The Bedtime Routine

Bedtime is my least favorite time of day. I will never understand why kids resist sleep. They are clearly exhausted by bedtime, but unwilling to just close their eyes and rest. Many experts will tell you that the key to a seamless bedtime is to have a routine. My kids are ALL about a bedtime routine. Unfortunately, it's not the same one Jayson and I have in mind.

If Jayson and I had it our way, the routine would be as follows:

1) Get pajamas on

2) Brush teeth

3) Go potty

4) Read books

5) Say prayers

6) Hugs and kisses

7) Sleep

Unfortunately, the routine the girls prefer is:

1) Strip down naked

2) Run around the house yelling, "I see your booty!" and slap said booties

3) Finally get pajamas on

4) Fight over the stool to reach the sink and brush teeth, cry for somebody to help you brush your teeth

5) Insist you do not have to go potty

6) Pick the longest, stupidest book you can find on the bookshelf

7) Squeeze each other's hand so hard during prayers that giggle fits erupt

8) Hugs and kisses and overall mauling of each other 

9) Say goodnight

10) Scream that you need a drink of water

11) Scream that you have to go potty

12) Scream that somehow you dropped your blanket from the top bunk "accidentally" 

13) Scream that you can't close your eyes

14) Scream that you need another hug and kiss

15) Scream just to scream

16) Eventually fall asleep after Mommy and Daddy threaten to remove any privileges you currently have (while the 2 year-old points her finger at you saying, "Don't talk to me like that!")

Luckily, it's all worth it, because our kids sleep 12 hours at night and wake up in such fun, sweet moods. Only for it to start all over again the next night.