Do your kids struggle with bedtime?

Mine do. Sometimes.

Our bedtime routine is pretty typical. The kids take a bath, together, nearly every night. After bath, it’s PJ’s, teeth brushing, and a story or chapter of a book. Then, it’s off to bed.

They go to bed at the same time, requiring me to bounce back and forth from one room to the next like a ping pong ball.

But… they like doing things together, even bedtime.

Often, these are the types of things I hear during the 30 to 45 minutes after bedtime is initiated:

-I need water.
*Ok, but just a sit or you’ll need to go potty.

-I need to go potty.
*Yep, that’s what I thought.

-I need my ball blankie.
*You’re actually holding it in your hand right now.

-I need my bear bears.
*You are, also, holding your bear bears right now.

-I need a towel for my pillow pet.
*Ack, I forgot. Here you go.

-I’m not sleepy.
*Well, I am.

-I will not sleep.
*Ok, as long as you stay in your bed, that is just fine.

-I need another hug and kiss.
*Nothing would make me happier!

-I need you.
*I’m always here. And I need you too.

Then, I sit with one of them (usually Zac) until I start hearing the sweet sweet sounds of light snores. Bedtime can be HARD, but at least they are in their beds where I know they are safe. I won’t always be able to say that (think: teenage years and beyond).
These are the things I try to remember when I am begging them to sleep.

Lilly, you are 5 years and 2 months old.
You can NOT wait to start Kindergarten in July.
You can count to 100, with only a little help at the beginning of each of the 10’s.
You love to play pretend, though you get a bit bossy.
You love your brother.
You have “a boyfriend. For reals.”
You sleep with bear bears, and with a towel on your pillow when your hair is wet.
You love dresses, the fancier the better.
You are dramatic, emotional, and stubborn.
My God I love you so much.

Zackary, you are 3 years and 4 months old.
You are excited for “boy Kindergarten” (aka Preschool) in July.
You can count into the 20’s before getting distracted.
You love to play with your sister, and you’re developing the ability to stand up for yourself, loudly.
You love your sister.
You love love love to dance.
You sleep with your ball blankie, and still suck your thumb.
You dress and undress yourself, sometimes at inappropriate times.
You are loud, funny, and tempermental.
My God I love you so much.

Great comments on this post, including my mom calling me a fool and my sister offering threatening to break my bones.

Today’s topic? Indulging.

In our 100 mile per hour world, what do you do to indulge?

Me?

I drink coffee. Hot, iced. Home brewed or coffee shop perfection. It doesn’t matter. I drink it and it makes me happy.

I shop. Usually bargain hunting and not always buying much, but looking through the racks is relaxing for me. Unless I’m looking for something specific that I’ll likely never find.

I rent movies. Not usually for myself, but renting a movie for the kids on the weekend usually results in a little time for myself.

I read books. I don’t have a great one going right now, but I’m always on the lookout for that next great book or series.

I play on my iphone. Checking email, social media, and fun games entertain me pretty much every evening for a little while before bed.

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Things that I do not consider indulging?

Taking baths. I like the idea of a long hot bath, but I never enjoy it as much as I think I’m going to. For one, the bathtub is in the bathroom between the kids’ rooms, and I never want to risk waking them up after they finally settle down for the night. Also, I always find my mind wandering to other things I could or should be doing.

Painting my nails. I love a good manicure and pedicure, but the time it takes for them to dry is frustrating, and I usually end up messing them up with my impatience.

Sleeping in. I don’t remember what this feels like…

I ask you, In our 100 mile per hour world, what do you do to indulge?

What a great and busy weekend!

Friday evening, I got home late from a work trip. I am SO grateful to have great friends like Becca, who was awesome enough to pick the kids up from school, feed them, and entertain them until I got to her house that evening. They had a blast and I had no doubt that they were well taken care of. Win!

Saturday was a BIG day. An awesome girl turned 3, so the kids and I got to celebrate her birthday at the splash pad. The party ended in the kids getting a goodie cup containing noisemakers and pixie sticks, in addition to other candy. THAT, my friends, was a fun filled ride home!

Saturday evening we attended another big bash, the wedding of lovely Michelle and Jon. They had an amazingly unique and vintage style wedding, and we were so grateful to be a part of their big day. The kids played and danced for hours, which meant bedtime was a breeze!
I also turned on the AC for the first time on Saturday. We are THERE people!

Sunday morning, my guy took the kids and I to breakfast, where they were relatively well behaved. In the afternoon, we watched movies, went to the library to pick out some books, read books, hit up the grocery store, made cookies, and avoided cleaning at all costs.

It was a good mix of parties, time with my kids, time with my guy, enjoying the sun and relaxing in the AC. All in all, another great weekend!

How was your weekend?

I’m pretty open here on the ‘ol blog, but I thought it would be fun to try to write a post about things you don’t know about me.

1. I love to read, and yet I can not get into The Hunger Games. It makes my stomach hurt. Apparently that makes me super sensitive or something? I can read (and watch) The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo more easily than The Hunger Games. In fact, I’ve read the first two books and am dying to get my hands on the third. Then again, I also cry every time I think of I’ll Love You Forever, so there’s that.

2. I have never had the Chicken Pox. Please don’t infect me.

3. I love high heels and flip flops equally. For work, I’m all about the high heel. At home and one weekends, you’ll definitely find me in a flip flop. My car is currently housing at least one pair of each.

4. I can sing the words correctly to most current hits. However, I probably can not name one artist correctly. If you tell me who sings something, I’ll probably forget. I will, however, still feel confident singing right along.

5. If you had told me five years ago that I would be a runner, I would have laughed in your face and told you you were crazy. And then probably asked if you wanted to grab a beer and stay out too late.

6. I hate horror movies. Give me something funny, sentimental, action packed  or even suspenseful, but keep those horror flicks to yourself.

7. I get addicted to silly sitcoms – usually the ones that no one likes so they get canceled.

8. I love vegetables, salads, and “real” food. I also love pizza, ice cream, and adult beverages. What can I say, it’s all about moderation right?

9. I once had my tongue pierced. I have a tattoo. I once went skydiving. Watch the comments people, I’m not sure my mother knew about that last one.

10. I have a black thumb. Unless growing weeds counts? I once killed a cactus by forgetting to water it. I’ll let that sink in (pun totally intended).

11. I drink a ton of water most days. I used to drink a lot of soda, but now I limit it to road trips for work. I could cut it out completely, but I just love soda with fast food on a road trip!

12. I have never broken a bone. I have had only one surgery (iLasik), and I have only been admitted to the hospital two times (Lilly & Zac). I hope and pray that my luck with good health continues.

13. When the kids are with their father overnight, I tend to eat Peanut Butter and Jelly or cereal for dinner. Because I can. Bonus points if it’s Frosted Flakes.

14. I’m a teensy tinsy bit superstitious, so I couldn’t end this list at 13.

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YOUR TURN! What would I be surprised to learn about YOU?