Routines

My kids have some pretty amusing routines lately. Granted, they have some not-so-amusing routines, like how Roland always remembers to pee and wash his hands, never flushing, and Aria remembers to flush and wash her hands, seldom peeing. Some routines are masked as preferences: Roland will eat every vegetable on his plate, Aria is a carnivore. Aria only wants juice and water, Roland prefers just water and milk. No syrup for Roland, no pancakes for Aria. Aria has to open her car door, Roland will gladly let you chauffeur him through each step of the day. It goes on and on.

A couple nights ago when I was tucking in the kids, Aria kinda stumbled into a new bedtime routine. I have no idea how long it will last, but forever works for me. It starts with an "eye" kiss, followed by "noses" and then a very loud, often wet "mouth" kiss. Those are little things I have taught her, but she threw in a-pull-your-heart-out curve ball with her very own, "hug". Arms flung wide, she wraps both around your head as she cradles you to her chest, and then, if that gesture wasn't enough to melt you like butter, she strokes your hair. Silently. Resting just-so with enough pressure on her 30lb frame for her to feel the hug and precariously balancing all the rest of my body elsewhere, all I can hear is her heartbeat. And there we stay. Then, when you think you can't possibly take anymore, she offers up, "I wuv you. You my bwest fwriend." And cue happiness explosion. All I can think to do is close my eyes tight and soak up every single sense of the moment, offering back, "I love you. You're my best friend, too." She's done that on and off in the mornings and most nights, just ensuring that if I wasn't totally, completely, madly in love with her...I am completely enslaved now. That is, until dinner time anyway. :)

And I know it's fleeting, Roland has taught me to appreciate it. Recently we developed a new one when I would drop him off at school. His creation. A parting hug, kiss, high-five and then a blown kiss, with a wave as I walk out of the classroom. Maybe a, "Have a good day at work!" belowed down the hallway. It was lengthy when he created it, and then as it got shorter and shorter and now I can barely get him to look in my direction as I obnoxiously call out across the class, "I love you! See you this afternoon! Have a great day!" he's lost in conversation with another buddy about t-rex's and monsters. Kicked to the curb!

So while I remember so many other routines, pumping, night feedings, up two, three, four times a night, and while I appreciate them all, these are the ones I enjoy the most. That and their goofy after-bath-naked-craziness routines. But that's another post.