Our bedtime Routine

It's impossible for me to think that someday I might not remember the details of our go to sleep ritual.  It's such a integral part of our lives right now.  It's something we do twice a day, every single day with Colin.

First Our Book: Snuggle up Sleepy Ones.

"The Sun paints the sky a soft glowing red it's time to stop playing, it's time for bed.  In soft swampy mud baby hippo so snug, cuddles up close for a big hippo hug.  Through wild waving grasses shy antelope roam.  It's been a long day their ready for home. Bold leopard cubs rest from practicing roars, they snuggle together all tired tangled paws.  While up in the tree tops birds twitter and cheap, until quieter and quieter they fall fast asleep.  Below in their nests baby porcupines all curl up snug and tight in one spiky balls. Mischievous monkeys shout down from the trees, "It's not really dark yet five more minutes please!" The zebras lie panting tired out from their play, they sink into sleep as the sun slips away.  The moths go but fluttering the bats flitter by, the elephants rumble their deep lullaby.  The shadows grow deeper the lion cubs doze drowsey heads nod little eyes start to close.  Stars twinkle brightly the moon softly gleams, snuggle up sleepy ones, good night and sweet dreams.  

Then Our prayer:

"Dear God, thanks for the sun, thanks for the moon.  Thanks for my house and thanks for my room.  Thank you for my mommy, and daddy and brother, and thanks for a family that loves one and other. Amen."

And finally our song:

"You're a bright little bug and I love you, yes you are yes you are yes you are.  You're a bright little bug and I love you, yes you are yes you are yes you are.Why are you so bright? So that you can find your way in the night night night, why are you so bright? So that you can find your way in the night.  You're a bright little bug and I love you, yes you are yes you are yes you are. You're a bright little bug and I love you, yes you are yes you are yes you are. And your belly does glow, so that you can find your way home home home. And your belly does glow, so that you can find your way home.  You're a bright little bug and I love you, yes you are yes you are yes you are.You're a bright little bug and I love you, yes you are yes you are yes you are. Why are you orange and green?  So that you can find your way back to me me me. Why are you orange and green? So that you can find your way back to me.

Having a bedtime routine has been awesome.  Colin knows it means it's time to sleep and it gives everyone a chance to wind down.  I also love the cuddles.

After much debate, we've decided to try a new routine with Alex.  I don't have his as fully memorized yet, but it will start with the book I love you as much, then the same prayer and finally the lullaby that I used to make his rooms wall decor. (Photos to come!)

Someday my boys won't need or want me to read and sing to them, but in the meantime, it's one of my favorite parts of the day.