Bedtime Routines ...

Colin is very accustomed to his bedtime routine - so much that, if ever his routine is forgotten or done out of order, it sends him into a funk. Some days this is completely frustrating, as there are moments when I just want to get him in his PJs, get his teeth brushed and let him go to sleep! However, his routine also includes story time and a bedtime prayer. Tonight was NOT a rushed through evening - in fact, I very much enjoyed bedtime tonight. Colin told me around 8pm that he was ready for bed, so he went potty and I brushed his teeth, then we went to his bedroom to change into pajamas and to get his story read and get him tucked in. As I was getting him into his pajamas, I was singing a bedtime song to him. He chose out his bedtime story - tonight's choice was "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly". Once upon a time I sang this story to him, and ever since then his request is always: "no Kami, don't just read it, SING IT pleeeeeeease!" How could I resist. So together we sang "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly", though he was trying more to get the words correct as we sang more than he was trying to sing! :) After that he asked me to sing another song to him - so I cuddled him and was singing "You Are Mine" by Go Fish. When I was done, he completely melted my heart when he said, "Kami, can we pray?" I love that! I love that he doesn't want to go to bed without praying. So I tucked him into bed and said a prayer asking God to watch over Colin, to give him good dreams, to help him sleep through the night and to help him to not pee his bed (I know it's kind of funny that we pray this - but every time we do, he doesn't pee the bed!). Then I tucked him into bed and kissed him goodnight and said, "Sweet dreams baby. Kami loves you!"

... he responded with, "Sweet dreams to you, too, baby. Colin loves you!" ... and my heart is completely melted! Aaaahhhh the life of a stepmom! :)