Bedtime Books

Every night, after the kids and kitchen are cleaned up, teeth are brushed, prayers are said and pyjamas are on, we all squish onto our couch for songs and bedtime books. We take turns for who gets to pick the song. We have gone through times where we sung a string of 'Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam' multiple evenings in a row and none of us mind one bit. And then the kids each get to pick a book. Since Atticus is working his way through his second chapter book (a bit more on that another time. He is just following along as we read it and looking for words he knows); so his pick is most always Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Milayla seems to go for variety in her pick and tonight she chose the Gingerbread Man.

Well, each and every time that little gingerbread man put his hands on his hips to say "you can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!, that little lady of ours put her hands on her hips and giggled. It was sweetness I wish I could bundle up and open up again many years down the road as I am sure, no matter how much I enjoy further stages of parenthood, my heart will always miss these early years.

And as we closed the book to the silliness of the gingerbread man being outwitted (and eaten!) by the fox Atticus asked, "Why did the fox eat the gingerbread man?". To which I replied, "well, he was a cookie. Wouldn't you want to eat a cookie, too?". And without missing a beat Atticus said, "Yeah, but not one that moves!".

We all laughed.

I love laughter. I love questions. I love the sparkle of curiosity that shines through Atticus and Milayla's eyes. I love seeing how their love for books and music sparks interest and questions into so many other areas. And it all reminds me why we put that time aside every night to cuddle up on that couch to sing songs and read books. It's to spend time together. It's to learn more about each other. To learn more about the world. And, perhaps most importantly, to strengthen the foundation of our family. Time can't be turned back and so it's important that we invest the time now, to enjoy it together, and plan for the future family we hope for. And I strongly believe these little bedtime traditions are strengthening our little family for many years to come.