Preschool, Nighttime, and the Chipmunks

Zach and Kammy went to neighborhood preschool this year. I don't know if they got anything from it, but it worked out great for me. I mean, two kid-free hours, in a row, twice a week. It was almost like heaven. Here they are at graduation.

Last night we picked up Jake and went to the drive in movie. We saw Alvin and the Chipmunks. It was cold, but we kept the windows open and the kids were bundled up in the back of the 4Runner with their pillows and blankets. They loved the movie and fell asleep in about 15 seconds when we got home. The best part was the $5 bucket of popcorn and the $10 Tostitoes pizza.

So, this next piece of information is something I thought was so sweet. It's something I miss out on a lot because I'm at work during bedtime. Don't get me wrong; I hate putting the kids to bed what with all the waiting around and hovering like a vulture making sure they brush their teeth and getting drinks and listening to the whining and the bargaining for five more minutes. It's a taxing process at the end of the day. Zach's usually no problem but Kammy is a night owl. We will probably have late night girl parties when she is older. But what was I saying? Ah, yes. When Dave puts the kids to bed, he gets the pajamas, the teeth brushed, the stories read, the everything done. Then he puts the kids in bed, shuts off the light, threatens them with the very breath of life to stay in bed, and leaves. When I put the kids to bed I do all that, but I sing lullabies before I leave. The main thing I wanted when I was a kid was a lullaby and so I decided that was something I would do for my kids. I've sung enough now that I've made up for any I didn't get. But I still sing because they demand it and it helps me calm down at the end of the day, too. Last night I was singing (the Chipmunk's Christmas song by request) and tickling Zach's chubby little cheek and his eyes fell closed and he drifted off to sleep with a sweet little smile on his face. Don't you think it's cool that even a disillusioned mom like me could get a kid to fall asleep with a little smile of his face?