Bedtime is a big ritual at our house. We have several little routines that often come into play, although they rotate as spontaneity dictates each individual evening. These repetitions were developed naturally out of play that progressed from the living room to the bedroom some fateful night. Once in particular, we were all trying to stall the bedtime process just to extend all the wonderful fun we were having. No one REALLY wanted to end such a great day, myself included. So after our regular goodnight kisses, somebody offered an Eskimo kiss. Then more were exchanged all around. Then we moved on to the "European Kiss," kissing first one cheek and then the other. Then blown kisses and "butterfly kisses" followed. We also made up "fishy kisses" (with puckered lips), "old people kisses, (where our heads shake as we move in)" sappy kisses (with hands cupping the face) and "polka dot" kisses (all over the face.) Oh, and a particular favorite to me are "Great Aunt Bertha Kisses." We don't have a great Aunt Bertha. But if we did, we're sure she would grab our faces, squeezing our cheeks between her puffy grip to hold us right where we don't really want to be. The kids pretend to hate it when I do that one.
Tonight the sweet familiar ritual played out again. But I was in a bit of a hurry to tuck the kiddos in and get back to my chores so they would get enough sleep for school tomorrow. I let them each pick one special kiss to receive. "O.K." my oldest declared with suspicious giddiness. "DOGGY KISS!" And with that he licked from chin to hairline clear up one side of my face! I love that kid! So do his brother and sister. Dearly. So each one of us is all wet and sticky now, but I at least get to go shower. I love what memories are made of!
(Sometime soon, I'll have to tell about our bedtime ritual of "Making Sandwiches.")
Good night!
Tonight the sweet familiar ritual played out again. But I was in a bit of a hurry to tuck the kiddos in and get back to my chores so they would get enough sleep for school tomorrow. I let them each pick one special kiss to receive. "O.K." my oldest declared with suspicious giddiness. "DOGGY KISS!" And with that he licked from chin to hairline clear up one side of my face! I love that kid! So do his brother and sister. Dearly. So each one of us is all wet and sticky now, but I at least get to go shower. I love what memories are made of!
(Sometime soon, I'll have to tell about our bedtime ritual of "Making Sandwiches.")
Good night!
P.S. - I'm sending a cyber kiss and hug to RTH. You're on my mind!
2 comments:
I had a long comment written and tried posting it four times, but, alas, it disappeared for some reason. Grrrrrr Anyway, basically it said I want to come back to your house really soon and get in on those bedtime kisses and hugs. I miss you guys like crazy! Love and Hugs, Grandma
Awwwww, thank you so much!!! I just now read this.... after laughing OUT LOUD at the doggy kiss picture in my mind (kids are SO hilarious!), I read your sweet byline at the bottom and it seriously made tears fill my eyes. You are such a sweetheart and I too wish you had been sitting on the couch with me last night. How fun would that be?
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