Doo deloo doo
Doo deloo doo doo
This is the tune that goes through my head in the couple of hours between supper and the kids’ bedtime. That and the classic, “It’s the end of the world as we know it”. Except I don’t feel so fine.
During the day there are meltdowns for various reasons. Low blood sugar, woke up early, my brother has a toy that I want and NO OTHER TOY ON EARTH WILL DO. You know, the usual when it comes to preschoolers.
There are also many high moments during the day. The times when you all get the giggles over something funny (or someone farted), your son tells you that you’re “cute”, or your other son walks onto the deck and hands you these:
I know. He’s a keeper…most of the time. Graham brought me a flower too, but didn’t want his picture taken. I tried, but he covered his face and said, “I TOLD YOU not to take my picture!” Way to veto the sweet gesture, buddy.
That final two-hour period before bedtime is what will likely be the death of me though. Everyone’s tired, Honey and I included. We’ve been joking lately about paying someone to deal with the munchkins for those two crazy hours. It would be worth every single cent. The boys go from laughing hysterically together to fighting over who gets to do things FIRST. It’s a competition as to who gets out of the bath first, who comes downstairs first, who gets their pyjamas on first, who eats their bedtime snack first.
The kid who “wins” can be heard taunting the other with the phrase, “I won the snack race” to the tune of “Nana, Nana, Poo, Poo” while the other one is wailing like their world has come crashing down around them. I should get THAT on video and post it. Talk about effective contraception.
Thankfully, most days Honey and I can just look at each other, smile, and say to each other, “We did this to ourselves. On purpose.” We can also be heard asking each other what time it is, with the standard response of “Are you SURE that only five minutes has passed? IT FEELS LIKE AN HOUR!”
Then the kids are finally in bed and we can sit and reflect on the good parts of the day without the distraction of all of that screaming going on. I need to sit here and document how much I believe that they are worth it, despite the melting down that happens. Because when I’m in the midst of the drama, the thoughts running through my head aren’t usually along the lines of “you’re so CUTE when you throw your head back and wail like that”.
I know. Bad Mommy. But they’re still alive. And so am I. The warm and fuzzy feelings are returning…helped along by how sweet they look while they are sleeping. And how sweet they were to bring me blossoms. Come morning I’ll be ready to go through the whole routine all over again.
13 Comments
Sounds just like our house between 5-7pm!! Our boys fight about who gets to be first as well. Who gets to turn the TV off with the remote. Who gets the Spiderman bowl/plate/fork/spoon at dinner time. Who gets to say grace!! And so it goes on … and on … and on … until they’re asleep in their beds looking so sweet and angelic and we are left with a peaceful house from 7pm onwards EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. Those 2 hours of OhMyGosh are totally worth it for the solitude that follows. Ahhh.
Comment by Hannah on April 30th, 2007 @ 8:11 pmHow sweet, to bring you flowers! 
Andrew always gets a call from me around 4pm… “Are you coming home soon?” The three hours between nap wake-ups and dinner/bedtime are the most trying of the day. I’m just pooped! But then I’ll stay up later than I should because I relish the quiet.
Comment by LVGurl on April 30th, 2007 @ 8:41 pmI hate to be a downer, but I dont think it changes as they grow. Maybe with just less whining:) The time before bed is always a bit of stretch unless there is something specifically planned. We usually get outside and ride bikes or play something. Time seems to fly.
Comment by kelly on April 30th, 2007 @ 9:18 pm1. get kids to bed
2. decide between martini or glass of wine.
3. choose both
4. go to bed
5. face tomorrow
Wow, did you just write about my life?
Oh except for the flowers part
We did do this on purpose! But it really is worth it, most of the time.
Comment by Kami on May 1st, 2007 @ 8:54 amYa, you basically summed up our evenings in a nut-shell as well. I’m usually DONE by 5pm, and could almost cry on the days where my side-kick hubby has to zip in for supper and then is off to a worship meeting or something and I’m left to tackle that last hour myself. You’d think the world was ending…and then suddenly they are asleep and we totally stay up too late to make the most of the QUIET.
Comment by SarahD on May 1st, 2007 @ 9:39 amI enjoy reading your journal and know just how you feel most days. They always have the sweetest faces, it is so difficult to be cross or frustrated for very long! My son painted me a paper ice cream cone! Chocolate, no doubt! It was SO delicious! You’ll enjoy those blossoms long after they have wilted! Have a great week!
For me it’s the opposite as I really dread the first hour of the day. Everyone wakes up hungry and wanting to be fed right now including me. It’s our unhappy time. Bedtime runs so smoothly at our house, but that might change once Brooklyn can talk. Both girls get in the bath at the same time and our routine works really good cuz Brooklyn can’t walk yet. I think for us the key to keeping the peace will be doing it all together at least I hope it will be because there is still so much for me to do after I put them to bed I can’t imagine bedtime running me down! I hope you guys find some relief soon as I know what that first hour is like in our day and I too would pay someone else to come and do it in a heartbeat. If you find an agency that you can get an hour nanny from let me know…..
Comment by Amanda Franks on May 1st, 2007 @ 5:45 pmSo exactly like our house. In fact right now I’m hiding from it in internetland while Rob deals with the boys downstairs. hee hee. Aren’t the evenings so great after bedtime?
Comment by Heidi on May 1st, 2007 @ 6:43 pmUgh, we have “firsts” in our house too. In fact last night both girls needed to go to the toilet at 3:30am and the minute Bec sat down, Emily yelled out “hey, I first!”….unbelievable!
Comment by Robyn on May 1st, 2007 @ 9:30 pm
I hear you!!! Who ever introduced firsts to our world??? My children used to fight over who I would kiss first at night, and whoever was second would have a tantrum and cry until I was kissing them. It was quite stressful until I hatched a plan. Whoever goes ‘first’ gets butterfly kisses and whoever goes second gets a fairy secret, now there is no problems at night they both love to take turns! No all I have to do is straighten out all the other first comps in my day!!
Comment by Melanie on April 30th, 2007 @ 7:58 pmLove the flowers picture, what a little cutie!!!