing in "I" for daddy, lyssa, and Sierra) then I make sure his Husky mobile is wound up and playing the fight song, his sound machine is on, his unicorn/penguin lights are lit, and he has his flashlight and blankies in hand. We are trying to get him to love his blue blankie...but the pink one is his favorite... Oh well, "real men" love pink! Next, I hug, kiss, and wave to him goodnight, shut the door, and lock that sucker! See ya! And he is out...easy as pie!
His sister is a different story... Get comfortable while you read through her routine! So, I posted a pic of her board with all the steps we go through each night. She is a mastermind manipulator, so if you sway from this routine by one minute then you are hosed for weeks to come!
First, PJs...god forbid we tell her what to put on, so she dresses herself ( even tho 99% of the time she ends up sleeping in undies!). Next, she picks the show and watches it while trying to finagle an extra treat or snack.
Tonight was Greg's birthday, so he got to skip out on the "process", so Lys gave him his hugs and kisses after the show... awe...
Then, she brushes her teeth and goes potty. This can be a mini ordeal because she never wants to "go to bed" so usually after a show she attempts to say "hey mommy and daddy is it time for a show yet? We haven't watched one!" Then, Greg and I get to lecture her about honesty...anyway!! She had to pick her own toothbrush and put her own toothpaste on it...again, if I do any of these steps we have to stop and start from the beginning because she must do them all "herself". (Are you exhausted from reading this yet, because I am exhausted from writing about it!) Then, she goes potty, which I captured on camera but tried to sensor.
Now it's time to pick out the 3 books. It's always a process. So then we read the books, and I usually try to sing or use a funny voice to get though them. Since Lys is the epitome of a 3yr old, I am forced to read in a "normal" voice...booooooringggg!
Next is my favorite part of the night! Two minutes of cuddle time! Woohoo! We have made it to almost the end and now I just get to cuddle and love up on my 40inches of sweet goodness!
Then, we do kisses and hugs goodnight! Adios M-Er, F-Er! I'm out! I go out in the living room, pour myself a cocktail or Nuun, depending on whether the evening activity is hot yoga or trashy shows...and relax.
OK! Time's up! Gotta go in for the two minute check! Awe look at that, sitting there reading books like an angel! One last kiss and I'm headed towards Mommy bliss!! I wish.
Now starts the beginning of "the excuses!" The first time she comes out of her room, it's because her covers got messed up, the second time it was because she wanted her stuffed snake on her bed (go with it, she is with boys all day...), the third time she was scared, the fourth time she had to go potty, the fifth time her toe was hurting her when she stood on it...sigh...by the sixth time of me telling her I was going to lock her in her room she got it...Yah! That will teach her to come out of her room after bedtime! LOL oh well...she always falls asleep eventually!
Success! Both kids are asleep..."that was easy!" What's your bedtime routine look like?
